Towing in the Mountains

[willy1947]

I'm thinking about going on a trip to Colorado this year, to do some Jeeping. I'll be towing my 9-10K trailer behind my '04, HO, 6 speed, 3500, DRW. Can anyone give me any advice about towing in the mountains?



How should I brake? Slow and Easy? It short spurts? Hard and fast? lol What should I check/upgrade before I go out there?



I'm from the "Hilly" part of Indiana, and I have been to Colorado a couple of times. I was just wondering what not to do, so I don't get myself into trouble or destroy my brakes on my rig and trailer.



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Casey Balvert]

Two words. EXHAUST BRAKE

 

[stick]

Casey:

You said that wrong! EXHAUST BRAKE

 

[RustyJC]

Has anyone mentioned the secret to mountain towing??? EXHAUST BRAKE!!!



Rusty

 

[willy1947]

I knew that was coming:{ Guess I need to start saving my money for one of those. They are $800+, right?



Do they affect our warranty any?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[klenger]

I don't think anyone mentioned Exhaust Brake yet.



Buy it here.



My Colorado Pics Here

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by willy1947

Do they affect our warranty any?

In the case of the Jacobs e-brake, no. Mine carried a Mopar part number and was installed by the dealer before I took delivery of the truck. Therefore, the e-brake is actually covered by the truck's warranty.



Rusty

 

[boonsur]

I hate to ask, but what if you didn't use an exhaust brake? Is there any way to make it down alive, or guaranteed death? Sounds like this is a rare occasion (it'll be rare for me, too). Might be cheaper to replace the pads/fluid at the bottom . Is there a "best" technique?



Another question, does anybody make a synthetic brake fluid that wouldn't boil/degrade during extreme abuse like this?

 

[Okie-Go]

It can be done. I pulled a 30ft 5er up and down wolf creek pass with an auto. I went real slow and just kind of pumped the brakes when needed. I have not had the chance to go back with teh manual and exhaust brake yet.

 

[WBlackburn]

Man oh Man you flat landers are all alike. I live here on the western slope of Colorado and yes I have an EXHAUST BRAKE on my 01,,,,,BUUUUTTTTTT let me tell you what you need more,,



"GUTS"



Enjoy out state>

 

[willy1947]

Flatlander... . ?!?! hmm... . never been called that But compared to you guys out there, then I guess I am:{



I hope to add an exhuast brake, but I don't have the extra money right now. I guess a better question, per boonsur, is what is the "best technique". I've got the GUTS and some brains too. Maybe that will be enough to get through one week of travelingOo.



We all know what my next post will be... . what kind of exhaust brake, where to get it, warranty, etc... . I'll do some searches first though.



Thanks again!!



Dave

 

[GSatler]

IF U DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING THE ROCKIES ALL THE TIME U DON' NEED A EXHAUST BREAK. I GO UP & DOWN EVERY 2 YRS JUST TAKE IT EASY

 

[Glen]

I keep trying to justify an exhaust brake but cannot. I tow all over the Cascades and Rockies, including the steepest grades in Colorado. I run about 16,000 GCW. I use 3rd or 4th on the downgrade and occasionally tap the brakes. You don't need an exhaust brake if you are willing to descend at 25 or 30 MPH. I find that the diesel provides quite a bit of engine braking without an exhaust brake.



An exhaust brake is hard on the clutch. A clutch is designed to transmit power in one direction. It is a lot cheaper to replace brake pads than clutches.

 

[mschoenheider]

I agree, you don't NEED and exhaust brake. I tow two jeeps on my gooseneck regularly to Moab (trailer about 12k when loaded) I-70 mountains half the way. I have never had an exhaust brake. Make sure your trailer brakes are adjusted properly and take it easy and you will be fine. If exhaust brakes were free, I would use one, but I haven't managed to find an extra $800 sitting around yet.....

Mark

 

[Dean Upson]

My advice, as others have posted... ... . Exhaust Brake.



Dean

 

[Fireman Dave]

Dave,



Good trailer brakes adjusted properly go a long way toward keeping you from frying the truck brakes. I've towed in the mountains from time to time without any problems (and no exhaust brake).



Dave

 

[Mille4212]

Yeah all of the guys are right. It can be done without a exaust brake. Just think about one thing first though (Peace Of Mind) when you let that Exaust brake rip and the truck starts to slow down without smoke coming out of the front fenders. Now thats what I'm talking about.



EXAUST BRAKE=PEACE OF MIND

 

[10-G]

You will do ok without an exhaust brake. Take it easy and use that 6-speed combined with smooth braking. Make sure your tires and brakes are in top condition.



Use the brakes when you have to. Stay off of them when you don't need them. I have been behind folks coming down passes who ride their brakes all the way down. It smells real good.



If you were towing 14 or 15k I would be concerned.



You can probably find a route that stays on the Interstates that will put you close to where you need to be.





By the way there is nothing nuthin wrong with a flatlander







I got called a "DUDE" a lot when I was hanging out in Wyoming. Were they picking fun?

 

[WyoJim]

EXHAUST BRAKE - *****

An exhaust brake is like a crutch and you only need one if you don't know how to drive.



Don't ride the brakes. Start down the hill already slowed down and already in a lower gear, with your foot OFF the brake. When your speed gets up 10 MPH or so, slow right down like your are approaching a stop sign, then take your foot off the brake until you have to slow down again.



I don't know why I bothered to print this, because nobody listens anyway. I told a PA flatlander with a 30 foot class A how to come down off the Big Horn Mountain, and he didn't listen. Said he had to stop half way down and let his brakes cool off. Well he is coming to visit again this year and I'll see if he learned any thing.



I like to follow these dudes down off this mountain behind my house. You can watch their brake lights and tell if they know any thing. Its normal to find some one going around their rig with a fire extinguisher trying to figure where the smoke is coming from.

 

[sfritts]

2 years ago we did the Bad lands, Mount Rushmore, and Yellowstone trip with a 9,000 - 10,000 lbs. 5th wheel. We were going down the west side of Granite Pass on rt 14 and half way down we come on a maintanence truck painting the center lines at 10 mph and the EXHAUST BRAKE was a life saver 2 other trucks cooked their brakes and 1 had trailer brakes on fire by the time we got to the bottom and could pass the paint truck. $800. cheap when that happens to you. ILOVE MY EXHUAST BRAKE