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03-25-2014, 05:44 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: McKean, PA
Posts: 1,073
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Mountain towing
We are planning a trip out west (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming) with our Jayco Skylark pulled by our 2012 Honda Pilot. We are starting at 400 feet altitude. As we climb or descend in altitude, is it necessary or recommended to change octane ratings on the gas we use?
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2011 Skylark 21FKV
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03-25-2014, 06:39 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ahwahnee
Posts: 17
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High elevation needs lower octane
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03-26-2014, 12:04 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 892
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You won't need to change anything. Buy regular/mid/premium as you always do. The octane in each of those is adjusted by the stations/distributors as you move up in elevation.
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2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4 6.4L HEMI 4.10s with antispin
2014 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 287BHBE
Equal-i-zer 90-00-1200(new 90-02-4900 shank)
2x Honda 2K
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03-26-2014, 11:04 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 297
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But you will lose power as you go up in the mountains....
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2014 JayFlight 28BHBE (replacing a 2009 Kodiak 25QS)
Started off with 2011 Sierra SLT CrewCab 4x4
Now pulling with a 2018 F150 XLT Special Edition EB 3.5
1200/12,000 Equal-I-Zer Hitch
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03-28-2014, 09:46 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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The beauty of modern engines is the computer control. On flat level surface you will not notice any difference between sea level and 8000' (or more).. Yes the engine works harder going up the grades in the mountains but it does that anywhere there is a similar grade.. There is no need to ever go with higher octane fuel that what the manufacture recommends.
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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03-28-2014, 11:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,780
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We did a similar trip last year, just a few miles shorter. Out west finding ethanol free gas is fairly easy. If the station had it, that is what I filled up with. My truck requires the lowest grade fuel, and that is what I always filled up with. We experienced no issues with lose of performance, and we went up a few fairly long mountain passes.
One tip to remember, when going downhill, down shift, I was as low as 1st gear at times, use the engine to slow your decent and use your brakes as secondary. I saw a few vehicles that had lost their brakes, due to boiling of the brake fluid.
Now that I scared you. Have a great trip, take your time, and most of all have a lot of fun!
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03-28-2014, 04:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 892
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
The beauty of modern engines is the computer control. On flat level surface you will not notice any difference between sea level and 8000' (or more)..
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This is simply untrue unless you have forced induction(ala your Duramax). If you are marginal at low elevation, you will really notice it at high elevations.
HP LOSS = ([elevation in feet] x 0.03 x [HP at sea level]) / 1000
__________________
2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4 6.4L HEMI 4.10s with antispin
2014 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 287BHBE
Equal-i-zer 90-00-1200(new 90-02-4900 shank)
2x Honda 2K
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03-28-2014, 08:40 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
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Also remember that a generator will be less effective at altitude, losing20-30% of its horse power and watts generated.
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Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
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03-29-2014, 05:29 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewBlackDak
This is simply untrue unless you have forced induction(ala your Duramax). If you are marginal at low elevation, you will really notice it at high elevations.
HP LOSS = ([elevation in feet] x 0.03 x [HP at sea level]) / 1000
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Sorry hate to disagree with you but even with my 2000 6L towing in the mountains I notice no drop in performance.. and I tow through some pretty high steep passes... I had experimented with a tank full of premium and noticed no difference at all.. power or mileage wise.
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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03-29-2014, 07:30 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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I believe that NewBlackdak is speaking specifically about the impact of altitude on engine performance, and Seann45 is speaking specifically about the impact of changing the fuel octane level at higher altitudes.
It should be noted that the OP is asking about his Honda Pilot gas engine and his Skylark TT.
Please note that our individual towing expectations may very, even under similar TV/TT conditions.
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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03-29-2014, 07:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Ortonville, MI
Posts: 123
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HP loss?
Using the formula given with my f150 5.0 as the guinea pig at 10000 ft I will loose 108 HP. The formula is directly proportional so at 5000 ft I would loose 54 HP. Now 360 HP is the peak HP for the 5.0. If you look at it as a percentage 108 HP represents a 30% loss in hp, wow that seems like a lot.
Can anyone out there validate this formula???
Also, I would really like to hear About real life towing experiences in the mountains, particularly the going down hill part. How hard do you let your engine work at slowing you down? How careful do you have to be with your brakes so you don't overheat them?
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2018 GMC 2500 Duramax
2014 White hawk 28DSBH
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03-29-2014, 07:51 AM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1wayhighway
snip.....Can anyone out there validate this formula???
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Detailed explanation here: http://voices.yahoo.com/the-affect-a...r-9150595.html
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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04-01-2014, 08:06 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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Altitude affects performance, that is why the drag cars are always posting faster times at tracks near sea level. At sea level the air is denser and can burn the fuel more efficiently.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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