kenuck
Burnaby, B.C.
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We're planning some trips this year through Wyoming and Colorado - up to 8000 to 12000 ft with grades of 6% to 10% and was wondering if anyone has experience going up grades at high altitude with the Chevy RTs. We're driving a RT210P with the 6 L V8.
I read somewhere that you lose 3% of power for each 1000 ft altitude
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trails2004
Wyoming
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Joined: 07/19/2007
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That is correct
2002 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 4x4-AFE Cold Air,4"Exhaust,Toyos,Ranchos,Dual Air III- Firestones 2004 Hallmark Cuchara XL 9.5 w/Carbon Fiber Roof, WFCO 9845,Xantrex XBM,Honda 2000,1997 Grumman GV19TC- Crew Wifey,(Odin,Bridger & Sam,Wirehairs)
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Long_for_the_road
Chandler, AZ
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Ken,
We drove our '99 Ford extended van (5.4L V8/4 spd auto/~7600 lbs) west out of Denver on I-70, from ~5K to ~10K feet up 6-7% grades. It clearly lost power by the top (~62 mph max, without shifting down to 2nd gear).
Not a direct answer to your question - but maybe helpful reference data.
Shane
'99 Ford Extended van (converted)
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bobojay5
Eastern Kansas
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Suggestion from an experienced Chevy truck owner. Use the tow/haul mode whenever you're in the mountains or lesser hills. In fact, I use it all the time when driving our van.
It upshifts later and downshifts sooner, especially in hilly terrain. It'll help save your brakes.
Bob & Sharon: Retired GM & AT&T
2007/06 Chassis, Chevrolet Pleasure-Way Lexor TS
Eastern Kansas FMCA# 386853
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kenuck
Burnaby, B.C.
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Thanks Bob - good idea
I've been playing with the numbers a bit...
The spec for the 2006/07 6 L engine is 300 hp, so at 10,000 ft that would be down to about 210hp. GVW is 9600 lb. At say 9500 lb., driving up a 10% grade at 50 mph (73 ft/sec) would require 126 hp at the rear wheels just to raise its weight, and not including air resistance, rolling resistance or drivetrain losses. Probably not going to make 50 mph
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fromday2
Issaquah, WA, USA
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I have driven my 2004 C 190P at altitudes of 10,000 feet many times. You will note a reduction in power but there is still plenty to do regular things... All the other cars and trucks there will have about the same reduction in power, except those with superchargers / turbochargers. Up to about the 1950's car dealers at high altitudes would would sometimes order their cars with lower gears, say 4:10 instead of 3:73. It made them a bit rev happy at highway speeds and hurt gas mileage a little.
Al
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loving retirement
SF Bay Area
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Joined: 06/30/2006
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bobojay5 wrote:Suggestion from an experienced Chevy truck owner. Use the tow/haul mode whenever you're in the mountains or lesser hills. In fact, I use it all the time when driving our van.
It upshifts later and downshifts sooner, especially in hilly terrain. It'll help save your brakes.
When did Chevy starting including this "tow/haul" feature in the 3500 Express?
Thanks Rodger: I think I have figured out how to use the quote function.
Don
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Rodger
Tucson, AZ.
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My 2002 doesn't have one.
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Hey, check out the new RV.Net Blogs!
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bobojay5
Eastern Kansas
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loving retirement wrote:bobojay5 wrote:Suggestion from an experienced Chevy truck owner. Use the tow/haul mode whenever you're in the mountains or lesser hills. In fact, I use it all the time when driving our van.
It upshifts later and downshifts sooner, especially in hilly terrain. It'll help save your brakes.
When did Chevy starting including this "tow/haul" feature in the 3500 Express?
Thanks Rodger: I think I have figured out how to use the quote function.
Don
We have the 2006 chassis. Don't know prior to that.....
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bobo35
Baton Rouge, La. USA
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Remember to turn off your AC when climbing...helps on the power a lot and saves the AC ( shouldn't need it at altitude ) also use those gears when decending and save your brakes...SW
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