DP going up and down mountains

With a DP you should have some type of engine or compression brake or combination of both. In general you should go down the hill in the same gear you drove up it in assuming some symmetry in the hill profile. This is especially true if you have a toad. On long downgrades it is critical to minimize the use of your service brakes to avoid overheating them. Many passes have signs stating the length of the grade and the recommended speed for trucks. Follow those signs. Don't worry about burning out your transmission it can deal with it just fine.

ricelake922 wrote:
Hello. I have a 40' 1996 Monaco Dynasty. I am going to be a Snowbirds this year and I hear there are mountains whether one takes I- 75 or I-95. I would really like to hear all advice from those who have a DP (I cannot downshift with a car in tow how to safely drive up and down mountains without burning out your brakes or transmission? Thank you in advance.

There are no significant mountains on I 95. And I would also like to know why you can't downshift. That is what most of us do going up or down when necessary. I use a Ready Brute Elite with a surge break. It is not an issue with my 6500 LB truck behind my MH.

ricelake922 wrote:
Hello. I have a 40' 1996 Monaco Dynasty. I am going to be a Snowbirds this year and I hear there are mountains whether one takes I- 75 or I-95. I would really like to hear all advice from those who have a DP (I cannot downshift with a car in tow how to safely drive up and down mountains without burning out your brakes or transmission? Thank you in advance.

No Interstate highway in the Country has steep grades that you would ever have to concern yourself with. You can gear down (you gear down automatically every time you slow down) and you likely have an exhaust brake or Jake brake to use the engine for braking as well. If you only want to drop 1 gear to help you on the downhill you just wait until you are 5-10 MPH over your desired speed, give the brakes a good push until you are 5-10 MPH below the desired speed and then go back to coasting to cool the brakes. You can do this over and over again without any brake over heating.

There are a few hills but no mountains on those routes. As stated, Use the lower gears on your Allison and your exhaust brake to keep speed in check.

Your year coach has a exhaust brake I believe .. Use it ! It will slow you without using your brakes Others and obviously I are are confused by your question. are you afraid the toads car brakes will ride and overheat ?? The mountains you are talking about are nothing compared to out west. It will not bc a problem unless you ride the brakes all the time Akso The auto transmission can be downshifted manually if you want. Perhaps a little more info on your concerns?

janstey58 wrote:
Why cant you downshift with car in tow? I do.

x2 - why do you think you can't downshift - what kind of set up do you have for your car???

Don't you have an engine brake? It usually does the downshifting for you. But otherwise there is no reason not to be able to down shift. At least nobody ever told me that and I've crossed the Sierras many times with my Dodge Dakota in tow and crossed the Rockies twice.

Why cant you downshift with car in tow? I do.