Just want to run this by some of you, at the present time when I climb a (Hill or Mountain) I let the Allison do the changing or down shift as needed, if it don't down shift at 1400 RPM I will down shift it my self, I haven't had a problem with over heating, just wanted to know if what I am doing is the proper way to handle the Mountain Climbs. A little late to ask since I have been doing it this way for 15 years. It is a 330 ISC 950 Torque at 1400 RPM. Thanks Roy

To me, it depends on the upcoming grades. If it's just one or two hills, I'll let the Allison do its thing. If I know there is a lot of hill climbing in the next several miles, I'll do the shifting in order to keep the power and RPMS up for cooling. I'll downshift before dropping to 1400 RPMS. I've never had an overheating problem on either the transmission or engine - I like my Scangage.Bill

On longish steepish grades I'll normally force a downshift to 5th or even 4th and keep the RPM up to 1800 to 2100 (Cat C-12) or so. This prevents any overheating and it's easy to maintain my speed. 4th at 2100 is about 60 or so.It's all about what feels good. On not so steep I let the tranny do it's thing and keep the cruise engaged.

Downshifting before the hill is easier on the tranny.

2oldman wrote:Downshifting before the hill is easier on the tranny.Would like more information on that one-- this is an Allison 3000 series. Torque converter is locked in all higher gears.The only reason I would downshift (down arrow) is if the transmission in hunting between gears or you are overheating.The OP is doing it EXACTLY correctly (per Cummins): As long as you are not overheating, let RPM lug down to peak torque RPM before downshifting.

bluwtr49 wrote:On longish steepish grades I'll normally force a downshift to 5th or even 4th and keep the RPM up to 1800 to 2100 (Cat C-12) or so. This prevents any overheating and it's easy to maintain my speed. 4th at 2100 is about 60 or so.It's all about what feels good. On not so steep I let the tranny do it's thing and keep the cruise engaged.x2 I usually go to 4th

Hill Climbing | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

wolfe10
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
2oldman wrote:
Downshifting before the hill is easier on the tranny.

Would like more information on that one-- this is an Allison 3000 series. Torque converter is locked in all higher gears.

The only reason I would downshift (down arrow) is if the transmission in hunting between gears or you are overheating.

The OP is doing it EXACTLY correctly (per Cummins): As long as you are not overheating, let RPM lug down to peak torque RPM before downshifting.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
Downshifting before the hill is easier on the tranny.
bluwtr49
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
On longish steepish grades I'll normally force a downshift to 5th or even 4th and keep the RPM up to 1800 to 2100 (Cat C-12) or so. This prevents any overheating and it's easy to maintain my speed. 4th at 2100 is about 60 or so.

It's all about what feels good. On not so steep I let the tranny do it's thing and keep the cruise engaged.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
To me, it depends on the upcoming grades. If it's just one or two hills, I'll let the Allison do its thing. If I know there is a lot of hill climbing in the next several miles, I'll do the shifting in order to keep the power and RPMS up for cooling. I'll downshift before dropping to 1400 RPMS. I've never had an overheating problem on either the transmission or engine - I like my Scangage.

Bill

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Hill Climbing

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