Mountain Towing

[bogie514]

I am planning on taking an extended trip that will include time in Leadville, Colorado at 10,000 ft, and other western states. I am looking for advice from those who have done mountain and high altitude towing with a similar set up to what I have (see below). Will this be safe and dowable? I will be will under my max payload and tow rating by a wide margin. I did tow my old pop-up with a minivan through the mountains years ago - a case of ignorance is bliss.

Using the formula below, I understand that by the time I hit 7000 feet I will have lost 68 hp.

% HP LOSS = (ALT x 0.03 x 1) / 1000

Tow vehicle: 2008 Silverado 1500, Crew Cab, 5.3 L, Z71, 3.73 gear, Prodigy Brake controller (about 10 years old - can't remember the model number)

Camper: 2016 Freedom Express 231RBDS, 26'10", 5100lbs unloaded, 6100lbs estimated loaded.

My old camper was about 900 lbs less than my current camper. I was surprised how much of a difference that 900 lbs made when going uphill. On the flat I can't tell any difference.

Tom

[Bedlam]

Drive more by tachometer than speedometer. Use the same gears you use to climb to get down the other side. Watch engine and transmission temperatures and don't forget to enjoy your trip.

[RAS43]

I have towed here in Colorado for many years with all kinds of vehicles. Had a 26' travel trailer for many years and towed it with a K5 Chevy Blazer, then a 1/2 ton Chevy van. Finally I got a 3/4 ton Suburban. The first 2 did okay but wouldn't win any uphill race and we camped near Leadville a lot. Just be sure your vehicle is maintained, set up to tow correctly, and don't be in a hurry. Enjoy the scenery- carefully of course! 🙂

[bogie514]

My truck has the tow package with the factory HD transmission cooler and radiator. I will be adding a cold air intake, a fresh tune up, new tires, new high quality brakes, and a set of Supersprings before we depart wonderful Ohio - which is just about 1000 feet above sea level across the entire state.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Keep it in the lower gears to keep the rpms up.

[IDman]

A HD radiator and transmission cooler would be a big help. Take it slow and easy, pull over now and then to cool it down, and don't hold up other traffic. You can be ticketed if there are 5 + vehicles behind you.

[dave17352]

That rig is going to be working real real hard. Take it real easy and use the tranny to slow down on the downhill side of things. You are pushing the limits in my opinion. I would be more concerned with the tranny and brakes than the motor, all though it will be working hard!
In fact I think you may want/need a beefier truck for that trip. I re read and you plan to go through all the western states on a extended trip in and out of the mountains. I think you are bringing a knife to a gunfight. 😞 Your trailer is just a too heavy. JMHO

[donn0128]

You definitely will at elevation. If you can do 25MPH consider yourself lucky.