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07-10-2013, 11:34 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 703
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Mountain Passes
I need some advice and opinions, which I am sure there is no shortage of here. Been towing a trailer with my Ford Expedition for 4 years, been all over the country. Our new setup is a brand new 2013 Ford F-350 Diesel and to arrive any day now our new Sabre 32 RCTS. This will be my first 5’r. I had a PullRite 2900 installed on Monday, so just waiting on the rig. Here is my question. We want to spend August in Colorado. We live in Northern Arizona. We have been to Durango many times with our trailer but this time we want to head up to Gunnison and Montrose. Really no way to do South West Colorado without doing some passes. So, do you think I will be ok pulling up say, Wolf Creek pass at 10,850 ft. or Slumgullion Pass at 11.361 ft.? Really, do you think I will have any issues pulling up most passes? I am estimating the rig to weigh about 12,000 lbs but max GVWR is 13,774 lbs.
Thanks
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07-10-2013, 11:40 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 409
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Shouldn't have no problems at all except for some ear popping maybe. Have fun.
__________________
2005 Ram 5.9 AT SB QC (Retired)
2010 Ram 6.7 G56 QC CC Aluminum flat/Leveled (Sold)
2008 Nitro Z9 towed by a 2015 Sanibel 3601 towed by a 2013 Ram 3500 SRW CCSB Cummins
2006 EZ GO 6" lift
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07-10-2013, 11:50 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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You won't have any issues at all, as you have lots of truck.
Just take your time, and watch your speed going downhill.
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07-10-2013, 11:57 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,452
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You won't have any problems at all. Enjoy the trip and the view.
__________________
Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
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07-10-2013, 12:08 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 47
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Tow haul mode will be your friend.
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07-10-2013, 12:42 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Southeast Utah
Posts: 1,157
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I find using the "M" setting on your tranny is the best way to go down the grades that Southern Colorado will present to you.
Otherwise you will be fine.
And BTW have fun!! It is very beautiful down there!
Just returned from Taylor Park after a weeks long camping/ATV trip!!
Cottonwood pass at 12,126 ft is very winding and tight hairpins but still no problems. Enjoy
__________________
Shane & Antoinette
2012 Ford F-450 SuperDuty
2013 Crusader 355BHQ
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07-10-2013, 12:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,440
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See the king of the hill article, 3 trucks WOT all the way with 10k in the middle of summer. You have a capable truck enjoy
__________________
2012 Wildcat 344QB
06 LBZ ,CC 4x
lots of mods
Superglide
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07-10-2013, 12:48 PM
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#8
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Steve & Phyllis
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Simpsonville SC
Posts: 207
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In tow mode you slow down to speed you want and the engine will hold it steady. Catch is get slowed down before you start down a steep grade and it will not work as hard to slow down as you brake. I have gone down some very long windy steep hills with no issues.
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07-10-2013, 05:50 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 28
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My first trip over Wolf Creek (eastbound) going up, gave half trottle and let the truck find it's pace. No stressing the truck.
Going down, use 2nd gear. When it was too slow shifted to 3rd and later back to regular drive into South Fork.
For Slumgullion, the road was rough towards the summit and I slowed down and just eased to the top.
Going down to Lake City, I placed truck in first gear. Going down there is curve after curve with 15 to 25 mph speed advisorys. First gear held the speed very well. Very slight use of brakes, once in awhile.
I use Tow/Haul. At first didn't understand how it worked and manually selected gears.
Hope this is helpful!
Pat
Edit: My rig at that time weighed just under 19,000 lbs.
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07-10-2013, 06:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Broken Arrow, OK
Posts: 1,112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skipperW
Tow haul mode will be your friend.
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X2
__________________
2011 FORD F350 CREW CAB DUALLY DIESEL 4x2
2010 Salem LA 292FKDS
One of the Original 14 F.R.O.G.s
1st, 2nd, and 3rd INTERNATIONAL F.R.O.G. RALLY Branson. MO.
1st, 2nd, and 4th INTERNATIONAL RALLY Goshen, IN.
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07-16-2013, 10:29 AM
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#11
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daydreaming about camping
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KC area
Posts: 1,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Davidceder
I need some advice and opinions, which I am sure there is no shortage of here. Been towing a trailer with my Ford Expedition for 4 years, been all over the country. Our new setup is a brand new 2013 Ford F-350 Diesel and to arrive any day now our new Sabre 32 RCTS. This will be my first 5’r. I had a PullRite 2900 installed on Monday, so just waiting on the rig. Here is my question. We want to spend August in Colorado. We live in Northern Arizona. We have been to Durango many times with our trailer but this time we want to head up to Gunnison and Montrose. Really no way to do South West Colorado without doing some passes. So, do you think I will be ok pulling up say, Wolf Creek pass at 10,850 ft. or Slumgullion Pass at 11.361 ft.? Really, do you think I will have any issues pulling up most passes? I am estimating the rig to weigh about 12,000 lbs but max GVWR is 13,774 lbs.
Thanks
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Just got back from week in Colorado. We pulled it up and over Monarch on Highway 50 (which is on the Eastern side of the state) at around 11,200. No problem. You have tons of truck.
I am trying to recall which one is Wolf Creek? Is that on 550 north out of Durango, or is that one Bear Falls? Anyway - we went up and over that one (twice) and it is pretty tight. The truck could care less, but the passengers were a little jittery. The driver packed a change of undies just in case...
__________________
2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS pulled by a 2005 F250 King Ranch CC
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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