Going down long grade, got 'Check Trans Temp' warning

[RV 4 2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BryanL:
While I5 from Redding the Ashland is enough to prefer US97 and Willamette pass, it is a freeway and holding 35-40 mph downgrade seems awfully conservative. I wouldn't worry about those going 50 as even that is rather conservative for a road that will handle 70 easily.

But you do need to be comfortable with your own rig and you need to accommodate what gearing is best to hold speed downgrade at a reasonable engine speed with minimal braking as you were doing.

I hadn't considered the downhill worse than uphill on the tranny but it makes sense. Airflow is going to be important for cooling so a bit more speed can be a good thing, I'd think.

It would be interesting to know what the actual mechanism causing the warning indicator was and what is the proper remedy. It is a serious warning and a false indication can be a problem, too. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

BryanL, your comment about what is comfortable is what was deeping my speeds down. This was my first big triiip with my rig towing and on a very large grade like that. I was more comfortable being conservative. Not to mention the DW would probably be freaking. As for that road easkily handling 70, I am not so sure unless I was in a sports car. I truly would not be comfortable at 70 in my rig.
BUT, as you stated, I am also curious as to what really caused that warning. I guess I will try to find out when I get home and can take it to a Allison shop.

Thanks all for the advice.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV 4 2:
I guess I will try to find out when I get home and can take it to a Allison shop.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>RV 4 2, When you get back home, your first point of contact should be your Workhorse Authorized Service Center. If they can identify a problem using their diagnostic equipment and can't resolve it at the service center level you can be assured that Allison would be involved at that point.

I believe since this was your 1st time out, I think in time you will feel more comfortable driving your motorhome and you will get to know how it handles grades and which speeds are appropriate for your driving style.

I can see now why the very cautious approach to descending a grade. I'm with you regarding traveling at 70 MPH in a motorhome especially when challenged by grades.

I believe that in time you will see that a controlled descent at about 50 MPH is reasonable and prudent as opposed to 35 MPH which may often be below the minimum posted speed limit on Interstates which is typically posted at 45. On any other highway other than an Interstate you may have to adjust your descent speed accordingly.

[Tom N]

I'll be leaving the end of next week for upstate NY. I'll be traveling through the central mountains of PA on back roads to north of Syracuse.

I'll be using the grade brake and I'll monitor the transmission temperature with a Scan Gauge.

I'll post my observed temperatures.

-Tom