Towing steep inclines, brake fade, proper braking

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   This was an interesting (but quite lengthy) read. Heavily loaded trucks descending steep grades too fast are a definite hazard. I've noted at times trucks coming down with brakes smoking on the steeper (northern) side of the Siskiyou Summit grade on Interstate-5 between Oregon and California. While there are at least two runaway truck ramps, I've never seen a truck having to use one. This grade is relatively short (6.25 miles) with average grade of 5.3% (maximum 6.6%).
Someone on this forum shared a very interesting feature of the Google Earth program that is of great use for Rpod towing:
Select "Get Directions" (From - to - Destination)
The route will be shown in a different color (blue)
Point at the route and right-click
Select "Show Elevation Profile"
This will display a profile of the route with grades and distances along the route. You can highlight portions of any steep grades to show length, average and maximum grade. This can be quite useful for trip planning.

I've noticed something interesting when towing my Rpod 171 with a Toyota RAV4. While the RAV4 without trailer requires braking or lower gears to hold speed descending steep grades, when towing the Rpod no braking or lower gears is necessary. I believe the extra air resistance of the Rpod is sufficient to hold speed constant. Perhaps some additional retarding will be necessary for steeper grades.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Rustler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 May 2016 Location: S. Oregon Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 100	Topic: Towing steep inclines, brake fade, proper braking Posted: 23 Sep 2016 at 3:43am
	This was an interesting (but quite lengthy) read. Heavily loaded trucks descending steep grades too fast are a definite hazard. I've noted at times trucks coming down with brakes smoking on the steeper (northern) side of the Siskiyou Summit grade on Interstate-5 between Oregon and California. While there are at least two runaway truck ramps, I've never seen a truck having to use one. This grade is relatively short (6.25 miles) with average grade of 5.3% (maximum 6.6%). Someone on this forum shared a very interesting feature of the Google Earth program that is of great use for Rpod towing: Select "Get Directions" (From - to - Destination) The route will be shown in a different color (blue) Point at the route and right-click Select "Show Elevation Profile" This will display a profile of the route with grades and distances along the route. You can highlight portions of any steep grades to show length, average and maximum grade. This can be quite useful for trip planning. I've noticed something interesting when towing my Rpod 171 with a Toyota RAV4. While the RAV4 without trailer requires braking or lower gears to hold speed descending steep grades, when towing the Rpod no braking or lower gears is necessary. I believe the extra air resistance of the Rpod is sufficient to hold speed constant. Perhaps some additional retarding will be necessary for steeper grades.
	Russ 2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 8:56pm
	Some other interesting reads in the links on the left side of that page. This is one on tires: "Long existing standards warn of the hazards of using old tires and indicate that a tire that is six years old or more needs to be inspected. More recent standards require that tires six years old or more not be installed on a vehicle and that tires ten years old should be taken out of service."
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 7:30pm
	Really good info!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 12:06pm
	This link has a lot of info including: - Descriptions of some of the steepest passes - How brake fade occurs - Proper gear selection - Proper braking method This is geared towards big rigs, but many of the same principles apply. http://www.crashforensics.com/mountaingradecrashes.cfm
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual