Need help - question on slopes on dirt road

okiedokie · Jan 13, 2023

Albertaflatbed said: ↑

Great point if that's an option...backing down sucks and usually ends poorly lol
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I know you're right hand. I too was a off road lowboy & logger.

uncleal13 · Jan 14, 2023

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.

Brandonpdx · Jan 20, 2023

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.

Dustycoyote · Jan 24, 2023

Albertaflatbed said: ↑

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.
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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.

Dustycoyote · Jan 24, 2023

loudtom said: ↑

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.
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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.

Dustycoyote · Jan 24, 2023

okiedokie said: ↑

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.
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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.

Dustycoyote · Jan 24, 2023

uncleal13 said: ↑

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.
Click to expand...

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

Albertaflatbed · Jan 24, 2023

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!

Dustycoyote · Jan 25, 2023

Albertaflatbed said: ↑

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!
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I will.

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

flatbedcarrier · Feb 23, 2023

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.

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