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mighty7sd's avatar
mighty7sd
Explorer
Aug 04, 2017

Mountain Towing Advice

I live in Kansas and am dreaming of taking our 5er out to Colorado.

The 5er is 35' and I drive a 3/4 ton, 6.0L Gasser. I just scaled the rig (~17K lbs) and I'm almost exactly at my truck GVWR fully loaded, though I'm still 500 lb under my GCWR and Rear GAWR. Basically, I can't get any heavier...though I may as my little kids get bigger.

Even on rolling hills in KS I feel like I'm struggling to accelerate, and I know I can only dream of a 3500 Diesel with exhaust brake!

What is everyone's experience towing in the mountains at your weight limits with a gasser? Is it not worth it? Can it be done if you can stomach dirty looks from passersby (or those that pile up behind you)? Is it no big deal? Should I just plan on camping at the base of mountains and not traversing them? Thanks everyone!

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  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2017
    This is part of the why of ratings...the OEMs design to and test to their specifications that list the max weights at the worst conditions (ambient temps/humidty/etc, max incline going up and down, longevity, ability to manhandle that at max rating, etc, etc)

    DO NOT ride the brakes going down. Get into the lowest gear comfortable for at whatever speed you wish to be at. When the speed goes above that speed...brake HARD and scrub off speed till about 10-15 MPH below that speed you wish to be at.

    Then let the brake cool while it gains speed...to then brake HARD again.

    Repeat till the bottom

    You can also change out the diff gear ratios to a higher numberic. Don't know what you have, but going to a higher numeric diff ratio will both increase the rated GCWR and allow more engine braking in low gear.

    That will eat into MPG, but IMHO, MPG is NOT of real concern vs safety/longevity/etc

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