Questions of driving US-2 through the west

[walimike]

I've been tossing around an idea to travel from Michigan to Washington on US-2. For some reason I've wanted to travel US-2 just for the adventure of it. This would be in 2019.

I have a Silverado 1500, 5.3L, 3.42 rear with a 31' Cherokee TT. I've only camped in Michigan and Wisconsin. This would be the first long trip we've taken.

I've thought about driving 101 from Washington through Oregon and into California. Maybe taking I-80 or I-90 back. Nothing is set yet.

My real worry is driving the mountains, never having done that. The driving, pulling the trailer is my concern.
1) What kind of grade range is there on US-2.

2) Is the grade more gradual on the Interstate routes?

3) How difficult is it to control speed and braking in the mountains?

4) Will that be hard on the truck pulling and holding back an 8,000lb trailer?

I guess the beating on the truck and trailer brakes and handling the grades are my main concerns.

I'm still in the "I wonder if" stage on setting this up. Thanks for any input. Thinking of an August/September timeframe.

Still so much info to get.

[Dick_B]

Get a copy of Mountain Directory West. By my reading there is only one pass in Montana that has a 6% grade downhill going west. If you use the trucks engine braking 6% is a piece of cake.
We drove Route 2 some years back. Don't let your gas gauge drop below half and don't expect large campgrounds with full facilities; swimming pools, miniature golf, etc.
I'd do it again. We pull 7500 lbs.