Towing a 24RLXL X-Lite With a Ram 1500: Best Months and Mountain Safety Tips

[fipntdot]

I once lived near Yellowstone.

On Memorial Day I went Prairie chicken hunting that morning. 4” of snow overnight. With the locals. They had the goats in the ground for the barbecue that afternoon.

I said what’s the deal here. Snow?

Their reply. There is no day of the year it hasn’t snowed here!

The goat was good.
,

I was hiking up in the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming on July 8th about 30 years back and had to walk 8 miles in a sudden snowstorm.

 

[TitanMike]

I was hiking up in the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming on July 8th about 30 years back and had to walk 8 miles in a sudden snowstorm.

This is a great example if why one hiking needs to be prepared for the worst weather possible in that area at all times.

Our local S&R teams regularly respond to rescue hikers who are stranded due to "unseasonable weather". Often found wearing t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops.

 

[fipntdot]

This is a great example if why one hiking needs to be prepared for the worst weather possible in that area at all times.

Our local S&R teams regularly respond to rescue hikers who are stranded due to "unseasonable weather". Often found wearing t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops.

Yes. Always good to be prepared. We had the proper gear and had been up in the back country fishing for several days. Still was surprising.

 

[tomkatb]

Tv rv is no big deal in the snow. You just have to be careful not to get caught driving in it.

It melts fast. Just delays you a bit. No worry.

 

[Jerry Gaudet]

Just to add, parts of northern Montana are calling for up to 8" of snow this weekend! Most of Southern Alberta is under a rainfall warning this weekend. The one weather broadcast I heard was snow expected above 6,000 meters (I assume he meant feet).

It snowed 2” in Truckee CA today.

 

[mysterygal]

We have a similar set up to what you have. Our truck has the HEMI V-8 engine. We have the tire package. There is a switch/button in the cab of the truck for towing. It’s great on mountains. Here in Rhode Island we don’t really use it. When we go to upstate New York or Maine we do.

Our trailer is a super lite model. It’s 23’ and do that’s about the same. From what I have learned (correct me if I’m incorrect) the super lite vs the regular is in the structure of the unit that makes them all season. I realize I have a heater and will use it in the winter when we retire. The diference is insulation. That’s what one dealer explained to me.

As far as added weight….. pack essentials and try not to over pack. Read up what the others have posted. There are great post on here. I sometimes get lost reading them. This isn’t like other places where you get slammed. People here really want to help make your experience more enjoyable. Learn from them.

Times of year for travel. I live in Rhode I Island now. I grew up in California. I have lived in Maryland, Washington, Georgia and Utah. What route do you plan to drive? I had a baby in Utah May 1st 1984 and there was a blizzard on that day. They get snow by Halloween. It is hotter in August and that might be a consideration.

We were going to drive it this year and decided not to since we wanted to visit with family for the whole vacation time. We also had in mind that we would have an extra built into the vacation budget of 1000 for anything the truck might need. In the end we bought plane tickets, a car rental and are staying with a sister. Plan your vacation well. I also had it in my budget a whole new truck just in case. You never know what might happen on the road.

 

[Aldoedav]

Just to add, parts of northern Montana are calling for up to 8" of snow this weekend! Most of Southern Alberta is under a rainfall warning this weekend. The one weather broadcast I heard was snow expected above 6,000 meters (I assume he meant feet).

I would love to be there! Hot and humid here

 

[Aldoedav]

We have a similar set up to what you have. Our truck has the HEMI V-8 engine. We have the tire package. There is a switch/button in the cab of the truck for towing. It’s great on mountains. Here in Rhode Island we don’t really use it. When we go to upstate New York or Maine we do.

Our trailer is a super lite model. It’s 23’ and do that’s about the same. From what I have learned (correct me if I’m incorrect) the super lite vs the regular is in the structure of the unit that makes them all season. I realize I have a heater and will use it in the winter when we retire. The diference is insulation. That’s what one dealer explained to me.

