Towing in Mountains

[teallen]

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

[Future Fulltimers]

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.

[Mike Clay]

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

[Me&Margie]

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

[Mike Clay]

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

[Luizianna]

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]

LOL well since the campground is at 6600 feet I would bet you will be going up and down mountains. You will be

[Luizianna]

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

[Rob & Cathy]

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

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.

Rob

[Olbird]

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.

[Olbird]

Linda,
My driveway is higher then anything I drove in "Luizianna "

[Luizianna]

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

[teallen]

Thanks to all for advice.

[Luizianna]

Dang it...I'm sorry Tom...I just hijacked your thread!! I seem to do that, often again I'm sorry

[Olbird]

Wow 60 bucks a night, the economy must be doing better then I thought for them to get that per night.