centralman

http://green.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/mythbusters-drafting-10-feet-behind-a-big-rig-will-improve-mile/ Interesting article about drafting.

In my opinion, the best RV for a trip in Mexico! 1. Nondescript - definitely won't be a target of carjacking; 2. It's reliable, won't break down easily, but just in case; 3. I see so many 22RE pickups around in Mexico, I figure people there must know how to fix it if something happens.

Oh, sorry my mistake, the trip is approx 3500 miles or 5700 kms and it should last around 10 days. Yes, maybe I should try to gradually slow down a bit to see how things go. I used to tell my friends one of the perks that comes with the Toyota MH is that you will never get a speeding ticket on the highway, cos it usually is not capable to speed.

Sigh ... I agree with you sometimes I try to do that too (following big trucks) but it seems maintaining 63mph is not as easy as it seems, sometime even a slight uphill I can't keep up with the trucks with my MH.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I guess slow driving is the key to better fuel economy. This actually is my first RV even I owned it for like 3 and a half years now I still consider myself a newbie. Never driven such a slow vehicle before. Did kinda know about the 51-55 sweet spot zone and tried it but had gotten quite a bit of horns and middle fingers from different motorists in the I-5. Yes there is a slow lane but in a lot of stretches in the I-5 there are only 2 lanes on each direction and when large container trucks try to overtake you cos you are that slow they inadvertently slow the fast lane vehicles behind them down and some folks don't take it kindly. To be honest I do feel the pressure and I found that by at least maintaining 60mph I get minimal trouble on the road.

Hello there, I am preparing for a 5,500 miles trip to Mexico this Christmas and New Year from Vancouver, BC and I will be driving the whole I-5. Maintaining 60mph on I-5 is a challenge enough when everyone is driving 75mph or more. Since slowing down is really not an option, does anyone has any idea how to get the best fuel economy on the highway? At around 60mph, my average fuel economy is around 11mpg.

Hi John, Now I kind of know why. When I was trying to solve my engine running hot problem, first I tried to replace the existing thermostat (which is a relatively new one) with the Toyota 2-stage thermostat: http://4crawler.com/4x4//CheapTricks/index.shtml#Thermostat When that didn't work I was thinking, hmmm, maybe even the 2 stage thermostat isn't quite good enough, and someone even advised me to remove the thermostat altogether, I then tried the advise mentioned on the link to put back my old thermostat and drilled a couple of holes on them to act as bypass. Maybe that's the reason why this is happening, and eventually even that didn't work and in the end I replaced the fuel injectors and problem solved. Thanks John & 5Toyota for their comments.

Thanks John for your information. It did have a couple of level measuring devices at the end of the MH but the glass/plastic is broken and the liquid inside is long gone so yes get a couple of replacement is good idea.

Hi John I have checked my furnance out it's kind of looks like kind of round. Would this mean I have a newer model? It's a Dometic fridge.

Thank you gentlemen for your comments. I hope the new +4 plugs will last at least 20K miles I don't hope for them being miracle plugs I just hope they'll perform the way the OE plugs do.

Oh since we are discussing the engine coolant temperature here my MH's temp will go all the way down to "C" when it's going a long stretch of downhill (for example, I-5 at Siskiyou Summit), then the temperature will get back to normal once it's on level ground, does this happen to you guys?

Thank you Linda for your reply. Usually what's the air pressure maintained?

Thanks Maineah for you advice. Actually I carry a set of hand tools for the vehicle just in case. I am thinking maybe the best course of action for me is to buy a set of stock ND plugs and carry those with me just in case. If the platinum +4s perform well then I'll keep the stock for the next change. Any sign of problem I'll change those plugs on the road, I don't think it'll be exceptionally difficult. Cos again, I don't want to waste the +4 plugs.

I had a cooling problem awhile back, please check out this topic to see if it could be of some use to you: http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2907&hl=%2Bcooling+%2Bdown+%2Bthe+%2B22re

I was trying to use the www.boschautoparts.com online catalog to verify but I was informed I got lost in the digital vortex ...

Thanks John for your information. I will check the chimney out. I guess with mine's 87 rig could be the old style. Like Maineah says I am one of the people who has no problem walking uphill to use the head. Guess it has to do with my time at sea.

Thanks Maineah for your comments. I have heard a lot of people talking about leveling, but I'm ok if it's relatively flat & level, my only worry is that if it's not flat it'll do some damage to something.

I would like to ask how important is leveling? I really never did any type of leveling with my RV - I just park on a relatively flat spot and that's it.

Actually I would like to ask how long usually does the stock system last? At which time should we consider replacing the exisiting system?

Actually my friend was kind enough to buy the set of 4 plugs for me as a gift, so I was asking before if those plugs would actually do the engine any harm. If they'll perform just the way the stock plugs do, that's good enough for me. In fact if I were to replace the plugs myself I would probably just go with the stock ones like you said. If they were to perform any differently than stock I shall report back what I have experienced.

Thanks again for your comments. I'll give the Platinum +4s a try as I will be having a Christmas/New Year RV trip (Vancouver BC-Sonara, Mexico). I shall report back of my experience with the plugs.

Thanks everyone for their comments. I would like to know: 1. If I do choose to replace with Bosch Platinum +4, will there be an adverse effect to the engine? Some says the engine will run hotter? 2. I have a friend who runs a Toyota Pickup with 22RE engine says he got improvement on acceleration and slight improvement on the mpg after changing the Platinum +4 plugs. That's why I am considering. 3. Like I have said I have had those plugs changed twice on average 20k miles each interval, last 2 times I used NGK and ND, those are just the 'normal' plugs.

Actually was I was using NGK stock number 1233 (BPR5EY) last time and I think ND stock number 3031 (W16EXR-U) the time before, am now thinking if the Bosch +4 Platinum Stock Number 4478 or any other model would be better, thank you all for your comments and ideas. Edit: Upgrade to Platinum Plugs recommended? NGK Iridium IX BPR5EIX Stock number 6597 or Denso Iridium IW16 Stock number 5305 or Bosch +4 Platinum Stock Number 4478

My motorhome is having a scheduled spark plugs change. I have always been using either NGK or ND, but I am now considering to try Bosch. Does anyone has any experience using Bosch Platinum +4?