Need advice please

[jadoca]

I'm looking for the wisdom, or lack of, in towing a 6500 lb. trailer, behind a 1/2 ton PU, from Sacramento to Seattle (up the 5) this time of the year. This combination is marginal at best. I'm not familiar with the elevations, durations of, and what they could bring, weather and all.



Regards,

 

[MAshley]

Do you have trailer brakes? What kind of trailer, flat bed with a car on it... . or a tall pull behind RV? stock or some lifted 4x4 truck? tires and brakes on the trailer and truck in good shape?



Honestly you have 1 pass Siscues "or how ever you spell it" never driven a pickup truck accross, only 18 wheelers but its not like its the grapevine. Anyways as long as your not crazy with the Go pedal I think you should be ok. Assuming the trailer is loaded corectly and your not stupid when driving.

 

[jadoca]

Thank you, I appreciate it.



Regards,

 

[Joe G.]

There are also some pretty good pulls between Grants Pass and Roseburg.

 

[RJOL]

If your truck is rated to pull that weight, you should be alright. You need a good hitch, and trailer brakes.



The highest elevation you should see is in the Mount Shasta / Weed, Calf. area (3500'+-). You need to watch the weather reports, as this can get nasty when it snows. From there the elevation drops down to about 1500' in the Ashland / Medford / Grants Pass, Oregon areas, but it is hilly. Once you get out of Grants Pass and into the Willamette Valley, the level drops to about 300' or lower and you should have pretty smooth sailing all the way to Seattle, as long as there isn't any surface snow / ice. I've made this trip many times and it should be very scenic... as long as the weather cooperates...

 

[Cal Brewin]

This past July, I used my '04 Dodge 1500 w/4. 7L v8, tow package, equal-i-zer hitch, prodigy brake controller to tow my 6500 lb + travel trailer over the Siskyous? to the Medford area. I could pass the Semi's, but they were traveling 25 mph, I was going around 30-35 mph. It can be done, but is frustrating. After we got to our destination in Eagle Point, OR, My Wife says "when we get home, you are getting a new truck" Oo. ... . I told her I knew exactly what I wanted. End of July 2006 purchased the truck in my sig and gallery.



p. s. Carry chains!! I have them for my truck and trailer.

 

[jelag]

Jadoca



We drive this road 2 times a month from Portland to LA for the past 10 years.....



I suggest that you only pull a trailer that has good trailer brakes and you understand how to use them..... and how to use them with the hand lever... .



I suggest that you take it easy in the mountains and when the sign says all trucks take this turn at 45 mph you do just that... .



You go down the hills at a very conservative speed... and that if the ""tire chains required"" sign is out... you find a nice spot and wait it out... . 6 to 15 hours... . or listen to the trucks... . winds in the mountains can cause ice to form on wet roads that can catch you with your pants down... . and a trailer loose behind you can be a real problem... .



Oregon has been lax in the last few years in keeping up with the snow removal and chemical treatment to prevent ice... . this year hasn't been bad so far... .



Hope this helps... .

 

[Grizzly]

Remember, if you have a standard transmission, go down the hill in same gear you went up the hill. You can do the same with an auto. I second jelag, "Words of Wisdom", about good trailer brakes and everything else he said.