dcrawdad29
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Re: Pulling Travel Trailer in Colorado with Tahoe
I had new brakes and rotors put on tow vehicle just before trip. I also had trailer brakes adjusted prior to trip. I used down shifting throughout the trip on declines. Tongue weight and payload was under the limit for tow vehicle. Also I used a weight distribution hitch. My wheel base was within range for tow vehicle dimensions. Happier now?869Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling Travel Trailer in Colorado with Tahoe
I finished the trip. I made base camps at Golden Gate Canyon State Park Campground (Reverend's Ridge...beautiful fyi) and KOA Colorado Springs. I give the 2008 Tahoe a "C" for the trip. It definitely had the power, but transmission temps were the enemy. In Colorado, the max temp I saw was 221 on 2 occasions but max time above 220 was 3-4 minutes all trip. I hit 221 at the top of the Golden Gate Canyon Road and once simply driving from Golden Gate Canyon State Park to Colorado Springs. I had to pull over past Denver to allow some cool down. Colorado was unseasonably warm this summer when we were there. Outside temps 95 degrees and above and if I got a series of inclines with not enough declines or flat runs in between, it would continue to rise with that amount of outside heat in the air. Coming across Kansas it was really hot too and if I ran the a/c, the temps would go above 210. I got to 216 before I realized that if I cut the a/c, then the transmission temps would range mostly between 198-205. So, we went without a/c for much of the trip. If outside temps were 85 degrees and below though, my trans temps improved even further (upper 180s and 190s). I did add an aux trans cooler and I cannot imagine having taken the trip without it. It was a must have. While I did take a day trip to Glenwood Springs, I did it without the trailer and I am happy I was not towing after I saw what Vail Pass was about. The most difficult part of the trip for me though was dealing with the wind in Kansas. I ran mostly 60-65 mph vs. the speed limit of 75 mph as a result.867Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling Travel Trailer in Colorado with Tahoe
I am considering not going to Glenwood Springs, it is a long drive to get out there for just that, although am sure we would love it. If I did RMNP for a couple days, whitewater rafting near Idaho Springs, Winter Park, and then down to Colorado Springs for Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, day trip to Royal Gorge, and ending at Sand Dunes, I think I could probably limit the number of times I would have to move my camper from site to site and the haul itself would be easier. Am I right? Thoughts? Really appreciate all the other advice.866Views0likes0CommentsRe: Pulling Travel Trailer in Colorado with Tahoe
Thanks for all the advice. How bad is the incline near Leadville? I need to ask the mechanic about the trans cooler. I was under impression that he was planning to install the trans cooler that would have come with vehicle had it come with the heavy duty trailering package. Not sure if that would be considered a supplemental cooler or not866Views0likes0CommentsPulling Travel Trailer in Colorado with Tahoe
Hi, I have an 08 (low miles) Tahoe, 3.73 rear axle, 5.3 L, V-8, 4-speed, tow capacity just over 7k, tow/haul mode, pulling a hybrid TT of dry weight 4,000 lbs with electric brakes, using weight distribution hitch and sway bar. Installing OEM trans cooler before the trip next June. Traveling from St. Louis, itinerary may be Rocky Mountain National Park (camping near Estes Park), then onto Glenwood Springs, then backtrack to Colorado Springs (probably through Denver), and finishing up at Sand Dunes Natl Park. I am asking for advice on roads to take/avoid and thoughts on how well my vehicle will do. I am most concerned about I70 West and then back again going through Vail Pass and Eisenhower Tunnel and should I stop short of that, drop the camper at a campsight, and go through Vail Pass onto Glenwood Springs without the camper? Any recs on campsights around that area if I camp before Vail Pass? Any other thoughts on other roads I may have difficulty on with my other locations?9KViews0likes23Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 06, 202544,025 Posts
