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Old 07-22-2018, 02:06 PM   #1
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Any tips for 1st time driving in "hills/mtns"?

Heading to Asheville, NC in a couple months in our 36' gas Class A (Thor Miramar). Never driven anything this big outside of FL so any tips about driving in the hills or mountains?

TY
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:09 PM   #2
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If you go thru Franklin NC on 441 down shift so not to burn brakes out.
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:11 PM   #3
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Keep it in tow/haul. Tap the brake to force downshifts while heading down hill.
Don't let it get going too fast, and need lots of braking. That gets them to hot.
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:14 PM   #4
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Use your gears instead of your brakes. Think two steps ahead when you're driving. Much better to go too slow than too fast.
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:17 PM   #5
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Go down the hill in the same gear in which you went up the hill. Plan on it. Going up is easy, take your time, watch your temps, if the tranny is up and down shifting alot, put it in the lower gear and take whatever speed a comfortable rpm gives you. Flashers on when at or below 45mph. Passing is optional, take your time.


Going down is where people get into trouble. Plan on staying in the same gear you went up in; maybe upshift 1 gear as you crest, but be springloaded to downshift if the speed starts to build. Don't let the speed build, firm pressure on the brakes, slow it down to below where you want, downshift if possible, and get off the brakes to let them cool. Don't ride the brakes, ever a little bit. If you are towing, that thing back there better be really light or have its own brakes. If you are towing a vehicle, that extra 3,000 pounds needs its own braking system.
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyMac View Post
Go down the hill in the same gear in which you went up the hill. Plan on it. Going up is easy, take your time, watch your temps, if the tranny is up and down shifting alot, put it in the lower gear and take whatever speed a comfortable rpm gives you. Flashers on when at or below 45mph. Passing is optional, take your time.


Going down is where people get into trouble. Plan on staying in the same gear you went up in; maybe upshift 1 gear as you crest, but be springloaded to downshift if the speed starts to build. Don't let the speed build, firm pressure on the brakes, slow it down to below where you want, downshift if possible, and get off the brakes to let them cool. Don't ride the brakes, ever a little bit. If you are towing, that thing back there better be really light or have its own brakes. If you are towing a vehicle, that extra 3,000 pounds needs its own braking system.

X2! Good advice!
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Old 07-22-2018, 02:31 PM   #7
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Awesome advice and reminders. Thanks all. No tow vehicle for this trip so that's a plus.
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Old 07-22-2018, 03:26 PM   #8
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Flashers on when at or below 45mph.
Just a PSA for the others: In Florida it is illegal to use your flashers EXCEPT when stopped on the side of the road. I know other states mandate that you use your flashers if under a certain speed, but in FL you cannot use your flashers while you're moving.
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Old 07-22-2018, 03:38 PM   #9
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Keep it in tow/haul. Tap the brake to force downshifts while heading down hill.
Don't let it get going too fast, and need lots of braking. That gets them to hot.


We went through there a few months back towing our RAV4. The RV handled it easily in tow/haul mode. I'd occasionally get going a little faster than I wanted downhill and could just tap the brakes for another downshift.

Pretty country over there. Take your time and enjoy your trip.
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Old 07-22-2018, 03:51 PM   #10
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Read "Factors affecting coach and RV performance" by caterpillar . Name not exact but should be able to find it on the web.

Then search for SNUB BRAKING and absorb that as well and be prepared to practice techniques.

With those two under your belt you will be the current expert on the subject.
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Old 07-22-2018, 04:00 PM   #11
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When I'm driving gassers at work I'm always in tow/haul mode. I turn off the cruise control and go into manual mode (usually 4th gear for the ups and downs). The engine will be above 4,000 rpm's going up hill but that is normal, let it do it's thing.
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Old 07-22-2018, 04:12 PM   #12
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Take your time and don't rush it. Use the turnouts to let people pass when they are available so you won't feel pressured to push too hard up or down hill.
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Old 07-22-2018, 04:20 PM   #13
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Order this book. It comes in east and west versions - for when you do the really big mountains in the west) .

https://www.mountaindirectory.com/
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Old 07-22-2018, 05:20 PM   #14
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How to Drive an RV in the Mountains - RV Trippin

Found this and it seems like pretty good advice. We have done some hills but not mountains yet. We are going to SD in a few weeks so I was glad to find this post.

Hope this article makes sense.
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