1996 F53 460 thor residency... Which gear on steep hills
Hello, getting ready to head south in 1996 F53 460 thor residency... Which gear should i use on steep hills on i75. Should I turn overdrive off? I'm also towing a car. Thanks
Forum Discussion
Ken.....a couple of things. Depending on your weight, while towing, you should probably stay out of overdrive, unless it's a nice level area. Here is a good test to use to decide if you should be in overdrive. If you're on a slight grade, press the throttle lightly, if the coach accelerates, you're okay to stay in overdrive. If it downshifts, you should not be in overdrive on this portion of the highway. This is an easy practice once you get use to doing it.
On any grade, in a gasser like yours, you should initially shift out of overdrive at the base of the grade. Shifting after that is something you'll learn after driving your coach for awhile. Typically, you drive the same grades many times when leaving on trips and you get to know them. I know that in my coach, there are certain grades I drop one gear immediately at the base to maintain my speed. I never wait for the trans to downshift automatically as I typically lose to much speed/power by then.
Your gasser is pretty powerful and will climb any grade, just some a little slower. I had your engine in a Class C for 14 years. On the large grades I turned the overdrive off at the bottom and as I started to slow, I would downshift into second and then stay at whatever speed the coach would hold without overworking the engine. In my younger days, I would ring it's neck to be the first to the top in our group of other Class C's. As I got older and wised up, I just maintained a good speed that wasn't taxing my engine.
It's all about getting used to watch your coach will do in various situations such as grades and while towing.
On any grade, in a gasser like yours, you should initially shift out of overdrive at the base of the grade. Shifting after that is something you'll learn after driving your coach for awhile. Typically, you drive the same grades many times when leaving on trips and you get to know them. I know that in my coach, there are certain grades I drop one gear immediately at the base to maintain my speed. I never wait for the trans to downshift automatically as I typically lose to much speed/power by then.
Your gasser is pretty powerful and will climb any grade, just some a little slower. I had your engine in a Class C for 14 years. On the large grades I turned the overdrive off at the bottom and as I started to slow, I would downshift into second and then stay at whatever speed the coach would hold without overworking the engine. In my younger days, I would ring it's neck to be the first to the top in our group of other Class C's. As I got older and wised up, I just maintained a good speed that wasn't taxing my engine.
It's all about getting used to watch your coach will do in various situations such as grades and while towing.
