Travelling thru British Columbia

[Shadrach]

Question for those who either live in BC or drive thru it regularly. I will be driving from Edmonton to Vancouver Island this summer, towing my 28' TT. Total weight about 16k lbs. My question concerns the part of the trip from Kamloops to Hope. I know my truck has the power ( after all it does have the mighty CTD ) to pull the mountains, but I see 3 route choices.
1) the "old route" - Highway # 1 Kamloops to Cache Creek then down to Hope
2) Kamloops to Merritt via Highway # 5A then the "Coke" to Hope
3) Kamloops to Hope via Highway # 5 the "Coquihalla"
Is it worth the longer route to save fuel and not have so much strain on the vehicle? Would I really save that much fuel by not going "over" the mountain? i'm not in a rush but don't want to spend too much time in the truck. Happy family - Happy driver While I have driven this route before it was always in a car.

Your thoughts and comments please. Shad

 

[Terry Jay]

Tow to and from Alaska annually, and use the Coquihalla. Had an '07 5. 9 with a 10,000lb TT, no problems coming or going. We try to avoid the Fraser Canyon due to the "hell with prudence, we got to beat that trailer thingy to the merge lane". Take the high road.

 

[Slow Six]

Just go for it. I've towed quite a bit through B. C. often grossing 22,000 lbs. or better. Yes some of the passes are a bit of a pull but you are soon over them and going downhill. The Coquihalla has some long grades but they pull nice. There are some pretty good curves but no problem if you keep speed in check. You have an exhaust brake so no problem with that light load. As for working the engine or burning fuel some of the worst conditions I have towed in are on the prairies pushing strong winds that never give the engine a break. Don't worry so much, just enjoy the holiday.

 

[HBarlow]

I've pulled trailers destined for delivery into Canada across that route many times. I don't remember the grades being real significant. Lots of beautiful scenery is what stands out in my memory.