Do I have the right rig to get this job DONE.

[john59]

DW wife and me are looking to next spring(late)/summer. Touring the high country.

8000 lb (loaded) 5th wheel. 5.3L Chev 1500 Z71 Xtended cab, 4 X 4 Off Road, 3.7 gears in the rear. My rig is close, but shy of Max weight by 800 lbs.

Our thoughts in SUMMARY FORM. Time is not a problem. If I have to go low, low up the big hills without screwing up traffic, I can do that.

Leave Central PA, get on I80 West. Heading for Denver CO.

Around Denver head North into Wyoming, thru Wyoming into Montana. Go East out of Montana into North Dakota, down into South Dakota, then back home. Again this is a summary and time is not my enemy.

The questions ????? Would you try it with my rig ?? If you have done it, where are my Nightmare areas.

Pobably everthing North of Denver ! ! !

john

 

[mnsprk]

Why not take I-70 to Denver and then work your way back on I-80 and points North? Last time we were out West (N.Dakota into Canada to Calif, Utah, Wyoming) we dropped down to Denver and took I-70 back to Ohio.. We did it with a 32' MH, 14,000 lbs (E-450) towing a Chev s-10 and didn't have any problems

 

[LarryJ]

DW wife and me are looking to next spring(late)/summer. Touring the high country.

8000 lb (loaded) 5th wheel. 5.3L Chev 1500 Z71 Xtended cab, 4 X 4 Off Road, 3.7 gears in the rear. My rig is close, but shy of Max weight by 800 lbs.

Our thoughts in SUMMARY FORM. Time is not a problem. If I have to go low, low up the big hills without screwing up traffic, I can do that.

Leave Central PA, get on I80 West. Heading for Denver CO.

Around Denver head North into Wyoming, thru Wyoming into Montana. Go East out of Montana into North Dakota, down into South Dakota, then back home. Again this is a summary and time is not my enemy.

The questions ????? Would you try it with my rig ?? If you have done it, where are my Nightmare areas.

Pobably everthing North of Denver ! ! !

john

Often what happens is that towing any 5er with a 1/2T is that you will run out of payload in the TV and you really don't want to go over either your tires or rear axle wt. so weighing it would be the first thing I would do. An 8K 5er pin wt. could be any where from 1200 to almost 2000 lbs and then you have to throw in the 150 to 200lbs for the hitch.

Your performance is really going to suffer in the high plains of Wy and I think around Laramine it's pushing 7K feet IIRC, but I've only done that with a diesel that doesn't suffer so much at elevation. Just how much I can't really tell you, but I'm not sure I would want to beat on that truck doing what you are planning to do.

As far as gotchas or nightmares IIRC the most challenging pull was on I-80 out of Ca into Nv over the Sierras, but another that I have never done is I70 and the Eisenhower tunnel climb. Outside of I94 and I70 I have towed on just about all of the other interstates in the lower 48 including the grapevine in Ca, I-68 over the Cumberland Mtns, I-15 out of Bakersfield into the LA area, I-10 and I-8 almost end to end and portions of the Adirondacks in NY and none of those really got my attention, but most I've done with my diesel Van.

Larry

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I just did MI to Denver area on I80 and then up into WY and MT and then back across I90 out of Bozeman. We have a TT that weighs about 9K with all our junk and some water. Long story short, you dont have enough truck. You will probably make it but it will be a huge strain on that 1/2 ton, I wouldnt want to buy it from you after.

Worst spot I thought was I90 from Bozeman until you get into the Dakota's.

 

[LarryJ]

I just did MI to Denver area on I80 and then up into WY and MT and then back across I90 out of Bozeman. We have a TT that weighs about 9K with all our junk and some water. Long story short, you dont have enough truck. You will probably make it but it will be a huge strain on that 1/2 ton, I wouldnt want to buy it from you after.

Worst spot I thought was I90 from Bozeman until you get into the Dakota's.

WOW that's telling if you did it with the Dmax in your sig. I'm about 1500lbs lighter, but probably gross about what you do since my Van weighs in at over 9K alone when towing.

Not grade or really road related but some of the cross winds in NV/UT in I-80 were interesting and I'm glad I had my hitch dialed in during those days and never drove very far each day. Another interesting stretch is from Williams, Az on the interstate down to Phoenix, but I wasn't towing at the time just getting my new exhaust system installed.

Based on my somewhat total WAG in my post and yours the OP has some things to think about here in doing what he wants.

Larry

 

[john59]

Got some good stuff from you guys. Lookin at I70 mnsprk.

I have weighed the 5r before trips and always come in around 7800/8000 loaded. Pin is 1175 (+ or - typical 50 lbs) 160 lbs hitch, variance (distribution) on the 4 axles is, low 3 %, high 7 %, never made 10 %, going around the horne.

