Towing up a gravel driveway

[weberja]

Help! We really like the Titan, but do not want to buy one unless we can find out if it will do what we need. We want to tow a 28' travel trailer up a steep 600 foot long gravel driveway. Has anyone used their 4WD Titan to do any towing up gravel? We'd like to hear what worked, what didn't.

[Davink]

Originally Posted by weberja

Help! We really like the Titan, but do not want to buy one unless we can find out if it will do what we need. We want to tow a 28' travel trailer up a steep 600 foot long gravel driveway. Has anyone used their 4WD Titan to do any towing up gravel? We'd like to hear what worked, what didn't.

Hi there,

I have not towed a 28 foot travel trailer, (what does it weigh?) but I have a Lake Houes that has a VERY steep driveway that is gravel, and dirt- I do tow my boats up the drive, I have stopped half way up and started going again - No Problem at all - I was in four wheel high - and the one boat I thought Iwould have trouble with (because I always had trouble doing it with my old dodge 1500 quad cab) is my 31 Garwood - it weighs about 6000lbs plus the trailer - but I barely even slipped the tires - I do not think that you would have any problem ( depending on weight of course). I hope that helps - by the way I have an 04 model SE Crew Cab Titan.

Good luck

-Dave

[roadtoad]

don't know what you call steep, and like Celsius, never got a handle on percent grading, but I've had no trouble with 7000lbs on a graveled grade I'd estimate to be a 20 degreee slope that rises close to 30 deg near the top - but that's using 4hi in tow mode

[DStewart]

I haven't toed up any steep driveways or anything but I have towed my 26' toy hauler that weighs 6400 lbs dry through deep sand. I had 150 gallons of water, 30 gallons of fuel, 2 quads @ about 400 lbs each, and all my gear, etc. and I towed the trailer through the sand at a dune area that I ride at and had no problems at all. I actually had people come up to me and tell me they were impressed with the way the truck pulled through the deep sand with ease.

[honeykeeper]

I have a very steep gravel driveway.......I use 4 wheel everyday going up and down my driveway..just had my 04 SE KC 4 x 4 with Big Tow for alomist 3 weeks.......I have towed my 4,000 lb. road roller/packer up and down already.....used the 4 wheel low with the tow mode and e-loc.......no problem....and that is with an empty bed which I don't recommend for best traction.

[weberja]

Thanks for answering. Our 28' trailer weighs about 6000 lbs. After reading your replies we feel better. We'd love to hear more positives about it before we buy. Now we just have to sell our 2004 2WD Silverado so we can buy a 4WD Titan SE King Cab.

[honeykeeper]

I had excellent results also with ProComp Radial All Terrain tires on my last truck.....I think they are better than the OEM's I got......and better for towing up a long and steep gravel road......what type of rock/material do you pave with??????

[mjw357]

Have a dealer nearby? ask them if you can run one home and try it out. can't hurt to ask, and no sense buying it if it won't do what you need. It's a huge investment.

[OnebadSE]

I can't help with experience but..worst case senario would be to tow it up in 4LO. The nice thing about the Titan over the likes of the F-150 is, the Titans 9400LB tow rating doesn't go away with the 4X4 models like the F-150, who's high towing load is only available on the 2WD models (9200LB on 4X4s. 9500 on 4X2s). Wish I had more solid info that could help. Good luck.

[derickb]

I tow a 20 foot bow rider (4000 lbs) up a fairly steep gravel driveway, no problem. I was wondering why you guys dont use 4LO more? I use it all the time, the lower gear ratio really cuts down on transmission slippage in order to get the load moving on a hill. I barely get on the gas and it pulls off right away. Sometimes it even changes up a gear and I am barely moving....quite amazing.