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BarbandBob · 04-02-2016, 07:41 AM

Have 010 35` Bounder on workhorse chassis with Allison trans pulling 5500# toad. Am considering I75 but am concerned about the grades at Jellico Mt and others. Please advise. Thanks

BFlinn181 · 04-02-2016, 10:12 AM

The grades on I-75 would be a piece of cake for your RV. Pay attention to engine temp. more than speed, downshift for downgrades instead of riding the brakes. You won't find a shorter or easier route between Florida and Cincinnati.

George Schweikle · 04-03-2016, 06:44 AM

Correct. The only thing I would add is to time your passage through, or around, Atlanta to avoid rush hour. Also, I think the rock slide closure on Jellico Mountain was cleared some time back.

When in doubt about road conditions, google the highway dept. websites for each state.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

The grades on I-75 would be a piece of cake for your RV. Pay attention to engine temp. more than speed, downshift for downgrades instead of riding the brakes. You won't find a shorter or easier route between Florida and Cincinnati.

BarbandBob · 04-03-2016, 07:17 AM

How much do I have to rely on my brake buddy going down steep grades or will the allison trans suffice?

BFlinn181 · 04-03-2016, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbandBob

How much do I have to rely on my brake buddy going down steep grades or will the allison trans suffice?

You don't want the BB adjusted to continuously apply the brakes, you will wear them out or cause a brake fire that way.

The RV will provide speed control by you downshifting and using engine braking to retard speed. The brakes should be applied firmly to reduce speed by 10 mph then foot off the brake until the next need to reduce speed by 10 mph.

The Brake Buddy uses a momentum sensor to apply brakes, if in doubt, put it in the passenger foot well and take a drive around a parking lot. That's how I verified the sensitivity setting I wanted. It only applies brakes when it senses a sudden slowing of speed, not a constant speed.

jbrv · 04-03-2016, 12:40 PM

Just did that last week. 2013 bounder 33c pulling a fiat as a toad.

Nothing to it.

I just tend to put it in Tow mode when going down easy highway grades and punch the brake a bit now and again to make it downshift if needed. Just dropping into third would do pretty much the same thing but really on 75 it was not needed.

Someone mentioned the rock slide. Somewhere around there one lane on the northbound side is closed so traffic is moving pretty slow there anyway.

Time atl to avoid rush hour.

fuel is cheaper in TN than GA or KY.