Banks Power Pack

[barbbezub]

We have a 2000 Jayco Class C (Ford 350 V 10) and lack power to enter freeway or climb hills. Anyone ever install a Banks Power Pack? Did it help? Any less expensive ideas to improve pick up?

[demoon]

You are going to get lots of opinions on this subject and referrals to previous threads. My personal experience - full Banks on a 2001 Gulf Stream Class C - very little noticeable improvement in performance and no help with mpg. I would never do it again - just not worth the $$$$$.

Have heard good reviews of Five Start Tuning, which is a lot less money.

Our rigs are never going to blaze onto the freeway, or over steep hills. Just too much weight and not enough torque.

[justimagination]

JMHO, leave it as it was designed, it will get you there maybe not as fast as other's, but safely. We all experience the same thing pulling all that weight for comfort to us. Far better to keep your $$$ for other enjoyment. Good luck and travel safe.
david g.

[unca waldo]

Originally Posted by barbbezub

We have a 2000 Jayco Class C (Ford 350 V 10) and lack power to enter freeway or climb hills. Anyone ever install a Banks Power Pack? Did it help? Any less expensive ideas to improve pick up?

Like you, I felt like my 31' Winnebago Class C just couldn't get out of its own way. I was tempted to "invest" in a Banks System. My Brother-in-Law did have one installed, but honestly, while there was some noticeable increase in power, it certainly didn't justify the cost. I must admit though, his rigs exhaust note does sound good.

After following him up and over the Cajon Pass in SoCal... and he being able to gain about a 1/4 mile on me, it finally it dawned on me... this thing is 31' of rolling house, nothing's gonna make it a hot rod!

After this revelation, I quit worrying about climbing hills slowly, it just gave me more opportunities to enjoy the scenery.

As far as merging onto the freeways, I try to time my merge and have found, most drivers are actually pretty courteous. Of course, most drivers also instinctively understand the "Universal Lug Nut Rule"... he with the most lug nuts, almost invariably wins. (lol)

[TXiceman]

I put the Banks exhaust on my 1999 Minnie Winnie along with the Banks Transcommand. It did not make much difference on the off the line, but it did help the mid range performance and hill climbing a bit. Fuel economy came up slightly since it was not dropping out of overdrive at the mere hint of a hill.

It was a bit better to drive but not worth the cost unless you plan to keep the RV long term. A 13 year old RV is probably not worth the money for the Banks.

Ken

[barbbezub]

Thanks for your reply. From all of the replies it doesn't sound like we will install the Banks. Problem is, because we don't feel it will climb hills, much less mountains, we drove our SUV and hotel stayed on a recent trip East. We would also love to go west, but are afraid we will find ourselves sliding backwards down the mountians. Hate to just use it for weekend trips with grandkids. Hope we can find a solution.

Originally Posted by unca waldo

Like you, I felt like my 31' Winnebago Class C just couldn't get out of its own way. I was tempted to "invest" in a Banks System. My Brother-in-Law did have one installed, but honestly, while there was some noticeable increase in power, it certainly didn't justify the cost. I must admit though, his rigs exhaust note does sound good.

After following him up and over the Cajon Pass in SoCal... and he being able to gain about a 1/4 mile on me, it finally it dawned on me... this thing is 31' of rolling house, nothing's gonna make it a hot rod!

After this revelation, I quit worrying about climbing hills slowly, it just gave me more opportunities to enjoy the scenery.

As far as merging onto the freeways, I try to time my merge and have found, most drivers are actually pretty courteous. Of course, most drivers also instinctively understand the "Universal Lug Nut Rule"... he with the most lug nuts, almost invariably wins. (lol)

[demoon]

You might want to have a trusted mechanic take a look at your rig. There could be something wrong that can be fixed. Performance should not be so bad that you are afraid to tackle hills. We have not yet traveled in the west, but we have been over about every mountain in the east. Yes, the V-10 will slow down, but it likes to run at high revs, so just let it shift down and it will take you over most things you encounter.
Your speed may be down there with the trucks when you get to the top, but you will make it if that stock engine is performing correctly.
Good luck and enjoy.

[Steverino]

I'm with demoon...have someone give it the once over. Check stuff like air cleaner, fuel filter, etc. I assume the tranny is downshifting under load like it should...?

We have a 2000 Jayco E450 with the V10 and it's a 32 footer. Certainly isn't a hot rod, but she does okay. Some grades, I can keep up 50-60 mph if I keep my foot somewhat in it. Occasionally I'll find one where 45 is about all I want to do. Remember that the V10 likes to rev more than ye old V8's, so it's gonna be noisier when you're pulling a hill.

I don't particularly like to flog my vehicles, so I rarely am completely floored. I just find a speed that feels like a sweet spot and let her work. Driving the MH has been a good lesson for me - I hang out in the right lane and get there in my own sweet time.

[barbbezub]

thanks everyone for all of your help. I was mistaken about it being a 350 - it's a . 450. Sounds just like Steverino's. So when it downshifts, should I keep my foot in the same place on the accelerator or should I let up? Getting a good tune up is a good idea -

[Steverino]

It depends on how fast you want to be going and how much it picks up speed after the downshift. I haven't thought about it that way before - I guess I let the tranny do whatever it needs to and I drive as fast as feels comfortable for my passengers and the rig itself. I rarely keep it floored for long - only if really necessary. Hope that helps somewhat...