Why I choose to follow a 5th wheeler path

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Pike's Peak has a brake check area about half way down.  You pull over and the Ranger's check your brake temperature with an infrared thermometer.  If it's too high, you have to stay there until it comes back down to safe levels.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

How much does the downhill stress in low gear effect an engine and transmission? Think many folks incorrectly believe a brake job is much cheaper that a transmission fix.  And it's dangerous too.

One doesn't use engine braking instead of brakes to control descent speed because of cost; you do it for safety.  Hot brakes fade, meaning they don't stop as well, until eventually they don't stop at all.  On a steep grade you better hope they have a conveniently placed runaway truck ramp or you are SOL.

If you descend steep grades often or are concerned for your automatic transmission get a bigger transmission cooler and a transmission temp gauge.

 -- Spiff

 

[ArtW]

To expand on what Spiff said
If you're going down a steep grade and your driveline fails, your brakes will bring you t a stop, once, at least
If you smoke your brakes, you can't stop, period
if you smoke your brakes, and THEN your driveline fails, you are screwed bigtime with no lube

 

[highdesertranger]

if you are worried about stressing your engine and brakes by downshifting going down hill your are using the wrong vehicle. I will say it again, transmission cooler and gauge. or use a rock crusher stick. highdesertranger

 

[jimindenver]

To expand on what Spiff said
If you're going down a steep grade and your driveline fails, your brakes will bring you t a stop, once, at least
If you smoke your brakes, you can't stop, period
if you smoke your brakes, and THEN your driveline fails, you are screwed bigtime with no lube

This and in 30 years of towing, I have never blown a tranny in the Rockies. I rarely touch my brakes until I get into town where I actually have to stop. (even without the trailers)

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

if you are worried about stressing your engine and brakes by downshifting going down hill your are using the wrong vehicle.  I will say it again, transmission cooler and gauge.  or use a rock crusher stick.  highdesertranger

Say, Mr. Moderator, we seem to have drifted a bit afield.  Maybe it's time you split this thread and put the stuff on mountain driving in it's own thread to make it easier for people to find?

 

[Goshawk]

Driving a 5th wheel down an incline is still on topic enough. And a good factor in considering a 5th wheeler purchase with automatic transmission.


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[Goshawk]

Looked at a brand new 2017 5th wheeler at a regional county fair. $20999 brand new. --- hated the construction. Built of cardboard too much, literally.


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[ArtW]

yeah those 5th wheels are crazy expensive