Can i safely tow out west w/ current setup?

[willie1280]

Hey everyone!

So my current setup is a 2015 Silverado 1500 w/ the 5.3l and the max trailer package and E rated tires. We've been pulling our 5th wheel Arctic Wolf 265DBH8 around for almost 3 years now here in the relatively flat Wisconsin. The truck is rated to 10,700lbs and our camper is right around 9900 loaded up.

I've never driven out west to Colorado or any of those surrounding states so i have no idea what the terrain is like. I'm wondering if we would have any sort of struggles pulling our rig out that way? Were looking to extend our options out of state for week long trips this summer.

[DougW]

On the 4 lanes you should be fine, you just are not going to be going full speed up the mountains, and you don’t want to go full speed down them, keep it slow and comfortable. A lot of 2 lane roads will also be fine but there are some that could be a challenge because they are not only steep, they are also quite crooked. Plan your route according to what makes you feel confident and enjoy your trip.

[Justice12t]

So I had the similar 2015 GMC 1500 but with the 6.2L (max trailer and stuff) and the 5'er in my sig. I went over the big horns to Yellowstone and because of wildfires were force over the tail end of the mountain range outside of Jackson. That was 10% in both directions. I will be honest and say I don't know if I'd do that again with the same setup.

But, like said before route planning is key. On the steep passes if we had to stop every mile or so(Where there were pull-outs) to stay within safe ranges or let traffic by, we did. Good photo ops. We just took our time, paid attention to our equipment and made safe decisions.

There are a lot of cool things to see and places to go out there. Just know you'll have limitations and plan accordingly, plan the best routes and make the most out of it.

[bikendan]

Having owned a 5.3 Chevy, you'll struggle.
And you're possibly over the truck's payload capacity.

[Phil 179]

I wouldn't. Had a Chev 5.3 and a tt that was about 5k weight loaded. Live in Oregon. Cussed at it all the time and got rid of the 5.3. Went to 10k weight 5th wheel and 6.7 diesel Dodge 3500. Now have an R-pod but still have the Dodge. More than I need but loved the ability to go up and down the mountains, and know there is no strain on the tow vehicle, and don't plan on changing any time in the forseeable future.

[D W]

In the eastern part of Colorado you should do fine. In the western portion, your TV will be tasked, especially if you're running tall gears. If you venture into the high plains of Wyoming and the Dakotas you'll have to contend with the prevailing winds. Western Wyoming also has it's share of high altitudes as well.

[JimMorrell]

I've lived my entire life between Denver and the Pacific. Towed travel trailers since 1974.
I pull a 7600 lb TT with an F150, 5.0L 4WD and all the towing stuff. Personally, I think you'll have some problems over 6% grades and more, not to mention the down hill stretches, Looks to me like you are too close to the max weights, if not overloaded.

[SlowrideHD]

In 1972 I bought a little Ford Courier and bought the biggest cabover camper made for a compact pickup in California (called a "Tilting Hilton) ha. I camped all over the Sierra from Cal to Oregon in that truck. When I got out of the Navy in '75 I drove it back to the southeast pulling a uhaul with a 750 Honda in it. And that was in November and leaving from Eugene, Ore after visiting Navy friends. Snow was heavy across the rockies!

Point being is you can drive or tow about anything as long as you're careful, experienced, and take your time. No need for the weight police to chime in....it was a long time ago.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by JimMorrell

I've lived my entire life between Denver and the Pacific. Towed travel trailers since 1974.
I pull a 7600 lb TT with an F150, 5.0L 4WD and all the towing stuff. Personally, I think you'll have some problems over 6% grades and more, not to mention the down hill stretches, Looks to me like you are too close to the max weights, if not overloaded.

This^^^^^^
I've lived in the heart of the Colorado rockies almost all my life.... Honestly I believe there will be places that after you've made the descent down a long steep mountain pass you'll be glad not to have to do that ever again. It is beautiful country and I encourage you to make the trip with the right equipment, including a mountain bike & fly-rod!

Crested Butte

[beechjet16mf]

We pull an Flagstaff 27RLWS with a 2009 Suburban 1500, and have towed the trailer all the way up the ALCAN, through the mid-west, and Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, and of course, Montana and haven't had any problems with the tow. Sometimes we are down to 45 mph, but most of the time we are going 60 to 65, the fastest we go. The slowest trip was up the hill from Rapid City, SD to Hill City and that was 35 to 45, but, it is a long pull uphill. The Sub works well going down hill in the Tow-Haul mode

[Tundra 2014]

if you are going over any large mountain passes or high winds, you will not enjoy it. We switched to a F-350 from a Tundra mainly due to brakes after pulling 7600 TT thru Northern Alabama and Georgia from TX. Check your payload sticker, as others said you have to be right at the limit. Consider that when the MFGs. set these limits it is w/ pulling a low flatbed.

