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Which way to go?

pitch
Explorer II
Explorer II
Want to go boondocking next week. I have never had my rig up any significant hill before and I am a bit uneasy.
TV 2013 Ram 1500 5.7, Trailer is a Jayco 23b Htt weighing just under 5000.
I have choice of two roads, both winding town roads. One climbs 451 feet in 2.7 miles, the other 285 feet in .08 miles both are from a dead start.
The longer one goes further than my spot and I have to back track over close to 3 miles of sate forest road, the shorter is 2 miles of dirt road and 3/4 of forest road.
I don't know the grade, but suffice to say that the parallel state road has a brake check lane that all semis must stop at before descending the hill.

Which would be your choice and why?
5 REPLIES 5

pitch
Explorer II
Explorer II
I am not to worried about clearance. This road is not a bad road for what it is. These parts the loggers don't haul in the summer,they wait till winter when everything is frozen so they don't destroy the roads. Rain will make it a whole different ball game, will probably cancel if it rains significantly in the days prior.

bikendan
Explorer
Explorer
just remember the Jayco 23B is infamous for its lack of clearance.
there's no way i'd take one off-road, even a gravel road.
unless you installed a lift kit.
Dan- Firefighter, Retired:C, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur:W, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP:(), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

orlandimal
Explorer
Explorer
Hard to make the call but for me it would depend on a few things like the condition of the dirt road or if rain was forecast. With a 4x4 mud would be no problem but who wants to clean that off your truck and trailer. If the road is pretty smooth and not muddy, I would take the shorter route and dirt road.
2008 Silverado 2500HD, Z71 off-road, Z85 towing
2005 Keystone Hornet 245RKS 5th Wheel

pitch
Explorer II
Explorer II
That was my inclination also. Both roads are paved,but a narrow one and a half lane. The shorter one I turn off of and follow a gravel road that inclines across the face of the hill for about two miles.

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Is your TV a 4X4?
Are the roads paved or gravel?

I would be inclined to take the 7% grade for .8 mile.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"