Your 400 Cummins will have a power-band to maximize the engine's performance at a given RPM. You should not be anywhere near the RPM REDLINE..
The sweet spot for your motor can be found from Cummins which is based upon the motor model. Mine is around 1850 RPM's at 65 mph for optimum power output to cruise. As you know, Diesel engine max power output in horsepower and torque are generally low RPMs where gas engines are high RPMs. Your engine will deliver a power out rating at some given RPM curve. At the peak of the curve, it will be doing all it can. While climbing hills, try to maintain maximum power output and engine temp as cool as you can and below say 220 degrees max and not in the temp red zone. Whatever speed you end up with is all she'll do. Some hills I'm climbing at 55 mph (5th gear) while others, I'm at 35 or 45 mph (4th gear). While some still, I'm at 20-25 mph (3rd gear). It all depends upon the engine's performance capacity and load. One other thing, as you climb, you'll lose power ability.
400 hp Cummins is the 8.9 ISL. A very nice motor.
http://www.everytime.cummins.com/assets/pdf/4971107.pdf
Horsepower is a calculated value from torque which is what moves you.
While climbing, drive the tach for optimum power output at your engine's peak power curve which is between 1500-1800