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tvp · 01-29-2018, 10:22 AM

Need some advice with this Ford V-10 and the 5 Speed transmission, what gear should you manually shift to if going up a 6% grade and like wise going down a 6% grade towing a Honda CRV........I know they say be in the same gear going up as well as down hill to save brakes and keep speed up ???? Or do you just leave in Tow/ Hall mode ?

Thanks for advice
TVP

Sweetbriar · 01-29-2018, 11:05 AM

Going up, use which ever gear is necessary to maintain a given speed with a high RPM. I'm usually in third and around 4000 RPM. The higher RPM will keep coolant and oil flow rates high cooling the engine and transmission.

Going down, pretty much the same in third with RPM high but speed well under control. The trick is to get your speed down and the transmission in a low gear before starting the decent. The transmission won't down shift if doing so will cause excessive engine RPM (5250+) so shift early rather than braking hard and shifting later.

Concerning tow/haul, shorter climbs or drops I'll let the system work it. Longer and taller hills I prefer to take control and get into the gear I feel most comfortable for the situation.

twinboat · 01-29-2018, 11:21 AM

You won't need to choose a gear going up hill. Just keep pushing the gas pedal to attempt to maintain speed. If it gets above 4500 RPM, stop pushing the pedal and maintain that speed.

Down hill, have it in Tow/Haul and watch your speed. Keep an eye on it and step on the brakes, slowing and forcing a down shift. You do that until it holds it speed. If its only 45 to 50 MPH, so be it.

tvp · 01-29-2018, 01:18 PM

So going down hill on a 5 speed Ford tranny ......shift to 4th or 3rd ?
Or just one gear down manually.....[emoji853]

Stuart W · 01-29-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvp

Need some advice with this Ford V-10 and the 5 Speed transmission, what gear should you manually shift to if going up a 6% grade and like wise going down a 6% grade towing a Honda CRV........I know they say be in the same gear going up as well as down hill to save brakes and keep speed up ???? Or do you just leave in Tow/ Hall mode ?

Thanks for advice
TVP

A 2016 MH built on a 2016 Chassis should be a 6 spd. Is yours a 2015 Chassis?

tvp · 01-29-2018, 01:52 PM

Yes 2015 chassis on a 2016 model Country Star 5 speed transmission

TVP

nothermark · 01-29-2018, 02:02 PM

With either transmission tapping the brakes in tow/haul will drop a gear. I usually run 3500-4000 RPM. If one tap does not do it tap again for another downshift. That is the only way to hit 4th on a 5 spd or 4th and 5th on a six.

tvp · 01-29-2018, 02:05 PM

Thanks , hitting the smokies mountains I-75
In about a month with the new RV, and towing a CRV..... just want to be ready for these hills

TVP

twinboat · 01-29-2018, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvp

So going down hill on a 5 speed Ford tranny ......shift to 4th or 3rd ?
Or just one gear down manually.....[emoji853]

It will down shift automatically, each time you step on the brake, up to a point when the RPMs will be to high for the engine. ( over 4500 )

You don't need to move the shifter handle.

tvp · 01-29-2018, 02:08 PM

Did not know it did it automatically in Tow / Haul mode ..... that’s great ��

TVP

joes2901 · 01-29-2018, 03:58 PM

You cannot select 4th gear with the gear shift. Uphill if you are above 61 MPH you can depress the accelerator to force a downshift to 4th. Down hill the first significant braking should produce a downshift to 4th, if your speed is under 60 it may leap from 5th to 3rd and give you 5,200 RPM. Brake hard to take about 10 MPH of your speed and then let the brakes cool for the time it takes to regain the speed on a long steep down hill. Do not ride the brakes when the tow haul and lower gear fail to hold your speed on a steep down hill.

millerj · 01-29-2018, 08:22 PM

I sold my 2012 Ventana diesel pusher and got a used 2010 Baystar for my trips back and forth between Indiana and Florida. I was worried about doing the mountains between Knoxville KY and Ashville NC with my new to us 2910 Baystar. After the trip I was pleasantly surprised about how well the Ford engine and transmission did going both up and down the mountains. In fact, the Ford V10 can go up the mountains faster than my diesel pusher could. Going down hill I used the tow/haul mode and simply tapped the brake if my speed increased. I was pulling a Chevy Equinox on my trip.

JIMBO34PA · 01-30-2018, 10:41 AM

We had a 2015 36la with a 5 speed trans. Installed a 5 star tuner and it made a night and day difference! Trans shift patterns , power , tow haul modes and overall driveability . With the added power upshifts, downshifts change all for the better. Worth the price .