onthemove
Member
I have a problem. I have a 1999 Winnebago Itasca Spirit 24? Class ?C? Ford E-350 Econoline with a V10 ? 6.8L motor. The RV weighs 10.900 lbs. loaded. It has a 3 speed transmission. I average 11.5 MPG. By itself it has lots of power on average roads but steep mountain passes it lugs down a to 2ed gear. The problem is when I tow my Suzuki Sidekick that weighs 3000 lbs. the RV has a hard time pulling it up hills and mountain passes. Going up hills it shifts to 2ed gear right away then into 1st gear the rest of the way up the hill. The motor is revving at a high RPM and I'm only going about 15 MPH. When I see a hill coming up I try to take a run at it as much as possible. My question is: do you think the RV has a high speed rear end? Is the 3 speed transmission the problem? Is the Suzuki Sidekick too heavy to tow for the RV? Do you think the V10 is too under power to tow the toad? Also my check engine light keeps coming on. It comes up with a code: p0705 ? The causes are DTR sensors or PCM has failed. I'm taking it in Wed. for them to check the transmission shifter assembly but they said that's not the problem with running out of power going uphill. I have had a muffler shop check out the catalytic converter, they said it looks like new. I also changed the gas and air filters. Any help would be appreciative. Thank you..