Steep Grades Driving - Luxury Coach Lifestyles
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-17-2013, 04:57 PM   #1
PatriotLuke
Member
 
PatriotLuke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Default Steep Grades Driving

As of late I have been bothered by the prospect of driving down 6%+ grades that are somewhat common out west with such a large coach. What's funny is I don't even own a coach yet and this anxiety is getting the best of me. The thought of getting up the grade doesn't bother me too much, I know enough that you pull into the right lane and climb the grade...but what happens when I get to the down side... How do others approach grades? What happens once I am committed to the downhill grade? Hope I found the correct gear ? I'd like to hear from seasoned veterans who can lend some advice for a newbie getting into the lifestyle.

Luke
__________________

PatriotLuke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2013, 06:18 PM   #2
NewellCrazy
Senior Member
 
NewellCrazy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sugarland, TX or Salida,CO
Posts: 1,867
Default

Hello Luke,

You're worrying unnecessarily. A common practice is to go down the grade in the same gear you used to climb the grade. The western mountains aren't nearly as scary as people make them out to be. Just be cautious and you'll be fine.

Sean
__________________

__________________
Sean

If Ain't a Newell, It Ain't Wurt Oonin!
NewellCrazy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2013, 07:24 PM   #3
chockwald
Senior Member
 
chockwald's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
Default

Good advice by NewellCrazy on going down the hill in the same gear you climbed it....one additional thing....if you have a Jake Brake, or some sort of engine, or transmission retarder engage it while in that low gear. I leave my Jake Brake on all the time when out on the highway, so I don't have to worry about engaging it when I head down the hill....of course, how long the 6% downhill grade is will depend on how you approach the downhill. If it's only a mile, or two you don't have to worry as much about gaining speed, but if it is 5+ miles then you really have to stay on top of your downhill speed. Stay off the brakes as much as possible....let the Jake do it's job and only use the brakes sparingly to "scrub" speed off as necessary.
__________________
Clarke and Elaine Hockwald - FULLTIMING!
https://whatnewell.blogspot.com
1982 Newell 36’ DD 6V92 TA
2002 Thunderbird Retro
Cannondale Tandem
Cannondale Bad Boy
Cannondale F600
2 Terra Trike Tadpoles
Intense 5.5 mountain bike
ALBUM: https://newellshowcase.com/thumbnails.php?album=213
chockwald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2013, 09:18 PM   #4
cdat
Senior Member
 
cdat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Idaho
Posts: 236
Default

Don't ride your brakes, use your jake brake, don't let others intimidate you into going faster then you are comfortable. Should you find you going too fast coming down, get on your brakes, slow down until you can downshift into the next lower gear that allows you to come down at a safe speed without having to use your brakes much. I don't necessarily agree with going down the hill in the same gear you went up, many times the grades are different in steepness and curves, although it gives you an approximate starting gear. You might want to get a copy of the Mountain West directory, it provides info on roads and mountain grades out west. (there is also an east directory). Mostly a matter of getting comfortable and not getting in a hurry. My biggest issue is trying not to get distracted by the views.
__________________
John and Patti
Julie and Gracie (Our papillons)
91 Newell
#255
cdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2013, 09:40 PM   #5
Newell Boss
Member
 
Newell Boss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 64
Default

Remember the signs that warn drivers about curves ahead and reduced speed, they are for you. Highway ramps that say 35mph, cars are exiting at 60mph. Maybe there is a reverse camber on the bend? That won't affect a car like trucks, busses and rv's. Take your time and don't rush it and keep your foot off your brakes and utilize your jake brake as others have mentioned.
Newell Boss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2013, 10:19 PM   #6
Chester B. Stone, Jr.
Senior Member
 
Chester B. Stone, Jr.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sam Carlos, Sonora, Mex.
Posts: 407
Default

You may want to consider that the Jake brake words best at the higher engine speed. I watch my tach, not the speedometer, and periodically use the brakes to keep the engine from over reeving. The Jake almost always holds the coach except when my heavy tow vehicle is attached, then some, but not much, breaking. Hope this helps.
__________________
2001 Newell #579
tow a 2011 Honda Odyssey
1935 Mercedes 500K replica
Chester B. Stone, Jr. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2013, 04:55 AM   #7
ccjohnson
Senior Member
 
ccjohnson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Southwest NM
Posts: 346
Default

Be sure to start down hill in a low enough or lower gear. Remember it's always easier to shift up one gear than shift down one gear when going down hill!
__________________
Clint C. Johnson / Fran Balm
Coach 289 '92 42'6" 8V92 Hybrid
Several Toads:
XL-7
F-350 4X4 Crewcab
F-250 4X4 Crewcab
ccjohnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2013, 05:58 AM   #8
Gone Busing
Senior Member
 
Gone Busing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: West Fargo
Posts: 129
Default

Apply stab-braking for 5 mph decreases while using one lower gear with exhaust brake on during downgrade runs.
__________________
Jay & Shannon Nichols

