Any tips for towing in the mountains?

[ECappleman]

I live in the Texas flat lands.

I am pulling a 29ft, 7k travel trailer from Houston to Ouray, Colorado area.

Any tips for power and lower EGTs? I wiil be doing this with my 03 model.



Also any tips on driving the 4x4 trails with a diesel? Been over these trails several times with my old gasser.



Thanks.

 

[Berrigan]

With that light trailer you may be able to pull the grades in higher gears. That and your juice box can raise egts fast. Down shifting even if you dont need to on a grade will lower egts a lot. Otherwise just cautious and carfull driving in the mountains, keep your speed in check, expect the unexpected, and the only driver on the road you should trust is one named ECappleman. Bill

 

[moparguy]

I'll second Bill's comments, also make sure all brakes are in good shape. Not worth it to install a exhaust brake for one trip, but I sure like mine when in that part of the world.



Also, if you're traveling on Sundays, be sure and keep your fuel tank topped up, or carry a couple of 5 gal. containers of fuel, I've almost got into trouble in small towns out that way, gasoline = no problem, but the small stations carrying diesel would be closed on Sunday.



Good luck, and enjoy.



RR

 

[ECappleman]

Thanks for the replies.



What about off-road in the high elevation? Just chug along as normal?

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I've taken my 03 on many a Jeep trail. You don't have anything to worry about, other than your length. Some of those turns are awful sharp for a truck.

 

[Grizzly]

Drive slow. Go down a hill at the same speed, and the same gear, as you went up the hill. Make sure you have a good brake controller. I won't go into what brand, but much has been discussed on them here.

 

[GerryDrake]

Couple of points

One, assuming you are intending to go up from Durango to Silverton, over Red Mountain Pass and drop down into Ouray, you are going to be introduced to some very considerable inclines, both up and down. We did it with our 95 PS auto and a 7500 # 30' trailer, but we really smoked the brakes. With the big disk brakes on the '03, front and rear, you should be okay, but don't be above stopping partway down to let them cool. As you get closer down to Ouray there are some curves where you really will want to be able to go slow. If you go to Amazon and search (mountain directory west) you will find an invaluable book for something under $10 that lists all the passes with their inclines, lengths, etc. ... An invaluable tool when traveling those areas.



As for off roading with the diesel. . bear in mind that the front end is a WHOLE lot heavier than on the gasser you used before, and creeping close to that edge or charging through that muddy area can be a lot more treacherous...



I must say that road and a couple in the area (Slumgullion Pass and Springmeadow Pass) are absolutely beautiful. . Have fun, but don't get squirrely. .

 

[BDanner]

Same speed and gear up as down!

Drive slow. Go down a hill at the same speed, and the same gear, as you went up the hill. Make sure you have a good brake controller. I won't go into what brand, but much has been discussed on them here.

Grizzly said it best!



Going up the mountain is the easy part. Going down is tougher. Smart advice.

 

[The Adjuster]

Another thing if you go up and over on the weekend ... every person and their dog wants to see the mountains on their weekend sightseeing trip, those roads are not the widest but for some reason they like to park where there is no room to park and always seems to be just after a tight bend ... and decide to jump out and take each others photos and whatnot, while not a problem for a car to get around them most times ... you being in a truck with TT it is a lil different story.



I cleaned up an elderly couple's buick a few years ago, they had stopped to look at a ram ... a dead one at that!!!, left the car doors open and all, I had nowhere to go, had a 40ft wedge with 2 suburbans on it, had it all locked up as best I could and still pushed the buick 50 yrds along the guardrail ... and they called me a maniac!!! ... sheeesh ... the boys in blue had some choice words for them, and a nice lil peice of paper . . LOL



Have fun and take care ... post some pics when you get back ... that is Gods country up there this time of year ... simply awesome



Kevin

 

[PKnoerzer]

Ouray in '04

Ouray was one of the first places I headed when I got my truck. My trailer was lighter, but I barely noticed it behind me. Turbo lag is noticeable at altitude.



Left the trailer in Salida and drove to Ouray via Lake City and Engineer pass. Also did Ophir pas and Imogene. Chickened out from trying Black Bear pass and two weeks later read about a couple that died when their Jeep tumbled off of it.



I love the mountains!

#ad


#ad




Like was posted above - the front of these trucks are heavy and an empty pickup can be skitterish in the rear. Be careful and have fun!

 

[WBlackburn]

Lived here in Co. my entire life. Rule of thumb, "come down the hill in the same gear you can pull up the hill in. "



Exception to this rule is if you have an E-brake/

 

[NIsaacs]

Not trying to ruffle any feathers, however the rule on the gear selection, of being the same up as down, is an old one. The power has doubled and tripled over the years, makes going up a lot easier, going down has not changed much. Road condition plays a big part. Up and down on a 6 percent freeway v/s an old two lane, crooked 6 percent road, has obvious differences.





"NICK"

 

[WBlackburn]

No feathers ruffled NIsaacs!!! A little advise to the flat lander about the same gear up and down the hill, may very well keep him in the comfort and safety zone while traveling here in our beutiful state. . Your right this is old advise. Take a look at my profile. Old advise may be somewhat outdate, but not BAD.

 

[klenger]

On the other hand, exhaust brakes allow one to desend in a higher gear than older vehicles.

 

[Berrigan]

You know the hot brake issue is one I forgot to mention. One time I was in a half ton with a camper on it pulling a sand rail. I was going down a dirt road doing 20 mph max. I was dropping down about a 10% grade thinking nothing of it until I smelled the brakes. I then wanted to stop and put the truck in 4 low for better engine braking, but it was too late. The harder I pushed on the pedal made no difference. I was s---in my pants and only going 15 mph. Everything turned out ok but turn that story in to 50 mph and it could be life or death. Previous posters are correct, dont let your brakes get hot to start with. Which means on a down grade that you havnt driven before let the engine and e brake hold your speed in check so the service brakes will be cool and ready for an emergency stop. Bill

 

[ECappleman]

Left the trailer in Salida and drove to Ouray via Lake City and Engineer pass. Also did Ophir pas and Imogene. Chickened out from trying Black Bear pass and two weeks later read about a couple that died when their Jeep tumbled off of it.

Been to Ouray about a dozen times, this is the first time with a Cummins and a travel trailer. (Always tent camped)

I have done all those trails plus quite a few more. Did you know Black Bear is one way now, from Telluride?



I am planning on camping on the Silverton side of Red Mountian Pass. There is a N. F. campground right on the river. (cant remember the name) Besides, most of the trails start before you get to Ouray. (except Yankee Boy Basin)



Thanks for the tips guys.

One last question though. This is my first long range trip with the trailer (except Big Bend N. P. ), what is the best (eaisest) way to get re-fueled?

Go to a truck stop for diesel, with the trailer, or just try to find a gas station with plenty of room. Never been to a true truck stop way out on the highway, so don't know what to expect.



Thanks.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Your not going to find many "true truck stops" that far off the Interstate. However, most of the towns in that part of the state have gas stations that seem to have been built with people who tow trailers in mind. I don't think you should have much to worry about.

 

[ECappleman]

A little over half the way, I will be on Interstate/major highways. From Houston, up to about Albuquerque, New Mexico.