Towing in the mountains

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Bigbird

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2014 RAM 1500, Pentastar, 8 speed, 3.21, Winnebago trailer weighing 4500#.
Now that the specs are out of the way I'll get down to the subject. I have done a lot of towing but not in the mountains of Colorado and Utah like we plan to do this fall.

How do you experienced folks tow down hill. Of course the trailer has electric brakes and I always tow in the tow/haul mode. Do you limit high gear to 3rd or 4th while using the brakes? Comments are appreciated.

Ken
 

Upthewazzu

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depending on the grade, tow/haul mode will handle the engine braking. On some more intense downhill sections, I've used manual mode to do it myself.
 

Jerry1984

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Tow/haul mode does a decent job, but I end up manually downshifting on the steep stuff.
 
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Bigbird

Bigbird

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Thanks guys, that was the information I was looking for.
 

toofart

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Use Tow Haul, and downshift manually before grades to minimize shifting under load. Use the gear selector to avoid overdrive.
 

BoldAdventure

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Manually select the gear, depending on the grade 1, 2 or 3.

I do not use the truck brakes, I use downshifting and the trailers brakes. There is a delay in your electric brakes, and using the trucks brakes can lead to disaster. Let the trailer slow you down. Use the trailer brake on your controller to keep you in control.
 

Searay245se

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Manually select the gear, depending on the grade 1, 2 or 3.

I do not use the truck brakes, I use downshifting and the trailers brakes. There is a delay in your electric brakes, and using the trucks brakes can lead to disaster. Let the trailer slow you down. Use the trailer brake on your controller to keep you in control.

Agree X2.
 

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