What is the steepest grade you've climbed?

[adamis]

Our family was headed up to Bucks Lake in Northern California for a week of camping. I used to go to the 4H camp when my parents ran the camp so I was looking forward to seeing some old memories. I've only been to the lake as a kid, never driven there myself so I had no knowledge of the roads. We got to the cutoff at Quincy for Bucks Lake road in the early evening. The truck was loaded with our camper plus cargo trailer, I'd estimate in total we weighed 16k+ lbs.

We passed a sign and because it was getting dark, I only saw it briefly enough to see a warning about 15% grade for 3 miles. I had hoped that there was just a few sections of this road that might be 15% in the 3 miles but it turns out, just about the entire section was at 15%!!! I was in first gear and literally could walk faster than what I was able to drive up it. I didn't have it floored, I was only about 1/3rd throttle trying to keep my EGTs in check (I have an aftermarket chip that isn't set for towing, something I'll be fixing soon). The entire time I was just hoping something in the transmission or rear differential didn't blow out on me. At one point I even had to pull over to let a car pass and I wasn't sure if I would even be able to get moving again. Thankfully, we did make it up without incident but I told the wife we were never coming up this road again! What I didn't realize is that there was another route for RVs that I was supposed to take and she asked me why I didn't take it. I told her I didn't even see it because I was concentrating on driving!

This was certainly the steepest grade I've ever been on but I'm sure others might have some harrowing stories of their own to share. What's the steepest you've climbed while loaded for a week of camping?

[adamis]

rightlaneonly wrote:
No ones mentioned Sonora pass. 26 percent in places, I did with an Aliner but have seen Motor homes and TT's going over.

Talk about irony... the wife and I are just talking about heading through this area on a quick extended weekend getaway. 26%!!! Good thing I won't have the trailer behind me.

[rightlaneonly]

No ones mentioned Sonora pass. 26 percent in places, I did with an Aliner but have seen Motor homes and TT's going over.

[mountainkowboy]

Unknown on the grade but Red pulled it in 2nd gear @ 10,800lbs with a 4,500lb Scout in tow for 3-4 miles, it was the first time I've ever seen my temp gauge go above the "N"...LOL.

[Lwiddis]

Old Priest on Tioga Pass. California Hwy. 120. Fun!

[Kayteg1]

In Georgia one of the parks had 22% grade that I took with empty truck..... on 3rd gear as the 440HP beast does not sweat small stuff.
With camper my truck show 8 degrees tilt on cluster gauge, what translated to 16%.
Have to say that I observe camper ties very carefully in those moments.

[eubank]

The grade on Buffalo Pass through the Lukachukai Mountains (BIA 13 on the Navajo Reservation) runs around 14%. It was tough on our truck towing the travel trailer. First gear, floored and doing around 15mph at the top; and first gear with repeated braking on the way down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lukachukai_Mountains

Lynn

[SidecarFlip]

Not the going up that is nail biting, it's the going down....lol

Steepest grade I've done is the seasonal road to our northern Michigan property. It's dirt and about 20% gradient. 4 wheel, low range is mandatory. Just as steep going down. Why I run low range. Lots of engine braking too.

[emcvay]

Couldn't find much on the drive to Crater Lake but that's the steepest I've done so far with our camper. I'm guessing it approaches 11% in spots (I saw something about an 11% grade on a biking site but am not sure that's Munson Valley Rd or not). Truck did great with no issue 🙂 The 6.4 just hauled us right up.

[Grit_dog]

Blt2ski will be along shortly. He loves finding the max grade he can pull!

[32_Chev]

17% grade for 7 miles going to Hat point in Oregon no problems.

[adamis]

deserteagle56 wrote:
Truck is a 2wd? No transfer case with low range?

Yes, 2wd. Wishing I had a low range for this one, would have been handy. I may someday add it, even with it being two wheel drive. Always nice to have options...

The family all agreed the campsite was perfect for a yearly gathering so I will be going back though I'll be sure to take the other road. It isn't as steep but still probably 9% or more so I will have to change something up.

[deserteagle56]

Truck is a 2wd? No transfer case with low range?

[pfidahospud]

I don’t know the percentage grade (wish I did), but getting to Pittsburg Landing (Idaho) in Hell’s Canyon is the steepest I’ve driven. But people with RVs and huge boats drive it every summer day.