Forum Discussion

pitch's avatar
pitch
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2013

Which way to go?

Want to go boondocking next week. I have never had my rig up any significant hill before and I am a bit uneasy.
TV 2013 Ram 1500 5.7, Trailer is a Jayco 23b Htt weighing just under 5000.
I have choice of two roads, both winding town roads. One climbs 451 feet in 2.7 miles, the other 285 feet in .08 miles both are from a dead start.
The longer one goes further than my spot and I have to back track over close to 3 miles of sate forest road, the shorter is 2 miles of dirt road and 3/4 of forest road.
I don't know the grade, but suffice to say that the parallel state road has a brake check lane that all semis must stop at before descending the hill.

Which would be your choice and why?
Seeking Advice
  • pitch's avatar
    pitch
    Explorer II
    Sep 27, 2013
    I am not to worried about clearance. This road is not a bad road for what it is. These parts the loggers don't haul in the summer,they wait till winter when everything is frozen so they don't destroy the roads. Rain will make it a whole different ball game, will probably cancel if it rains significantly in the days prior.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Sep 27, 2013
    just remember the Jayco 23B is infamous for its lack of clearance.
    there's no way i'd take one off-road, even a gravel road.
    unless you installed a lift kit.
  • orlandimal's avatar
    orlandimal
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2013
    Hard to make the call but for me it would depend on a few things like the condition of the dirt road or if rain was forecast. With a 4x4 mud would be no problem but who wants to clean that off your truck and trailer. If the road is pretty smooth and not muddy, I would take the shorter route and dirt road.
  • pitch's avatar
    pitch
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2013
    That was my inclination also. Both roads are paved,but a narrow one and a half lane. The shorter one I turn off of and follow a gravel road that inclines across the face of the hill for about two miles.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Sep 26, 2013
    Is your TV a 4X4?
    Are the roads paved or gravel?

    I would be inclined to take the 7% grade for .8 mile.

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