Whether you’re traveling in a luxury motorhome or towing a travel trailer, mountain driving requires a shift in your driving methods. Have patience and remember to let the transmission do some of the hard work for you.
Your RV (motorhome or tow vehicle) may ride as quietly and comfortably as the family sedan. But, an RV is bigger, heavier and slower to accelerate and harder to stop on a dime.
Driving Uphill in an RV
Driving on a steep upgrade can prove a real challenge for towables and fully loaded motorhomes. Relieve some of the stress on your vehicle by staying at a comfortable speed.If the speed limit is 45, don’t push to keep pace. Drive at a speed that doesn’t stress the engine – or driver. Keep an eye on the rearview mirror. If traffic starts to pile up behind, look for a place to pull over, so smaller, more nimble vehicles can squeeze by.
When passing or being passed on a two-lane road, the vehicle headed uphill has the right of way. Allow plenty of room for a passing vehicle to return to its lane, as it will not be as responsive as it may be on flat land.
Driving an RV Downhill
A good rule of thumb is to drive an RV downhill no faster than it went uphill, which can be a little trickier than it sounds. Weighty RVs will be fighting gravity to keep at a slow, safe, steady pace and trailers and fifth wheels will be trying to push their towing vehicles down the mountain.Use the transmission, not the brakes to fight the downhill forces and stay at a safe, steady pace.
While having brakes in tip-top shape is important, understanding the transmission of your motorhome or tow vehicle is critical before planning any mountain drive. Don’t ride brakes down the hill; hold your speed by downshifting to a lower gear. Tap the brakes to slow while downshifting, but the transmission, not the brakes are the key to a steady, safe downhill drive.
A downhill drive can turn a travel trailer into a weight that pushes the tow vehicle downward so it’s important to use the vehicles transmission in tandem with the trailer’s braking system.
On the way downhill (or uphill), remember to resist the temptation to drive on the centerline. An RV is big and bulky and will be a dangerous surprise for a skittish vehicle doing the same thing in the opposite direction, which could lead to dangerous overcorrections on a steep road.
Other RV Mountain Driving Tips
If your adventuresome spirit takes hold and you head for the road less traveled – gravel or less well marked, remember to take it extra slow. Gravel will offer far less traction for your wheels, making sharp turns and quick stops impossible. Go slow and make wide, slow turns.If all your precautions fail and brakes give out, look for signs pointing to the nearest escape or runaway truck ramp, which can be found on many perilous mountain roads. Off to the side of steep downhill grades, escape ramps are designed to slow runaway trucks with an uphill grade of soft, loose material.
Before Taking Your RV on Mountain Trips
Plan ahead. Study your route for steep grades and long downhills and add the extra time to your travel schedule.Check brake and transmission fluids before hitting the road. As it ages and adds contaminants, brake fluid becomes less efficient and more susceptible to overheating.
Check tires for tread wear and proper inflation to ensure your RV handles properly.
Before it’s time to head out on your next RV adventure in the mountains, visit a Reines RV Center location in Ashland or Manassas, Va., where the service experts can make sure your RV is mountain-road worthy.