1/2 ton pulling through mountains.... how bad is it?

cableguy_hd · Oct 20, 2016

I leave tomorow going to first camping trip in the hills. All my other adventures have only been to the coast which is flat and wide open. My inlaws have me scared ****less about the roads. Mostly 4 lane for at least the first hour but goes to 2 for a while. Going through the Blue Ridge mnts. I know about tow/haul and have the factory brake, 6000lbs empty have sway control and 10 ply rubbers. For those that have traveled through the mnts in a 1/2 ton how bad was it?? I know not every trip is the same but generally speaking is it going to be white knuckle?

tjfdesmo · Oct 20, 2016

If you drive at reasonable speeds, and drive/plan/scan ahead you will be fine.

Juvenator93 · Oct 20, 2016

my 2012 1500 with a 5" lift on 35s and 3.55s did just fine pulling about 6k through some mountain roads. Kept it in tow/haul and she moved along no sweat. New truck tugs a bit better

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sandawilliams · Oct 20, 2016

cableguy_hd said:
I leave tomorow going to first camping trip in the hills. All my other adventures have only been to the coast which is flat and wide open. My inlaws have me scared ****less about the roads. Mostly 4 lane for at least the first hour but goes to 2 for a while. Going through the Blue Ridge mnts. I know about tow/haul and have the factory brake, 6000lbs empty have sway control and 10 ply rubbers. For those that have traveled through the mnts in a 1/2 ton how bad was it?? I know not every trip is the same but generally speaking is it going to be white knuckle?

I had a 2009 1500 with the hemi. Trailer weighs 8000 (33') and carried the atv in the back, another 900. Traveled about 30000 miles mainly in Colorado. Nothing stopped me. Many mountain passes as high as 11000 feet. Finally outgrew it and bought my 2014 2500. Just a couple of tips. Tow/haul while pulling, coming down the mountain downshift to a lower gear to assist in slowing the rig down. When traveling two lane roads pull over and let traffic by when a line of cars start backing behind (courtesy), remember most trailer tires are only rated for 65mph.

reek · Oct 21, 2016

I don't have any experience with hills and mountains with my prior 5.7 1/2 ton, only 8000 lbs on flats, did just fine.

But I would imagine, if you're concerned about actual pulling power, the 5.7 should be fine. After all the 5.7 is used in the 2500 too with a greater towing rating but the 1500 weighs a lot less to begin with so I would think weight to power shouldn't be a major issue.

Csanders1992 · Oct 21, 2016

reek said:
I don't have any experience with hills and mountains with my prior 5.7 1/2 ton, only 8000 lbs on flats, did just fine.

But I would imagine, if you're concerned about actual pulling power, the 5.7 should be fine. After all the 5.7 is used in the 2500 too with a greater towing rating but the 1500 weighs a lot less to begin with so I would think weight to power shouldn't be a major issue.

I think he's more concerned about stopping

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

reek · Oct 21, 2016

Csanders1992 said:
I think he's more concerned about stopping

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yeah, that I have no comment on when we're talking mountains. But on flats, with trailer brakes, my 1500 didn't have trouble stopping 8000 lbs but the extra weight of my 2500 definitely helps keep from feeling like the trailer is pushing the truck around.

Cableguy, since you're leaving tomorrow, hopefully slow and steady gets you there safe. let us know how it went.

cableguy_hd · Oct 21, 2016

I was fine until people starting telling me how tight the roads are. I've traveled them but years ago. It's the only route to some towns and tractor trailers travel these roads so they must be some what safe. Stopping and or slowing down is a concern now. My bro n law has a F250 and pulled my other camper (6500 lbs empty) this route and said he thought I should be fine. I may turn up the brake controller on the way down.

theviking · Oct 21, 2016

I've been through the Blue Ridge towing 5-6k (car on open hauler+gear) with my old 2003. Wasn't an issue other than the RPM's on some of the bigger hills as the trans kept shifting down into 2nd to hold speed. Didn't have 10 ply or sway control either.

See you're in Danville. VIR was one of my favorite destinations

6.7CumminsDrvr · Oct 21, 2016

I used my 2010 to pull a GMC Envoy on a heavy utility trailer, combo was around 6500-7000 lbs. Had to go over Monteagle Pass and she pulled just fine. The Hemi gets a wee bit thirsty but power isn't an issue. I had the factory brake controller and it worked great.

2010 was a CC 4x4, 6 speed w/3.92's

Hopefully you've heard about Monteagle, it's a pretty decent pull.........

cableguy_hd · Oct 21, 2016

Made it fine. A little white knuckling but once I got to Lovers Leap I was fine. Temps got warmer then I'm used to seeing. Going back will be down hill.... that should be fun.

cableguy_hd · Oct 21, 2016

Damn it ***** still sideways

tjfdesmo · Oct 21, 2016

theviking said:
VIR was one of my favorite destinations

Probably my best track-day ever was at VIR! What a fun track.

dRAMbuie · Oct 21, 2016

cableguy_hd said:
I leave tomorow going to first camping trip in the hills. All my other adventures have only been to the coast which is flat and wide open. My inlaws have me scared ****less about the roads. Mostly 4 lane for at least the first hour but goes to 2 for a while. Going through the Blue Ridge mnts. I know about tow/haul and have the factory brake, 6000lbs empty have sway control and 10 ply rubbers. For those that have traveled through the mnts in a 1/2 ton how bad was it?? I know not every trip is the same but generally speaking is it going to be white knuckle?

No problem at all with 6,000lbs.
I've towed 7,000lbs through the Rockies quite a bit and been very happy with my truck's performance.
I do have 3:92's just for full disclosure.

I'd recommend manually downshifting on the very steep downhill runs. But I wouldn't sweat it too much.
Only thing to be cautious of is how much you load that trailer. 6,000lbs empty can turn into 8,000lbs++ pretty easily.

**Edit... just saw your trip is over already. Glad you made it back safely.

Ram444 · Oct 21, 2016

I've pulled the exact same load through those same mountains with a variety of 1/2 ton pickups. The key is to use a weight distribution hitch and the tow/haul as you've already mentioned. Don't be to alarmed to find out your mileage will drop well into the single digits.

Ram444 · Oct 21, 2016

cableguy_hd said:
Made it fine. A little white knuckling but once I got to Lovers Leap I was fine. Temps got warmer then I'm used to seeing. Going back will be down hill.... that should be fun.

Adjust your trailer brake to where the tires slide and then back them off a little. Manually downshift on the longer Hills. Going into a left hand corner stay on the outside edge of the road. Going into a right hand corner crowd the center line a bit.

reek · Oct 22, 2016

cableguy_hd said:
Made it fine. A little white knuckling but once I got to Lovers Leap I was fine. Temps got warmer then I'm used to seeing. Going back will be down hill.... that should be fun.

glad you made it ok. looking at your pic makes me want to dust off my trailer and play a little hookey from work for a week.

cableguy_hd · Oct 24, 2016

On the way back I saw a sign that said 9% grade 6 miles. So thats what I traveled that was so bad. coming down was not bad at all. Slowed down when I needed it to.

Yea for those that now about VIR its a very nice track. I sold all the vinyl siding and vinyl rails for this place when I was in the building supply biz.... this is ' The Lodge' at VIR

Bigbird · Oct 24, 2016

Rotated image for you cableguy_hd.

1/2 ton pulling through mountains.... how bad is it?

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

The Dude abides………

Senior Member

Attachments

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Attachments

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page