Need help - question on slopes on dirt road

I know you're right hand. I too was a off road lowboy & logger.

 

I pulled a 7,100 lbs travel trailer receiver ball hitch on gravel with an F150 up 18% for 1/4 mile then 13-15% on and off for 12 miles (coming back from Bella Coola, BC).
Initially had pickup in 2wd but quickly spun out. Put it into 4x4 and it was able to get going again.
Then after only the second switch back the I noticed the transmission temperature was getting hot. I put it into 4x4 low range and things cooled down after that.

You’d probably have better luck with a fifth wheel as the tow weight is over the truck drive axle vs my tow behind.

 

Yeah if the road is not well packed and there is loose gravel, it might get a little exciting. 15k behind you in a low speed, low traction situation is no joke. If it doesn't work without chains when totally dry I guess you'll get to back down the hill and know not to try that again.

 

This is the kind of experience I was looking for when posting here and this is definteily the kind of information I was hoping for. Thank you for the response. Makes me feel much better to hear that it is likely not a situation that I should be really worried about (but that I need to approach thoughtfully).

My truck is a 4x4. there is a flat area leading up to that steepest slope where I plan to stop and drop it into 4x4 low, then just creep up the hill. I wanted to make sure that the 20% slope wouldn't be a problem with bed weight and keeping the trailer weight in the front. It will be a nice smooth surface with no bumps etc. on the climb so I assumed that 20% wouldn't relieve too much weight off the pin, but it's really nice to hear confirmation from someone with experience.

Much appreciated.

 

Loudtom,
Thanks again for your help.
Would you be willing to let me know where your property is? Id like to look it up on Google Earth to see how your grades compare to what mine are. Would make me feel a lot more comfortable if I saw that you are already pulling trailers up similar type grades/roads. No worries if you don't want to share location.

 

thanks for the good idea. With the advice from AlbertaFlatBed i expect that I won't have any issues, but wouldn't be a bad idea to have my brother be at the top with his duramax just in case.
I had also planned to do a few runs on the road with a dump trailer first just to see if it gives me any issues. The nice thing about a dump trailer is that I can do it empty first (5k trailer weight) and then add weight till I get to the dump trailer max (14K). If the dump trailer seems to pull easy at full weight then I'll feel comfortable to give the fifth wheel a try.

 

thanks for the note. Makes me feel much more comfortable.

 

Your in good shape Dustycoyote, planning and being aware of your equipments capabilities important, sounds like you have that covered. After that it's just experience and there is only one to earn that lol.

Running the 20 degree grade with the dump trailer is a good plan, gets you the feel of the hill with some weight behind you.

You may find that going too slow at the bottom of that grade will cause you troubles further up it so have a decent - reasonable for conditions - speed when entering that slope, you will drop speed quickly but the momentum will help further up the grade.

I have no doubt you will find it's easier than you think, and will have fun getting up that hill. Part of the job I always love is doing what many wil not which led me to these types of roads as well as ice roads.

Heck I even hunt 60 miles in the bush down some nasty trails hauling quads and my RV in lol.

Cheers, let us know how you make out!

 

I will.

And, really, thanks again for the help. I feel much more more comfortable.

 

Hard to advise without seeing the road. You should drive it in a four wheel drive, not pulling a trailer, and then post a video of it for us to look at.