2003 E 450 - VERY slow climbing hills..Normal or not?

[Lonewolf&Shadow]

Our Class C is fine on flat but get near a hill or climb into mountains and she drops into 1st gear and just chugs at about 35-40 miles an hour uphill. I know the ford forums say it is normal for this vehicle but I wanted to know if anyone else has the same issues? Thanks in advance for any advice!:)

[Colorado350]

What engine?

[Lonewolf&Shadow]

It is an E450 V 10.

[juan]

How long is your Class C? Our 2001 29 ft Class C gets to 2nd gear on 6% inclines unless we are pulling a trailer in which case it can get down to 1st gear. There are a lot of factors including how many people and how much stuff you choose to bring along.

[Lonewolf&Shadow]

32’ two people and nothing much other than what came with her. It appears this is normal. It was a 6% grade we were climbing in Payson AZ.

[juan]

On the way to Payson there are two 6% grades and one 7% grade (Mount Ord).
None of our vehicles like those hills!

[THenne1713]

(OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS), selecting OD OFF/ Tow-Mode EARLY in hill approach can HELP maintain higher speed up hill

[Darinhauer]

I have a class A Diesel
I have found that manually trying to get it up the hills it slows down to about 45 mph
When I keep the cruise control on it pulls up the hills nice at about 55+