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Woodtrimmer → New RVillagers Group: December 7, 2019Hello
I'm new to the towable rv world and seeking experienced advice from folks with mountain travel trailer towing on back roads with significant inclines.
This advice is appreciated and respected,but also to educate me as to which style TT I should inv... moreHello
I'm new to the towable rv world and seeking experienced advice from folks with mountain travel trailer towing on back roads with significant inclines.
This advice is appreciated and respected,but also to educate me as to which style TT I should invest in,to be suited for these conditions.
Thank you!
SouthParkSteve December 7, 2019Well.....I'm no expert by any means (I just bought my first TT 6 years ago.....), but I live at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level, 3 miles outside of a town of 180 people, and 2 miles from the nearest paved road in the Central Rockies of Colorado, so alm... moreWell.....I'm no expert by any means (I just bought my first TT 6 years ago.....), but I live at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level, 3 miles outside of a town of 180 people, and 2 miles from the nearest paved road in the Central Rockies of Colorado, so almost ALL of my towing is in conditions like you describe......
Probably THE #1 piece of advice is to make sure you don't buy beyond the capacity of the vehicle you will be using to tow. Just because a truck is rated to tow 10,000 pounds does NOT mean you should buy a 10,000 pound TT. My truck can tow 9500 pounds, but my TT only weighs about 5000 pounds fully loaded, and I don't think I would go much higher than about 6500 pounds with my current truck for mountain driving.
Pulling a TT uphill can cause your truck to overheat, it can be tough on the transmission if you push too hard, etc., but the REAL danger of mountain driving are the downgrades. If your truck starts overheating as you pull up a hill, you can always pull over and let it cool down. If your brakes overheat as you are going downhill, there's not much you can do other than hang on and try to enjoy the ride. Whenever you crest a hill, it is critical that you DOWNSHIFT, and use a much lower gear to go down the hill--do NOT ride the brakes. Overheated brakes lose effectiveness, and in a worst case scenario can catch fire. If you use a low gear, you can pump the brakes occasionally to help with speed, and I will actually use the trailer brake controller rather than the truck brakes on long enough hills. If your trailer brakes fade it will not be great, but you still have the truck brakes. If the truck brakes fade, you could be in real trouble.
What TYPE of TT to buy is purely subjective, but if you want to drive a lot of back roads, you might consider one with higher ground clearance. You also might want to consider one with a stronger off-road rated chassis. There are several out there, but in my searches (I also want as close to a 4 season RV as possible for my next TT), I have been impressed with what I have seen from Arctic Fox and Nash (Northwood Mfg). However, I have also heard that Lance makes a pretty capable TT, and I think other companies like Outdoors RV are making some along those lines as well.
Anyhow.....just my 2 cents from a amateur...... less
WoodtrimmerDecember 7, 2019Steve thanx for your input and suggestions. I am familiar with mountain driving and pulling trailers,but have considerations of accessing my land in the Sangre de Christo mountains @ 9000ft.
I do understand weight and ratings,plus con... moreSteve thanx for your input and suggestions. I am familiar with mountain driving and pulling trailers,but have considerations of accessing my land in the Sangre de Christo mountains @ 9000ft.
I do understand weight and ratings,plus contents and water add to the overall weight.
My main concern is ground clearance and center of gravity on the axles. Most half ton towable trailers have the axles positioned close to the center of the trailer to reduce tongue weight,but the pivot factor probably affect a tail end droop on inclines and this is what I'm concerned with the most.
My land access has a graded and gravel road,but at the intersection is a 90 degree turn plus the grade increases a lot,so the stall factor will come into play.
I have a 1 ton van with 5.9 l v8 plus a 4:10 positrack rear end,but feel like that stall making the turn will begin the obstacle.
Concerned the tailend of the trailer may pivot on the incline plus the gravel with cause me to loose traction.
Ultimately I feel a "pulling post" will need to be installed on my land and a HD winch added to the front to the van to pull both of us up the grade,til I get level enough to regain traction.
Appreciate your hearing out my explanation and your response of your experiences is greatly appreciated.
WoodtrimmerDecember 8, 2019
Duly noted..but this one distance of maybe 50yds doesnt warrant 4wd for me when i live in flat prairie land 600 miles away from my property.
My main concern is the travel trailer clearance and axle position to benefit the grade conditions.
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