towing thru the mountains

[stanj]

We will take our long awaited journey next week across the US. I would like to ask for some pointers towing our 4500 lb jeep behind our 36 ft. gas ( 2003 workhorse chassis ) Motor home . How hard are the Mountains out west with a towed vehicle ? Rockies I 70 and norther California and I 80

Thanks in advance sj

[doxiemom11]

Checked our gasser, and we do not have tow/haul either. The end of our shifter is where the overdrive is that you can turn on or off.

Stab braking -- from reading other posts, it is when you hit the brakes hard to rapidly slow say from 40/30 to keep your speed slower rather than leaving your foot on the brake for a time to reduce speed. My understanding is it will help keep your brakes from overheating. We will be mountain driving for the first time in a few months also so reading all the suggestions we can find.

[Lwiddis]

Oh my! Essential for driving downhill but does not replace using second gear, even first gear, on your elderly Winnebago. Use brakes to slow RV to below...below...desired safe desending speed. Then get off brakes to let them cool before "stabbing" again after the RV speeds up. You need to read about this technique...not just this brief summary. This is such basic stuff, you concern me greatly. Quite frankly I believe you are bluffing your way through RV driving.

[Lwiddis]

"DH was able to find a brochure on the web"

Was that the same brochure I found?

[mama_sylvia]

Not sure what tow/haul mode is but haven't seen it on any buttons/switches in the driving seat area or on the PRNDL. Still haven't double checked to see if there is something between DL yet, it's been too hot out to do anything but sit inside with the swamp cooler running full blast. 😉

I've never heard of stab braking, so please do explain it. If it turns out to be something I do know under another name, my feelings won't be hurt. I'd rather read 10 explanations of stuff I already know than miss the one that I don't.

[Lwiddis]

Possibly we should explain stab braking to mama.sylvia?

[Lwiddis]

Don't believe an '88 Winnebago Chieftain would have tow/haul. Please verify, mama.sylvia.

[mogman]

Whenever my trailer is hooked up to the van, I'm in tow/haul mode.

[D_E_Bishop]

Mile High wrote:

edm3rd wrote:
RedRocket,
What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

6 nice ones, or 1 really mad one 🙂

It depends on traffic, some roads you would bee stationary if you pulled over with 5 behind you. I see two or three and start loooking and will pull over as soon as possible but the LAW in most western states is 5.

[Lwiddis]

The brochure says three speed transmission. See specifications. https://winnebagoind.com/resources/brochure/1988/88-Chieftain-bro.pdf

[Lwiddis]

Can't believe Winnebago wasn't using at least a three speed transmission in 1988.

[tropical36]

mama.sylvia wrote:
1. No owner's booklet. DH was able to find a brochure on the web but not the actual owner's manual.

2. Yes I was serious. My understanding of Low is that you are pretty much limited to the 10-15 mph range. It seemed that people were talking about going 30-35. If they go that fast in low, isn't that bad for the engine? I am not knowledgable about engines, which is why I ask questions. I'd rather learn from more knowledgable people before I cost myself an expensive repair.

Thank you, doxiemom and tropical. I'm pretty sure my old Winnie doesn't have the 3-2-1, just the standard PRNDL, but I'll doublecheck.

Gonna be L then and the only gear that will stay put. Also, 25mph shouldn't over rev the engine, unless it has a really low rear end. At any rate check the RPM's and stay away from the red line, as you can always go a little slower to stay within the optimum band.
Low gear and some decent RPM will provide for a lot of torque and HP and spin the fan at high speed for cooling as well.

[colonelcorto]

I've been up and down the mountains out west in a 36 ft gas coach. Find the right gear and don't be afraid to stay in it for a while (Don't let the transmission hunt too much). Also, familiarize yourself with stab breaking. Make sure your tire pressures are correct and your cooling system is in tip top shape. Enjoy the scenery!

[mama_sylvia]

1. No owner's booklet. DH was able to find a brochure on the web but not the actual owner's manual.

2. Yes I was serious. My understanding of Low is that you are pretty much limited to the 10-15 mph range. It seemed that people were talking about going 30-35. If they go that fast in low, isn't that bad for the engine? I am not knowledgable about engines, which is why I ask questions. I'd rather learn from more knowledgable people before I cost myself an expensive repair.

Thank you, doxiemom and tropical. I'm pretty sure my old Winnie doesn't have the 3-2-1, just the standard PRNDL, but I'll doublecheck.

[tropical36]

mama.sylvia wrote:
> What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

Out here it is generally regulated by state law. I'm ashamed to say I don't know for sure what Wyoming's limit is but probably 4-5.

ETA: those of you who say to use a lower gear or use 2nd gear, how do you do that? My class A has an automatic transmission. I have to climb (or drop) between 6500' to 6000' whenever I drive it into town to have work done. Haven't had any problems yet but I also haven't tackled the 5% grade from the summit to Laramie yet. (Driving a motorhome over the Snowy Range Scenic Byway is an experience not to be missed!)

Just like in your car, the shift lever is manually moved down to the 2, 1, or L position and in an RV's case, it's most always gonna be L. This is most important for going down and for not riding or pumping the brakes. One should hold down hard until is slows a good bit and then let up. Hopefully L will hold it back and the ideal situation, even it you need to give it a little throttle now and then.

[BigRabbitMan]

mama.sylvia wrote:
>

ETA: those of you who say to use a lower gear or use 2nd gear, how do you do that? My class A has an automatic transmission.

If you do not know how to keep your rig in a lower gear without it shifting up, DO NOT drive in the mountains. After you have learned how to do it, then and only then you can drive in the mountains.