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Perhaps my statement wasn't completely clear, you're concerned with taking off from a stop up a completely insane incline. While I also take off at an incline, the most I've ever had to face is about a 10%. So for me it, the take off advantage of a manual isn't there. Sure it will be easier to get it rolling, but an auto can do it without an issue. I do want a manual for other reasons though, but probably won't get one because the wife can't drive a manual.
With my manual I was pulling out of backyards with about 75% slopes, while having good load of wet wood on my 10 foot flatbed.
When my differential blow up, I rented 2004 F550. That thing with automatic, hooked up to 14 k trailer would not move up the motel driveway. I had to risk going on reverse to dead end slope to get it to lower incline before it would start moving up. The engine was reving close to 1500 rpm, but no torque to turn the driveshaft.
Hope there were no Chevy owners in the motel
When my differential blow up, I rented 2004 F550. That thing with automatic, hooked up to 14 k trailer would not move up the motel driveway. I had to risk going on reverse to dead end slope to get it to lower incline before it would start moving up. The engine was reving close to 1500 rpm, but no torque to turn the driveshaft.
Hope there were no Chevy owners in the motel
Towing 14K with a 6.0 and 5R110 it could not get a load moving?
How steep of a hill are we talking about?
With my manual I was pulling out of backyards with about 75% slopes, while having good load of wet wood on my 10 foot flatbed.
When my differential blow up, I rented 2004 F550. That thing with automatic, hooked up to 14 k trailer would not move up the motel driveway. I had to risk going on reverse to dead end slope to get it to lower incline before it would start moving up. The engine was reving close to 1500 rpm, but no torque to turn the driveshaft.
I assume it wasn't 4x4 and you couldn't go to 4LOW?
Personally, I'm wondering how they paved something that steep. I went up a dirt road to deliver a condensing unit to a church and was wondering how the they get up there in the winter. I thought I was going to twist the driveshaft out getting up there. Floored it, let everything spool, and made it no problem with a small trailer (6X9) I'll get some pics next time I go up there. Coming down was no fun either in something that big.
I just did the math on that and it comes out to 36.8 degrees. To back anything up that steep of a hill is amazing. I am impressed on that one!
We had some REALLY steep hills on Fort Knox when I was there called "Heartbreak" and "Misery" and I think Misery was only 18.5%. Try hiking up that after a 20 mile "walk" through the woods with full gear....loads of fun. Blisters the size of a tire footprint.
No thanks. I totally agree that an 18% grade would be brutal hiking in any conditions, but 75% is beyond my comprehension. Heck, I've ridden motocross tracks that weren't that steep!
For major highways I always heard they wanted to stay around 7% for a max if they can. Steepest marked grade I've driven up is 18% with a turn at the base that kills speed prior to the climb.