Mountain Driving

DrewE wrote:
For climbing hills, don't be afraid to push the V10 and let it rev up. Its powerband is at relatively high RPMs, and it's perfectly capable of running there for quite some time, even if it sounds like it's a giant over-caffeinated bumble bee thrashing about.

ReneeG wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Our 2008 F250 V10 does and it works great. It would be shocking if a much newer MH doesn't.

Well, I learned something new. We had a 1999 V10 F250. No tow/ haul mode, but when we bought our 2011 F350 diesel, it came with a tow/ haul mode and a tap of the break slows it down.

It depends on the transmission (and that depends on the year of the vehicle). The four speed Ford transmission did not have tow/haul, and the button on the shifter is correctly labeled "O/D off". The 5 speed and newer transmissions do have tow/haul instead, and it works well.

A motorhome is always hauling, even if it's not towing, since it's a heavy load and a lot of air resistance. As such, it's not at all unreasonable to always use tow/haul mode if you have it.

Our F250 V10 was a 6.8L.

ReneeG wrote:
Well, I learned something new. We had a 1999 V10 F250. No tow/ haul mode, but when we bought our 2011 F350 diesel, it came with a tow/ haul mode and a tap of the break slows it down.

Had a 1992 with the 7.3 diesel...Naturally Aspirated (no turbo) or exhaust brake. On flat land it was great. Awesome MPG. In the mountains, it was a total pig. Going up mountains it would lose lots of power at altitude and it didn't like lots of RPM (unlike the V10). Going downhill, it offered no engine or exhaust braking.

ReneeG wrote:
I believe the gasser doesn't have the Tow Haul mode where you can tap the breaks and slow it down like diesels. When we had a V10 truck and towed a travel trailer, we had to do the slow lane with the semi's and slow it way down, then pump the brakes at the end to keep them from seizing up.

Our V-10 gasser does indeed have the tow haul that does downshift with brake taps. Best thing the OP can do is learn to use and live the tow haul feature. Also important to start the down grade at a slow safe speed, not fast.

For climbing hills, don't be afraid to push the V10 and let it rev up. Its powerband is at relatively high RPMs, and it's perfectly capable of running there for quite some time, even if it sounds like it's a giant over-caffeinated bumble bee thrashing about.

ReneeG wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Our 2008 F250 V10 does and it works great. It would be shocking if a much newer MH doesn't.

Well, I learned something new. We had a 1999 V10 F250. No tow/ haul mode, but when we bought our 2011 F350 diesel, it came with a tow/ haul mode and a tap of the break slows it down.

It depends on the transmission (and that depends on the year of the vehicle). The four speed Ford transmission did not have tow/haul, and the button on the shifter is correctly labeled "O/D off". The 5 speed and newer transmissions do have tow/haul instead, and it works well.

A motorhome is always hauling, even if it's not towing, since it's a heavy load and a lot of air resistance. As such, it's not at all unreasonable to always use tow/haul mode if you have it.

Be prepared for the hills by being in the right gear just before going up/down steep slopes.

If you have to downshift on a steep downhill grade, be aware that your rear tires may drag on a slippery road surface which could be tense if the rear end starts to pass you. Ask me how I know........... Parking might be the best course of action if the roads are slippery.

Just take it easy, and you will have no problems. IMO, the biggest thing is to know your vehicle and how it reacts to your steering/braking input.

valhalla360 wrote:

ReneeG wrote:
I believe the gasser doesn't have the Tow Haul mode where you can tap the breaks and slow it down like diesels. When we had a V10 truck and towed a travel trailer, we had to do the slow lane with the semi's and slow it way down, then pump the brakes at the end to keep them from seizing up.

Our 2008 F250 V10 does and it works great. It would be shocking if a much newer MH doesn't.

I believe what you are thinking of is an exhaust brake. Since a diesel doesn't have a throttle to choke off, it gets very little engine braking effect. An exhaust brake has as similar effect but works by restricting the exhaust rather than the inlet. This is common on most newer diesels.

Worst case, if it doesn't, just manually downshift for a similar effect.

Well, I learned something new. We had a 1999 V10 F250. No tow/ haul mode, but when we bought our 2011 F350 diesel, it came with a tow/ haul mode and a tap of the break slows it down.

ReneeG wrote:
I believe the gasser doesn't have the Tow Haul mode where you can tap the breaks and slow it down like diesels. When we had a V10 truck and towed a travel trailer, we had to do the slow lane with the semi's and slow it way down, then pump the brakes at the end to keep them from seizing up.

Our 2008 F250 V10 does and it works great. It would be shocking if a much newer MH doesn't.

I believe what you are thinking of is an exhaust brake. Since a diesel doesn't have a throttle to choke off, it gets very little engine braking effect. An exhaust brake has as similar effect but works by restricting the exhaust rather than the inlet. This is common on most newer diesels.

Worst case, if it doesn't, just manually downshift for a similar effect.

Allow extra time to go slower both up and down the hills. Enjoy the ride. Don't make it a race.
Check back in if you have any issues that did not seem to go as expected.

Get familiar with the tow haul feature. It can save your brakes and more important things too.

What I do climbing steep grades, is fall behind big rig that is doing what my MH likes. Going down the hills, go slower then big rigs to save my brakes. Big rigs have exhaust brakes to help them.
In some cases, I slide over onto the shoulder to let cars and whoever go by. Don't forget to use slow vehicle turn outs.