I have read a lot on this forum about how fast you can or can't go up a grade with a trailer. That is great in theory or on an empty road. But the one common sense thing i have never recalled mentioned here is the fact that you really can't go whatever speed your truck is capable of up a hill. You usually have 2 or 3 choices of speed.1) Speedlimit to 10 over in the far left lane2) 35-40 mph in the far right lane with the big trucksif there is a center lane3) speedlimit to 5 under with the slow cars in the center laneOn a 65-75 mph highway unless you are heavily modded you can't keep pace with the left lane. On a 6 percent grade with 23k combined no stock trucks can hold 65 mph. So that leave the option of the "climbing lane" or far right lane going 40 mph or being rude and holding up the "four wheelers".So to put these power requirements to real trucks. No new truck un modified should be able to haul 23k combined up a 6 percent grade at 65. Every new 3/4 or 1 ton truck gas or diesel is capable of hauling 23k combined up a 6 percent grade at 40-45 mph.

Well not sure about that I have run 19,000# up a 6% at 60 to 65 with a slightly chiped 01 Ram about 265 HP, 600 lb. ft. Touqre. This is running 3.55 gears and a 5 sped manual. I do it as I travel many two lane roads and don't want to hold up traffic. I don't see a reason new diesel can't do that!

Who stays stock? LolI remember pulling the grapevine last May at about 18,000 gross. 5th gear and 60-70 mph for miles on end. I had the power and could of pulled a heavier load at that speed but with the traffic and construction you had to be on top of it constantly. I am not stock however. To the OP, yes you are kind of stuck in the slower lane if you can't keep that fire lit and the load moving.

StockSet cruise for 62 mph and go......What's the problem ?

In the pickuptrucks.com heavy duty hurt locker test the new crop of diesels ran up a 5% grade with a low profile trailer at 27.5k combined and could only hold 45-58 mph. The weight disadvantage of 27.5k vs 23k is very closely offset by the aero advantage vs a high profile 5er.My guess is you started a good bit faster than 60-65 and were bleeding speed the whole way or it wasn't a true steady 6% climb.

I would say 80%+ of truck owners stay stock and there is a big difference between 18k and the 23k I used as an example. Depending on how modified you are you may or may not have been able to do it with 23k. The reason I picked 23k is it represents a 15k 5er with an 8k truck.62 mph would mean you either rear end a big truck in the slow lane up a hill or have a line of traffic cussing you in the left lane. Pick one. I would guess that on a true 6% grade you wouldn't be able to hold 62 anyways, but I don't know exactly what your combo weighs.The point is once you get to a BIG 5th wheel that actually starts to slow you down on the hills you likely aren't going to be able to keep pace with the cars and are stuck going the same speed as the big trucks. Which just about any truck can do anyways.

Towing speed on grade and common sense | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Taco
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
I would say 80%+ of truck owners stay stock and there is a big difference between 18k and the 23k I used as an example. Depending on how modified you are you may or may not have been able to do it with 23k. The reason I picked 23k is it represents a 15k 5er with an 8k truck.

62 mph would mean you either rear end a big truck in the slow lane up a hill or have a line of traffic cussing you in the left lane. Pick one. I would guess that on a true 6% grade you wouldn't be able to hold 62 anyways, but I don't know exactly what your combo weighs.

The point is once you get to a BIG 5th wheel that actually starts to slow you down on the hills you likely aren't going to be able to keep pace with the cars and are stuck going the same speed as the big trucks. Which just about any truck can do anyways.
Taco
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
In the pickuptrucks.com heavy duty hurt locker test the new crop of diesels ran up a 5% grade with a low profile trailer at 27.5k combined and could only hold 45-58 mph. The weight disadvantage of 27.5k vs 23k is very closely offset by the aero advantage vs a high profile 5er.

My guess is you started a good bit faster than 60-65 and were bleeding speed the whole way or it wasn't a true steady 6% climb.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 25, 2013
Stock
Set cruise for 62 mph and go......

What's the problem ?
JCasper
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
Who stays stock? Lol

I remember pulling the grapevine last May at about 18,000 gross. 5th gear and 60-70 mph for miles on end. I had the power and could of pulled a heavier load at that speed but with the traffic and construction you had to be on top of it constantly. I am not stock however.

To the OP, yes you are kind of stuck in the slower lane if you can't keep that fire lit and the load moving.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 25, 2013
Well not sure about that I have run 19,000# up a 6% at 60 to 65 with a slightly chiped 01 Ram about 265 HP, 600 lb. ft. Touqre. This is running 3.55 gears and a 5 sped manual. I do it as I travel many two lane roads and don't want to hold up traffic. I don't see a reason new diesel can't do that!

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Towing speed on grade and common sense

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