Hi Everyone,I need help deciding to climb a hill or not. I have found a great location for dry camping but have concerns about getting there. The road is a dirt road which I don't mind when it is level and not steep inclines. This road has down hills I will have to climb coming out and hills to climb going into. Hills are about 75 feet long and steep enough to have concern. Regular 2 wheel drive climbs these hills fine. But will have a 4x4 Desiel with Alison trans max package but pulling a 5th wheel of 38 feet and about 15-18k in weight. Not sure if I will get stuck or slip the tires on the incline. Should I attempt with a running start or use 4H and cruses the hill and not worry about the weight pulling on the truck as the angle of the incline feels like it will just pull me backwards. One 5th wheeler toy hauler about the same size was found in this location and Class A RV both about the same length the 5th wheel looks like it weight lighter as it has no slide outs. If I can get into this place it will be an awesome weekend get away ever time. But I don't want it to be a disaster as it will have no place to turn around unless I get to campsites.

You'll be fine. Lee the torque low so you don't dig in. Personally with my Allison combos have pulled 16k gooseneck up an off-road farm roads with some intimidating climbs. Worked great

recommending 4 low or 4 high and cruise the hill no running start?

I would first approach the climb very slow to make sure the 5th whl rear end isn't going to drag as you start up the hill. I think a very steep hill could also take some of the hitch weight off of truck.As long as you're good at backing up, give it a try. Leave someone at the bottom the hill to stop other traffic incase you have to stop or back up.Bill

Heck, there is always low range if you have a 4x4, but the problem may be your overhang. These things have very little tolerance for uneven roads that require the truck to climb up out of a dip before the 5th even got to the bottom of the dip. Just have someone watch the back with a radio.

I creep up a gravel / dirt hill that is about 200 feet long and at a grade of 25% ( 1' vert. In 4' horiz.). I use 4 low and in gear no. 1. I also lock my hubs too. I was a bit worried the first time I did it but not anymore.

Hill Climbing on Dirt Road | Good Sam Community

laknox
Nomad
Sep 02, 2015
dirtroad46 wrote:
I know, I just realized this the other day. As I remember seeing the large dumpster for trash. I feel good about it just want to approach it safely and smart. Since I've not done this type angle before and on dirt

I still say that you need to be =very= aware of your bed rail clearances, as well as your tail. On hill crests and at the start of a hill, you should have ground spotters making sure you don't hit anything. Since you already know that at least one 40' FW has gone the route, that should take a load off. I'd also compare notes on that other guy's clearances.

Lyle
justafordguy
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
I say go for it and take pictures. ;)
dirtroad46
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
I know, I just realized this the other day. As I remember seeing the large dumpster for trash. I feel good about it just want to approach it safely and smart. Since I've not done this type angle before and on dirt
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 02, 2015
dirtroad46 wrote:
A weekly trash semi truck makes it in and out each week.
Are you kidding? Just set the cruise control in 2wd :R
dirtroad46
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
Not many people are willing to take there rigs off road. I love getting away from the traditional camp ground. My experience is limited and hearing from everyone helps understand or calm my nerves about doing it. Risk vs Reward a little get away near home finally chance to pack up almost every weekend and not feel like I have 2 rush to get to place before everyone else to have a good weekend or spot.

I am probably the guy everyone watches with a Beer Moment.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
dirtroad46 wrote:
I totally understand... thanks for the other side of things. But I think the guys are right I should be able to make this. Class A made it, regular 2W drive cars make it (but not towing), another 4w truck older model with 40 foot toy hauler made it. A weekley trash semi truck makes it in and out each week. Just apprehensive when your looking straight up climbing a hill with 15-20k load

[img] free image uploading height=4 width=4[/img]
Ok - I got to ask cause my curiosity is just killing me. You got all kinds of examples of people that made it to the top. So what were you looking for from this Post? I think any reasonable person would surmise any advice you get from this Post is basically useless; they have never seen or done the hill you are talking about. And your description was "Steep Enough to Have Concern" - which says nothing at best. I'd be asking the guys at the top of the hill. So what were you looking for from this Post?
dirtroad46
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
I totally understand... thanks for the other side of things. But I think the guys are right I should be able to make this. Class A made it, regular 2W drive cars make it (but not towing), another 4w truck older model with 40 foot toy hauler made it. A weekley trash semi truck makes it in and out each week. Just apprehensive when your looking straight up climbing a hill with 15-20k load
wing_zealot
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
Anyone else see a major disaster in the making? I call this a "hold my beer and watch this" moment. 38' long 5er on a dirt road, steep grade with dips and no place to turn around, and a whole bunch of people that have never seen the road telling you to go for it. Why not it's not their money. The fact that you had to ask the question means it gives you pause (the only person that has seen it is worried - hummmmm). I wouldn't even venture a guess unless I had seen the road personally. Go for it, it's not my money on the line. And don't forget to pray it don't rain after you're back there.

Next week these same guys telling you to go for it will be posting the video from U-tube and saying "Can't fix stupid".
newk
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
Here's another in favor of using 4LO, especially coming down! Inching down a steep trail with 20K+ pounds can be too much for your brakes. (Ask me how I know.) ;)

Yes, I did it once. I had a 2500 lb. slide-in camper on an F250. I'd been down that 4x4 canyon trail dozens of times before, but this time my girlfriend (now wife) was riding along. She's scared to death of steep and narrow mountain trails, so when she started freaking out I slowed down. I don't remember whether I was in 4LO or 4HI, but I'm thinking it must have been 4HI, as I rode the brakes a little too much... and suddenly they were GONE! Luckily I was almost at the bottom of the canyon when they left me, and I was able to find a place where I could leave the trail and head up a little hill until we came to a complete stop. Were it not for that little hill, I'd have been plowing into cars, people, or maybe a very swift stream.

And you're talking about doing it with a 14K trailer. Don't do it in 4HI! If this is a 25% grade, you need 4LO. This is why you have it.

As for the front tires grabbing in a turn, let 'em. On a dirt road it's not going to hurt a thing.
laknox
Nomad
Sep 02, 2015
smkettner wrote:
I don't get enough 4lo time so I use it whenever the chance arises.
If for nothing else just to keep it working with some real exercise.

Can't imagine the torque would just get away from you such that you are either just sitting or next spinning all the tires with nothing in between.

You paid extra to have 4lo so by all means use it.

Problem with 4LO is that it locks the front end up and it =is= hard to turn; much more so than 4HI. With a load on the truck, it =will= put more stress on it, that I acknowledge, but it should handle it for short periods.

Lyle