The camper thread! Pulling, using, equipment, maintenance!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
That being said, 35 seems a little on the slow side. What gears do you have? How much total combined weight were you pulling?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,263
Likes: 149
From: In the field...
Having just driven from the west coast to the east coast, I can tell you that "bigger Eastern highway grades" do not hold a candle to the ones in the west. I didn't have to slow down once for a grade between Colorado and South Carolina. In California, Utah, and Colorado, I was in 2nd gear on some of those hills.
That being said, 35 seems a little on the slow side. What gears do you have? How much total combined weight were you pulling?
That being said, 35 seems a little on the slow side. What gears do you have? How much total combined weight were you pulling?
Tom has 4.88 gear ratio on a V10.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, CA
Truck curb weight is the standard 7,200lbs plus some lbs for mods (sway bar etc).
The trailer dry weight is 6,440lbs, the max gross weight is 9,460lbs. Since i have not had the set-up weighed at the scales, let's just assume 9,000lbs. 40 gal fresh water tank was empty, but I was otherwise loaded up with lots of gear.
I suspect if if I had come into some of the gnarlier grades with a touch more speed and higher rpms/lower gears, I would have held a more respectable 45 or 50mph. But 60mph wouldn't be achievable I don't think.
I just can't think what would make an engine perform 40% worse than other folks' ex's in those conditions; feels like either the engine can pull, or it can't. Mo in between. Maybe vacuum leaks or fewer cylinders, but I had my mechanic do a full review. Recently changed all the plugs and boots etc.
im guessing user error/timidity!
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Mark, that is true but with my 35" tires the effective ratio is 4.39. 
And as Andy mentioned, my Eastern grades are a good bit easier than those out West.
I would suggest modifying your driving style to run the speed up a bit prior to the climb and to lean a little harder on the skinny pedal during the climb. Also consider some good custom tunes from 5Star, they wake the engine up a bit and make the trans work much, much better with improved shift strategies and pressures. The difference between the amount of throttle opening in stock tune and my 89 Octane Performance tune that causes a downshift out of OD is about 15%, pretty significant. I have never yet run at wide open throttle while towing with a combined weight between 18 and 19K lbs.
And as Andy mentioned, my Eastern grades are a good bit easier than those out West.
4.33 gears, although the effective ratio is a bit lower as I'm rolling on the 33.4" BFG 295/75r16 tires. The truck was empty save for two 200lbs riders and maybe 100lbs of gear.
Truck curb weight is the standard 7,200lbs plus some lbs for mods (sway bar etc).
The trailer dry weight is 6,440lbs, the max gross weight is 9,460lbs. Since i have not had the set-up weighed at the scales, let's just assume 9,000lbs. 40 gal fresh water tank was empty, but I was otherwise loaded up with lots of gear.
I suspect if if I had come into some of the gnarlier grades with a touch more speed and higher rpms/lower gears, I would have held a more respectable 45 or 50mph. But 60mph wouldn't be achievable I don't think.
I just can't think what would make an engine perform 40% worse than other folks' ex's in those conditions; feels like either the engine can pull, or it can't. Mo in between. Maybe vacuum leaks or fewer cylinders, but I had my mechanic do a full review. Recently changed all the plugs and boots etc.
im guessing user error/timidity!
Truck curb weight is the standard 7,200lbs plus some lbs for mods (sway bar etc).
The trailer dry weight is 6,440lbs, the max gross weight is 9,460lbs. Since i have not had the set-up weighed at the scales, let's just assume 9,000lbs. 40 gal fresh water tank was empty, but I was otherwise loaded up with lots of gear.
I suspect if if I had come into some of the gnarlier grades with a touch more speed and higher rpms/lower gears, I would have held a more respectable 45 or 50mph. But 60mph wouldn't be achievable I don't think.
I just can't think what would make an engine perform 40% worse than other folks' ex's in those conditions; feels like either the engine can pull, or it can't. Mo in between. Maybe vacuum leaks or fewer cylinders, but I had my mechanic do a full review. Recently changed all the plugs and boots etc.
im guessing user error/timidity!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 6
From: West Hills, Ca.
What do you consider wide open? Floored, red line? just curious,I'm no expert on engines and things. I try to keep it at 4000 on the hills, never over, and of course I prefer it at ~2000 on flat roads!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 63
From: Florida and Tennessee
Steepest grade in the US Interstate is I-24 in TN over Monteagle Mtn. 8%.
Out west they're longer and higher but none over 7%. My home on the ridge just outside GSMNP and is 10% grade... and I don't pull anything over 7K up there.
Out west they're longer and higher but none over 7%. My home on the ridge just outside GSMNP and is 10% grade... and I don't pull anything over 7K up there.
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Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
Exactly, If i recall correctly with my SCT3 Tuner I upped my shift RPM at WOT to 5,000 RPM with no ill effects in the last 7 years and 40k. I drive it pretty hard all the time with a lot of full throttle runs (stop lights, on ramp..ect).
The transmission and engine computer will not let you over rev the engine. It's not a manual transmission so let it rev!
Example of putting my foot to the floor and letting the truck do the work.
The transmission and engine computer will not let you over rev the engine. It's not a manual transmission so let it rev!
Example of putting my foot to the floor and letting the truck do the work.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Sounds like recipe for a great weekend, have fun!
We are currently in the UK and I am amazed at the large number of caravans (camping trailers), motorhomes (Class A, B and C) and a great many campgrounds and dry sites along the roadways. Looks like it would be a great way to see this beautiful countryside.
