Hills are a problem for a stock 45. Even in third going say 50 MPH with the RPM's up a long grade will kill her and you will be back in second. I call it mountain goat mode, she will go up anything just in second doing about 25-30 MPH. If you know the grade is coming you want to maximize speed and most importantly RPM before you get there. If you can keep the motor spinning, you will make it, but once she starts losing RPM's, there is no getting them back on grade.

My stroker motor, built for going up the Rockies, is far superior but if I get caught snoozing and let the RPM's go down to low, I will be in second myself. But second will pull you up anything, just not quickly. good luck.

 

^ Truth ^