Class-A Hot Rod

For years the Banks Power badge on the side of an RV has always meant that a rig is packing some real horsepower. Today, that still holds true.

For years the Banks Power badge on the side of an RV has always meants that a rig is packing some real horsepower. Today, that still holds true.So, when we were invited to participate in a day of testing with one of their newly improved upon RV’s, we jumped at the chance.

For our test of the Banks PowerPack, we used a 2008 Class-A Damon Motor Coach powered by a V-10. When we arrived at the Banks complex in Azusa, California, the coach was strapped down to a chassis dynamometer (dyno for short). This is one of many things that would impress us during our stay at the Banks facility.

Everything they build goes through extensive testing both before and after the modifications have been made to guarantee an improvement. But outside the normal horsepower and torque tests, they look at what specific vehicle needs to do and concentrate on making it complete this task better.

For example, the federal minimum distance for a highway on-ramp is just shy of 1000 feet. Banks looks to reduce the distance it takes an RV to reach safe, highway speeds. In our case, post PowerPack install the distance to reach 60 mph was reduced by more than 200 feet, bringing the motorhome up to speed in 1092 feet. That’s the length of more than a couple semis. What’s even more impressive is these gains are achieved with better fuel economy than stock.

To read about and see all the details from the installation process, click below to keep reading this article…