A couple years ago we went from Colorado Springs to Breckenridge Colorado using Highways 24 & 9. In our Dodge 3500 Dually Diesel and 38' Fiver (21K pounds), it was one of the few nerve racking times I have had while traveling. Luckily, we have an exhaust brake and that helped a lot going down the steep grades.What I want to know is if anyone has done it with their Class A Gasser. How was the experience for you? Also, are there aftermarket products that will do the same as an exhaust brake?Since we have the exhaust brake, this is almost the deciding factor for us to choose between the Gasser or DP as we enjoy going to the Mountains (as well as the beach). However, if the Gasser owners were comfortable going down the steep grades (I believe 6-7% in spots) we might still consider them.Thanks for your input.John

I recent went down a 7% for 12 miles. 40 DP. However it was not never racking. As I started down in 2nd gear and slowly went from 2nd to 3rd with tapping the brakes. CAT, exhaust brake. Now if you purchase a rig with Cummings then jake Brake is better.I have also done the upper Salt River from Show low, AZ to Globe, AZ. Other people are calling it nerve racking I call it easy and taking my time.

John, I have went down far more than 7% grade and I'm still alive. Whats your worry? I looked through my entire owner's manual and couldn't find anything where it said " Caution, do not travel down hill with this vehicle" Today's gas coach will handle any public road in this country.

After down shifting the engine braking on my gas rig works very well holding down the speed. Haven't made it west of the Mississippi River but no problems with the hills here in the east.

Both the Ford and the Workhorse gas chassis have something like a grade brake mode which basically downshifts the transmission on descents. Naturally all you have to do is downshift manually to accomplish the same thing. As usual you just do not want to allow the vehicle to gain too much speed or ride the brakes on the descent. As long as the driver stays ahead of the vehicle it should never be a problem in any vehicle. If the driver lets things get out of hand by allowing the descent speed to get too high, than it can put a strain on the brakes of any vehicle.

My V10 has tow/haul and handles Wyoming hills just fine. It is really the driver behind the wheel not the type of vehcle. Knowing how to drive mountain grades is the most important.

Colorado Springs to Breckenridge in a Gasser Experience

DanTheRVMan
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Both gas or DP will go up and down all the hills. You see more gas than DP in the mountain CGs. Driving up and down at reasonable speeds is all that is needed with either.

Drive Both

DP air ride, easy fill at truck pumps, quiet ride, towing capacity, etc. are why people choose DP. Both can handle and be driven safely in the mountains.
JCGibson
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Thanks everyone for the inputs. I thought there wouldn't be a problem, but just wanted to get real world responses. Thanks again.

John
Gjac
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2015
Even with an older gas MH like my 96 454 I down shift at the top of the hill to 2nd or 3rd gear let the eng rev to 3000 rpms then pump the brakes hard twice to reduce rpms and speed, let the engine slow you down and don't ride the brakes down hill. Just use the brakes when rpms get too high.
crasster
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2015
Downshift, tap breaks, enjoy the ride down. :)

For 8%+ I often go into 1st gear.
dahkota
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
We have been up and down quite a few 7-8% grades in the last couple of weeks here in California. We slow a little more on the up hills than we did in our diesel truck/tt but we are a lot heavier now. On the downhills, we haven't had any problem - its pretty much like driving the truck except the view is better.
jhilley
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
I have never had a problem, been down many long 7 - 8% grades.
bsinmich
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Engine braking is a normal feature of a gas engine. A Diesel has no natural engine braking and needs some kind of retarding mechanism to do what a gas engine does naturally.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
My V10 has tow/haul and handles Wyoming hills just fine. It is really the driver behind the wheel not the type of vehcle. Knowing how to drive mountain grades is the most important.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2015
Both the Ford and the Workhorse gas chassis have something like a grade brake mode which basically downshifts the transmission on descents. Naturally all you have to do is downshift manually to accomplish the same thing. As usual you just do not want to allow the vehicle to gain too much speed or ride the brakes on the descent.
As long as the driver stays ahead of the vehicle it should never be a problem in any vehicle. If the driver lets things get out of hand by allowing the descent speed to get too high, than it can put a strain on the brakes of any vehicle.
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2015
After down shifting the engine braking on my gas rig works very well holding down the speed. Haven't made it west of the Mississippi River but no problems with the hills here in the east.