Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I just returned from a 7000 mile jaunt up through the Cassiar to the Alaska Highway and back down to Utah traveling up and down hills of 5 to 12% and highway speeds to 70 MPH, although those were few, and headwinds of up to 30 MPH.
The Edge Comp was on two or three for the most of the trip and I averaged over 11 MPG (figured on paper). I smoked so many motorhomes and 18 wheelers on the long hills that it became a joke when one would pass me on the flat as I did a little less than the limit... . "I'll see you on the next hill, sucker". Sure enough, I'd BLOW by them in whatever gear (I have ten) would keep me at 2200 RPM or so and EGT of 1200 or less. I just loved shifting to a higher gear as I passed a $200,000+ motorhome...
I tried running with the Comp off... . it did good. On two or three... it did GREAT... . I'm afraid of four or five... ! Three gave too much smoke at start is all I can see as negative. Once the RPM got up, no smoke that I could see in the mirrors.
Exhaust brakes... . for those in doubt as to their worth... . hesitate no longer. I went down so many hills with warnings of "Steep downgrade ahead, trucks check brakes, 1 mile" that I lost count. Even a 12% was done with no service brake use other than a slow down to engage the proper gear. I went over Kootenay pass twice and relished the smell of burning brakes as I went up, knowing there would be none behind me going down the other side.
BTW... I drive a '99 3500 with 3:54s and a 5speed with a US Gear O/D towing a GF30RL Alfa at 12K with a Mopar (Jacobs) E-brake.
ABTW... . if anyone says the Cassiar is tough..... let them drive through Yellowstone.
The Edge Comp was on two or three for the most of the trip and I averaged over 11 MPG (figured on paper). I smoked so many motorhomes and 18 wheelers on the long hills that it became a joke when one would pass me on the flat as I did a little less than the limit... . "I'll see you on the next hill, sucker". Sure enough, I'd BLOW by them in whatever gear (I have ten) would keep me at 2200 RPM or so and EGT of 1200 or less. I just loved shifting to a higher gear as I passed a $200,000+ motorhome...
I tried running with the Comp off... . it did good. On two or three... it did GREAT... . I'm afraid of four or five... ! Three gave too much smoke at start is all I can see as negative. Once the RPM got up, no smoke that I could see in the mirrors.
Exhaust brakes... . for those in doubt as to their worth... . hesitate no longer. I went down so many hills with warnings of "Steep downgrade ahead, trucks check brakes, 1 mile" that I lost count. Even a 12% was done with no service brake use other than a slow down to engage the proper gear. I went over Kootenay pass twice and relished the smell of burning brakes as I went up, knowing there would be none behind me going down the other side.
BTW... I drive a '99 3500 with 3:54s and a 5speed with a US Gear O/D towing a GF30RL Alfa at 12K with a Mopar (Jacobs) E-brake.
ABTW... . if anyone says the Cassiar is tough..... let them drive through Yellowstone.
