towing thru the mountains

[stanj]

We will take our long awaited journey next week across the US. I would like to ask for some pointers towing our 4500 lb jeep behind our 36 ft. gas ( 2003 workhorse chassis ) Motor home . How hard are the Mountains out west with a towed vehicle ? Rockies I 70 and norther California and I 80

Thanks in advance sj

[gvisnic]

I live in Colorado and have basically the same set up you do. I have the v-10 using 85 octane and have no problems towing in the mountains. A lot of places you will be in second gear and sometimes even first gear pulling up a grade a 30mph. Just use your gears on the downhill and just take your time on the uphills. You will not be the fastest, but very doable.

[edm3rd]

To expand on maintaining speed on long downhill :
1. Have your a/c on - it adds some drag.
2. Ideally, be in a low enough gear where speed doesn't increase, or at least requires VERY little application of service brakes to reduce speed. If frequent use of service brakes is required, downshift another gear.
3. If possible maintain speed the 18-wheelers are going - the downhill is not going to last forever.

Dealing with a long uphill and rising water temperature :
1. Have your a/c off, worst case heater on to help with radiator cooling.
2. Use lower gear to increase engine rpm to increase flow through radiator.
3. Again, reduce speed to that of 18-wheelers, but gear down to improve cooling with more rpm.

[naturist]

I-70 west of Denver climbs 6,000 feet at 6-7% grade. It also has equal downslopes. Lower gears are essential to keep your revs up to forstall overheating on the climb and save your brakes going down. Do not attempt to keep up with anybody going up, take it slow on both sides of the mountain.

[akrv]

.For every 1000 ft you go up you lose 3% of you horsepower unless you have a turbo charger. Also make sure you are putting in 87 octane gas in. Regular gas in the mountains is 85 octane or lower.

[azdryheat]

I never drive a gasser without it in Tow/Haul mode.

[Trackrig]

Buy the Mountain Directory so you know what's on each road if you're not used to the western mountains.

Amazon

Bill

[imgoin4it]

Slow down and gear down at the top of the mountain and start down at the speed and in the gear that will maintain a safe speed all the way to the bottom. Do not let the coach get going too fast and end up burning up the service brakes trying to get the speed back down. Will take a few times to get some experience with downhill, so start out very consertively.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Gear down up hill and
Gear down going down hill.
Do not ride the brakes.

If you take it easy you will have no problems.

[MountainAir05]

We live at 4300 and have 5500 to the West and 9500 to the East and tow. As stated fine a 2nd gear and enjoy. Our rig is 37 feet. Been all the way to Washington state with out any issue with it. We have a V10. Travel with a 1/4 tank water max.

[Lwiddis]

You'll be fine! Enjoy going slow up and down those mountains seeing it all while others zip at 80 and see nothing.

[rk911]

stanj wrote:
We will take our long awaited journey next week across the US. I would like to ask for some pointers towing our 4500 lb jeep behind our 36 ft. gas ( 2003 workhorse chassis ) Motor home . How hard are the Mountains out west with a towed vehicle ? Rockies I 70 and norther California and I 80

Thanks in advance sj

if you have a second driver consider unhooking and driving separately in areas you're concerned about.

[Goldencrazy]

You are going to have some long runs on 70 and it will be slow so sit back and enjoy the roar of the engine. That is significant weight for your rig. More mountains in northern Ca. And southern Oregon but not as long or high. Be patient and enjoy.