Hi all, asking question for friend. Full size Dodge diesel (I don't know liter size engine), manual transmission, hauling 4 horse GN aluminum slant, down fairly steep grade (lewiston, idaho). Grade stretches over a few miles. The trailer pushy on his truck, increasing RPMs up over 3. Someone mentioned hauling in 4WD, perhaps low 4WD , to slow engine down and reduce RPMs.
Anyone have experience or advice on this?
My thx!
Ps.. I had post earlier in year about long distance purchase of used 4star 2H GN aluminum slant sight unseen, became complicated when seller declined to accept my wire transfer. Long to short, picked up trailer last week, and very happy with trailer.. Lucked out.
Posted 2014-06-12 11:08 AM (#159445 - in reply to #159434) Subject: RE: Advice hauling steep grade reducing RPMs
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
First of all do not run in 4 wheel drive - especially 4 wheel low - on dry paved surfaces as the wear on tires and the drive train is extreme.
From a trucking point of view, you should use the same gear going down hill as is needed to go up the same hill, and be in that gear before starting down the grade. If it was an automatic transmission and has a ' Tow/Haul' Mode, you should also activate it before starting the down hill. It will then use enging braking and proper transmission down shifts to control the speed.
If that gear is too low, you should apply your brakes periodically to slow the vehicle down, then - on electric brake trailers only ( not on air brake trailers) release the brakes to let them cool - then repeat to keep the trailer under control.
If you keep constant pressure on the brakes, you run the risk of over heating the brakes and losing all brakes due to heat fade, and have a runaway vehicle.
If you cannot keep the vehicle under control doing this, you need to rethink your loading and weights, possibly with a larger tow vehicle.
Assuming you have your brake controller gain set correctly, and the trailer brakes are properly adjusted, you should - with proper weight loads, be able to keep it under control by doing do.
Other options are having a Jake Brake installed on the engine exhaust.
Posted 2014-06-18 12:01 AM (#159524 - in reply to #159434) Subject: RE: Advice hauling steep grade reducing RPMs
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Grew up in Pomeroy. Guessing you are talking about the Lewiston grade. My suggestion would be to start at a lower speed when you head down the grade. IE: plan ahead for the grade and slow down ahead of time.
Advice hauling steep grade reducing RPMs
