Steep inclines and elevation December 15, 2019, 12:03:53 pm Do you avoid steep inclines and elevation? Does the Goodsam trip planner or CoPilot help with picking a route with less ups and downs? Or it it not an issue? My 26.5 Midbath is on the Ford E450 with the V10.
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #1 – December 15, 2019, 12:28:33 pm Quote from: StevenJill - December 15, 2019, 12:03:53 pmDo you avoid steep inclines and elevation? Does the Goodsam trip planner or CoPilot help with picking a route with less ups and downs? Or it it not an issue? My 26.5 Midbath is on the Ford E450 with the V10. Not an issue generally - unless there are signs warning against it. Lots of good scenery and interesting places in the ups and downs.Chris 1 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #2 – December 15, 2019, 01:46:51 pm Quote from: StevenJill - December 15, 2019, 12:03:53 pmDo you avoid steep inclines and elevation? Does the Goodsam trip planner or CoPilot help with picking a route with less ups and downs? Or it it not an issue? My 26.5 Midbath is on the Ford E450 with the V10.If steep inclines were an issue, living in the West would make travel just about impossible, everyplace we go to involves serious ups and down grades. Fortunately, the V10 has been capable of pulling our 4000-lbs Jeep up and down on every legal road we have driven. Learn how to use the gears for safe descents. If you have a toad, make sure it has its own brake system that is activated by the LD's brakes.To know about upcoming grades, get a of copy of the Mountain Grade Directory.Mountain Directory for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome DriversWe have the app on our cell phones and iPad and use it to find long, steep upgrades that are better done with the toad disconnected and driven by my wife. We never bother on downgrades.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #3 – December 15, 2019, 01:50:41 pm Just be gentle with your brakes on the downs and you should be fine.Last year I overheated my brakes for the first time.Coming down the mountain from Duck Creek Village to Cedar City.It didn't seem like as steep a drop as it turned out to be.Lot's of 6 and 8% grade in a fairly short distance.No chance for the brakes to recover and I should have slowed down a bit more.Lesson learned. 1 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #4 – December 15, 2019, 01:55:20 pm Larry is correct, prepare yourself prior to the trip by securing a copy of both the 'East' and 'West' versions of:Mountain Directory for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome DriversThen, when you are prepared, take the directory with you as you explore the very routes described in the book and get ready to enjoy the view of some spectacular scenery. 2 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #5 – December 15, 2019, 02:21:24 pm Mountain driving doesn't have to be scary if you know what to do. In addition the excellent advice from others here, there are some good mountain driving tips on this page. 7 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #6 – December 15, 2019, 04:18:37 pm "If steep inclines were an issue, living in the West would make travel just about impossible, everyplace we go to involves serious ups and down grades."----When I read the OP's post, I tried to think where I'd traveled (in the western states and Canada) where there weren't grades (and switchback curves, drop-offs, 'one-laners', dismal road surfaces...); didn't come up with many places! No comments on the 'Good Sam Trip Planner' or 'Co-Pilot'; I've always done my own planning and road selection using paper maps, Benchmark Atlases, The Mountain Directory, national forest maps, and input from local sources and/or the experiences of "I've driven that road" RVers. 3 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #7 – December 16, 2019, 07:17:19 am I guess my thinking was coming from my VW Bus trips. Bus did great in Florida but a dog on the mountains in NC and AR, down shifting to 3rd or 2nd at times. But hey, this is good news. No wonder my Google searching didn't produce much. 1 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #8 – December 16, 2019, 08:02:33 am We have never had a problem with ups and down. We do unhitch our jeep when going over 9,000 feet as our combined weight capacity drops to less than what we are. 1 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #9 – December 16, 2019, 09:18:01 am This is a great resource book. Just ordered one. Look forward to just reading it.
