Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Motorcoach & Motorhome > Class A Motor Coach
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-06-2020, 04:33 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Alabama
Posts: 2
THOR #18290
Best booster to install for extra power when climbing hills.

I own a Thor Axis V10 Class C motor coach. I'm looking for a device to install on the engine to give me extra power for climbing hills.

__________________
julie06191959 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2020, 04:58 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
ducksface's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
Quote:
Originally Posted by julie06191959 View Post
I own a Thor Axis V10 Class C motor coach. I'm looking for a device to install on the engine to give me extra power for climbing hills.
Not enough info to help you.
Make
Year
Model
Towed vehicle or not
Miles on your rv
Your problem better defined
What you expect from the change.

Devices run from snake oil to $12,000 dual turbochargers.

Basically, there's no such thing as you request with actual measureable results over a few small percentage points that doesn't require massive redo of massive systems.

We can help. We need more information.
__________________
Below is a link to most of my modifications either accomplished or pending.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...n-18996-3.html

Click on my pictures then click the pop-up for a full screen zoomable picture.
ducksface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2020, 05:31 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Alabama
Posts: 2
THOR #18290
Extra power to climb hills.

A friend suggested that we install a Bank Power device. We called the company and they said it would cost approx. $2900 and that doesn't include the 9 hours of manual labor to install the device.

More info on my motor coach:

Ford V10, Thor Axis MotorCoach, gas, year 2016.
Miles: 15,000
No towing.

We've decided not to pursue the "Bank Power" device.

Thanks for your advice.
__________________
julie06191959 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2020, 06:03 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
ducksface's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
The banks system for that year v10 has a measurable increase you'll 'feel' but not really realize.
It's not in the snake oil category, but it's definitely in the
no appreciable percentage of power increase
Realm.

Other than few shift point changes in the transmission there really is nothing to be done to a v10 Ford that will warrant the expense.

The best thing I can tell you to back up my ascertation is:
If the added power was available within reason, I'd own it without reason.


I will suggest, and many many people do this so I'm not picking on you specificially:
Mash that gas pedal.

In a previous life I would hear complaints about acceleration and hills. I'd then drive their vehicle with them as a passenger. MANY had never pushed the pedal more than 3/4 of the way down. Scared the heck out of most of them when they realized what their silly little car could do at a stop light or up a hill they prepared for.

I live in two adjacent counties. Altitude goes from 322ft to 11,000ft.
I go from 422ft to 7,000ft in 180 miles of road.
I have a stock v10 and no reasonable complaint.
I drive the hell out of that v10.

(there is a theoretical realm of computer changes affecting a small narrow gap of power at the end of the gas pedal after a 60 second to the floor pedal hold down. Don't get caught up in some of our power discussions. They are certainly warranty voiding and have little practical value other than theory)
__________________
Below is a link to most of my modifications either accomplished or pending.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...n-18996-3.html

Click on my pictures then click the pop-up for a full screen zoomable picture.
ducksface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2020, 04:24 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
A motorhome isn't a muscle car. You're expecting a 15,000 lb vehicle to perform like a 4,000 lb or less car. Ducks is right. Push the go pedal harder and try to lighten your load as much as possible.
__________________
Pat & Becky & now Katie
Wenatchee, WA
99dart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2020, 04:47 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
Another vote for pushing down on the skinny pedal. I drove from Central Texas to Hershey, PA last summer and never needed more power. When I saw a hill in front of me I just mashed the gas pedal. I'ver been mashing the gas pedal for over 20,000 miles and do not think I need Tim Taylor to add more power.
__________________
Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
Lt Keefer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2020, 03:31 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Me too. The engine is terrific and well able to tote your coach. Unless you have an issue with it like crap in your exhaust system or something. It’s a noisy beast though and sounds like it’s about to explode on a big hill. But it won’t. You’ll be in the truck lane though so just enjoy the ride.
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2020, 03:56 PM   #8
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
What hills do you need extra power to climb? Plenty of folks have been through every part of the Rockies with no mods on their motorhomes, some of which are much heavier at 26K GVWR and they haven't complained about needing more power for climbing. Personally, we had 2 consecutive Ford V10s, one 305 HP in a class c and the other 362 HP in a Challenger and there wasn't a hill anywhere in the eastern US that I couldn't handle. Did I top the hills doing 70 MPH, no and I didn't want to driving a big box.

Like I always say, do what your wallet can afford.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
EA37TS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2020, 04:58 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
I look at it from point of view of how much is my time worth.

One of the longest, steepest, and highest-elevation climbs is in Colorado over the Rocky Mountains. It takes 8 minutes to travel 8 miles at speed limit of 60 MPH to reach the Eisenhower Tunnel at 11,000 ft under the Continental Divide.

