Black Mountain whooped my butt !!

old guy wrote:
why I ask do some people think they have to go up hill as fast as they do on the flats.

Why not do the speed limit on the big hills too?
Most people that ask that question probably don't have enough truck to do it.

Let's face it, safety is not a question. When towing up a 5 mile hill/mountain 8% grade doing 55 or 65 you will almost never need your brakes......unless some jack wagon pulls out into your lane trying to pass a slow moving RV! Even then just letting off the gas will slow you down fast, touch the brakes and you will stop faster than you ever have on the flats.
I really don't want to be one of those people that causes others to constantly go in and out of the right lane just to pass......people act stupid when passing a slower vehicle with lots of people behind them.

AIRFLOW. Creeping up a hill at 35 you will have terribly low airflow to cool your radiator, transmission, AC, intercooler (if you have one) etc.
Now suddenly your fan kicks on and has to scream and rob another 20 hp to keep things cool enough (barely). Going 55-65 your airflow is (I didn't look up the math) maybe triple to quadruple.

Keeping your transmission in 3rd or higher will keep the torque converter in lockup. This will keep trans heat to a minimum. 1-2 gear and it is unlocked and makes massive heat, and low airflow due to the low speed.

Besides lack of truck power or handling issues, I can't see a reason why you wouldn't want to be doing the same speed as others instead of being in the way......and anyone that complains of worse mileage going faster up the hill :R