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

[doxiemom11]

We have an automatic transmission and the "D" would be drive. Below that is a 3/2/1 that you can put your shifter to which would be 3rd, 2nd, or 1st gear. Just put it on the "2" and you would be in second gear. You then can move it up into 3rd and into "D" Drive when you reach level terrain and be "automatic" again.

[Lwiddis]

"those of you who say to use a lower gear or use 2nd gear, how do you do that?"

See your owner's booklet but generally anything that isn't D, R or P is a lower forward gear. You are serious, correct?

[mama_sylvia]

> What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

Out here it is generally regulated by state law. I'm ashamed to say I don't know for sure what Wyoming's limit is but probably 4-5.

ETA: those of you who say to use a lower gear or use 2nd gear, how do you do that? My class A has an automatic transmission. I have to climb (or drop) between 6500' to 6000' whenever I drive it into town to have work done. Haven't had any problems yet but I also haven't tackled the 5% grade from the summit to Laramie yet. (Driving a motorhome over the Snowy Range Scenic Byway is an experience not to be missed!)

[tropical36]

The thing is about mountain climbing and descent discussions, they usually go like it's one long 6% grade from the US east coast, to the Pacific ocean and then one long continuous 6% grade all the way back. You know, like deep snow and uphill both ways, with walking to school.
Thing is, these challenges, if you will, are far and few in between, during ownership.
With engines, I've never had one that wouldn't climb sufficiently and none should overheat, unless severely overloaded, or something is wrong.
On the National Chevy's, one might notice the curtains on both sides of the engine and the large hole above the radiator to force air over the exhaust manifolds without much excaping. Just an example of how the house manufacture has a lot to do with how the chassis and engine performs.

[zb39]

Both of my gassers were awhile ago. But I remember the engine heating up while climbing mountains. I hated that.

[Mile_High]

edm3rd wrote:
RedRocket,
What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

6 nice ones, or 1 really mad one 🙂

[RedRocket204]

jimh425 wrote:

edm3rd wrote:
RedRocket,
What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

It's 5 in Washington. I think you are going to be surprised how the elevation kills your power in some of the passes. On the plus side, the roads through the passes that are open year round are generally not very curvy and have wide shoulders.

Yep, agreed on single lane each direction roads that at a max of 5 behind you, you should be looking to find a safe turn-out to use and let traffic pass.

I prefer to not have people behind me pushing me to go faster so I will frequently use a turn-out to let even a single person pass. Generally safer for everyone and is again, common curtesy since we all live in a society.

A big thank you from me to those who also use turn-outs to let traffic pass! 🙂

[tropical36]

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

For the most part, you'll not even know it's back there, but if you have a P30 chassis and a GM 4L80E tranny, you may experience some overheating of the tranny on long 6% grades and the weak link in your setup.
This being the case and with the tranny going into limp mode at 270F, just pull over and continue in low gear at 25mph. This will give you another 25% more or you may choose to disconnect and drive over the top separately.
If you have a W chassis, this potential problem disappears with having an Allison transmission.

[jimh406]

edm3rd wrote:
RedRocket,
What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

It's 5 in Washington. I think you are going to be surprised how the elevation kills your power in some of the passes. On the plus side, the roads through the passes that are open year round are generally not very curvy and have wide shoulders.

[edm3rd]

RedRocket,
What number of vehicles behind you do locals consider reasonable to use a turn-out?

[RedRocket204]

When driving on roads with a single lane in each direction, please use turn-outs when holding up traffic behind you. That and slower vehicles staying in the right lane on multi-lane roads is common courtesy. Thanks and have fun!

[Busskipper]

stanj wrote:
Thanks everyone for the Tips . We do have the Blue ridge mountains here in Virginia although at the 2000 to 3500 ft level and very drivable in most places. Just didn't know what to expect out west when it comes to Gas coach brakes on the long hills . We'll do fine ...

Not only will you do fine - but likely will have the time of your life.

I'm a long time East Coast guy who has made many trips to and from the Rockies over the years, biggest issue for me while out West, is not the Up and Down, (I love to drive in the Mountains) but the fact that home is still only in Maryland, and I always have to leave.

Don't be shy, ask and research every stop you make, as there are just so many "Secrets" that are just amazing as you travel. From something as simple as Clear Creek CampGround in Golden, CO to Maroon Bells just outside Aspen.

Twenty -Five years ago when we started to Dig Into Colorado - we discovered something New on every trip and every Road - and when we returned we discovered even more, we continue this adventure every time we go out West and are always just Amazed at what (How Much) we have missed.

So the "Best Advice" I can give is to just do everything in your power to get MORE TIME as you will never see, touch, experience even a portion of what is out there, and IMHO your setup will be Great (Might just need to avoid Winter - Extreme Cold) and will get you to some of the Best of America.

JMHO, Best of Luck,

[Daytonaman]

Towed a 6500 IH Scout with a 26ft 1976 GMC all over the US. Even to Alaska.
Only unhooked on tricky 8% grades.
No Aux brakes in those days.
Go SLOW on downgrades!
Hot brakes was not the problem; it was hot brake fluid.
Old fluid has moisture and low boiling points.
Boiled out on a long downgrade. Pedal went to the floor.

[stanj]

Thanks everyone for the Tips . We do have the Blue ridge mountains here in Virginia although at the 2000 to 3500 ft level and very drivable in most places. Just didn't know what to expect out west when it comes to Gas coach brakes on the long hills . We'll do fine ...

[Mile_High]

rk911 wrote:

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.

x2 Not a bad idea.