Continue reading for some helpful towing advice that will give you the know-how you need to manage hills, declines, and inclines.
Hills and Inclines
More stress is placed on your vehicles brakes, transmission, suspension, and engine as more weight is added to its load. For this reason, inclines and downgrades can be especially stressful on your rig. To relieve the pressure and manage these grade changes safely, simply consider these tips:
Downshift on Declines. By simply switching your vehicle to a lower gear and reducing your speed when driving down a hill, you can relieve extra pressure and stress on your vehicle’s engine, brakes, and transmission. It will also give you much more control, especially in wet weather conditions.
Upshift on Inclines. Do the opposite of above. When heading up a hill, switch your vehicle into a higher gear for extra power and boost.
Minimize Braking on Declines. Try not to go crazy with braking on a decline. You need to give your braking components time to cool, so go easy on them when driving downhill. If you must apply the brakes on a decline, firmly tap your brakes with brief presses (one to two seconds). Pause for a few moments in between each press.
Watch the Temperature Gauges. Since extra weight puts extra stress on certain components in your towing vehicle, more heat is also produced while managing this extra pressure. Be sure to watch your temperature gauges for increases in engine or transmission heat output. Use a quality transmission cooler for frequent towing.