Gas motors out west

[Rjb55]

Any class c RVers with gas engines on performance while traveling in the mountains out west?

[FatChance]

A naturally aspirated gas engine will lose about 3% of its sea level performance for every 1000' of elevation gain. So, at 8000', your engine's power will be down about 25%.

Enjoy the scenery.

[BirchyBoy]

Not a class C, but a 32’ class A in Denver. Plenty of get up and go, and lots of gas RV’s towing cars up and down the mountains.

[450Donn]

Where out west? The far west is a huge place with many many distinctly different elevations and enviroments. I80 is easy as is I90 crossing the Rockies.

[saddlesore]

Anywhere West of I-25 You will find elevations well above what is predominate in the central & eastern states.
Gas rigs should have very few issues, Just do not try to rush up and down the hills... gear down and enjoy the views.. (It AiN'T a Mountain unless there is snow on the 4th of July....ie: no snow? then it is just a hill..may be long ..may be steep...but still just a hill).


The one item that those who have never been west quickly discover, is that the distances between cities/regions are much further apart than they experience in the eastern half of the country.. consequently...In just trying to make their pre-planned campground reservations..they push the envelope of safety and common sense.. ..
Please add an extra day of travel between reserved campground destinations...

[A32Deuce]

We went from the Grand Canyon to Dorango to Piles Peak area to Denver. No problem towing an Escape on a 20 ft. car trailer!

[Arch Hoagland]

You'll do fine.

I pull a toad with my 36 foot gas class A all over the west.

[Rjb55]

Thanks to all for the helpful replies.

[Mark_K5LXP]

New RV'er here but over half my life lived over a mile high. driving all sorts of vehicles. Power isn't the problem, just have patience and it will go as fast as it goes. The question to ask is how are your brakes. Fading brakes going downhill will quickly make you forget about how long it took you to get to the top.

Mark B,
Abuquerque, NM

[Capt Steve]

The issue is elevation not how far west you happen to be. As noted naturally aspirated gas engines lose 3% of their HP for every thousand feet of elevation. Most folks driving gas engines need to just put their foot down and go. You won't hurt the engine as higher rpm are how they generate their power.

The V -10 in my 2012 24' Class C makes max HP of 305 at 4,250 and max Torque {which is what will actually get you up the mountain} at 3,250. You can run that V-10 at 4K rpm+ all day and do nor harm except to your wallet, yep they do get thirsty. At less than 3,250 rpm you are wasting available torque, just let it run and by all means use your Tow Haul!

[lancslad]

[QUOTE=. Fading brakes going downhill will quickly make you forget about how long it took you to get to the top.

Mark B,
Abuquerque, NM[/QUOTE]

love it.

[avfordguy]

V10 is bulletproof had a class c with only gen 1 275 hp had it all over the west, yah its thirsty it will get you there no matter what sold it for a dp , nice layout , ISB was over worked, blew headgasket, sold it a went bigger do 40 ft Monaco with 330 hp ISC 8 on a gallon on a good day, sold it and picked up a super clean garage kept 31ft Fleetwood class c 305 hp with 5speed, love it can drive all day never overheated out west in 110f temps and I can buy parts anywhere for it.

[scubastevee]

Originally Posted by lancslad

love it.

Engine braking!!

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

The question to ask is how are your brakes. Fading brakes going downhill will quickly make you forget about how long it took you to get to the top.

Mark B,
Abuquerque, NM

And Yelling Whoa Dammit!, Whoa! Doesn't seem to help much............