In 04 we came down 62 into Eureka Springs with our 5A with an auto tranny and towing a Jeep. As we came to town the road split and i had to make a snap decision, right on the truck route or left into the historic district. I went left......all of the way to where the road ends in the hotel parking lot. Had to unhook to get turned around and get out of there. Curbed the jeep twice on the way in. Lots of narrow streets and short 90 degree corners. Tightest place i have ever been into with the bus. Plus to all this is now i don't get too stressed about some of the other places i go to. After the Springs every thing else is easy.
Is there a device that can sit on the dash that tells % grade? At one time didn't the Mitsubishi Montero or an Isuzu trooper come with something on the dash that did that? Some kind of artificial horizon looking thing with three instruments in it? I think you will find that there are many expenses one just doesn't realize until owning one for a little while, I wish the fuel bill was my only budget concern.
I don't like automatics simply because they often fail without any warning.
Gist Road, off Hiway 17 between Los Gatos & Santa Cruz CA, is 1.5 miles long and has eight hairpin turns on it - lots of fun in a 914, impassable w/ a bus.Hiway 1 along the CA coast between Monterey & San Simeon is a 94 mile beautiful drive - for the passengers! The driver is way too busy to enjoy it, especially SB. BTDTHTS!I-80 between Sacramento CA & Reno NV has a nice, long climb to 7,339' Donner Summit - 70 miles of 4, 5 & 6% grades. Back east is more like speed bumps, comparatively!We've got our share on the West Coast, believe me!
Is there a device that can sit on the dash that tells % grade? At one time didn't the Mitsubishi Montero or an Isuzu trooper come with something on the dash that did that?
Your continuing comments about fuel economy, and the cost involved, reminds me of the couple who went into a Mercedes dealership a few years ago to purchase a 500S sedan. All throughout the salesman's spiel, the wife kept asking about the car's fuel economy. Finally exasperated, the salesman told her "Mrs. Jones, if you're so concerned about the fuel consumption of this car, you cannot afford it."
After reading all this, my opinion is that if funds are limited & you already have a solution that works (your bounder), you'd be better off sticking with the tried & true. Trying to make a bus work will likely cost way more than you think - so far, that has been the case for most.