Rv braking in the mountains of Wv.

[ghof]

Today in the mountains of Wv. I overheated my brakes. The first time in 60 years of driving. Nine to 13 percent grades were too much for the v10 to slow the weight of our Miramar 34.3. One grade was so steep the front bumper dragged at the bottom of the hill. Even using manual first gear and pumping the brakes to keep way under the speed limit was not enough to keep them cool. I let the rpm climb to 4200 them slowed to 3000 in first gear! Speed in the corners was 25 mph. My advice, be careful going downhill.

[Mitch S]

What part of WV were you in?

[djcarter]

Just drove through there last week in our 35C Hurricane towing a Jeep on I 81 and I 78. The V 10 did fine even passing a few trucks going up, I found the key going down is braking early at the top as you crest the hill and the truck lane ends stay in the right hand lane and start braking before you pick up any speed. I actually found those trucks I passed on the way up would pass me on the way down which was just fine by me. Don't think I had any grades that bad though only 6-9% maybe a different highway. Only time I ever overheated brakes was in a car coming down Pikes Peak they basically pull everyone over half way down and measure your brake temp with one of those temperature guns and make you wait if you are too hot

[ghof]

We avoid interstates. We were in Elk Garden and came down to KY from Morgantown on 119 we scraped the front end on a city street in Charleston.

[djcarter]

Ah that probably explains it with the bigger rig we do the exact opposite, they probably try and keep highways to a less steep grade.

[ghof]

Originally Posted by Mitch S

What part of WV were you in?

See the next post about where we were. There were several grades at 9% with steep sections far exceeding that.

[ghof]

Originally Posted by djcarter

Ah that probably explains it with the bigger rig we do the exact opposite, they probably try and keep highways to a less steep grade.

For sure! That's why I said be careful. I can handle interstates easy.

[jpmihalk]

Were you using Tow/Haul mode? That has worked wonders for us. Basically, Tow/Haul mode allows the engine to do some of the braking for you by changing the shift points. Just tap the brakes to shift down.

[ghof]

Did that , also did it manually

[Travelin' Texans]

Too bad they don't have exhaust brakes on gas engines, between the exhaust brake, tow haul mode & set the cruise control I rarely have to only tap the brake pedal, if I feel it's too fast tap,the brake & hit the minus button on the cruise control a couple times.

[Laco]

Had a full two stage Jake on my former DP. No such thing on the current MH, and I really do miss it.

[cobia13]

Electric or surge brakes ?