Need your input

The first part of my tach has a broken red line that is ok to venture into while descending a hill. Then the line turns solid red and that I always avoid. However, my truck is an "03" and could be different than the newer offerings.

fireman41 wrote:

If the hill you are going down has a truck speed limit I would suggest that you go that speed. Just pick the best gear to hold u back with min use of the brakes and not red line the engine. High rpm are ok just bury the tachometer. Probably going to be 2nd or 3rd gear.

Just for my own edification. If your burying the tach and high rpm are ok, how is this not redlining the engine? Or are saying its ok to run the rpms high...just not too high?

Seemed contradictory to me, thats all.

JIMNLIN wrote:

Need your input

Keep in mind posters with a Ford/Dodge or a GM with the Dmax/A or anything other than your 6.0 GM with the 6L90E transmission won't be any help. Different auto trannies have different down hill braking parameters. Even the same transmission in different year models down hill braking work differently.

I'm surprised folks that tow don't experiment with their vehicle transmissions to find out what actually works the best when it comes to down hill braking.

Agree, manufacturers are constantly trying to improve engines and transmissions. Also there are a lot of new features in vehicles today as well.

I just went from a 2006 Chevy Siverado 6.6 dura max / Allison to a 2015 GMC Siearra 6.6 Duramax / Allison. They are different, still learning with the 2015. The 2015 also has an exhaust brake where the 2006 did not. So far everything I have read in manual the exhaust brake does not work in Manual.

What ever you decide to do. Be safe!

jrs1871 wrote:
Not sure how Black Mountain compares to some of the Colorado passes. But we just recently came over a few high (10,000+) passes. We did not turn off the tow haul but did switch to manual transmission mode. By gearing down as we went down, the truck handled the down slope just fine. We did not start down in third gear but eventually got there. We also didn't turn on the hazard lights as the other bigger rigs were going through the same process.

Black mountain is a 6% foot hill that is maybe 5k, doesnt even compare to mountains that are in CO.

zackyboy3rs wrote:
Sunday I will be going down Black mountain. Am I correct that I should:
1. Turn off tow/haul
2. Manually put in 3rd gear
3. Turn on hazard lights
4. Hang on?

Thanks

Why would you turn on your hazard lights????????

Need your input

Keep in mind posters with a Ford/Dodge or a GM with the Dmax/A or anything other than your 6.0 GM with the 6L90E transmission won't be any help. Different auto trannies have different down hill braking parameters. Even the same transmission in different year models down hill braking work differently.

I'm surprised folks that tow don't experiment with their vehicle transmissions to find out what actually works the best when it comes to down hill braking.

I'm not familiar with the Chevy tow haul mode. But my GPS 2013 super duty will down shift evey time I hit the brakes until it reaches the point when the next gear will cause it to red line.

If the hill you are going down has a truck speed limit I would suggest that you go that speed. Just pick the best gear to hold u back with min use of the brakes and not red line the engine. High rpm are ok just bury the tachometer. Probably going to be 2nd or 3rd gear.

Hope that helps.

Tho I do sense sarcasm I. Ur post

I put my Ford in manual mode, select correct gear to help maintain comfortable speed, and apply brakes for short intervals.

Worked great for a recent 3 1/2 mile 7% decent, with my rig.

Jerry

I think it is 6% 5 miles.

Not sure how Black Mountain compares to some of the Colorado passes. But we just recently came over a few high (10,000+) passes. We did not turn off the tow haul but did switch to manual transmission mode. By gearing down as we went down, the truck handled the down slope just fine. We did not start down in third gear but eventually got there. We also didn't turn on the hazard lights as the other bigger rigs were going through the same process.