Towing with steep grades
OK, basically looking for opinions here. I have a Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab with the 5.9L Cummins - 2004.5. I pull a 2016 Rockwood 8329SS, which is a 35 foot, 8900 lb TT. I have no real concerns with...
Forum Discussion
PRodacy wrote:donn0128 wrote:
How steap? How long of a grade?
Basic rules, go down in the same gear you went up. When speed increases more than your comfortable with, brake hard enough to slow quickly to 5MPH below desired speed. DO NOT ride the brakes.
Going down in the same gear you went up in assumes that the grade is the same on both sides. Not usually true. As others have recommended, drop into a lower gear and brake intermittently; don't ride the brakes.
Nor does that hold true with Cummins Diesel.
I have 5.9L tow 14K 5vr and go up 7% grades in 4th (OD) at 62+ mph no sweat.
OP....
Use TOW/Haul Mode...tranny will downshift when you decelerate and use braking by 'firm stabbing of brakes' to scrub 10-15 miles an hour off speed then get off the brakes. Repeat the firm braking/scrubbing speed until at bottom of grade. DO NOT RIDE the brakes.