Large motorhomes and people towing heavy trailers can lose a minute or two, maybe even 3 or 4 minutes if really loaded down, but it begs the question of how often is a driver going to encounter those extreme conditions?

I’d bet that over an entire year of driving, hills and mountains don’t add up to an hour of time loss due to insufficient power. So, would I spend $1,000s to save an hour a year? No way.

If a driver needs or wants higher performance for the joy of it, that’s a different issue. But I seriously doubt the time any improvement can save is worth it to me on an economic basis.

I honestly don’t care about losing an extra 2~3 minutes on an extreme mountain pass any more than stopping an extra 2~3 minutes for lunch or at a rest stop. To me having to occasionally drive slower isn’t even worth thinking about.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2020, 03:31 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
The best booster for me is cruise control and tow/haul mode. I find the computers do a better job of mashing the pedal than I do.
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
petefoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 06:13 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor four winds SF 35
State: Texas
Posts: 179
THOR #13025
Banks makes a system that increases the horse power of the v10. I have seen several tuners advertised in motorhome magazine and FMCA magazine.
__________________
Glensouth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 06:48 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
Five Star Tune, easy to install, better performance, better shifting, and a little better mileage. Had my tune for 3 years now, wouldn’t go back. (843) 536-1244 Super nice people, great customer service and support!
__________________
SuperD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 06:49 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
ducksface's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glensouth View Post
Banks makes a system that increases the horse power of the v10. I have seen several tuners advertised in motorhome magazine and FMCA magazine.
Banks has been covered twice in this thread.
It's already been dismissed for two causes, both of which amount to horsepower and dollars.

Does Five Star void the 3/36 or extended warranties?
__________________
Below is a link to most of my modifications either accomplished or pending.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...n-18996-3.html

Click on my pictures then click the pop-up for a full screen zoomable picture.
ducksface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 07:27 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: Colorado
Posts: 118
THOR #7174
I have a Thor Hurricane V10 and tow a Jeep Liberty. I live in Colorado during Spring/Summer I'm up in the mountains couple times a month, I've taken it up the continental divide! Yes you need to get in the right hand Lane and just accept the fact people are passing you although only empty or bobtailed trucks pass me a loaded 18 wheeler isn't zooming by me.
__________________
djcarter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 08:22 PM   #15
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.2
State: California
Posts: 95
THOR #14923
Slightly off topic, but since someone mentioned it, when do you use your tow button? My 2018 ACE 27.2 weighs 16k, and I haul a Chevy Tracker that is <3000lbs. I typically don’t use it on flat surfaces, but do when climbing. I’ve been thru the Rockies, sierras, etc., and this method seems to work.
__________________
richguess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 08:32 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
ducksface's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
I've never found a reason to not run tow mode all the time.
I have found no advantage to turning it off.
__________________
Below is a link to most of my modifications either accomplished or pending.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...n-18996-3.html

Click on my pictures then click the pop-up for a full screen zoomable picture.
ducksface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 08:49 PM   #17
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
Quote:
Originally Posted by richguess View Post
Slightly off topic, but since someone mentioned it, when do you use your tow button? My 2018 ACE 27.2 weighs 16k, and I haul a Chevy Tracker that is <3000lbs. I typically don’t use it on flat surfaces, but do when climbing. I’ve been thru the Rockies, sierras, etc., and this method seems to work.
I only turn TOW/HAUL mode on when decelerating.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 09:12 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: Colorado
Posts: 118
THOR #7174
Quote:
Originally Posted by richguess View Post
Slightly off topic, but since someone mentioned it, when do you use your tow button? My 2018 ACE 27.2 weighs 16k, and I haul a Chevy Tracker that is <3000lbs. I typically don’t use it on flat surfaces, but do when climbing. I’ve been thru the Rockies, sierras, etc., and this method seems to work.
I actually don't use it, I do however downshift when descending to save the brakes a little work
__________________
djcarter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 09:28 PM   #19
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Colorado
Posts: 1
THOR #16172
Why?

First off I agree with previous responders to you question. More information is needed to answer your question.

The question that came to my mind is why do you feel the need to have a “boost” of power to drive up hills? Our solution to hills and mountains is go slow, take our time and not be in any hurry. That is, after all, one of the big benefits we have in RVing - slow down and enjoy life.
__________________
nursemikec is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 11:06 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 25.4
State: California
Posts: 225
THOR #7440
djcarter, read your owners manual on that Tow-Haul mode, you are missing the benefit of that feature.
__________________
BASSMAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 10:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2