How many rpm's on a mountain climb?

[ArtW]

Easiest way to say it is a transmission you have to match RPM to shift gears in, or you'll be grinding them
I think a lot of big rigs' transmissions are still unsynchronized
https://www.mistertransmission.com/synchronized-vs-unsynchronized-gearing

 

[DuneElliot]

Easiest way to say it is a transmission you have to match RPM to shift gears in, or you'll be grinding them
I think a lot of big rigs' transmissions are still unsynchronized
https://www.mistertransmission.com/synchronized-vs-unsynchronized-gearing

That's what I thought. While mine isn't unsynchronized I did learn how to shift without using the clutch and just using RPM and synchronization which is the same kind of thing. Anyway, enough of me hijacking the thread.

 

[BadSaver]

I'd go with 4,400 to see if you need a new engine. That's how I do it...

Half way joking... Horsepower is the measure of the engine's ability to do work. Torque is a measure of twisting force. Sometimes to keep up with traffic I run up the rpms.

 

[bullfrog]

VW bus cruse control was a stick wedged between the seat and the gas pedal and when you started up a grade, down shift when engine RPM's dropped off. I was told to drive it like I was mad at it because it had a governed device below the carburetor that kept you from over reving it. What ever happened to simple?

 

[MikeRuth]

I drive the mountains in Los Angeles all the time and I always turn off the OverDrive and if it is tight, twisty and or just slower going shift down into second.

this gives me good acceleration as well as decent engine breaking, which means I'm not on the brakes as much.

I recall last summer driving down the main road in sequoia national park and smelling all the brakes that were overheated from people not taking advantage of using a lower gear.

I'm in a 2007 Ford E-150 not much different than yours and i'd think this would be a good choice for your self.

 

[skyl4rk]

I made it over the mountains! US23 near Pikeville KY is intense with coal truck traffic. What I found out is when your rpms start dropping on an uphill, go less than 55 mph and turn off overdrive. That gets you through a wide range of uphills and downhills. For steeper slopes, slow down to less than 40 mph and shift into 2nd. I could climb well at about 35 mph and 2600 rpm. I also slowly descended a steep slope completely under control in 2nd gear. My motor never got over 205F. Mostly it ran 197F, more or less.

 

[bullfrog]

The road going from Kentucky to Mann West Virginia had such tight curves it used to be one way at different times of the day to allow coal trucks to use both lanes!

 

[steamjam1]

In my Dodge I always turn off the O/D when doing any kind of climbing. The OD is there only when your in the middle of flat highways. Essentially when out of O/D your turning your 46RE into a good 'ol 727. Bullet proof...

 

[Alcatraz]

In a few days I have to cross the mountains from NC to KY. I am wondering if anyone has any advice for how to do long slopes in a way that is best for longevity of the motor and trans.

Turn off the AC on climbs. Go to a lower gear if you need too. Especially if pulling a trailer.
Going downhill definetly go to a lower gear to slow you down. Do not ride the brakes downhill or they will overheat and fade and possibbly catch fire.

RPM's (revolutions per minute)  have nothing to do with gears, unless you are using them for shift points on a manual transmission.
They are the number of revolutions a crankshaft does per minute.
Do not go pass the redline on a Tach or you will blow the engine.
The lower your Rpms the better your gas mileage and stress on the engine.