[Oneiron]

We live in Colorado. I can attest to the strain a vehicle takes on when ascending and descending the Continental Divide. Most passes are 4-6% and will cause you great stress without the right vehicle. We had a V-12 Suburban towing a hybrid and it was significantly stressful on the climb and descent, even with Tow/Haul engaged. If you plan on engaging any passes out here do yourself a big favor and get a diesel especially one with an exhaust brake. They are AWESOME!!!! You will never stress again, I promise you!

[McCormickJim]

I live in Colorado. I've pulled (TT) and driven (FR Georgetown) over 13,000 foot passes in Colorado and Idaho.

The issue you will have is you may be going up the mountains very slow. So what?

On 2-lane roads you will back up traffic. So What? It's not like the locals have neer seen a slow vehicle before. Don't let the traffic behind you intimidate you into going faster. Go slow to be safe. And enjoy the scenery.

Watch for signs that say, "Turn out lane ahead." If you have more than 2 vehicles behind you, use the turn out lane to let them by. This applies to both up and down hill.

LOOK at the turn out lane before you take it. Some are paved but many are not. The unpaved pullouts can have a pavement drop off getting onto them and severe washboard surface. It is OK (my opinion) to pass these by.

COLORADO STATUTE: Wherever special uphill traffic lanes or roadside turnouts are provided and posted, drivers of all vehicles proceeding at less than the normal and reasonable speed of traffic shall use such lanes or turnouts to allow other vehicles to pass or maintain normal traffic flow.

At 25 mph or slower, be sure you have your flashers on. This applies to both up and down hill. Why 25?

COLORADO STATUTE: Hazard light use is not permitted while driving except if the vehicle speed is 25 mph or less

Having not driven in the mountains, you should definitely learn to use your transmission as a brake BEFORE you head out here. Can you imagine what will happen if your brakes fail on a 20 mile, 10% down-hill?

Plan to go DOWN the mountains no faster than you went UP.

[mdstudey]

[QUOTE=McCormickJim;2254822]

COLORADO STATUTE: Wherever special uphill traffic lanes or roadside turnouts are provided and posted, drivers of all vehicles proceeding at less than the normal and reasonable speed of traffic shall use such lanes or turnouts to allow other vehicles to pass or maintain normal traffic flow.

At 25 mph or slower, be sure you have your flashers on. This applies to both up and down hill. Why 25?

COLORADO STATUTE: Hazard light use is not permitted while driving except if the vehicle speed is 25 mph or less

Texas needs this law. Turn signals down work while Hazard lights are on.

[Foothills]

l live in Montana, have towed in Utah, driven in Colorado. Lots of cautions expressed well to heed. Nobody mentioned the additional problem of engine overheating, a common symptom for the type of traveling contemplated.

[bikendan]

And remember, the OP is towing a 10,000lbs GVWR 5th wheel, with a 5.3 v-8 half ton.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by bikendan

And remember, the OP is towing a 10,000lbs GVWR 5th wheel, with a 5.3 v-8 half ton.

Yea, curious to know what the pin weight is and payload capacity on the truck.
Not trying to be the payload police but the OP didn't mention either one when asking if his setup was safe to tow.

[Chuckinca]

Been there, done that


Then bought a 3 yr lease return Ram 3500 Cummins and went back and forth from Norcal to Fla twice a year for 8 years in cruise with tow haul.


,

[REL]

Not sure if you can safely tow anywhere...You are most likely overloaded...1/2 ton with a 5er?

[campers302]

Originally Posted by willie1280

Hey everyone!

So my current setup is a 2015 Silverado 1500 w/ the 5.3l and the max trailer package and E rated tires. We've been pulling our 5th wheel Arctic Wolf 265DBH8 around for almost 3 years now here in the relatively flat Wisconsin. The truck is rated to 10,700lbs and our camper is right around 9900 loaded up.

I've never driven out west to Colorado or any of those surrounding states so i have no idea what the terrain is like. I'm wondering if we would have any sort of struggles pulling our rig out that way? Were looking to extend our options out of state for week long trips this summer.

As long as you are not trying to run with the pack and take time and watch rpms going up the hills and mountains you will be fine.



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