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #10 – December 16, 2019, 10:37:17 am As others have pointed out if you live in the west ups and downs are a fact of life. I can't leave Portland without going over at least one mountain range more often two. Most are below 8000 ft but now and again then can get a tad high ...... <see below>Just take her easy going up and going down. glen 1 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #11 – December 16, 2019, 01:42:56 pm Quote from: StevenJill - December 15, 2019, 12:03:53 pmDo you avoid steep inclines and elevation? Does the Goodsam trip planner or CoPilot help with picking a route with less ups and downs? Or it it not an issue? My 26.5 Midbath is on the Ford E450 with the V10.A few things to note - your power decreases with elevation, so not just steepness but altitude are both big factors. If you will be towing a vehicle, the weight of that will make a significant difference. The increased strain on the transmission will require paying attention to tranny temps with a suitable OBD monitor gauge (not included). This is even more significant when going downhill and using engine braking (imperative!) since less tranny cooling available with less engine effort. Of course a good aux brake system in the toad is essential - it saved our bacon more than once.Steve
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #12 – December 16, 2019, 09:41:45 pm "...a dog on the mountains in NC and AR, down shifting to 3rd or 2nd at times."And you'll probably have to downshift (especially on downgrades!) with your Lazy Daze. Understand this: you won't be going the speed limit climbing a 6% grade with your motorhome. You'll more likely be in 3rd gear, chugging along at 40-45 mph with your flashers on. Think of a tractor-semitrailer climbing a steep hill. That's you. You're not driving a car. It's just something to get used to.
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #13 – December 16, 2019, 10:01:43 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - December 16, 2019, 09:41:45 pmYou'll more likely be in 3rd gear, chugging along at 40-45 mph with your flashers on. Think of a tractor-semitrailer climbing a steep hill. Please note that in many states, driving with your hazard lights on is not permitted. Not saying it doesn’t happen but it may be illegal.Hazard Light Use - AAA Digest of Motor Laws 2 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #14 – December 17, 2019, 01:16:56 pm Another point not yet (as far as I can determine) posed is - - on an uphill grade turn you a/c OFF. That reduces a strain on the rig. Watch the engine temp. We've lived in the Eastern Sierra for nearly 40 years and often see cars and RVs along the side of the road on Hwy 395. For the minutes you are climbing you can do without a/c. We plan to hit the climbs in the early morning. Sometimes that just can't be done. So, be kind to your rig. And, yes, gear down.Safe travels,JuliWMinden, NV
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #15 – December 17, 2019, 01:30:41 pm "in many states, driving with your hazard lights on is not permitted."Interesting chart--thanks for posting that link. I gotta say that there is nowhere I've been where I have not seen semis climbing grades with flashers on, and I do the same where appropriate. When you think about "not permitted while driving except to indicate a traffic hazard"... if a truck or RV is doing 45 in a 65 mph zone because it can't go any faster on an upgrade, that's a potential traffic hazard, and I'm guessing that most law enforcement people would agree. Using your flashers in that situation warns following drivers, and thus minimizes the chance of rear-end collisions. I've never heard of anybody being ticketed for doing this. 1 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #16 – December 17, 2019, 02:02:32 pm I am doing a trip to Asheville from Florida next year. In my car I have driven into Asheville from the West which had more ups and downs I believe than coming in from the East, but the traffic is better going I75 vs I4 to I95. For this trip I probably won't be to concerned. Oh, after Asheville heading to IA then KS.
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #17 – December 17, 2019, 02:14:55 pm I go with the safest practice that circumstances dictate; if I'm pulling a long hill or am stuck behind a truck or vehicle or line-up going much slower than the flow of traffic, particularly in foggy or rainy weather and/or on a two-lane road, the flashers on the rig will be ON. Hopefully, seeing flashers in these conditions will at least increase the odds of preventing some idiot from slamming into me. A side note for owners of older LDs with incandescent taillights and brake lights: have these changed to LEDs! LEDs make a BIG difference in visibility for any driver(s) following you.
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #18 – December 17, 2019, 02:20:09 pm Quote from: Joan - December 17, 2019, 02:14:55 pmA side note for owners of older LDs with incandescent taillights and brake lights: have these changed to LEDs! LEDs make a BIG difference in visibility for any driver(s) following you.That reminds me, a few of the ones up top in the back are out. They have round lenses, I need to see how they come off.
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #19 – December 17, 2019, 06:27:14 pm "They have round lenses, I need to see how they come off."Take a narrow bladed flat screw driver with you when you climb up there. Insert tip in the small slot near the rim... twist! The cap should pop off the base. You're welcome! 3 Likes
Re: Steep inclines and elevation Reply #20 – December 18, 2019, 12:50:33 am Andy & Joan, I agree. I have also been caught unexpectedly by "unsafe" conditions while driving (white out blizzards in snow country, we just had a freak hailstorm last week here in Phoenix with visibility about 10-20 feet). I put flashers on and so do many other drivers - to me in those situations it improves safety (e.g. warning, there is a problem). Jane
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