Newbie question - rpm

[aces&eights]

What is the normal RPM for the engine when going up and down hills? These are just hills, not mountains. Have Greyhawk 29mv, was in tow mode, pulling small trailer (about 500lbs). RPM hit 4500, very loud and scary. What is normal in the mountains?

[jrwldr]

Originally Posted by aces&eights

What is the normal RPM for the engine when going up and down hills? These are just hills, not mountains. Have Greyhawk 29mv, was in tow mode, pulling small trailer (about 500lbs). RPM hit 4500, very loud and scary. What is normal in the mountains?

When we had a tow/haul mode in our ram truck, we were always told only to use tow mode when going down hill. It hold you back when towing a vehicle.

[TWP723]

Nothing wrong with your Greyhawk. That's the engine and tranny working together to get you up and down the hill. High RPM's are a normal thing when hauling/towing large weights. My F350 sounds like it's about to explode going up and especially down hills. My wife looks at me with her mouth open like we're gonna die.

[bdreinv]

In our Ram 3500 2400rpm gets us up and down most hills in tow haul with Cruse Control!

[cabinetmaker]

It’s fine...just doing it’s job. The V-10 just like to rev.

Tow haul or not it’s going to sing. Don’t worry a bit about it.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by aces&eights

What is the normal RPM for the engine when going up and down hills? These are just hills, not mountains. Have Greyhawk 29mv, was in tow mode, pulling small trailer (about 500lbs). RPM hit 4500, very loud and scary. What is normal in the mountains?

I don't think there's a Normal in the mountains.

That said, I downshift a lot when going down hill and try to keep the RPMs under 4K. That goes for uphill too.

I just slow down.

[norty1]

If you have a diesel, it's hard to know what he is talking about!

[jimp]

If the trailer being towed is total of 500 #'s loaded, I'm not sure I would even use T/H except in certain conditions.

[Oklahoma Dan]

Climbing grades with 32 footer in Colorado pulling about 1500 lbs with E450 5-speed. Does fine in tow haul on the grades and have been at 4500 rpm. A bit noisy just consider this normal. I keep it in tow haul all the way when pulling that weight but at 500 lbs you could just use tow haul when on one of the grades. I have not noticed much difference in gas mileage using it or not when in the flatlands.

[aces&eights]

Originally Posted by jimp

If the trailer being towed is total of 500 #'s loaded, I'm not sure I would even use T/H except in certain conditions.

Good question, how heavy of a load before using tow haul on normal flat roads?

[wags999]

All tow haul does is limit your vehicle from constant shifting of gears. It will keep a lower gear longer ( an allow higher RPM) so that the trans is not shifting up and down constantly, same with going down hill. I rarely use tow haul but will shift into a lower gear manually, especially when going down hill. As long as your not over the red line should not be an issue..

[cabinetmaker]

Originally Posted by wags999

All tow haul does is limit your vehicle from constant shifting of gears. It will keep a lower gear longer ( an allow higher RPM) so that the trans is not shifting up and down constantly, same with going down hill. I rarely use tow haul but will shift into a lower gear manually, especially when going down hill. As long as your not over the red line should not be an issue..

Wags is correct...all tow haul does is change the transmission programming. All current automatics are electronically controlled. This is just a more aggressive program for the trans.

I have a scangauge and monitor all my temperatures including the transmission. Tow haul seems to run cooler so I use it. I am always towing a Jeep 4 door wrangler so that probably is the reason it runs cooler in tow haul. That Jeep is heavy but the V-10 6 speed does a great job!

I have found that I can control the revs better if I don't run cruise in the hills.