Hot weather towing

[marpel]

'22 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 6000lb trailer.

Will be heading to Denver Co from Vancouver BC in a week or so.

Have towed this route a number of times in the past, mostly in spring or fall, so the temperatures were less than current. Usually have done the Interstates through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, then either I80 or down to I70 from Salt Lake City, but have done I90 east then south down I25 as well. Regardless, mountain ascents are encountered (although I70 is significant).

Appears this heat is affecting every state in the south/southwest. Due to schedule, we will be travelling about 8-10 hours a day both ways, and only early morning/late night is not feasible.

For those pulling in this heat, any issues encountered or any suggested changes to routine?

Marv

[dedmiston]

spoon059 wrote:

dedmiston wrote:
Now excuse me while I go toss another virgin into the volcano.

Getting harder and harder to find those, don't throw them in unless absolutely necessary...

They’re out there though.

[Boomerweps]

spoon059 wrote:

dedmiston wrote:
Now excuse me while I go toss another virgin into the volcano.

Getting harder and harder to find those, don't throw them in unless absolutely necessary...

Not to hard to find someone who IDENTIFIES as a virgin. If you disagree you are called names and othered, if not sued or arrested.

[spoon059]

dedmiston wrote:
Now excuse me while I go toss another virgin into the volcano.

Getting harder and harder to find those, don't throw them in unless absolutely necessary...

[StirCrazy]

Take a look in your owner's manual and see what oil it suggests for extreme use or whatever they call it. use that oil and just don't be in a rush.

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:

If you have a generator and can run it while towing, start it up 90 minutes before stopping for the day and run the air conditioner.

Assuming you have the covers that allow you to run with the vents open (and it's not dusty), open the roof vents. You'll get 90% of the benefit without worry about what's happening with the generator back in the trailer.

[joebedford]

Fridge cooling will also be a problem. Keep it in the shade while parked if possible.

[Samsonsworld]

Living in West Texas, I tow in the heat a LOT. 100 degrees is nothing. As long as you have good tires, you're fine.

As far as cooling the rig, it sort of depends on the rig and number of a/c's.
It can take a while to cool mid-day in the sun or with high humidity, though. If your rig struggles to cool in heat, and many do, you may be waiting for sunset for relief. Shady RV sites are always nice.

I generally dump my a/c and stand under it with a cold drink after I set up. A fan can also help.

[RAS43]

I agree with Thom02099, I would avoid I70 and follow the route he suggests.

[JRscooby]

dedmiston wrote:
I have zero science to back this up, so feel free to treat it as the ramblings of a superstitious native...

I always check/fill my tires the night before a trip.

One time we had two blowouts as we towed though a hot desert (100°+). I attribute this to filling the tires "cold" the night before when it was probably in the 60s and then the tires expanding when the daytime heat got into the 100s.

So now I factor this in when I know the next day's drive is going to be a hot one. I'll back off 5° below my usual target PSI to give some wiggle room for expansion.

Now excuse me while I go toss another virgin into the volcano.

Heat will damage tires, nobody can deny that. Now maybe there is some magic to RV trailer tires that makes them act different, but a under inflated tire flexes more, and will build up more heat. While that extra heat will increase pressure, that is engineered into the sidewall pressure, and is to be set cold
Millions of miles has taught me that in hot weather tires less likely to blow if set at, (or a little above) sidewall max.

And about that check the night before; If you have been driving all day, make sure tires have cooled to ambient before you check. Personally, I would rather get up early, know they are as cold as will get.
Driving in hot weather, (or any time going long distance, IMHO), stop before you feel your about to drowned. As soon as stop, go around touching every tire and hub. If 1 is hotter than others, mark it, then go take care of your body. Find out the why of the extra heat before you leave.

[Grit_dog]

Some of these responses are a little over the top…

[pianotuna]

Marv,

I'd slow down.

If you have a generator and can run it while towing, start it up 90 minutes before stopping for the day and run the air conditioner.

[Thom02099]

marpel wrote:
'22 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 6000lb trailer.

Will be heading to Denver Co from Vancouver BC in a week or so.

Have towed this route a number of times in the past, mostly in spring or fall, so the temperatures were less than current. Usually have done the Interstates through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, then either I80 or down to I70 from Salt Lake City, but have done I90 east then south down I25 as well. Regardless, mountain ascents are encountered (although I70 is significant).

Appears this heat is affecting every state in the south/southwest. Due to schedule, we will be travelling about 8-10 hours a day both ways, and only early morning/late night is not feasible.

For those pulling in this heat, any issues encountered or any suggested changes to routine?

Marv

Might want to consider weather forecast to determine route. For the last 2 weeks of July and first 2 weeks of August, the extended forecast for Denver and northern Colorado is for low 90s/mid to upper 80s, so a decent forecast for here. Wyoming is somewhat similar.

Perhaps consider the I-90 to I-25 route as being the flattest all the way through. Probability of keeping truck and trailer cooler (as well as their tires) in a more cruise worthy route.

[Cummins12V98]

Good call!!! 7th year running mine on my Boat trailer.

"in fact am in the process of putting brand new ones on the trailer (Goodyear Endurance)"

[dave54]

As the others noted, tire pressures are correct.

Check engine coolant. Top it off. The reservoir probably has high/low lines to mark the acceptable levels. May want to make sure the coolant level is in the top half.

If you have a transmission temperature gauge, keep an eye on it. Shouldn't be a problem, but the temp could creep up on long climbs.