Towing in WV

[KLedder]

So I've had the dodge now for about a year and never had anything heavier than my jeep and the carhauler behind it. Over July 4th I will be heading to WV with a 2 car goose and 2 jeeps. Trailer and jeeps should be about 12,000lbs. I have done no mods yet and I'm wondering, without gauges do I have to worry about EGTs in the hills of WV on a stock truck. Thanks



Kevin

 

[KennethS]

No problem in West Virginia if you drive and take it easy as you should. 79 in WV is a piese of cake. Do you have automatic or 6 speed?

 

[MLKramer]

If you get on any of the big hills just slow down,drop a gear, get the rpms up and don't torque it too hard and the EGT wont get too high. Lower rpms when you are making all that boost pulling is what will get you in trouble. Hope this helps.

 

[2broke2smoke]

no mods or gauges on a stock truck?

just drive and don't worry about ...

where are you heading in wv?

 

[MRosinski]

You wont have any problem. We used to pull a 40' gooseneck with 1 jeep[4100], 1 heavvvy *** landrover[6600lbs. ], and 3 honda 4wheelers[???]. Just keep your rpm's over 2000 on hills and you wont have any trouble. How long is the trailer?

 

[TowPro]

Sounds like your heading to Hatfield McCoy?

 

[KLedder]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. To answer some questions, I do have the 6 speed. The trailer is a 32 foot goose. We are headed to Fayetteville for the Mountaineer Offroad 4th of July event. Should be a great time. I usually like to keep it between 65 and 68 right around 2100 rpms. Seems like it is right on the edge of the power band when it reallys starts to boost. Also keeps my mpg's up about one or two miles. Should I back this off on the hills and hit 5th gear? Thanks for all the help.



Kevin

 

[TowPro]

Should I back this off on the hills and hit 5th gear? Thanks for all the help.



Kevin

Yes, if you hit a hill where you need to start pushing the pedel hard to keep up the speed, shift down into 5th. Its the lower RPM under large loads that cause the exhaust temps to rise.

 

[KLedder]

TowPro... thanks for the info. I'm not to worried, but I tow with a buch of Ford guys and I want to make sure they understand what they are missing when I pass them on the hills in WV while their trannies are overheating. Just kidding. More than anything, I just want to make sure we get there and back safely so we can enjoy a great weekend of wheelin' and white water rafting. Thanks again



Kevin

 

[Okie-Go]

I plan on leaving on the 13th and will be going through there on the way to Buffalo New York with a 47 Plymouth and a small road grader on a gooseneck trailer. I have pulled through there with my 01 before with no problems. This truck is stock and I do have the jake for the hills. If the truck seems like it is straining I'll just come down to 5th and keep going. I am kind of looking forward to seeing the falls as the locals call them up there. On the way home I'll have two tractors on the trailer bringing them home to Texas.

 

[KLedder]

It is definetly some beautiful area. You will definetly have more weight than I will. Good luck with you trip.



Kevin

 

[kelly4463]

I'm headed out on the 18th for Harpers Ferry WV towing a heavy 5er if it starts to get hot drop down a gear and let it roll :-laf good luck on your trip



kelly... .

 

[KLedder]

Nice... that should be a great ride. How heavy is the 5ver?



Kevin

 

[kelly4463]

It's 14,000 lb Cross Roads 5er going to do some camping and white water rafting Oo.

18th to 24th kick back and enjoy life :-laf :-laf

 

[War Nerve]

Kevin,



That truck should never come out of 6th gear on a highway hill. I just got back from haulin' 16k to Indiana. Straight across the "mountains" of PA. A steady 70 mph up 5 mile hill on I-80 in 6th. I know you're familiar with that climb on your way to Paragon. Never down shifted across the whole state. Keep your speed and revs in check and you'll be fine. Have fun.



Chuck

 

[KLedder]

Chuck, thanks for the heads up. Great to see some familiar faces on here. Every time I've done 5 mile hill so far I've actually had to back off as it kept accelorating. I've hit 80 coming up that hill and the truck didn't even want to slow down. I figure with the goose and the 2 jeeps, I'll probably be grossing around 21,000lbs. Can't wait to see what this truck can do.



Kevin