Community Forums

GWBGE · 12-02-2021, 08:41 AM

I have a 19 LA pulling an F250. On some of the steeper grades at altitude, it will slow down to 45. As others have said, a lot of it depends on how you go into the grade. I will manually downshift before i hit the grade with helps a lot.

Steele · 12-02-2021, 09:30 AM

Just an general observation on Eastern mountain grades vs Western grades. While the Eastern grades tend to be shorter than out West I’ve noticed that the grades tend to start out with a curve at the bottom which can rob us of momentum to push to the top. I know this isn’t all grades but have found the eastern tend to follow river valleys more than out west.

I do tend to let the downshifts happen and not mash the pedal as I’ve noticed that does push temperature more.

oldcoon · 12-02-2021, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petes Dad

Attachment 350317 you should have much more power than that. Have it put on a scanner to see if you have any underlying problems not throwing a code. We are pulling 3 times that weight through the Rocky Mountain region with twice that performance.

I am. Unfortunately I've got to wait 4 week.

HMCSW · 12-05-2021, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcoon

Pulling a full size Denali Pickup behind a 21 MA and surprised how much of a struggle it is in the hills of NC. Is there anyone else pulling something similar? If so, how's your performance?

Something is not correct: We tow our Escalade (6,000 pounds) behind our 360HP Aria. 45-50 up the Grapevine and most of the passes in the west which are 6-7% grades. I do downshift manually to keep the RPMs in the sweat spot ~1,800 - 2000 RPM. Good luck figuring it out.

dontaylor · 12-05-2021, 03:04 PM

Have a 2021 MA as well and pull a suburban. Live in Colorado and have gone all through the 6 and 7% grades. Not an issue to me. We will slow to about 45-50 mph on a long 7% grade but that's about it.

picadilly · 12-05-2021, 03:24 PM

We have an 18 Essex with a 600 HP and pull a Sierra1500 SLT we have no problem. But we have an SLT because we were told you couldn’t pull a Denali. That may be wrong but my husband said you should have no trouble pulling a pickup!

slabman · 12-05-2021, 03:29 PM

Coon, looks like you have about the same set up I had with my 14 Essex. 500 HP towing a 5800 pound Lexus. And yes, it was slower going through the mountains but, what do you expect with machinery that heavy?. I know tow that same car with a wimpy little ISB 360 motor in a 37 foot rig and can tell you we have pulled it all over the mountains of Colorado without an issue. Sure, it would be nice to go faster but I feel it is quite adequate. Kind a like the law of diminishing returns.

Saf · 12-05-2021, 03:36 PM

Unless your doing it everyday for work, most people only go up those steep grades rarely, so if it slows down, that's a lot of total weight. What's a couple extra minutes mean to you on the trip?

papawickham · 12-05-2021, 04:43 PM

I tow a Denali 2500HD behind our Ventana with 400hp in the Rockies and do not see anything below 45. I also don’t see the truckers again either. We cruise always at 65. Getting 7.5-8.5 mpg on almost all trips.

Get it checked.

Mle75749 · 12-05-2021, 05:01 PM

steve, we just bought a low mileage 2020 Denali 3500 and plan to tow behind our 2020 40’DS with a 450 Cummins. Is it sluggish at all for you?

Roadyacht1 · 12-05-2021, 05:17 PM

I just don’t understand why people want to tow such huge vehicles? I tow a Honda Fit with a 300 hp 3.8 Dutch Star and don’t even know it,s back thee.

OnSafari · 12-05-2021, 05:33 PM

Did you leave the parking brake on?

momcat · 12-05-2021, 05:50 PM

Disconnect toad on a slight incline. (parking lot or something not level) Get in release brake, just like you had it when hooked up and see if it rolls freely. Might be nothing wrong with your Cummins. MOMCAT

Comanche59 · 12-05-2021, 06:11 PM

I live in the mountains of western North Carolina, so I am familiar with towing here as well as other mountainous areas of the country. I have found as one or more others have mentioned in their responses that your coach when towing in the mountains if left to itself will stay in at least one gear too high. Watch your RPM's and if the engine is being pulled down and lugging, then manually downshift a gear or two if necessary. If it is hot weather and you are towing in the mountains; it is essential to keep your RPM's up to keep your engine and transmission cool. You may find this will help solve your problem. Of course, make sure your air and fuel filters are clean and check to make sure that you have nothing in either vehicle causing unnecessary drag.