Comparing Luxury Motor Coaches
Gone Busing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2013, 02:35 PM   #9
prairieschooner
Senior Member
 
prairieschooner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Idyllwild, CA
Posts: 1,340
Default

Up the hill...gear down-----Down the hill...gear down & Jacobs Brake!
__________________
have Coach will Travel
Steve & Tricia
1982 Newell 38' (built before #1) 6V92 DD, 5 Speed Allison, 12.5 KW Kohler, Couch used to make into a Bed but I fixed it!
https://newellshowcase.com/thumbnails.php?album=214
2007 Yukon, 1981 CJ7 Laredo, 2002 Honda CRV, 1955 Thunderbird, 1952 Pontiac Sedan Delivery, 1952 Ford 8N, 1958 Airstream, 1959 Glasspar 16' Avalon, Cabin in the Woods........what will I work on next
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
prairieschooner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2013, 02:48 PM   #10
zcasa
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 279
Default

Luke,

All the advice is perfect. We live in Colorado and we were constantly climbing or descending. I was white knuckled the first few times. However, whenever I would see the 6% grade sign, I would immediately power down, put on my flashers and let the machine do its job. Rarely had to use the brakes and knew that because of how cautious I was being, that I always had the brakes to use, if necessary. We were 44,000 lbs plus the tow car. It can gain momentum in a hurry, but as stated by many above, if in the correct gear to begin with at the crest, utilizing the Jake Brake, it was a piece of cake.

You will have a wonderful time, no worries.

David
zcasa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2013, 04:22 PM   #11
PatriotLuke
Member
 
PatriotLuke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Default

Thought it would be only appropriate that I say thank you guys for posting such detailed responses to my question.

Luke
PatriotLuke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2013, 06:44 PM   #12
Chester B. Stone, Jr.
Senior Member
 
Chester B. Stone, Jr.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sam Carlos, Sonora, Mex.
Posts: 407
Default

I am dubious that gearing down for the sake of gearing down does anything to slow you down. Diesels do not have a vacuum, as opposed to a gasoline engine, the only reason to gear down is the keep the RPMs up so the Jake can do its job. If the Jake is doing its job in 6th gear by holding the coach from gaining speed, all the better.
__________________
2001 Newell #579
tow a 2011 Honda Odyssey
1935 Mercedes 500K replica
Chester B. Stone, Jr. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2013, 02:32 PM   #13
77newell
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Just North of Detroit, a surprizingly great city
Posts: 380
Default

I'm curious about the 2 stroke versus 4 stroke engines in terms of braking effect versus engine speed. My 6V92 with Jake on provides very little braking unless the RPMs are quite high. What is the effect with those of you with Series 60 engines?
__________________
Jon and Alie Kabbe
Started with 77 Coach
Now have 39' 93 coach
2007 civic toad
77newell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2013, 02:45 PM   #14
MrE
Senior Member
 
MrE's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Boise Idaho
Posts: 719
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 77newell View Post
I'm curious about the 2 stroke versus 4 stroke engines in terms of braking effect versus engine speed. My 6V92 with Jake on provides very little braking unless the RPMs are quite high. What is the effect with those of you with Series 60 engines?
There's a thread on the forum somewhere talking about wiring. You probably only have the Jake working on one bank which would be the low setting. You might want to wire it so both banks work which would be the high setting.
__________________
Jon & Chris Everton
1986 40' Dog House #86
0 hp 8V92 Allison HT740
Soon to be 500hp ISM with ZF 6 Speed
MrE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2013, 09:34 PM   #15
folivier
Senior Member
 
folivier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Posts: 1,221
Default

After driving my '93 with 8v92 for 4 years and putting about 500 miles so far on the '98 with s60 let me tell you there is a HUGE difference between the two. With the s60 and jake on high I barely use my brakes to come to a stop from 60. On low setting it is still better than the 8v was. Rpm's don't seem to matter. When I switch on the jake it is set so that the transmission starts downshifting (when rpms permit) to 2nd. Love it!
__________________

__________________
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1998 Newell 45' 2 slide #486
2004 Chevy Silverado Z71
2013 RZR 570LE

"You don't have a soul. You are a soul, you have a body." C.S.Lewis


https://www.luxurycoachlifestyle.com/...php?albumid=14
folivier is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A hands free steering wheel bluetooth speaker phone Raymond N Priscilla Miller High Technology for the Big Rig RV 9 11-11-2012 03:28 AM
An Evening with the Ellis's in AZ encantotom Wine-n-Dine, Events, Rallies and Great Locations 2 10-18-2012 05:08 PM
Insulating Service and Water Bays? Will Procter Life on the Road | Livin' in Luxury 2 09-02-2012 11:09 PM
Where to find wheel well moldings Dennis Bruce Exterior Works 1 02-17-2008 09:44 PM
From Bus To Class Act! NoBusGus Introduce Yourself - Welcome Wagon 2 12-28-2006 04:38 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Newell Coach Corporation or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×