Hauling my trailer

We pulled our 25 ft. Dutchmen Lite though the Rockies in MT and then AZ and NM with our F-150 E-boost 4x4. It crossed the CAT scales at about 6400 lbs. when loaded for the trip.

The E-boost puts out about 356 hp with good low end torque.

pradousmc wrote:

bpounds wrote:

pradousmc wrote:
I have a Chevy 1500 with the smaller v8.and was wondering if I would have any issues hauling my Dutchman lite up steep grades ie big bear California, the Sierras? I have hauled it to Silverwood lake with no issues,except going real slow.just dont want to risk it. My trailer weighs approx 4600lbs.

The grades going to Big Bear and Silverwood are very mild.

The Sierra on the other hand, has some very steep grades, especially the eastern side. "The Sierras" is a very big place. Some steep. Some not.

You didn't mention age or condition of your Chevy, but assuming the cooling system is in good condition, I don't think you will have issues pulling 4,600#. You may be in first gear on grades like Sherwin or Conway north of Bishop. Cooling is the critical aspect. Both engine cooling and transmission cooling. If you don't have added transmission cooling, it would be smart to add it.

My truck is a 2006 and no idea about the cooling system. I do have the oil regularly changed at 3k and thats about it.

The only thing that makes me nervous are the sharp "s" turns and grades going to big bear.

bpounds wrote:

pradousmc wrote:
I have a Chevy 1500 with the smaller v8.and was wondering if I would have any issues hauling my Dutchman lite up steep grades ie big bear California, the Sierras? I have hauled it to Silverwood lake with no issues,except going real slow.just dont want to risk it. My trailer weighs approx 4600lbs.

The grades going to Big Bear and Silverwood are very mild.

The Sierra on the other hand, has some very steep grades, especially the eastern side. "The Sierras" is a very big place. Some steep. Some not.

You didn't mention age or condition of your Chevy, but assuming the cooling system is in good condition, I don't think you will have issues pulling 4,600#. You may be in first gear on grades like Sherwin or Conway north of Bishop. Cooling is the critical aspect. Both engine cooling and transmission cooling. If you don't have added transmission cooling, it would be smart to add it.

My truck is a 2006 and no idea about the cooling system. I do have the oil regularly changed at 3k and thats about it.

CavemanCharlie wrote:
I have a 04 Chevy 1500 and had to put a transmission in it at 80000 miles. It was never pulled hard. They just had bad transmissions in that era.

I have a 2006.

Thank you all for the great info. Sounds like i shouldn't have a problem hauling my trailer.

stevemorris wrote:
on long upgrades I let the truck shift down then shift the lever to hold it there and I don't get the engine speed over 3500 rpm

so I'm down to 45 on a long upgrade same as the big semis, I'm in no rush, I'm not impeding traffic and my transmission will last longer

v6 dodge Dakota with approx. 4000 lb trailer and stuff

Woe, 3500 is kinda low. Most engines would have no problem with a RPM higher then that.

I am no expert though. Just another vehicle owner.

on long upgrades I let the truck shift down then shift the lever to hold it there and I don't get the engine speed over 3500 rpm

so I'm down to 45 on a long upgrade same as the big semis, I'm in no rush, I'm not impeding traffic and my transmission will last longer

v6 dodge Dakota with approx. 4000 lb trailer and stuff

Look for reviews for your make and model (especially matching engine size), or check the owner's manual.

Find out what RPM is maximum Torque. And what max RPM is (redline).

Aim to be between those two numbers when towing up long grades. It will sound a lot nosier (and suck more gas) than usual, but this is the proper way to "work" the vehicle for the conditions you described.

I have a 04 Chevy 1500 and had to put a transmission in it at 80000 miles. It was never pulled hard. They just had bad transmissions in that era.

SoundGuy wrote:
With the OP not telling us anything specific about the particular truck in question who's to say how capable (or not) it may be negotiating serious upgrades? :h I tow with a 5.3L Avalanche equipped with GM's ubiquitous non-tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio and because it has the older wide ratio 4-spd transmission I always tow our 4500 lb 20' travel trailer in 3rd with Tow / Haul engaged. Towing in Drive even over relatively flat terrain results in too much unintended downshifting and serious upgrades require a downshift to 2nd. Newer GM 1/2 tons that produce even more power, are coupled to a much better narrow ratio 6-speed transmission, and which are equipped with a tow friendly 3.73 axle ratio would do much better. Bottom line - no one can answer the OP's question with any degree of certainty unless more specific information about this particular truck is provided.

Agreed that more info should have been given. However, I am of the opinion that any 1500 series pickup should be able to pull 4,600# up any reasonable grade, including those I mentioned. Assuming of course that the truck is in good sound condition. How fast? What gear? No one can guess without more info. And of course there is the question of what the OP considers successful. I see plenty of old rigs on US395 chugging along at 1st gear speeds. Are the drivers happy? Dunno.

There is also still a portable water tank provided at the top of Sherwin, so I assume enough people have problems that maintaining it is considered worthwhile by the state. Cooling!!! Cooling is always the primary issue.