Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


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Post Info TOPIC: Gassers


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Gassers


I guess it is time for me to start a topic on Gasoline Motorhomes. How many of you out there own V-10's and how are they doing in the mountains. Back in 1996 I bought my first MH. It was a Chevrolet chassis with a 396?? not sure of the motor. We pulled many passes without too much trouble but always feared the down hill side more than the uphill. Now we own a Tiffin with the V-10. Any of you out there that have driven your Gas MH over passes please tell us about how your MH did. What Pass you drove over and any information that might be helpful.  I think many of us would like to tackle more mountain destinations but are just a little apprehensive about doing so.  Let me thank you in advance for any informatioin some of you "Gassers" might provide us with. 

It might not be a bad idea to have a "Gassers" Page added to this forum. 



-- Edited by Speedhitch on Sunday 14th of April 2013 09:20:27 AM

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Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/



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Speedhitch, We have a 36' Winnebago with the V-10 and we have traveled the mountain roads around Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP, The uphills can be slow going as the V-10 and Ford tranny tend to run up the rpms on the climb so it was a learning curve since we don't have the mountains like that here on the east coast , we found that the "tow/haul" helped on the uphills ,we even had to go to 3rd for one climb , I don't like running the engine at the High rpms so I am willing to go at a lower gear and slower speed. Like they say "It ain't a diesel".
Now as far as the downhill side with the 6% grades we used "tow/haul" and let the engine and trans do the work with as little braking as possible without any issues, the biggest thing is not to overheat the brakes , after a little practice and seat time spent I was much more confident . Being a little apprehensive is to be expected and if you have any apprehensions rule #1 is GO SLOW ,BE SAFE.

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Scott & Linda Class of 2014

2018 Tiffin Phaeton 40 IH  

2015 Chevrolet Equinox



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Thanks Defiant...I hope to have more folks pipe in here. I know many...maybe even yourself...wonder if they could ever explore the mountains in their Gasser. I for one will take your advise and try it out. We don't want to give up seeing something because we are afraid to try. I will be sure to come back here and report my adventures as we climb.



-- Edited by Speedhitch on Monday 15th of April 2013 07:15:37 AM

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Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/



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I have a 454 onboard a 99 Safari Trek and have no problems on steep climbs & descents.... but then again Im the guy doing 55 enjoying the view and in no hurry to get there!!!

 

Come to think of it ....Getting there is not in my Travel intinerary ........!!!!!!!



-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 15th of April 2013 07:21:44 AM

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 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

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My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



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Thanks Mike...I might catch up to you if you keep going slow...SLOW is the key word in all this. I will be doing the same.

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Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/



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Like Lucky Mike, my first dually that I pulled my 15000 lb 5th wheel with (total combined weight 22,400) had a 454 gas non-fuel injection with a 3 speed automatic.

To climb a 6% percent grade I would be in first gear travelling between 22 to 25 MPH. 2nd gear would lug the engine, I kept it in 1st gear to make it easier on the drivetrain. Beyond 30 MPH approached over revving the engine in first gear so I chose 25 MPH as my maximum. We got to see a lot of scenery as we climbed...."hey honey I think that lizard had blue eyes".

Going down a 6% grade was also in 1st gear using the extreme braking technique to keep the speed between 20 and 25 MPH while trying to save the brakes.

Once you do the downhill thing a few times and realize the extreme braking technique works great the white knuckles go away.

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Thanks Bear...At one time in the RVing history gasoline engines is all we had. Thousand of folks passed over these mountains without a Turbo Charger. Now we have the diesels with power to spare. I hope this enables gassers to try and explore the possibilities of mountain adventures.
I know that I feel better already and will try some mountain climbing.

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Joe Sherri and Kris living in a Open Range Lite 308BHS. 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel  http://speedysgreatadventure.blogspot.com/



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was taught well........never descend the hill more than 10 to 15 mph faster than you climbed it....

if all else fails install a set of drag chutes on the unit!!!!!!!!.....(causes less damage than the runaway ramp...and you get to look cool!!)

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 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



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Back in my "trucking" days, they used to always say that one wanted to start out on the downhill side in one gear below the gear where one finally reached to summit.  So, if one topped in 3rd, one started down in 2nd.

When using the brakes, brake hard enough to drop 10 to 15 miles per hour (or more if that makes one more comfortable) and then get back off the brakes and go back to using the transmission.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

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