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Topic: Steep hill (Read 958 times) previous topic - next topic

Steep hill

So I was driving home today and was going up a steep incline.  At least 45 degrees and about 500;yards long.
Had it up to 57 mph at the bottom.
At the top without putting too much more on the accellorator I was going about 43 mph.
Which was no big deal.
But after I was on level ground again, for about a minute the engine was idling somewhat rough.
I too my foot off the accelerator and it was back to normal.
My question is how to handle steep incline like that.  Is there something I could have done different.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Steep hill

Reply #1 –
When did you last change your fuel filters? How old are your fuel lines?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Steep hill

Reply #2 –
Quote from: 18360 –
So I was driving home today and was going up a steep incline.  At least 45 degrees and about 500;yards long.
Had it up to 57 mph at the bottom.
At the top without putting too much more on the accellorator I was going about 43 mph.
Which was no big deal.
But after I was on level ground again, for about a minute the engine was idling somewhat rough.
I too my foot off the accelerator and it was back to normal.
My question is how to handle steep incline like that.  Is there something I could have done different.
Either your fuel tank was low enough the pickup sucked some air or you are starting to get restriction in your fuel filter under full load. It smooths out after a minute as there is very low demand for fuel at the injection pump at idle. You could also have a bad fuel line that is letting air in the system.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Steep hill

Reply #3 –
I was low on fuel.  I added about 60 galons right after. That brought it up to 3/4 full.  But my fuel gauge acts funny sometime.
It will go to empty from reading 1/2 full.
I just had the oil changed and I know they put several new filters in.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Steep hill

Reply #4 –
Remember, to minimize condensation in the fuel tank, store with tank FULL.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Steep hill

Reply #5 –
Quote from: 18360 –
My question is how to handle steep incline like that.  Is there something I could have done different.

Once upon a time, Ford wrote in it's Owner's manual "The ten-gallon gasoline tank should be filled---nearly full---and the supply should never be allowed to get low."  Because you won't make it up a steep hill if you do so.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Steep hill

Reply #6 –
I don't think it is possible for your coach or any one else's to go up a 45° slope under any circumstance.  ^.^d

Make sure you have a relatively full tank.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Steep hill

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
I don't think it is possible for your coach or any one else's to go up a 45° slope under any circumstance.  ^.^d

Make sure you have a relatively full tank.
My Cat loader had a hard time going up a 2 to 1 slope.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Steep hill

Reply #8 –
So I was driving home today and was going up a steep incline.  At least 45 degrees and about 500;yards long.

45 deg. ??!!
Wow
Not me!
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Steep hill

Reply #9 –
Actually, not possible!

6% is max for normal Interstate grades.

10% is REALLY steep.

Have done one 16% grade on a private road out of Durango Colorado in the coach.  Sign at the bottom of the hill said "No fire protection".  I asked the owner of the house we were visiting what that meant. He said the local fire department would not bring their equipment on that steep a grade.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Steep hill

Reply #10 –
On a road down to a boat/raft/fishing landing on the Snake River in Grand Teton NP.  40' school busses full of rafters were going up and down.  Away from the rafting haul outs the fishing was good.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Steep hill

Reply #11 –
Quote from: 18360 –
I was low on fuel.  I added about 60 galons right after. That brought it up to 3/4 full. 

Do keep in mind that the tank has a large footprint and fuel can slosh away from the pick up pretty easily as a result.  With the fuel pickup generally being a little bit off the bottom of the tank, it *is* possible to stall at tank levels less than 1/4, including something as simple as making a turn into a parking lot.  Just one of several reasons not to go that low. 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Steep hill

Reply #12 –
I just can't believe there is a 45 degree hill unless it's on private property. I did an 18 % going up from Lucerne (sp) valley to Big Bear. Only did it once!
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Steep hill

Reply #13 –
45 Deg= 50% grade
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Steep hill

Reply #14 –
I've rode up a 1 in 1 hill and that was on the Post Hill scrambling and hill climb track, that kind of incline (45 degrees) was so steep keeping the front wheel down compromised traction on the rear, flip over haha. The only other hill that steep that I've been around was at a tank testing track in the late 70s when I was involved in the XM 1 development which later became the M1 Abrams.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Steep hill

Reply #15 –
Grade as expressed as a percent is 100 x rise/run.  A 45° slope rises 1 foot for every 1 foot of run.  It is a 100% grade.

Grade - Wikipedia(slope)

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Steep hill

Reply #16 –
And I always thought vertical was 100% As they say learn something new everyday.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Steep hill

Reply #17 –
How well will the retarder work?
 Quote; The San Francisco Municipal Railway operates bus service among the city's hills. The steepest grade for bus operations is 23.1% by the 67-Bernal Heights on Alabama Street between Ripley and Esmeralda Streets.
I think personally I'll avoid.
Scott

Re: Steep hill

Reply #18 –
My guess is pretty much like craneman said, either you have an old fuel filters or you have cracks in your fuel line. you would have to have a really low amount of fuel in your tank for your pickup to not pick up. Even at that steep grade. You said you added 60 gallons but you didn't indicate whether that brought you to full or not so you could have been at 10 gallons and added 60 and now at 70 gallons or you could have been at 100 gallons and now you added 60 and now you're at 160 what would have been more helpful would have been to say it how much it took to get you to full. Many of us can attest to not trust your fuel sender unless you know for sure that it's calibrated properly. Our first trip we ran out of fuel because the previous owner didn't think it important enough that we knew that there was an issue with it. He said oh it's a known issue on the forums.but there's lots of reasons why your engine might run rough but I would start with 30 fuel filters or cracks and leaks in your fuel lines.
And since you have a 1998 if your fuel lines have not been changed out you have cracks and leaks in your fuel system almost guaranteed.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
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Retired