|
|
03-15-2015, 08:05 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 87
|
Tips on towing in Mountains
I am looking to make a trip north this year. I have a automatic f250 with a 6.7 and a travel trailer that weighs maybe 7000 to 7500. What gear should I be driving in going up hill vs downhill. Should I be in auto or manual? Should I lock out any gears? I am in Louisiana so the steepest grade I ever see is going up and down a bridge over the Mississippi so just looking for some general advice. I know I have plenty of truck to handle it I just don't wanna mess anything up or burn up any brakes. Thanks for the help.
TL
|
|
|
03-15-2015, 08:35 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Western Kentucky
Posts: 311
|
Activate the Tow/Haul Mode on your truck and let the tranny do it for you. You will love the engine braking on the downhill portions. I seriously doubt you will have any problems with uphill or downhill with your TV and TT.
__________________
2014 Coachmen Catalina
243RBS 50th Anniversary
2013 F250 Lariat 6.7 Powerstroke
|
|
|
03-15-2015, 09:18 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 209
|
Is the tow/haul mode for just hills or for use whenever towing? I have the engine exhaust brake feature on my 2015 F250 6.7, have yet to take first trip.
__________________
2017
Legacy 38C SR-340
|
|
|
03-15-2015, 09:37 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southern Alberta Canada
Posts: 131
|
I have the same truck, but a 2011. I pull about 9000k loaded in regular mode, and put it in towhaul in town or in hilly terrain. The 6.7 with 6 speed is designed for towing, your 7500 lbs can't hurt it if you drive normally.
__________________
Cheers from Alberta Canada
2011 Flagstaff 8526RLWS 5th Wheel
2011 Ford F250 4X4 Crewcab Superduty 6.7L Diesel
B&W 3300 Hitch for Ford 5th Wheel Prep package
|
|
|
03-15-2015, 09:55 PM
|
#5
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
|
Use the tow haul mode any time you tow. Take it slow and easy. Use your engine instead of your brakes. A good rule of thumb is come down the mountain in the gear you went up it in. That said, your diesel will handle that trailer in the mountains like a champ
__________________
2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 08:32 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Oswego il
Posts: 2,428
|
Like others have said use the tow/haul mode and let the powertrain do the work. One thing that I do when towing is I do watch my EGT"S and Boost pressure and the engine rpm's and lock out 6th gear as need in the mountains.
Also as the truckers that I have talked too they state whatever gear you go up in is the same gear you go down with. Do not shift gears on the downhill side.
__________________
Jim W.
2016 34RL CC; 2008 Ram Mega Cab 2500HD, 6.7L, 68RFE 6 speed, 4X4, Smarty S67, TDR 145K+miles
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 11:12 AM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 87
|
Jim,
So really all I need to do is go up in tow/haul and maybe lock out 6th gear. On the downside just do the same and I should I be good. The engine and transmission should do the rest.
TL
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 11:27 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,449
|
With your Ford powertrain you should be fine just using tow/haul mode. The owners manual that came with your truck will explain the tow/haul feature and how to use it. Do yourself a big favor and read it.
I have a 2010 Ford 6.4 diesel and when towing the computer and transmission take care of everything for me, including mountain grades. Use tow/haul mode all the time, and every time, you tow.
__________________
Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 12:44 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 79
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlwilliams808
Is the tow/haul mode for just hills or for use whenever towing? I have the engine exhaust brake feature on my 2015 F250 6.7, have yet to take first trip.
|
Use the tow/haul all time when towing. Set the cruise and the other thing you need to do is set your inside rear view mirror where you can check and make sure the trailer is still behind you. That is one awesome tow vehicle. In fact all the newer diesels do a good job. That is one thing competition is good for.
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 02:30 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 318
|
towing in mountains
I generally use tile mode anytime I'm towing, and since I live in Pennsylvania is very seldom that I'm not fooling some type of Hill. if you happen to have any kind of custom exhaust on your truck you will love the downshifts In tow mode, makes them pipes sound real good.
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 02:37 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
|
You don't need to lock out 6th with that size of a load on. Your rig won't hardly break a sweat with 9k.
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 02:51 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 145
|
Do anyone have any exp towing with Tundra with tow/haul mode? Does the above also apply to a 1/2 ton gasser? Going over Rockies with a 30 ft TT this summer.
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 02:56 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by robbdrell
Do anyone have any exp towing with Tundra with tow/haul mode? Does the above also apply to a 1/2 ton gasser? Going over Rockies with a 30 ft TT this summer.
|
It should, but I would be curious how much weight your pulling. Most 30' TT's might be a bit much for a 1/2 tonner.
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 03:03 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 145
|
It's a rockwood 2608ws. Actually 27 is the overall length and 6700# is the weight rating if I recall
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 03:11 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 145
|
Cirrection:::just read overall length is 29' and change
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 03:13 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Big brown desert
Posts: 3,003
|
I'm pulling 31' 7500 lbs. I use tow mode in the hills. Highest point tow at yet was 8000' into flagstaff and didn't waiver one bit but I am also running with AFE intake and TRD exhaust so definitely breathing much better.
Should be fine.
2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"
__________________
2014 Stealth Evo 2850- "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7- "Clifford"
2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 w/Track Pack- "Julia"
Just glad to get away
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 03:14 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by robbdrell
Do anyone have any exp towing with Tundra with tow/haul mode? Does the above also apply to a 1/2 ton gasser? Going over Rockies with a 30 ft TT this summer.
|
Your gasser will not have the compression ratio as a diesel so before you start to drop of a hill slow down just a bit.
Tundra 5.7l @ 10.3:1
Ford 6.7l @ 16.2:1
Just take it at a speed you feel comfortable with, pay attention to the suggested down hill speed.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 03:19 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
|
You should be fine.. As mentioned, take it real slow heading down and I would probably set my brake controller a little on the heavy side.
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 03:29 PM
|
#19
|
Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
|
I go up the mountains in 2nd or 3rd and manually shift into 3rd on the way down and try to keep my hand close to the trailer manual brake lever. I also limit engine to 3500 rpm going up regardless of whatever speed that is.
__________________
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 04:08 PM
|
#20
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 247
|
I disagree with some of you; uphill, I prefer to manually shift down to a gear low enough to prevent the transmission from up and downshifting much on its own. It's probably easier on the entire drive train even if the engine is running 400-500 rpm higher (within reason). Downhill, same thing. Start the downgrade in a lower gear and at a reasonably slow speed that the exhaust brake and transmission can maintain. If one is using the foot brake very much, he's allowing too much speed to build up. It's much easier to start downhill at slow speed than to have to stand on the brakes as a sharp curve is approached. You'll seldom see good truckers start a long decline with much speed (like coming down from 11,000' at Eisenhower Tunnel west of Denver on I-70). As others have said, tow/haul and your exhaust brake are your best friends.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|