Toad in the mountains...

[Richard]

Going up the mountain is not the problem in the Rockies.

[Bob Denman]

Them's the "brakes"...

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The six-speed makes one heckuva good difference!

I traded my 6 speed class A on one a year older with the 5 speed and the difference is significant. The 5 speed downshifts at the drop of a hat and it is downright annoying. All too often it skips 4th and goes into 3rd. But the 5 Star tune fixed it right up for nearly all of my driving. It’s not magic and the largest mountain passes in the Rocky Mountains still needed liberal use of 3rd and 4th gear but I’m very satisfied with the combination.

[Mitch S]

I have a 2016 Jayco Alante, and have towed a 2005 equinox and a 2008 Uplander van with no problems. Ours has the five speed and it seems to do very well. Usually can't tell it's back there.

[lal22]

I have what may be a dumb question..... when you all are talking about downshifting, does the V10 do it itself or is it something I should do when going up/ down step grades? We are planning to go thru the mountains and I want to do it correctly, not burn up the brakes going downhill and maintain the RPMs like you all were taking about. I have a 2013 A.C.E. 30.1. Any education you can give me weeks be much appreciated.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by lal22

I have what may be a dumb question..... when you all are talking about downshifting, does the V10 do it itself or is it something I should do when going up/ down step grades? We are planning to go thru the mountains and I want to do it correctly, not burn up the brakes going downhill and maintain the RPMs like you all were taking about. I have a 2013 A.C.E. 30.1. Any education you can give me weeks be much appreciated.

Of course the answer is ‘it depends’...
If using cruise control, the transmission will downshift to reduce speed... but likely wouldn’t be using that on steep down grades.

If using tow/haul a quick tap of brakes will also cause a downshift. It will also downshift when slowing/braking in this mode.

And of course you can manually downshift... the 5 speed to 3,2,1; and the newer 6 speed to 4,2,1..
Each skip an overdrive gear in downshifting.

Rule of thumb, descend the grade in same gear you climbed it with. The V10 can get loud (high rpm) when doing this.... saving the brakes is priority over noise - or slow down more...

[lal22]

Thank you GMC! Appreciate the info.

[Bob Denman]

If the six-speed transmissions are in "Tow/Haul" mode: they'll downshift with a tap on the brakes. It can sometimes be a bit disconcerting...
Do the five-speeds also do this?

[lowcountrybird05]

Have a 22 ff class C pulling a 2005 jeep the first time i went up I40 I had white knuckles when I went though the tunnels I had 18 Wheeler's blowing there horns while I was in the tunnel, I felt like I was doing something wrong going the speed are just below it. But anyway the last 3 times I am on I 40 I had no problems. I think it takes a few times to get use to it. When we were up around Yellow stone the grade is a lot more and had no problem pulling my jeep.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If the six-speed transmissions are in "Tow/Haul" mode: they'll downshift with a tap on the brakes. It can sometimes be a bit disconcerting...

Do the five-speeds also do this?

Yes they do... the first downshift is 5 to 3...

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by vegasruv24.1

It would be nice to hear how fast...(well) the tiffin did up the same grade....

Today I brought the 40' Tiffin home (2016 Wrangler Hard Rock in tow) and we pulled the same grade at 31 mph. It was a smooth ride and there was little or no change in the noise level. I could have come up the mountain faster but there was really nothing to be gained in working the engine or tranny any harder.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If the six-speed transmissions are in "Tow/Haul" mode: they'll downshift with a tap on the brakes. It can sometimes be a bit disconcerting...

Do the five-speeds also do this?

Yup. Its a nice feature but it takes some getting used to. If you ever find it dropping down to too low of a gear you can just touch the tow/haul button and start over in top gear.