GPS for steep grades

[Sandy___Shirley]

Are there any units or phone apps that will warn us when we are approaching a steep grade? Would love to hear something like, “7% grade 5 miles ahead”. We will be traveling from Maryland to Oakland and back again this April and May. The plan is to unhook the toad and drive each unit separately up or down steep grades. None of the road atlases we have seen seem to give a good definition of what grades are where, we have heard that there are apps and systems that will do that.

Any help pointing us towards the products we should consider would be appreciated.

Thanks

[wa8yxm]

This is not 100% you get some 7% possibly even steeper grades but stick to the Interstates as they are generally "Smoothed" the the best effort of the highway department to do that. I have not often had to reduce speed less I'm beind a Semi Truck.. I have a rule abut following trucks. DO NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN HE DOES.

[ferndaleflyer]

Now there is an idea. Kind of like 35 in a 70. Not to safe but hey its knowing what your equipment is capable of!

[D_E_Bishop]

Bill.Satellite wrote:

Executive wrote:
Rather than be snarky with each other AND the OP, why not simply answer his question? Mountain Directory or Google Earth Pro will get the job done for him. I do agree the asked question as to his thought process relative to unhooking the toad has merit but since he didn't volunteer that info on his post, I didn't feel necessary to ask him. Heck, I stop and unhook the toad at most of the toll booths in Kalifornia. They charge, on average $6 more if you're hooked up. I stop, unhook, go thru the toll station and rehook and I'm on my way. Only takes about a minute to hook/unhook. It's all good. That's what makes everyone different... 🙂 Dennis

So, YOU didn't volunteer and YOU didn't feel necessary. That's the same commentary as the others. Much like you saying you stop and unhook and rehook to save $6. I won't comment on what you do to save $6 but I consider it easier to save $6 by just skipping 1 glass of wine when I make it to may destination an hour before you do! Keep in mind that I just traveled from MI to NJ where the toll booths came up faster than the paws of the tax man.

Dennis, where is this place "Kalifornia"? In "California I've never been through a toll booth, but I've only lived 77 years.

[jplante4]

(Tongue firmly implanted in cheek)

I'm surprised that no one suggested putting the DW/DH in the car and dropping it in gear to help push up the hill.

[Bill_Satellite]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Sorry I offended anyone but Just within 500 miles of here I routinely pass motor homes on I-77, I-40, I-81, I-79 that are going up hills less than 35mph and once in awhile see one on the side of the road boiling over from the heat. Remember everyone that has one of these don't have a 450hp motor, unlimited money, or a new 2018 model. And some are just frugal. Its all good.

You post this as if going up the hill at 35 MPH is a bad thing. That's not a problem, it's just a driver who knows what his vehicle is capable of and knows how to drive it. The vehicles on the side of the road that overheated just didn't have that information. It's not about age or money. It's about knowing how to drive the vehicle you have control of.

[timjet]

You might try rvtripwizard.com

It is a great routing program with an elevation feature.

[tiffy2000]

Allstays app has a grade filter that you can turn off or on, sadly not available for Android devices any longer but available for Apple and I believe subscription based for PC

[ArchHoagland]

Sandy & Shirley wrote:
Are there any units or phone apps that will warn us when we are approaching a steep grade? Would love to hear something like, “7% grade 5 miles ahead”. We will be traveling from Maryland to Oakland and back again this April and May. The plan is to unhook the toad and drive each unit separately up or down steep grades. None of the road atlases we have seen seem to give a good definition of what grades are where, we have heard that there are apps and systems that will do that.

Any help pointing us towards the products we should consider would be appreciated.

Thanks

Have you picked a route yet?

If, for example, you are going to use I80 I'd suggest removing your toad at the Boomtown exit and then hook up again near Sacramento.

[2gypsies1]

... back to the OP's question.... We liked using the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. It gave a lot of information on what to expect ahead. We didn't want to be just 'warned' of a steep grade when coming to it, we wanted to read all about to make any necessary rerouting decisions. Keep in mind that you'll have some of the same percentage grades on the western interstates as you will on the secondary highways. You'll see better scenery on the secondary routes.

We didn't like the 'Flattest Route' site... not very accurate.

[Nutinelse2do]

JMichael wrote:
thank you Nutinelse2do for the link. I am boondocking in Death Valley, Ca. on my way to Bakersfield, the link is great

JMichael
2001 Newmar KADP 4084

You are very welcome. I used it when we were in Idaho/ Wyoming this past Fall, and it was pretty accurate. According to another poster, no so much where he was.

[Nutinelse2do]

Sandy & Shirley wrote:

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Ok, I will be the first to ask.... Why would you drive the toad and rig separately on hills?

Going down the grade we have a breaking system, but using that much breaking does not sound like the best idea to us. Our Motor home is gas not diesel and we feel that pulling an extra 3,000 lbs up the grade is just not worth the extra fuel and ware on the engine.

Yes, everything is designed to handle that, but it is our personal choice and we have had a few friends recommend it.

Thank you. BTW, there was no disrespect intended. Have been rv’ing for 27 years, and never have seen or heard of anyone doing that, so I figured I would ask.

You have to do whatever makes you comfortable.

There is a book a couple showed us in Oregon last Summer that was pretty neat, but kind of expensive. It’s by Richard Miller called Mountain Directory. There is a West Coast version, and I believe an East Coast as well. May be something to look into, but for the most part, all steep grades are pretty well marked with the information you are looking for on Highway signs.

Have a fun, safe trip

[JMichael]

thank you Nutinelse2do for the link. I am boondocking in Death Valley, Ca. on my way to Bakersfield, the link is great

JMichael
2001 Newmar KADP 4084

[Passin_Thru]

This is 2018. It's time to get that ol radiator fixed and put an extra fan in. It's neither Rocket Science or that difficult. It won't save any fuel if You're driving 2 vehicles up a mountain either. If it gets hot back out of it.

[DSDP_Don]

I thought it was an excellent question to ask.....as to why he would disconnect. Often people receive terrible information from other RVers and really need to explain themselves when they ask a question like he did. A little more explanation provided the root cause for his question.

As a matter of fact, I think the OP actually received terrible information from other RVers....the ones who told him to disconnect. Where is the money and time savings by disconnecting. He's not driving a 1960 VW bus, towing a VW Beetle. He's driving a modern day motor home with more than enough engine power and braking power to tow up and down any grade in the country.

I don't see the fuel savings when you're now driving two vehicles up a grade under power or the time savings by stopping twice to connect and disconnect.

[ferndaleflyer]

Sorry I offended anyone but Just within 500 miles of here I routinely pass motor homes on I-77, I-40, I-81, I-79 that are going up hills less than 35mph and once in awhile see one on the side of the road boiling over from the heat. Remember everyone that has one of these don't have a 450hp motor, unlimited money, or a new 2018 model. And some are just frugal. Its all good.