towing in the mountains

[n8n]

Hi all,

We got a travel trailer that is 5,400 dry but we'll probably load another 600lbs or so for an even 6,000lbs. We're taking it to a camping trip up at Big Bear Lake this weekend and I'd like some advice on towing in the mountains. I towed it once to an elevation of 4,600' and only noticed the tranny go almost redline once on a gradual but sustained climb.

I've read to keep in in 4th gear (not the od 4th). We have the Prodigy brake controller, and WD hitch. Everything else is stock. I have noticed that when I get out of the truck I hear slight creaking from the rear tires. It's as if the shocks are slowly coming back up or something. Everything on the 05' SE is stock.

I'll fill the tires to the max of 35lbs.

I'd like some advice on towing with my rig as well as towing in the mountains.

thanks,
Nate

[k2dunks]

I have towed 6500# up all kinds of long grades and the tranny temp stays in the same spot. I do not hesitate to drop it into 3rd gear if needed. I think if you try to tow up a big grade in a high gear it may raise the temp. I am no expert but that seems to work well for me.

[loufish]

I towed it once to an elevation of 4,600' and only noticed the tranny go almost redline once on a gradual but sustained climb.

What gear were you in? Staying in 4th but waiting until the trans shifts down to 3rd might be the problem.
Downshift to 3rd (yes you can grab the lever and do it...)and let the converter lock up, a forced downshift won't let that happen...

[kevnavy04]

I towed 8000lbs coast to coast with a 2006 King Cab with big tow package. I found going up hill that when the tranny temp gauge starts to get hot, manually down shifting helped keep the temp down (usually with an almost instant response). I'm not entirely sure, but i believe the increased rpm of downshifting increases the flow of fluid to your tranny, thus helping to cool it. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that makes sense. I also found that if i waited too long to downshift, the temp would get to a point where nothing was going to get it back down besides pulling over and letting it cool. I guess, my advice from personal experience is basically to hawk that gauge going uphill and not to hesitate to downshift if you see it creeping. I wouldn't recommend letting the gauge get anywhere close to redline.

Conversely going down steep gradients downshifting and using engine braking tended to heat things up, so it was a toss up between using a combination of engine braking and supplimental brake applications to absorb all that potential energy you gain after climbing that hill. Good luck, hope this helped a little.

PS. It sure is fun passing non-towers going up hill with a large trailer.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by loufish

What gear were you in? Staying in 4th but waiting until the trans shifts down to 3rd might be the problem.
Downshift to 3rd (yes you can grab the lever and do it...)and let the converter lock up, a forced downshift won't let that happen...

Yep... I keep mine in 3rd on the 14 from the 5 into Lancaster.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by kevnavy04

PS. It sure is fun passing non-towers going up hill with a large trailer.

I love passing F-150's towing half the trailer I'm towing while pulling a steep grade.

[Helinut1970]

35 lbs? Is it just mine that had a 55lb rating on them guys? I could be wrong (going from memory) but read the side of the tire and you might find that it has a rating of 55lbs of air. If so you might want to run 55 in the rear and 40 in the fronts. Let me know because now Im courious. Dont be afraid to down shift that tranny and dont try to keep the same pace going up hill with that load on. Let it slow down and take it easy. Well unless you have a chevy, ford, dodge, next to you with a trailer on then you are required to slam it down and smoke em.

[dhaessig]

I towed to Big Bear and back last week end. The Titan towed a 24' loaded travel trailer with no problem. I kept it at 40-45mph up the mountain, except where there wer speed warnings for the curves. The speeds posted there seemed good for the rig.

I have big tow, used leveling bars, and an anti-sway bar. I have pulled the trailer without the anti-sway before without problems. And, I just use the leveling bars where the load distribution needs it. I always try to put some of the load in the truck bed instead of in the trailer.

I kept it in 4th in tow mode. When it downshifted into 3rd, I put the selector in 3rd, too. And I kept it there until the grade leveled out. This is the second time I towd there, and I never saw any temperature problems.

You can stop at Angeles Oaks' restaurant or convenience store. When you approach, look to see if there is a parking spot where you can pull through and leave the rig wiht the truck facin and perpendicular to the road!

Have fun! It's in the 40's at night and warms fast when the sun is up. The lake is full, so boating, fishing, etc. is good now!

[supertitan]

use The Tow Mode Switch And 4th Gear 3th Gear On Steap Hills Loads Over 5,000 Lbs.

Tire Pressure Can Be 2-5psi Above Reccomended 35psi

[Haasguy]

We just bought an identical trailer as far as weight goes and it tows great with our Titan. We have a 2006 CC with big tow and a Reese weight distributing hitch that is set up to keep about 650lbs on the rear. I'm very impressed with it in the mountains. We had to pick our camper up in Salina, KS and then tow it home to Montrose, CO which included going over Monarch pass and several lesser passes on the way back. I was able to hold 40-50 going uphill running full A/C and the tranny temp and engine temp never moved that I could see. I was in 3rd for quite a bit on some of the steep sections but we never were a rolling roadblock. Going downhill 3rd gear held us at about 35-40 and I hardly had to use the brakes. Also in the flatlands the Reese sway control did a great job of holding it straight through some storms and semi's passing. I don't know if I would want to pull much more weight than 6500lbs but for a half ton I think it does fine with the weight.

Robert