On the 5r I put new Es---Came with Ds. Also, I changed the leafs from 3 leafs to 4 leafs---The 3s looked Mickey Mouse (Sorry Mickey).

Again, I have the time. There could be possible trip workarounds----Everything in life is a trade. You want this, you gotta give up that. The budget does not include a new F450 or even a good used Big F250.

I think planned out, we will see some goodies and maybe give up some goodies.

Give me more good/bad stuff, I can handle it.
john

 

[stacktester]

My 5'er weighs around 8k empty and I wouldn't pull it here in the flatlands as Scott calls it with a 1/2 ton. I'm not sure what load range you're tires are but I just feel if you had a blowout that trailer would own that truck. If this is the truck you've got to take I'd keep her at 65 or under. Just because you've got the capacity doesn't make it correct. Not trying to bust your chops John, just want you to be safe.

 

[Bearikens]

If you decide to take your rig and don't have a tranny cooler, then I recommend you get one. Cooling system in your TV top notch.

Nightmare areas: traffic north of Denver to Fort Collins on weekends - I-25 is largely rolling hills and flatland north of Denver, cell service good all the way to Cheyenne.
Wyoming - largely rolling hills and flatlands, don't assume all US highways are paved, cell service...what cell service?
Montana - no experience, cell service...what cell service?
North Dakota - no experience, cell service...what cell service?
South Dakota - Mt Rushmore/Rapid City are mountainous and will be difficult but rest of state is rolling hills and flatlands.

Denver altitude 5280. Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota altitudes (Interstate) are anywhere from 5000 to 7000 feet. No mountain passes to traverse.

Weather: thunderstorms, some severe and may very well be tornadic that time of year. High winds and hail also possible. Local Denver television provides coverage for northern Colorado and southern Wyoming (suggest 9news.com)

Acclimation to high altitude for people: drink lots of water at altitude - driving from low to high altitude should help your body adjust by the time you reach Denver area. Altitude sickness signs include headache and then light dizziness...drink water or gatorade and relax for a few minutes. Vehicle adjustments may be necessary if your injectors are not computer controlled.

Speed limits in these states are 75 mph on Interstates.

Hope this helps

 

[clkelley]

Just an FYI, when my dad was out there in his F-150 Triton, he got GREAT gas mileage when not towing. That truck LOVED the higher altitudes.

 

[john59]

stacktester/Bearikens: Putting E rated tires over the stock D (5r standard) raised weight towed from factory max, now plus additional 4000 lbs.---Don't have the book, but I believe it is 4K. I know it was a big jump. The tires are biased ply, not radials----had big problems with radials going out of round. Not overweight, poor quality on the radial Ds.

I do have a Tranny cooler.

Changing to 4 leafs from 3 leafs you pick up 300 lbs/tire. Adds 1200 more capacity lbs to the 5r. I thought the 5r would bounce by beefing up tires and leafs. It doesn't. It handles just fine and my worries have dropped, waiting for a blow out.

My sweet spot running is 58/60 mph. I was running 70/75 mph. Dropped down in speed and the mpg increased 20/25 %-----Time is free. Gas Costs, and costs. Picked that quote up on the Board. I was getting 8/9 at 70/75 mph, now up to 12/13 mpg at 58 mph.

Keep the goodies with badies coming. It really helps in my decision making.

Had the rig to FL from Central PA and back 3x in the last 11 months, running I95. No problems except those damn radials.
john

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I had an 1/2 ton Avalanche with the 5.3 and 4:10 gears and a Suburban with the 5.3 and 3:73 gears. Neither would pull my old trailer (6400# loaded) in OD, the Sub did the best in 3rd because it dropped the rpm's slightly more than the Avalanche and really kept the engine in the sweet spot running 60-65 mph.

We went from MI to Estes park (North of Denver) on I80 and then I76, avoid I76 since it is in bad shape, the smart money is going all the way on I80 till you hit I25 then go south. We dropped the boys at Denver airport after a week in Estes park and then went up I25 into Cheyenne and beyond. The wind on this leg of the trip was brutal and my mileage suffered, my reese dual cam was worth its weight in gold. I had never been to this part of the U.S. and was surprised by the lack of fuel options on the 2 lane highways, I almost got into a huge jam due to the piddly little 26 gal tank on my truck, out in the middle of nowhere and out of fuel is not a good feeling.
The terrain definitely changes and we ran some pretty big hills on the 2 lanes. Montana has some really long grades that will tax your cooling system, I think the weak link in the drivetrain is going to be the transmission, the 4l60E is not known for its ruggedness, at the very least have it serviced before the trip and have them put synthetic back in it, it wont replace all of its but syn is compatible with organic ATF and will increase the fluids tolerance to heat. I dont believe in "flushes" just a simple filter change and then refill with syn.
The issue of adding leaves to the suspension does not change the carrying capacity of the wheel bearings or the strength of the rear axles and gears, it came from the factory with syn gear oil so unless it needs maintenance it should be okay.
Some have had issues with the tranfer case running hot and the ATF in it vaporizing, I fill mine through the ABS sensor on the top and put in 3 qts instead of the 2 that filling by the plug in the side allows you, more fluid runs cooler and I always use synthetic ATF for this job.
PM me if you need instructions and I will be happy to talk you through it.

