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Old 03-29-2009, 12:39 AM   #1
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How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

Anyone have an stories about how their SMB (loaded or unloaded) takes on some of the toughest hills/mountain passes in the country? Do they chug along slowly getting passed by 18 wheelers, or do they fly up like a sports car on a swiss alpine speedway. Forgive the hyperbole... All and any stories are welcome. Don't forget to tell what your SMB is equipped with.

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Old 03-29-2009, 02:45 AM   #2
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

No complaints about power here. Generally my Ford van with the gas v10 is plenty fast -- easily passing slower vehicles on uphills etc. I get the impression the 6.0l diesel v8 is similarly powerful.

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Old 03-29-2009, 08:35 AM   #3
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

In the 6.0psd, long mountain passes with or without a trailer always require that I disengage OD.

We've pulled dozens of long climbs in CA and Utah and the van consistently climbs at a pokey 40-45mph. The pulling power is decent, but the motor has to be kept in the sweet spot of about 2,000rpm.

On long climbs I just sit back, relax and watch the world go by. Don't care about getting passed and just watch the scenery and the temp. gauges. My only concern is overheating. That has never been a problem even in 100+ temps, and I'd like to keep it that way.

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Old 03-29-2009, 10:49 AM   #4
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

We can usually keep up 45 mph on most steep grades with our v10. Passing big rigs the whole way. Usually if it's a long grade, i take it easy on the rig like EMrider said.. i usually just chill and cruise up. I don't really like to beat my rig if i don't have too.
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Old 03-29-2009, 12:15 PM   #5
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

My 6.0 PSD goes up hills as fast as I want to. I've never had to slow down because of lack of power or over heating (not since I added cooling holes to the aftermarket front bumper).

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Old 03-29-2009, 02:03 PM   #6
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

Well my Chevy 5.7V8 runs the local Swiss Speedways and sinuous mountains passes like a charm Obviously not a real SMB and only 2WD so maybe not a good measure... but for me 50 mph up some of the steep grades is a doodle but fuel consumption will rocket up

The local 2 lane Freeways (or Motorways as i would call them) are fine driving at 70 or 75 even when the grade increases...

Here is one of the routes near me which is quite steep (minor road):
Google Map Route
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Old 03-29-2009, 04:16 PM   #7
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
My 6.0 PSD goes up hills as fast as I want to. I've never had to slow down because of lack of power or over heating (not since I added cooling holes to the aftermarket front bumper).

Mike
Our experience is the same..... we have been through some of Colorado and some of TN, KY, VA and that area, and have never had any issues with power in our 6.0PSD.

One thing to remember with us is we also never get in a big hurry. We are happy to cruise the hiway at 55mph, and it seems we can take the hills and mountains at the same.
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Old 03-30-2009, 10:31 AM   #8
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

Mountain passes? We hardly even notice. Vroom, vroom.

I should point out that our previous camping vehicle was a 1987 VW Westfalia Synchro, and we had to take passes in second gear, and fully-laden logging trucks passed us. Hell, bicyclists passed us.
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Old 03-30-2009, 11:05 PM   #9
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

I have a 01 E250 Quigley 5.4l and have no trouble with 1000lbs of motorcycles and gear in it. Most of the time it holds 65-70 without much trouble, just alittle slowing on long steep climbs. I am adding a Factory Cruise Control kit soon just for these long trips.
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Old 04-06-2009, 09:49 PM   #10
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Re: How does your SMB take on hills and mountain passes?

I was a bit surprised of the lack of power until I found out that Ford de-tunes the diesel. I expected more horsepower. But for what it has, my 11,500Lb van and towing a SMB trailer full of equipment does OK. Only the steepest grades slow me to the 45MPH speed. I also watch turbo/trany temps and pull over or slow down when necessary which is usually driving in 90-100+ air temps.
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