floridagame
Florida
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Joined: 07/20/2008
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Thanks for all the info this is great stuff. My family says I have a tendency to over think things but I don't believe that's possible when looking at these. I've been reading and looking for months and keep picking up new stuff.
I know this could cause anarchy but I'd be interested in hearing, Foretravel, Beaver, or ??? similar years, say early 90's. What's your pick?
One other thing. Is a Arizona RV typically better than a FL RV. Seems the drier weather would be a benefit?
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Works2RV
Summerville, SC, USA
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Joined: 04/07/2004
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floridagame wrote:Thanks for all the info this is great stuff. My family says I have a tendency to over think things but I don't believe that's possible when looking at these. I've been reading and looking for months and keep picking up new stuff.
I know this could cause anarchy but I'd be interested in hearing, Foretravel, Beaver, or ??? similar years, say early 90's. What's your pick?
One other thing. Is a Arizona RV typically better than a FL RV. Seems the drier weather would be a benefit?
Well, I would add Country Coach to your list and given a choice between Foretravel, CC and Beaver of this era I'd go CC if all else is equal - but that's me. Don't get me wrong we love our '87 Beaver but I've seen some mighty sweet early 90's CC's.
As far as FL vs Az - if you mean one that has stayed in that area ( they do get around you know ) you have the moisture of the south and the dust of the SW - I'd be most interested in how well they have been maintained then it's a "take your choice". MHO here.
1987 36' Beaver Marquis High Tech Wide body
3208T CAT, MT643 Allison in a Gillig MHA
Koni's & Toyo all around
FMCA, Good Sam
Jetta TDI
Marsha & Buck
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Ames
South Central Florida
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Joined: 01/05/2001
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We are partial to the Beavers having owned the 91 Baronet and now the 97 Patriot. The Baronett we had had a 3116 not the 3208 mentioned above and known for good fuel mileage. We had no problem with the driver and passenger seat location and even had a safe below the floor in front of the passenger seat.
Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat
97 Beaver Patriot 40 Kitchen Slide
330 HP Member FMCA, BAC, Good Sam, CAT RV Club
Toad 04 Durango HEMI
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floridagame
Florida
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I haven't seen any CC's yet but they do seem like an old favorite. I'll put that on the list.
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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Joined: 05/05/2005
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Deen wrote:zmotorsports wrote: The only two downsides were the power (3208 CAT @ 300HP) and the trans was only a 4 speed. If it had the six speed I probably would have been more content with the power as the gears would have been a little closer ratio. Mike. Six speed Allison doesn't usually change the spread of the lower gears, it just adds 2 overdrives (.75:1 and .65:1) to the four already there which end at 1:1. But different models may be different too. Even in the 3000MH there are 6 or 7 different torque converters that are used to match to the engine.
Even though the first 4 gears of the wide-ratio Allison 3000 are almost identical to the four ratios in the 540, the chassis builder would use a different axle ratio with the 6-speed. This is because he will choose a rear axle ratio that provides the desired top speed at the desired RPM. Since both MH's will have similar top speeds, this leaves the 6-speed MH with more gears to use in the middle.
The other alternative is that manufacturer will spec a top speed to be attained in 5th so that cruising in 6th is more relaxed at a lower RPM. Still, there is another gear ratio available for hills, etc.
Allison 3000-series transmission for vocational duty are usually equipped with close-ratio gears because vocational trucks (think garbage trucks) are often very heavily loaded with lots of stop & go. Plus, I'm not sure anyone cares if the transmission of a garbage truck allows for a relaxed cruising speed on the highway at low engine RPM. 
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
2009 Arctic Fox 29V
2005 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4X4 Crewcab
Hensley Hitch
TruControl Brake Controller
Our Beaver Technical page
Wildlife rescue at the Northwest Raptor Center
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