Towing

[dave1248]

I just purchased a used 1996 Winnebago Vector, 37'. I want to tow my 2005 Chevy Tahoe. I have the Blue Ox tow bar, with the blue ox brake. My question is how to scale hills up or down. I am in California and am going to South Dakota. I have to go up and down short distances of 6% grades. Would putting it in second or first going slow work alright? I know many of you have asked the same question. When out of California I can avoid any hills like this. Thanks!!

[RickO]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Is your coach a 1996 "Vectra" diesel pusher? What engine to you have? Is this your first diesel pusher?

Towing with a diesel is different from towing with a gasser. You won't want to just "put it in second" and let the engine scream. Diesels pull much better at lower RPMs than a gasser.

What many do is to just let the cruise control handle the shifting but I like to manually downshift to keep the RPM around 2000 in order to keep the engine cool if the weather is hot outside.

Don't be alarmed if your rig won't pull Donner Pass at 60 mph. You may well slow to 40 before cresting the hill. Always watch your speed when cresting because you do NOT want to carry too much speed into the downhill.

Best of luck.

Rick

[dave1248]

It is a gas, chevy 454 engine.

[dave1248]

Originally Posted by RickO

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Is your coach a 1996 "Vectra" diesel pusher? What engine to you have? Is this your first diesel pusher?

Towing with a diesel is different from towing with a gasser. You won't want to just "put it in second" and let the engine scream. Diesels pull much better at lower RPMs than a gasser.

What many do is to just let the cruise control handle the shifting but I like to manually downshift to keep the RPM around 2000 in order to keep the engine cool if the weather is hot outside.

Don't be alarmed if your rig won't pull Donner Pass at 60 mph. You may well slow to 40 before cresting the hill. Always watch your speed when cresting because you do NOT want to carry too much speed into the downhill.

Best of luck.

Rick

I am new to this website. It is a gas, chevy 454 engine

[RickO]

Originally Posted by dave1248

I am new to this website. It is a gas, chevy 454 engine

Thanks. Sorry for all the diesel blah, blah. I'm sure someone will be along soon to help with advice for your rig.

Rick

[chawkins99]

Dave, what is your hitch rated at? On a gas vehicle of that vintage, I would expect it to be 5,000lbs or less.
Your Tahoe has a curb weight very close to 5,000lbs. Any cargo or options would almost certainly put you overweight.
I would think the 454 motor is going to be working hard just to get the coach over the mountains let alone adding another 5,000lb toad.
Personally, I wouldn't want to risk it but that's just my opinion.

[dave1248]

10k hitch. I am going to try a test run. Thanks !!!