Scott

 

[LarryJ]

Hmmmm let's hope John is listening since so far nobody with any actual experience would recommend doing what he is thinking of and I just hope he's not looking for some way to rationalize what in the back of his mind he already knows it not a good idea and is looking for reasons to go against his gut feeling.

Larry

 

[jriae2000]

THAT IS A LOT OF WEIGHT BEHIND THAT LIGHT DUTY TRUCK, THAT WOULD BE A BIG TAIL WAGGING A LITTLE DOG IF YOU GOT IN TROUBLE. MAYBE I MISSED IT BUT DID YOU BEEF UP YOUR BRAKES?

 

[john59]

Down in Ocean City Maryland for a few days----Went to Assateague and picked up our Old Timers National Parks Pass for $10. RV (if offered) in a National Park, we get 1/2 price.

Larry is right about rationalizing. The objective is to get close. I am not leaving 6000ft to go to 14,000ft to RV. I will leave the 5r in the foothills and drive to 14,000 and get a motel.

Actually I may have a ceiling of 12,000ft with my lungs. Have to ask my family witch doctor. I know I am limited, scuba diving, 2 atmospheres (66ft salt water). I don't want to blow my lungs up at 12,000ft. No Fun.

We may wind up going TX, New Mexico, AZ up to CO.----Picking and choosing elevations. Maybe PA to British Columbia if easier (easier = safer). Maybe not BC, but you know what I mean.

Wheel bearings c/b an issue. I run syn in Tran with a Tran cooler. Rear air shocks. Racing rotors and pads (yes I want to stop).

I run TOW/HAUL using I95 to FL at 58/60 mph. MPG no different than using OD. Tow/Haul the tach stays just minus 2200 rpm. In OD the shifting is severe. 1600 rpms to 3000 + in a blink. MY truck says OW, why did you do that.
Keep it comin' and thanks,
John

 

[LarryJ]

Down in Ocean City Maryland for a few days----Went to Assateague and picked up our Old Timers National Parks Pass for $10. RV (if offered) in a National Park, we get 1/2 price.

Larry is right about rationalizing. The objective is to get close. I am not leaving 6000ft to go to 14,000ft to RV. I will leave the 5r in the foothills and drive to 14,000 and get a motel.

Actually I may have a ceiling of 12,000ft with my lungs. Have to ask my family witch doctor. I know I am limited, scuba diving, 2 atmospheres (66ft salt water). I don't want to blow my lungs up at 12,000ft. No Fun.

We may wind up going TX, New Mexico, AZ up to CO.----Picking and choosing elevations. Maybe PA to British Columbia if easier (easier = safer). Maybe not BC, but you know what I mean.

Wheel bearings c/b an issue. I run syn in Tran with a Tran cooler. Rear air shocks. Racing rotors and pads (yes I want to stop).

I run TOW/HAUL using I95 to FL at 58/60 mph. MPG no different than using OD. Tow/Haul the tach stays just minus 2200 rpm. In OD the shifting is severe. 1600 rpms to 3000 + in a blink. MY truck says OW, why did you do that.
Keep it comin' and thanks,
John

I'm glad you didn't take my somewhat pessimistic post the wrong way and was only trying to help. The real problem is not going from 6 to 14K ft. (about the highest is the pass on the Eisenhower tunnel that I think is about 11K), but the consistent 5K to 7K altitudes in the north parts of NM, AZ, UT,WY, and NV along with just the higher elevations in general in MT, CO and the at least SD combined with what you will obviously encounter in the grades along some portions of any of the highways our west in those states.

Larry

 

[john59]

To Larry----"I like somebody who calls it the way it is".

The easy route----'trouble only happens to the other guy'---UH-OH. The other guy, in this case, could be me.

A good case in point----I am going Bow hunting in a few weeks. A friend has 40 acres where the Whitetail Deer live (you can smell them, literally) in Sullivan County PA----2 choices taking the 5r. A two mile 18 degree grade (Red Rock Mountain), pulling 8000 lbs or driving about 45 minutes around encountering a short (1/2 to 3/4 mile) 5/6 degree pull.

I opt for the longer workaround----The same, If & WHEN we take a trip west and we would really like to accomplish this adventure. I am going to do a risk management, feasability study----Actually is really termed 'Murphy's Law'. . I'm Irish. Why can't it be Smith's Law.

The info I am gathering is just super. Keep it a comin'.
Thanks, john