 |
|
|
|
We have a 2002 Jayco 27DS class C motorhome on a Ford E450 chassis and a 6.8 V10 engine. We recently installed the Banks Power Pack System. We live near Denver and do much of our travel to the west through the mountains along I-70. When going up these steep grades, is it better to take the transmission out of overdrive? Same question when descending these steep grades -- take it out of overdrive to allow the transmission to keep your speed at a manageable rate or leave your transmission in "drive" and use your brakes as needed? Friends just had work done to their motorhome transmission and were advised not to take the coach out of overdrive when decending steep grades, but rather to keep it in "drive " and use their brakes. --Ron Olson Dear Ron, When traveling up steep grades and ones that might have curves in them that require lifting the throttle for the corner, if you take the transmission out of overdrive (push the cancel switch) it will be easier on the transmission and more comfortable to drive. A good rule of thumb is to go down the hill in the same gear you used to come up. Use your transmission downshifting to help hold back the vehicle and use the service brakes when the engine and transmission won't hold enough: you will save a lot of brake wear and lower the chance of brake failure from overheating them. If the hill is very steep, don't be afraid to slow it down with the brakes to a speed that you can get into second gear if you need to.  Since 1972 Eric Davis has addressed engine performance and handling problems for motorhomes and trucks used for towing heavy 5th wheel trailers. His business, Eric's RV Performance,
is headquartered in Sequim, Wash., and also operates each winter season
in Quartzsite, Ariz. The company performs all major service and
maintenance. Davis is also a popular lecturer at RV conferences and
seminars.
Send Eric your questions and he will answer as many as he can in this space. Send to eric@ericsrv.com . Read more questions and answers from Eric at RVperformanceTips.com. Top of Page Get your FREE RV Travel Newsletter every week - sign up now.
* Your email is never sold or shared with outsiders.
|
|
|
| *PRIVACY POLICY: Email and/or any other personal information we gather is never sold or shared with outsiders. You'll never receive junk email as a result of your subscription. |
MORE RV PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND SPECIAL OFFERS.
All original content copyright
2006 by RVbookstore.com
ADVERTSING
INFO | CONTACT US