Ok Fellas, I have a dumb question for you. I have read about different grades of hills and such, what confuses me is when some people talk about a certain % grade. Others talk about it in degrees. The degree part I can figure out. The % part has me confused. If we have a 6% grade, what are we really talking about? Does it rise so many inches in X amount of feet or what is the formula?<br><br>Thanks<br>Keith

 

You are correct..just think in percentage terms...if you are on a 6% uphill grade, you ascend 6 feet when you have gone 100 feet horizontally.

 

No question is a dumb question if you learn something ;D

 

Great question. I did not know that one based on living in Minnesota and only having hills and not mountains.

 

Here's the way I figure it, I think it comes out the same...We all know that hills/mtns. do not slope at perfect right angles.<br>5280 ft. in a mile<br>1% = 52.8 ft. drop<br>6% = 316.8

 

That was a dumb question. :P jk

 

Most major roads the grade is not more then 6-7 % but secondary roads are another story they can be 12 % and are marked for trucks to gear down...Ive only found one road more then 15 % and it was a bear to clime up....but my dodge has never failed me yet ;D

 

Out here in the Far West we have lots of grades with highway signs telling the % grade. These sign usually mark 5% or more. Sometimes it will tell you the length of the grade as well, like &quot;5% Grade next 6 miles. Sometimes there will be suggestions posted like &quot;Turn Off Air Conditioner to Prevent Overheating&quot; or &quot;Escape Ramp 2 miles&quot;<br><br>Most of the grades on Interstates are 7% or less. On other highways, some can be much steeper. I've seen some over 10%.<br><br>For anyone planning a trip with their RV out here I recommend buyin a copy of Mountain Directory West, R&amp;R Publishing, Baldwin City, KS 66006, 1-800-594-5999. This book describesover 400 Passes and Steep Grades out here in the West. It was written for Truckers and RVers.<br> <br>It allows you to plan ahead and not get yourself and your rig into serious trouble. Steepest grade I've driven on a highway was 17% for 2 miles.<br>

 

I once went up the back side to Big Bear, from either Apple Valley or Lucern Valley, I was overloaded hence going around Cahone scales, got into 18%.

 

Haulin in D, Those roads up the backside of Big Bear are not meant for any but the hardiest. You know then what I mean when I say you can get into real trouble. There are many roads where it is posted &quot;Trailers Not Advises, Steep Grades and Sharp Curves&quot; One pass with that warning posted is notorious for having drivers making curves with tow vehicle only to discover their trailer wheels are over the edge. Highway Patrol closes the highway, then as many as three tow trucks work to extract the trailer. Afterwards the driver is sent an invoice charging all the costs of the extraction. Ouch!!!!!!!!! :'(

 

I agree, for what it's worth, I made it up with a 92 series Detroit pulling a 45 foot flat with 84,000 gross. To be sure I used the whole road in the switchbacks and topped the last pass at 1400 in first gear. I might mention, I did not do it again. 8) See you don't know you are in trouble until you are way past getting out of it. ;D

 

Been there done that… Lived through it,,, made myself and God a promise that I will NOT do that again!

 

This tread got me thinking....so I got my magnetic degree meter out that I used for drive shaft angles and have it in my truck next time I hit these % hills Iam going to check the degrees of the hill....we have alot of 9% grades and a few 15% which are bears to climb ???

 

[quote author=bigfoot link=board=11;threadid=8490;start=0#83205 date=1040481541]<br>Been there done that… Lived through it,,, made myself and God a promise that I will NOT do that again!<br>[/quote]<br><br>Makes you feel real humble, huh

 

Makes you recite the drunks prayer.”OH God just get me through this and I’ll never do that again.” ;D<br>I’ve said that a few times after a night on the town and then forgotten it the next day, but when you’re in that kind of trouble you remember your promise every time your start up a grade.<br>