walimike
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Re: Questions of driving US-2 through the west
So it sounds like the elevation changes shouldn't cause many problems if I just follow the advise everyone gave. Sound planning may be a bonus to help keeping the tank above half. I assume campsites should be reserved to assure not getting stuck without one. We don't need lots of amenities, just water, electric and dump sites. Thanks to all for the input.1.4KViews0likes0CommentsQuestions of driving US-2 through the west
I've been tossing around an idea to travel from Michigan to Washington on US-2. For some reason I've wanted to travel US-2 just for the adventure of it. This would be in 2019. I have a Silverado 1500, 5.3L, 3.42 rear with a 31' Cherokee TT. I've only camped in Michigan and Wisconsin. This would be the first long trip we've taken. I've thought about driving 101 from Washington through Oregon and into California. Maybe taking I-80 or I-90 back. Nothing is set yet. My real worry is driving the mountains, never having done that. The driving, pulling the trailer is my concern. 1) What kind of grade range is there on US-2. 2) Is the grade more gradual on the Interstate routes? 3) How difficult is it to control speed and braking in the mountains? 4) Will that be hard on the truck pulling and holding back an 8,000lb trailer? I guess the beating on the truck and trailer brakes and handling the grades are my main concerns. I'm still in the "I wonder if" stage on setting this up. Thanks for any input. Thinking of an August/September timeframe. Still so much info to get.3.1KViews0likes15CommentsE2 hitch setup question
I'm new here and discovered this while searching for an answer to my WD setup question. I'd appreciate input. I've got a 2008 Silverado (6.0L, 3.73 rear, max towing pack) and I just got a Forest River Cherokee, 274 RKS travel trailer. I also have air bags in the truck and I set those at 60psi. I'm not sure I need those that high. I could lower the pressure on those. The trailer specs say the hitch weight is 851 lbs. I've had the unit weighed at a CAT scale with a typical camping load and the trailer weighed out at 7,540 lbs. From the scales, my truck axle wt is 3100# front, 2840# rear, 5940# total. With the trailer attached - front is 2800#, 4200# rear(truck=7000), trailer axle 6480, 13480# total. Subtracting the totals gave me the 7540# trailer weight. If I understand correctly that makes the hitch weight 1060#(7000-5940) I weighed the hitch using the bathscale and 4x4 method and got about the same number. I went through the E2 setup process for measuring. The unloaded height was 36", loaded with no WD- 37", with WD-36 5/8". The rear - 40", loaded & no WD-37 1/2", with WD-38" The trailer, once hooked up with the WD, has about 3 inch drop in front from the back(21" front, 24" back). Measured 23" front and back at start. So, the Camping World I bought the rig from installed the E2 and set it up, of course the truck and RV were empty. The WD system says its for 8000# RV and 800# hitch. Based on the hitch weight I have and the other measurables, I believe I have the wrong system. Shouldn't I have the 10,000#/1000# hitch? I know the air bags don't help with the weight distribution, I believe they just help to keep the back from sagging. Am I wrong? Is that going to cause problems? The trip home and then to the scales from home, the front end felt a little wimpy. That lead me to the conclusion the E2 isn't the right size. Thanks1KViews0likes1Comment
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