Need help - question on slopes on dirt road

Think about this. What will you have when the vehicle is smashed up because it did not make the hill or ?? Do not "test" the hill by trying it with you trailer. A semi may not be able to pull that hill either. May loose traction and not make it. Look for another place to camp.

 

Tons of YT videos, on the subject of what NOT to do.

From what I know, a dozer is usually what most use to pull heavy loads up steep grades. The guys who place mobile homes do it that way, up in the mountains. I don’t know of a more secure solution.

 

Sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen. I would guess that it is not gonna happen in a semi truck but that is a guess. I like what ducnut said about the dozer being used. Maybe can cut some new roads depending how the land is that would work better. Sounds expensive to me!

 

Just a guess, but I bet @OLDSKOOLERnWV has been on some sketchy “roads”

 

I've got property at over 11,000 feet, and as long as the roads are dry I haven't had a problem towing. I don't know the percentage of the grades, but they are pretty steep and a lot of switchbacks. The main concerns I have are how the trailer tracks around the corners, and the height of any trees hanging above the road. I've never lost traction going up or coming down with a 2.8 Duramax towing 7000 lbs. I just keep it slow and steady going up, and drop a gear and use the exhaust brake with some mild foot braking if needed on the steeper downgrades. If you're in an area with a lot of snow, I'd watch out for any corners or hills that get a lot of shade, since they might stay wet even into the summer.

 

I have extensive experience hauling heavy in off road conditions in the Canadian rockies, with everything from a 1 ton with 40' gooseneck to semis hauling underground mining equipment where 30 miles will take 6 hours with full chains on drives and steers required even when conditions are dry.

With a 1 ton duramax and that load you should have no issues whatsoever. The key is go slow and easy both going up and coming down. You obviously know your road so that helps as you know where the tough areas are going to be.

If you truck is 4x4, use it the entire trip up and down. It will make things much easier.

Select a gear that pulls well in your engine torque range, that holds you at a slow steady speed, and hold that gear and rpm up the hill. As the grades change you can adjust manually up or down to hold the desired speed keeping yourself in the torque band.

If you are really concerned, you could get tire chains for your trucks rear tires, but probably not really needed.

If you haven't already go up and down without the trailer, selecting gears manually and see what is a good match for your speed. Then with the trailer you will have a good idea of the gears to use.

Sounds like you will not have any issues regarding sharp turns so that's great.

Enjoy the camping, sounds like a fantastic location!

Again, slow and easy is the key.

 

A suggestion, have another power unit up hill from your truck & trailer. So if you do power out, loose traction you can get pulled up. Backing down is probably a bad idea. Not that I would know about that.

 

Great point if that's an option...backing down sucks and usually ends poorly lol