Dingy towing

If you know how to select a proper gear for the grade, overheating should not be a problem if you are not exceeding the GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating). I've towed my 4Runner over 12,000 foot passes with my '03 Winnie. Mine is 24' so I have a lot more of the GCVWR that isn't consumed by the motor home gross weight. You need to weigh the motor home and the jeep then do some simple math to see where you are.

DRTDEVL wrote:
There is no "charge air" in a naturally-aspirated engine.

Aside from that, the advice is solid.

Drtdevl,

You are obviously not a refugee from the engine labs of Detroit.

Change Air is what every IC engine sucks in. It can be atmospheric pressure, it is still charge air.

Matt

Got a 23u thor chateau, e450 2017. Just got back recently towing a jeep unlimited Rubicon, 300 lbs motorcycle and rack on back. Cargo bay filled. .. Idaho, Wyoming, NV, CA deserts 110+ heat. Jeep has brake system. This trip like many before it,
You'll be fine.??????

Just got back from a trip into California's Sierras. Towed my 3,500 lb. Honda CRV up over 7,000'. Several 6 and even 7% grades. Dropped to 43-45 mph on most, let the transmission do its thing, never touched the shift lever. RPMs got to 4,000+ and the cooling fan was noisy. Saw the temp gauge briefly get above halfway, heard the fan increase speed and the temp came right back down to normal. RV is a 2018 28' class C on a Ford E 450 chassis. You won't have any problem.

My jeep has the RV brake system in it so braking is no problem.

larry cad wrote:
Would it be appropriate at this time to mention going DOWN the other side, and the need for an auxiliary brake system in the Jeep?

That’s a very good thought. I use my Tow Haul mode all the time, it saves my brakes.

Would it be appropriate at this time to mention going DOWN the other side, and the need for an auxiliary brake system in the Jeep?

Matt_Colie wrote:
NC4ME,

This may sound counter intuitive, but if you see the heat rising and are nervous about it, downshift!

OK, what is this hair brained engineer try to do to you?

Get you over the hill is what. By downshifting you lower the demand for BMEP from the engine. (You make the same horsepower spinning the crankshaft faster.) This also means you will be pumping oil and charge air faster, as well as spinning the fan and the water pump faster. All of those are in your favor.

Enjoy the journey.

Matt

There is no "charge air" in a naturally-aspirated engine.

Aside from that, the advice is solid.

NC4ME,

This may sound counter intuitive, but if you see the heat rising and are nervous about it, downshift!

OK, what is this hair brained engineer try to do to you?

Get you over the hill is what. By downshifting you lower the demand for BMEP from the engine. (You make the same horsepower spinning the crankshaft faster.) This also means you will be pumping oil and charge air faster, as well as spinning the fan and the water pump faster. All of those are in your favor.

Enjoy the journey.

Matt

I have dingy towed on rather flat roads but never done a mountain one. I know gas milage will be a big gulp, it just the over heating I was worried about. I hope it does ok. Never had a problem with it so far. Thanks all for the help.