Towing in Mountains
Moderator: Mike Clay
- teallen
- Posts: 3223
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:47 pm
- Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
- Cardinal Owners: 2012 3030
- Skype ID: thomas.allen511
- Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
Towing in Mountains
Well getting close to heading west, first time towing in the mountains. For those who have experience towing in mountains, what is the safest way to tow down the mountain? Let the engine brake do its work? Not sure how this engine brake works and it will be difficult for me not to ride the brakes , which I believe is not a good idea. I have tow-haul and probably will leave it in that mode, should I downshift to a lower gear? Thanks Tom
Tom and Judy
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
- Future Fulltimers
- Posts: 847
- Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:35 pm
- Location: Tennessee McMinnville
- Cardinal Owners: 2006 30TS
- Location: Tennessee Eastern (Deceased)
Re: Towing in Mountains
I leave mine in tow-haul mode and lightly touch the brake. That will signal the computer to downshift the transmission. I only use the brakes to keep the engine at about 3k RPMs. If you do manual shift watch your RPMs. Seems like the engine really screams!!! At least mine does.
Wayne & Peggy Williamson
Rocky
GoodSam Lifetime Members
2006 30TS
2007 Silverado 3500 Classic 6.6L D'Max
AirSafe 25k hitch
Rocky
GoodSam Lifetime Members
2006 30TS
2007 Silverado 3500 Classic 6.6L D'Max
AirSafe 25k hitch
- Mike Clay
- Council, Administrator
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Re: Towing in Mountains
Wayne is correct but on mine (dont know the ford tranny) when I come to the 6 to 7% grades or a long down hill I go to manual mode to limit the engine scream factor, slow down at the top then only use my brakes to keep the rpms/speed to a desired level. Riding the brakes can lead to a undesirable conclusion of the downhill event
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
- Me&Margie
- Posts: 133
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:33 pm
- Location: Washington Stanwood
- Cardinal Owners: '07 31RKLE
- Location: Washington Stanwood
Re: Towing in Mountains
Just recently got back from a trip that included a few passes, including the "famous" cabbage patch hill out of Pendelton, Ore. Like others have said, just leave it in tow-haul mode and let the truck do the work. A good rule of thumb is, don't go down a mountain any faster than you went up it.
Have fun...................Marv
Have fun...................Marv
Marv & Margie
'07 Cardinal 31RKLE
'06 F-250 PSD S/C 4X2, Hijacker, Line-X.
'07 Cardinal 31RKLE
'06 F-250 PSD S/C 4X2, Hijacker, Line-X.
- Mike Clay
- Council, Administrator
- Posts: 13249
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
- Location: Oregon Gresham
- Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
- Skype ID: Mike-Clay
- Location: Oregon Gresham
Re: Towing in Mountains
Ah yes good ole dead mans pass, we go up and down that darn thing a lot. Cabbage hill would not be so bad if it did not have those darn hair pin corners in it
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Re: Towing in Mountains
Oh man, you guys sure scare a flatlander like me!! When we head to yellowstone...is there a way to go without mountans....where they just off in the distance sittin there realy purty????
- Mike Clay
- Council, Administrator
- Posts: 13249
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
- Location: Oregon Gresham
- Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
- Skype ID: Mike-Clay
- Location: Oregon Gresham
Re: Towing in Mountains
LOL well since the campground is at 6600 feet I would bet you will be going up and down mountains. You will be
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32
Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Re: Towing in Mountains
oh hush mikey....that aint bad....we were that high in Sante Fe....if that's all it is then it will be a piece of cake
Re: Towing in Mountains
Hi Tom, I think you'll be impressed by how well the tow/haul mode works in your truck when going down hill. My personal experience when driving mountain passes is that I pass MHs and trucks on the way up and they pass me, as I have the truck maintain 50-55, on the way down.teallen wrote:For those who have experience towing in mountains, what is the safest way to tow down the mountain? Let the engine brake do its work? Not sure how this engine brake works and it will be difficult for me not to ride the brakes , which I believe is not a good idea. I have tow-haul and probably will leave it in that mode, should I downshift to a lower gear? Thanks Tom
Rob
- Olbird
- Council, Asst. Admin
- Posts: 4185
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- Location: Washington Kelso
- Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
- Location: Washington, LaCenter
Re: Towing in Mountains
I think Mike is going to see a little drop in speed up the Mountains with the new Cardinal being over 37' long ( he won't be leaving me in the dust anymore) and for me to catch up.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods
2022 Ford F450 DRW
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods
2022 Ford F450 DRW
- Olbird
- Council, Asst. Admin
- Posts: 4185
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- Location: Washington Kelso
- Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
- Location: Washington, LaCenter
Re: Towing in Mountains
Linda,
My driveway is higher then anything I drove in "Luizianna "
My driveway is higher then anything I drove in "Luizianna "
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods
2022 Ford F450 DRW
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods
2022 Ford F450 DRW
Re: Towing in Mountains
I know George....you know what I'm talkin about dontcha!!!
Hey btw...we rode thru Jellystone last week...was a lot cleaner than last time we rode thru there, but still not worth 60 bucks a night!! lol jmho tho
Hey btw...we rode thru Jellystone last week...was a lot cleaner than last time we rode thru there, but still not worth 60 bucks a night!! lol jmho tho
- teallen
- Posts: 3223
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:47 pm
- Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
- Cardinal Owners: 2012 3030
- Skype ID: thomas.allen511
- Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
Re: Towing in Mountains
Thanks to all for advice.
Tom and Judy
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
Re: Towing in Mountains
Dang it...I'm sorry Tom...I just hijacked your thread!! I seem to do that, often again I'm sorry
- Olbird
- Council, Asst. Admin
- Posts: 4185
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- Location: Washington Kelso
- Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
- Location: Washington, LaCenter
Re: Towing in Mountains
Wow 60 bucks a night, the economy must be doing better then I thought for them to get that per night.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods
2022 Ford F450 DRW
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods
2022 Ford F450 DRW