Class A Gasser and Mountain Travel

[JCGibson]

Wanting to know from current or previous Class A gas owners on how their coach did going through the mountains and particularly descending grades. With my current setup, our Dodge pickup has an exhaust brake (I know DPs have them also), but does a gasser have anything similar or do you just downshift and brake?

Thanks.

John

[Daveinet]

427435 wrote:
Diesels need jake brakes or similar as there is no throttle plate, and thus no vacuum braking. We have pulled our 5000 lb over and down some 10,000 ft passes without problems. Just start down slowly and use the gear you climbed the hill in.

Bingo, was just wondering if someone would point this out. Yep, when you close the throttle, there is a lot of resistance to the engine turning over.

[kjburns]

I also have an F-53 and tow/haul does work well. Elevation isn't the culprit, it's the grades. I've done some 8% in the area near Salt River Canyon to GLobe and it only takes a minimal amount of braking to keep speed under control. I never felt I was close to the brakes becoming ineffective. The V-10 winds up to 5000 RPM and sounds like I'm driving a Cup car at times, but it does work.

[OldBlackWater]

I'm a huge fan of the Tow/Haul feature on my F-53. I've been towing a minivan through mountains and have been thoroughly impressed every time.

[427435]

Diesels need jake brakes or similar as there is no throttle plate, and thus no vacuum braking. We have pulled our 5000 lb over and down some 10,000 ft passes without problems. Just start down slowly and use the gear you climbed the hill in.

[JimM68]

I did Teton Pass from Idaho into Jackson in a 99 Pace Arrow F53.
First gear at 15 mph most of the way, 25 minutes up, 25 minutes down. Scariest ride ever!
But she made it.

[Pangaea_Ron]

We did Beartooh Pass (10,947 feet) West to East while towing the CR-V last fall in a thunderstorm as it was getting dark. I just love the grade brake!

Beartooth Pass Images

[Johno02]

Branson Gasser story: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can", repeat as necessary. Last verse: "I thought I could..."

[chuckftboy]

Tow Haul works great on the down side of a mountain. If you are comming down too fast, just tap the brake and it drops down 1 gear and since the transmission is computer controlled, it won't allow you to over rev. Going up the mountain is never a problem for the newer V-10's

[Johno02]

Just got back from Branson Area, with a 30'gasser and an HHR toad. Ran US65 in and out. ran RPMs up to 4000 uphill, switch out of overdrive going down, light touch on brakes occasionaly. Tried to build speed downhill, stomp power at the bottom, try to get to top of next. Stay out of the way of 4-wheeler locals.

[Johno02]

Just got back from Branson Area, with a 30'gasser and an HHR toad. Ran US65 in and out. ran RPMs up to 4000 uphill, switch out of overdrive going down, light touch on brakes occasionaly. Tried to build speed downhill, stomp power at the bottom, try to get to top of next. Stay out of the way of 4-wheeler locals.

[J-Rooster]

I just down shift and brake lightly.

[Pangaea_Ron]

I have a grade brake with my Allison 6-speed transmission that shifts down when the brake pedal is tapped. It works great. My wife is tired of hearing me say: "I just love the grade brake!"

[JCGibson]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I was wondering about the tow-haul mode. I am glad that does help some. Really wouldn't want to have to use the Semi-truck runoff area. Thanks again!

John

[mena661]

Heisenberg wrote:
The newer F53s have a very nice brake assist in the tow-haul mode. It even helps at exits and stop signs. It downshifts for you!

This. It works very well even when towing. We do nothing but mountain driving in ours and it does very well (people here had me thinking it would be a total dog...it isn't). The rig has not slowed down lower than 40 mph in our drives and I don't push it either.