steep hill ahead

[joedunlevy]

I have a 96 Yukon 2wd with the 350 275hp engine. I tow a trailer (6000 lbs). One of the places we go to you have to go up this long steep hill,the last time I was there I put the tranny in 2nd gear and figured it would go all the way up but it tried to downshift into first about 3/4 way up, so I figured this time I would just put it in low and go slower all the way up. What rpm would give me the most power, I'm thinking 2800 but that could be way off.?

[asilverblazer]

Must be one heck of a hhill, what kind of speeds are possible/permissable? If it's trying to go into first, I would start slow, no sense trying to push the truck, it's obvious you aren't going to get the top in any kind of hurry. Just keep it slow and easy... 1/2-2/3 throttle is all I like to use while towing for prolonged periods, if I have to use more than that to maintain speed, I slow down.

[mmmikkke]

I like to keep the rpms up around 3500-4000 when pulling up a steep grade. That way if I'm running WOT and find myself loosing rpms I get the advantage or more torque being available as the rpms drop.

[ken1mod]

do not exceed 4000 rpm continuously. That is where the old governors were set on the c-60 small block big truck engines.

 

Ken