Are you scared of the mountains!!

[et2]

Are you scared of taking your toad and MH's over the mountains ( let's say out west). If your loaded and within your weight capacity and towing capacity of the rigs you own, would mountain driving stop you from taking a trip?

The reason for the question is some people seem to think one engine might not be capable because, well ,it's just not one of the big boys ( I'm referring to diesel vs diesel).

I'm really dumbfounded by the reasons. You'll have to go 30 mph, or it's gonna struggle, or your coach is too big, etc. So, if your rig is maintained and in top working condition, and within it's designed capacities would a mountain out west stop you in your planning?

[Daveinet]

Mine came from factory with a trans temp gauge mounted in the pan. There is some discussion as to the best location. Some will argue the pan is better, because then you know you are keeping up with the cooling. Others argue that an inline gauge is better because it tells you the temp of the trans itself. Personally, I preferred the pan, as your trans temp is not so much of a specific threshold, as much as it is heat over time shortens fluid life. Yes there is a threshold, but you will know if you are getting close. The other reason is that at least in my case, I had an oversized pan. The sensor was near the top, so if the pan got a little low, the gauge would read zero. It gave indication, long before the level was critical.

[Mbrown]

Its a 86 ford 460 with 44k and in good shape,
a trans temp gauge is a great idea !

Daveinet wrote:

Mbrown wrote:
I know this is Class A forum, and I have a class C gasser but since many I'm sure here have owned a C, is it recommended/possible to drive down a hill in 2nd for an extended period without doing damage to the transmission? I'm a new,first time owner.

It depends on what year coach you have. Newer coaches have transmission temperature warning indicators that should tell you if you have a problem. Otherwise you can install a trans temp gauge. Its a good thing to have. Going up a grade heats the engine and the trans. Since the trans fluid runs through your radiator, the engine heat is not helping your trans any when under extreme loads. Under normal driving the engine heat is good for your trans, but pulling a long grade is too much of a good thing.

[Daveinet]

Mbrown wrote:
I know this is Class A forum, and I have a class C gasser but since many I'm sure here have owned a C, is it recommended/possible to drive down a hill in 2nd for an extended period without doing damage to the transmission? I'm a new,first time owner.

It depends on what year coach you have. Newer coaches have transmission temperature warning indicators that should tell you if you have a problem. Otherwise you can install a trans temp gauge. Its a good thing to have. Going up a grade heats the engine and the trans. Since the trans fluid runs through your radiator, the engine heat is not helping your trans any when under extreme loads. Under normal driving the engine heat is good for your trans, but pulling a long grade is too much of a good thing.

[John_S_]

Do you gave tow Gaul mode on your C. I do and it will engage a decent brake in the coach.

[RayChez]

It does not matter whether it is class C or A. You shift gears accordingly to the grade. If the grade is not too steep you shift down one gear at a time. If the coach is still picking up speed, you shift down another, and so forth. And if the grade is as steep as you said and you have to reach 2nd gear, it does not hurt the engine or transmission at all. But always watch your tachometer to see that you are not over revving the engine.

[Mbrown]

I know this is Class A forum, and I have a class C gasser but since many I'm sure here have owned a C, is it recommended/possible to drive down a hill in 2nd for an extended period without doing damage to the transmission? I'm a new,first time owner.

[mena661]

Like others have said, it's no big deal. We live in a valley at 2500ft and have to cross 4-5000 to get out of it. There is rarely a mountain we don't have to drive over to get to our camping spots. Some are in the mountains off of winding roads. All this in a gas rig too. Maybe I should change my sig to "Doing the impossible...daily".

[azpete]

not scared. respectful.
having driven many, many miles in various rv's. i have been thru the mountains. wolf creek pass, lizard head pass, logan pass. and some two lane roads, just not meant to be used by rv's. but you have to use common sense. be aware of where you are at, and what you are driving. careless driving gets you in trouble. sightseeing if for the passengers. your job is to drive the rv to the other side.
be respectful of the mountains, they will be there long after you have gone over the edge.

[Snomas]

No problem, we have been driving the mountains for about 13 years and mostly go west w/ the MH on yearly trips to CA, WY, OR, NV, AZ, & WA. Just be sure to have you MH in good mechanical condition whatever the age and put the pedal to the metal!

[John_S_]

Use the pullouts too. Great way to cool down and let the stream of cars behind you pass.

[hipower]

Early in my working life I was a trucker. I had the dubious pleasure of driving a IH tractor pulling a dump trailer usually loaded to about 75,000# gross wt.

That little tractor had a six cylinder gas engine of 450 C.I. and about 175 hp. No engine brake, no exhaust brake and drum brakes very similar to those on many motorhomes today.

I hauled over the hills (small mountains) of western PA and WVA for over two years in that little rig without any undue stress on me or it and finally got promoted to a big rig with a diesel and another trailer axle. Life was good.

Bottom line, use what you have effectively, don't get in a hurry and stay within your comfort zone. Don't let the car drivers around you push you beyond the point where you are comfortable. You'll do just fine if you are like the turtle, take your time and relax.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Unless you are a professional driver mountain driving gives us all pause. I too have all the power to climb as well as breaking power to go down safely. But I am on a higher level of awareness. My wife knows not to engage me with anything that requires much thought as I am focused on driving.

[et2]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

et2 wrote:

BigSkyBob wrote:
Nope. Being running my rig over mountain passes for years and much bigger rigs my whole life. What's the issue, I don't understad?

Go read the Cummins 360 hp thread. I agree, what's the issue? I wonder why some people are so concerned? Is it a race to the top thing? Who does it more efficiently? Who does it using less gas?

Bottom line -unless your overloaded - forget about it. Have fun.

Sooo......why did *YOU* post your original question?..:h

Looking for other "Dumbfoundeds"?..:h

.

So your intellectual curiosity must of overwhelmed you, or are you just dumbfounded too?? It was to make a point. There are many people traveling in every kind of rig imaginable and they do it just fine, and live to do it another day. In gassers, big hspwr diesels and small hspwr diesels, big rigs, little rigs.

As long as your within the capabilities designed into you rig it's a no brainer. Yet there are a small group of people thinking that if you don't have a diesel with the largest HP or torque rating your rig won't make it, or your just waiting for something to go wrong. It seems that's not the case.

People come on this forum asking specifics on a rig and engine and it ends up being a race to the top ego discussion - " I wouldn't attempt that in that rig" without any data to support it.

Does that answer your question?

[ol_Bombero-JC]

et2 wrote:

BigSkyBob wrote:
Nope. Being running my rig over mountain passes for years and much bigger rigs my whole life. What's the issue, I don't understad?

Go read the Cummins 360 hp thread. I agree, what's the issue? I wonder why some people are so concerned? Is it a race to the top thing? Who does it more efficiently? Who does it using less gas?

Bottom line -unless your overloaded - forget about it. Have fun.

Sooo......why did *YOU* post your original question?..:h

Looking for other "Dumbfoundeds"?..:h

.

[myrtle_beach_rv]

We travel 26,40,75 from SC to WI and back couple times a year with a gasser pulling a toad. Going uphill just do your best to stay out of the way, going down hill shift down close your eyes and hold your breath. Seriously shift down before you get into the down hill run and you'll be fine.