Raften wrote: Don is right on but I am sure we will hear some comments from Allison owners. Until the guy across the street lets me give his dmax a workout on some steep grades I remain a unbeliever.
Musta posted about the same time.
If he won't let you drive it, then just follow him to see how often he gets on the brakes (if he even does)
"I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks." Daniel Boone
I've done it East to West with an automatic transmision and my light camper. Just stayed in first gear and went slow on the very steep (and scary ) parts.
I would do it again, but my wife will not.
Take another pass, they are all scenic and get you there.
"If he won't let you drive it, then just follow him to see how often he gets on the brakes (if he even does."
Nope, his idea of a big camping trip, or should I say his wifes idea, is to load up the huge fiver they have and drive 30 miles to a place with all the hook ups and stuff. Not knocking it because they like to do it but they must have spent $70,000 or more to do the 30 mile trip.
Every now and then I ask him why they aren't in Mexico or Canada just to be a jerk. I know he would like to do some boon docking because we talk about it.
I agree with Don's assessment of automatic trannys over manual vs steep declines (with payloads like truck campers and such).
With our relatively light TC, automatic transmission, 6L gasser: our experience has been regardless of what gear you're in (Low 1, 2, 3), the truck will get away from you (read: us) and you'll need to intercede with brakes going down even a moderate decline (i.e. 6~8%).
If you want to do this anyway, you'll have to simply deal with the consequences of this stress on your brake (and, nervous) system
RoyC....if you ever drive the pass West to East please let us know how the DuraMax and Allison handled it and if the Tow/Haul was able to hold the speed down.
When I was going down the East side of Mt. St. Helens I had to use tow/haul and 2nd gear to keep my speed under 25 mph. The Allison wouldn't hold it while in "D" range. No idea what % the grade was.
2003Chevy LT3500,crew cab,4x4,Duramax/Allison,Firestone air bags w/in cab controls,Rancho RS 9000X shocks,cabover struts,Happijac tiedowns.Rhino bed liner. ReeseTowBeast.
2004 Lance 1161,generator,sofa,twin beds,rear observation camera, most other options
Did it year before last, east to west, with the truck and camper in my sig. No problem whatsoever thanks to Allison tow/haul mode.
Yes but West to east is a whole different problem, 26% DOWN AND WINDING, not UP and winding. Can you say "BRAKES"!!!!!!
Sorry
I didn't recall that the steep grade was uphill the way that I went. I just remembered that I didn't have any problems. I'm glad I posted though since otherwise I wouldn't have realized that I don't want to go west -> east on that road! BRAKES!!!! BRAKES!!!! BRAKES!!!
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