As far as added weight….. pack essentials and try not to over pack. Read up what the others have posted. There are great post on here. I sometimes get lost reading them. This isn’t like other places where you get slammed. People here really want to help make your experience more enjoyable. Learn from them.

Times of year for travel. I live in Rhode I Island now. I grew up in California. I have lived in Maryland, Washington, Georgia and Utah. What route do you plan to drive? I had a baby in Utah May 1st 1984 and there was a blizzard on that day. They get snow by Halloween. It is hotter in August and that might be a consideration.

We were going to drive it this year and decided not to since we wanted to visit with family for the whole vacation time. We also had in mind that we would have an extra built into the vacation budget of 1000 for anything the truck might need. In the end we bought plane tickets, a car rental and are staying with a sister. Plan your vacation well. I also had it in my budget a whole new truck just in case. You never know what might happen on the road.

Ours is an X-Lite. Speaking of insulation it is COLD in the winter. We take it from OH to SC at Thanksgiving, stopping in WV for the night. The furnace can't keep it warm. We are planning to take I40 from Ohio across to AZ. I-5 in CA. We will use interstates as much as possible.

 

[Aldoedav]

You still haven't told us what mountains you're planning to go through. Some western mountains are easy and some aren't.

If we take the tt we are planning to take I40 across to AZ. Up into UT and in to CO. Our trip is still in the early planning stage so the route is not locked in. In CA we will take I-5 from OR and WA. This is gonna be a big trip with lots of driving.

 

[Aldoedav]

We are planning a 3 week trip out west for next year. We are trying to decide if it's best to go May, June or September October because of heat/crowds. Thoughts? Also our biggest concern is pulling our FR 28VBXL through the mountains with our 2021 Ram 1500. We plan on having a transmission cooler installed. We are worried that the truck just isn't heavy enough to pull the trailer through the western grades. What are your thoughts, and please, no nasty comments. Thank you!

EDIT: TT IS 24RLXL X-LITE

 

[Aldoedav]

Less crowds in September, October. But snow is a real deal. Got to watch the weather like a hawk. We did it. Moab is really nice.

Saying you need a transmission cooler scares me. Your rv is sort of on the line as to properly set up half ton trucks. I bet not.

Since the rv is long and the tongue weight would be near #1000, it concerns me.

Back and forth to the lake 200 miles away, scary. Up the Ike. Might be exciting.

Our truck does not have a tow package. That is why we were going to add a transmission cooler. As a precaution before our trip west. We are planning to avoid the Rockies but can't avoid all mountains. It has a tow/haul button inside we use when going thru the Smokies.

 

[mysterygal]

What is the engine your half time has? Mine is a 5.7L HEMI v-8 1500. Not all half ton have the same engines. Just like my 23 super lite weighs less than an old 23 footer that isn’t a super lite. I’m sure you know this that’s why you are thinking of adding to your truck. Hope much does it cost to add to this truck? Is it cost efficient? World a different truck be better? I don’t know it situation I am just adding suggestions and trying to help. I have been the passenger on trips from the tip of Baja California through all except Alaska starting since I could remember. Dad always had a 3/4 ton v-8. It was a ford and that’s all I can tell you. He passed way a long time ago and so I can’t ask. He used it for his camper and then got a 1 ton when he started pulling his 5 wheel. He did a lot of the trips you are talking about and many more. As kids we would play games up on the top bunk of the camper. As we watched other trucks try to make it up the hills and mountains we pretended we were in a race. Dad wasn’t a speeder per se. he always won going up. There were a lot that overheated out just plain chugged so slow going up.

Hope some of this helps. In some ways it was easier when we pulled our tiny popup.

 

[jjscsix]

There is more we need to know about your tow rating and payload rating of your truck. Is it 4WD.

The tow rating encompasses things that go beyond a trans cooler. I think with your trailer even the basic truck should be fine, but it would still be good to know. 4WD in case you hit inclement weather.

