Questions for the mountain experts. I'm heading to Estes Park, co (and grand lake) in a couple of days with our camper. The most elevation I've had to deal with is the Ozarks, which are a far cry from the Rockies of course!

All I've ever really had to do is lockout 6, 5, 4th gears (in D). My question is, what's the difference between actually shifting it into "2" vs just locking out 6. 5, 4, 3 gears while in D? When would you want to actually use the gearshift to go to 1 or 2 vs just locking out gears? I appreciate any information!

Also not sure if it matters but I have 2016 F150 XLT 4x4 3.6eco. Pulling 29' long TT.

 

If the transmission wants to shift between a few gears when climbing it is best to lock out the higher one and maybe just slow a little. Easier on everything. Then once the grade is less open up the higher gears.

mountians and towing is not a race, it is endurance.

 

I'm more curious why someone would choose to use "2" as opposed to just locking out the upper gears in "D".

 

There is no difference.

Driver input asks to remain in 2nd gear, all the same.
Unless when shifting to 2nd (with the shift handle) it disallows it to downshift into 1st.

Try it -only takes a minute to drive around the block in 2 to learn if it will downshift to 1st.

 

I've made the trip from Estes Park to Grand Lake many times from both directions. I wouldn't want to pull a 29' trailer over the pass. If possible drop the trailer on one side or the other and make the trip without the trailer. There are numerous places to stop and see the scenery, but you won't be able to do it with even a small trailer.

Going in either direction you are going down steep grades as much as up. Using manual mode might make more sense here than a lot of places. You'll need to be in 2nd, maybe 1st going in either direction at times. Be advised, there are no guard rails on most of the road, and anything past the white stripe is straight down in many places.

And yes, there is a fair chance you'll see snow even in August. I've been there in July and had to spend an extra day in Estes Park while they cleared snow over the pass to get to Grand Lake. In June it is often 10'-15' high on the sides of the road as shown in some of these photos.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...cw=1117&ch=511

 

Right, there is no difference between being in a specific gear by locking out gears, or by being in the gear manually. Or for that matter being in that gear normally.

Locking out higher gears allows the truck to decide to shift lower. Manually being in a gear does not, the driver has to shift

 

I agree with Marshallr above... I've driven that route numerous times and I would not want to pull a 29' TT up and over. But, to answer your question I'd lock out the higher gears and leave it in D and let the truck decide where it wants to be. Normally on a drive like that I would plan on a lot of stops to let engine, trans, brakes cool, but as mentioned above, you won't be able to fit in most of the pull-outs towing your TT. Have an escape plan for every pitch that you're on. Expect a lot of traffic traveling both directions regardless of the day.

Good luck on your trip.

 

If you're talking about the difference between locking out gears in D and using M, there is no difference in how the transmission behaves except for being able to automatically shift among gears that are not locked out.

If, however, you are referring to the '2' position, there is a difference. When in '2', a vehicles will not shift to 1st at a stop. It will remain in second gear to reduce torque to the wheels, and also lengthen converter lockup or keep it unlocked to avoid torque spikes that could results in loss of traction.