Community Forums

Acheron2010 · 06-21-2018, 05:58 AM

There are a lot of controls in the cockpit of a late model Chevrolet Silverado 2500 gas truck for towing a trailer.
Brake assist, towing gears, manual gear control, trailer brake controls.

Please describe your process when descending a mild, and a steep 6 percent or so grade.

Approach speed, gear, brakes, max RPM you use before shifting, how is your integral trailer brake controller set, etc.
Anything to help a newbie from riding the brakes all the way.

Thanks,

Go Dawgs · 06-21-2018, 08:57 AM

When I had my 97 GMC gas dually I just used gears. As I crested a hill I would apply the brakes to slow (if needed) haha then drop into 3rd gear. I always tried to keep my speed below 55 going downhill. As the speed climbed to 60 I would apply brakes to get me to 50 and then release. I never used the trailer brakes, except as normal, and allowed the transmission to handle the rig. If you have anything like the set up I had you will be fine. My trailer (at that time) was 11,500 and I never had any transmission overheating.

I also used this technique in my 26' Class C crossing the Rockies 3 times.

Good Luck and go slow.
Arnold

Old-Biscuit · 06-21-2018, 09:56 AM

Re-read your thread from Jan
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f45/gas-t...ml#post4001698

**Spdracr39** · 06-21-2018, 10:20 AM

Slow down before you crest the hill. When it is in tow mode it will downshift for you but you will need to use the brakes occasionally to keep the speed down. push them firmly till you are just under your desired speed then let off. Repeat as necessary. Firm short spurts of heavy braking are better than long drawn out dragging of the brakes.