Using Gears When Towing

[MrBill]

I recently took my trailer to a rally in what we call the southern tier of NY. There are many hills to climb and descend. I have always used my gears to climb or descent hills, but I now understand the sign on the side of the road that says TRUCKS USE LOW GEAR. ?Good friends of mine told my to look out for a specific hill and make sure you use your gears. I shifted into first gear and started down the hill. This truck is great it held me and my 7000lb trailer back. The RPMs were around 3-4 thousand but the MPH was 30 or less. ?I am really impressed with the way this vehicle tows loads. Any one else have a good or bad experience on hilly roads?

 

[ygmn]

not many hills where I live just interstate overpasses.....

 

[wrchism]

I-70 through the Eisenhower tunnel here in Colorado . . . most impressed with the Av's ability to pull the 5-6 percent grades - generally 3rd gear but 75 MPH is NOOO problem! On narrower more winding mountain roads I've used the tow/haul mode to cut down a bit on tranny shifting; and as you said, manually shifted into lower gears the engine braking works great.

Can I find anything bad to say about this truck

Oh yea . . the stock stereo . .

 

[openminds]

Noticed something I have never experienced before. I was towing up a very steep hill. (caught in an unknown area with nowhere to turn). Now I am talking STEEP! I dropped the trans into 1st and held on. About 3/4 way up and about 4000 RPM I believe, the Av did this super heavy lunge into 2nd gear. WOW! I have never owned a big block truck, so maybe this is normal, but I was impressed.