 

[mysterygal]

4 wheel drive is a good question. Ours is 4 wheel drive. The truck part of ours is high end. (We bought used) they didn’t add things like backup cam.

Did you buy your truck new? Do you know all it has? If not listen to everyone they know what you might run into. I drive through from Vegas to Rhode Island with a stop in Salt Lake in a Camaro. We were in the Rockies in snow higher than the roof of the car. Down in the cities there wasn’t any snow. Prepare for anything. Bring winter gear for yourself too.

 

[tomkatb]

I suspect you may have a low payload vehicle, Also it may have car tires on it.

Adds up to a serious issue.

You need a picture of the payload sticker on the door frame.

Many folks do not realize that half ton trucks range from grocery getters to near 3/4 ton capacity work trucks. The work trucks are not real common. Kind of special order. Cost more.

 

[mysterygal]

Your questions made me look at our truck. I know my hubby said it was fine to pull the trailer and we will keep using it until we need a new one.

I checked it out. We have the class 4 reciever hitch, a 32 gallon gas tank,6 speed automatic transmission,5.7L v8 HEMI MDS VVT engine, 20”x8” aluminum wheels, P275/60R20 BSW all season tires, fog lights ( they work great), trailer tow with 4 pin connecting pin, 7 pin wiring harness.

I know what most of those are. I read the door sticker. I actually took a picture of it. I have one in the driveway of the truck and trailer.

 

[bikendan]

Our truck does not have a tow package. That is why we were going to add a transmission cooler. As a precaution before our trip west. We are planning to avoid the Rockies but can't avoid all mountains. It has a tow/haul button inside we use when going thru the Smokies.

What about the other parts of the factory tow package; brake controller, 7-pin connector, hitch receiver?
Did you get a WDH(weight distribution hitch)?
That's a big trailer for a truck without the factory tow package. My f150 3.5 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package has all that plus an oversized radiator, LT tires. I actually live out west and towed a trailer 4ft shorter than yours and that oversized radiator saved my bacon many times through the mountains.

Is this your first RV trailer? Because a Ram 1500 without the factory tow package is not a good choice for towing a 30ft travel trailer out west.

 

[Blackrock]

We are planning a 3 week trip out west for next year. We are trying to decide if it's best to go May, June or September October because of heat/crowds. Thoughts? Also our biggest concern is pulling our FR 28VBXL through the mountains with our 2021 Ram 1500. We plan on having a transmission cooler installed. We are worried that the truck just isn't heavy enough to pull the trailer through the western grades. What are your thoughts, and please, no nasty comments. Thank you!

Your truck has all the oil cooler capacity that you need. But without knowing exactly what your payload capacity is and what engine and cab configuration you have leaves a lot of questions.

 

[dangerranger]

I drive I 5 a lot. the mountains are not steep. Semi trucks do it all day every day. there are some long climbs but if you watch your speed it's nothing your truck can't do. Same way descending, watch your speed so that you are not riding the brakes and it will be a ride in the park. just drive at the speed that your truck will mostly hold its speed with the engine alone. with a gas engine it will wind up a little, but it is made for this. Good Luck DR

 

[HangDiver]

We are planning a 3 week trip out west for next year. We are trying to decide if it's best to go May, June or September October because of heat/crowds. Thoughts? Also our biggest concern is pulling our FR 28VBXL through the mountains with our 2021 Ram 1500. We plan on having a transmission cooler installed. We are worried that the truck just isn't heavy enough to pull the trailer through the western grades. What are your thoughts, and please, no nasty comments. Thank you!

Getting back to the OPs original question, May/June tend to have a little more wet weather in the west. That doesn't mean don't travel through here then, just check the forecast before you leave for the day. June may likely have more traffic (school is out) with vacationers. Conversely, September/October tend to be drier months in the Rockies. It can snow along the higher peaks almost any month of the year, but end of summer and early Fall the road surfaces tend to be warmer and melt off quickly. Bring a nice camera and a fly fishing rod. Cheers!