First time driving mountains

QueenD wrote:
Thanks for replies. Not quite as nervous but will definitely take it slow.

you have a gas engine. That gives you a downhill advantage, over "many" diesels. Gear down to a gear that will hold you at the speed you need to go, but do it at the top of the hill, Not part way down.
Let the engine do most of the work. Even use 1st, if you feel the need.

WyoTraveler wrote:

old guy wrote:
I have never seen a steep mountain or even a steep hill back east.

That is what I thought also when I kept seeing these posts. I searched the maps and sure enough they actually have a mountain back there. Doubt it is like we encounter on the continental divide or every day driving out here in the west. However, probably a understandable concern for RVers that have never driven on anything but flatlands.

We even have a Continental divide. And yes I've driven the hills out West. they are no worse than the hills back here. In fact they are easier, as they are not so twisty.

old guy wrote:
I have never seen a steep mountain or even a steep hill back east.

You might if you ever left home

to the OP. Just outside of Franklin heading up toward Gold City it gets a little steep for a couple or three miles. It has passing lanes and is not hard, but will pull you down. Heading down the backside is a little hairy since there is a couple of long sweeping curves before you get to Dillsboro. You may see a truck or two cooling off on the top. Just take it easy as you start down the back side, the curves can sneak up on you just like the speed

downtheroad wrote:
When you get into 'mountains' and start seeing these, then you know you are really driving in 'mountains.'

We have these in Pennsylvania.

We live in hilly country and see vehicles with 'Flatlander' plates, not just RVs either, going down steep hills, with the brakes on almost all the way down. I have seen discussions on other forums and message boards, in which people say that they'd rather wear out their brakes than their transmissions as they are cheaper!!!! It would appear from these discussions that many people believe that when they hear the term, 'lose the brakes' they think that means the pads or linings wear out! I have seen people write that as they have just replaced their pads or linings, they won't have to worry about that.
Braking materials have greatly improved over the years but somehow these people have to learn that if you brake all the way down the hill, they will overheat and won't work when you are half way down1

QueenD wrote:
Thanks for replies. Not quite as nervous but will definitely take it slow.

Yes just allow the RV to slow when appropriate and you will enjoy the trip far more than pushing hard to the top or playing downhill racer.

A pretty good rule is to go down a hill a gear lower than it takes to get up the hill.

Mountains is mountains, east or west. The big rule is: don't ride your brakes, shift to a lower gear when descending, and sometimes even when climbing, to keep on the torque band and avoid overheating.

If you are not sure how your transmission works and/or are simply used to stepping on the brake when descending, this might be a good time to seek some competent instruction. (Good news, it ain't hard - I drove manuals and automatics in the Andes for years. If I can do it, so can you.)

Thanks for replies. Not quite as nervous but will definitely take it slow.