When planning how to descend a long grade, why does the weight of the load matter for choosing a gear, not just the steepness of the grade?

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1. A heavier load needs more engine braking to control the same speed, so a heavier vehicle may need a lower gear than a lighter one on the same grade
2. Load weight has no effect on the gear needed, only the grade's steepness matters
3. Gear choice on a grade is set entirely by the posted speed limit, not the load
4. A heavier load always allows a higher gear since the extra weight helps slow the vehicle down on its own without extra braking

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