Cooling your brakes
Being from the east coast I've yet to encounter my brakes heating up enough to require pulling over to let them cool down, at least not that I know of. This summer/fall we're doing our first trip out ...
Forum Discussion
One of the best features on our Class C is the 5 speed Torque Shift transmission married to the V-10. By simply engaging the tow haul mode it locks out 5th and I can go down a 6%+ grade for 12 miles and NEVER touch the brakes. The V-10 will hold me at 50-55 all the way down while turning a very sensible 3,000 rpm. If the grade is steeper or has some tight switchbacks I just drop it down into 3rd and now I''m holding 45 at around 4,000 rpm.
Don't let that tachometer scare you, gassers are built to run at these rpm all day long without complaint and the best part is you are not burning a drop of gas as you descend the grade. The flow of fuel is shut off and the natural compression of the engine is doing all of the braking. Want proof? Check out your Scan Gauge (you DO have a Scan Gauge right? but I digress). :B As you drop down the grade at 4,000 rpm you will see the real time fuel mpg display maxed out, typically showing 9999.
If you have an older gasser that lacks the 5 or 6 speed transmissions found on most late model trucks you probably have an overdrive button that enables you to lock out your highest/OD gear and will generate the same effect described above. I have passed a lot of RV's and trucks that needlessly reeked of cooked brakes, often models that I know have these options. If you have ever smelled your brakes you might want to take a couple of minutes and actually read your owners manual. The proper use of your engine, transmission and brakes will be covered in great detail.
:C
Don't let that tachometer scare you, gassers are built to run at these rpm all day long without complaint and the best part is you are not burning a drop of gas as you descend the grade. The flow of fuel is shut off and the natural compression of the engine is doing all of the braking. Want proof? Check out your Scan Gauge (you DO have a Scan Gauge right? but I digress). :B As you drop down the grade at 4,000 rpm you will see the real time fuel mpg display maxed out, typically showing 9999.
If you have an older gasser that lacks the 5 or 6 speed transmissions found on most late model trucks you probably have an overdrive button that enables you to lock out your highest/OD gear and will generate the same effect described above. I have passed a lot of RV's and trucks that needlessly reeked of cooked brakes, often models that I know have these options. If you have ever smelled your brakes you might want to take a couple of minutes and actually read your owners manual. The proper use of your engine, transmission and brakes will be covered in great detail.
:C
