I have a 2001 F-250 SCAB with a 6 foot box which is pretty stock. Here are my experiences towing a 26 foot six fifth wheel to Yellowstone and back from the Seattle area.
The first stop was Coeur d' Alene Idaho. Snoqualmie Pass was relatively easy. I ran at 45 miles per hour plus out of overdrive. EGT never got over 1000.
The second leg of our trip was from Coeur d' Alene to Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana. This involves three passes. The first pass, Fourth of July pass, was relatively easy. The second pass was tougher. But the toughest one was Homestake Pass at Butte Montana. It was necessary to downshift into second year in order to keep the EGT down. Even so he EGT got up to 1100° T about 38 mph. I tried to keep the EGT below 1100 degrees as much as possible. In second gear transmission temperature crept up 195.
Pulling the passes on the South Loop of Yellowstone I also had to shift into second gear to cross the continental divide twice. It seems like the truck would operate more efficiently at those high altitudes. Coming up the Madison River outside of West Yellowstone we were pushing a very strong headwind and often had to shift in and out of overdrive with EGT often over 800. Of course on our way into the park we are also climbing up the Madison River to West Yellowstone. Even so the gas mileage remained about 12 MPG. On the way out of the park from fishing bridge to I 90 along US 287 the mileage exceeded 18 miles per gallon downhill with a tailwind.
On reaching I-90 we drive to Lolo Hot Springs through Missoula. We again had to go over Homestake Pass into Butte. This time we had a terrible Headwind with major gusts approaching the pass. Climbing the pass we again had to use second gear and proceeding at about 38-40 mph. the EGT climbed as high as 1100 with the transmission temperature reaching 195.
The toughest climb was Vantage Hill coming back into Ellensburg. It is a 10 mile upgrade and again we drove it in second gear. This time the transmission temperature reached 197.
I often drove with cruise control. However I would shift out of overdrive as we approach the hill. This prevented the chattering of the transmission trying to select the proper gear. I used cruise control on and off depending on the road conditions.
I tried to run the vehicle at approximately 2500 RPMs in all cases where we were pulling a hill. This seemed to be able to manage the EGT and transmission temperature. I understand the transmission was more likely to heat up in second gear given the fact that I understand torque converter does not lock up in that condition. I saw lots of diesels passing me with bigger trailers and wondered how high their EGTS were running or if they perhaps had modifications. We tend to run on the flat with the EGT between 50 and 70 and once the EGT approach 85 I would shift out of overdrive.
I do not drive with a heavy foot so our mileage was actually pretty good.
I would love to hear comments from those of you who have had similar experiences.
Bill
The first stop was Coeur d' Alene Idaho. Snoqualmie Pass was relatively easy. I ran at 45 miles per hour plus out of overdrive. EGT never got over 1000.
The second leg of our trip was from Coeur d' Alene to Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana. This involves three passes. The first pass, Fourth of July pass, was relatively easy. The second pass was tougher. But the toughest one was Homestake Pass at Butte Montana. It was necessary to downshift into second year in order to keep the EGT down. Even so he EGT got up to 1100° T about 38 mph. I tried to keep the EGT below 1100 degrees as much as possible. In second gear transmission temperature crept up 195.
Pulling the passes on the South Loop of Yellowstone I also had to shift into second gear to cross the continental divide twice. It seems like the truck would operate more efficiently at those high altitudes. Coming up the Madison River outside of West Yellowstone we were pushing a very strong headwind and often had to shift in and out of overdrive with EGT often over 800. Of course on our way into the park we are also climbing up the Madison River to West Yellowstone. Even so the gas mileage remained about 12 MPG. On the way out of the park from fishing bridge to I 90 along US 287 the mileage exceeded 18 miles per gallon downhill with a tailwind.
On reaching I-90 we drive to Lolo Hot Springs through Missoula. We again had to go over Homestake Pass into Butte. This time we had a terrible Headwind with major gusts approaching the pass. Climbing the pass we again had to use second gear and proceeding at about 38-40 mph. the EGT climbed as high as 1100 with the transmission temperature reaching 195.
The toughest climb was Vantage Hill coming back into Ellensburg. It is a 10 mile upgrade and again we drove it in second gear. This time the transmission temperature reached 197.
I often drove with cruise control. However I would shift out of overdrive as we approach the hill. This prevented the chattering of the transmission trying to select the proper gear. I used cruise control on and off depending on the road conditions.
I tried to run the vehicle at approximately 2500 RPMs in all cases where we were pulling a hill. This seemed to be able to manage the EGT and transmission temperature. I understand the transmission was more likely to heat up in second gear given the fact that I understand torque converter does not lock up in that condition. I saw lots of diesels passing me with bigger trailers and wondered how high their EGTS were running or if they perhaps had modifications. We tend to run on the flat with the EGT between 50 and 70 and once the EGT approach 85 I would shift out of overdrive.
I do not drive with a heavy foot so our mileage was actually pretty good.
I would love to hear comments from those of you who have had similar experiences.
Bill