Heading to Spokane with a trailer. Advice?

[spike98]

I've never pulled a big trailer through the pass and I know there are some steep grades. Will I have an issue or is there a safer route to take. Pulling a TT with a Ram 1500. Probably 6000lbs loaded. Towning on the Ram is 10500lbs.

We are heading down to medicine hat first so I'm thinking the #3 all the way through creston and crossing the boarder via the 6 in nelway.

Specifically we are going to Ione, WA. About 85 mi north of Spokane.

Thanks!

[ExtraSlow]

Well, Highway three to Nelway is the route for sure. The big hills are really between cranbrook and Nelway.
Biggest thing on the hills is to just take it easy. Don't be scared to slow down, and let the truck find it's "happy place". No need to race to the top. And for sure don't race down the other side.

Do the trailer brakes work and have you adjusted your Trailer Brake Controller while the trailer is loaded?

[spike98]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Well, Highway three to Nelway is the route for sure. The big hills are really between cranbrook and Nelway.
Biggest thing on the hills is to just take it easy. Don't be scared to slow down, and let the truck find it's "happy place". No need to race to the top. And for sure don't race down the other side.

Do the trailer brakes work and have you adjusted your Trailer Brake Controller while the trailer is loaded?

Trailer is only a season old and the breaks work real well. I have the OEM controller in the Ram that i have adjusted to what i think it perfect. Im just worried about overheating (truck going up, breaks going down).

[ExtraSlow]

Won't overheat it, take it easy on the grades, use gears on the way down, not just brakes.

[SOAB]

if your truck has a tow/haul setting, it might also help you downshift to lower gears and the engine braking will help you maintain your speed on the way down a hill so that you don't overheat your brakes.

[spike98]

Originally posted by SOAB
if your truck has a tow/haul setting, it might also help you downshift to lower gears and the engine braking will help you maintain your speed on the way down a hill so that you don't overheat your brakes.

It certainly does. I am no stranger to hauling heavy loads but my experience has been limited to flatter lands haha. I just wanted to make sure i was taking the best route.

Some key points i have gathered are:

- Correctly set up trailer breaks
- Take my time (up and down)
- Use engine breaking to my advantage by utilizing manual gear selection when possible.

[TurboMedic]

I just did that drive basically (except I went down through eastport) with a 5500lb trailer pulled by my ecodiesel jeep grand cherokee, and there was no issues whatsoever, pulled like a champ...You'll be just fine. One of my friends pulled a 7500lb trailer with his Ram and found 4000rpm up the hills to be his sweet spot. I'd be more concerned about proper set up of anti sway and WD bars than the hills!

[spike98]

Originally posted by TurboMedic
I just did that drive basically (except I went down through eastport) with a 5500lb trailer pulled by my ecodiesel jeep grand cherokee, and there was no issues whatsoever, pulled like a champ...You'll be just fine. One of my friends pulled a 7500lb trailer with his Ram and found 4000rpm up the hills to be his sweet spot. I'd be more concerned about proper set up of anti sway and WD bars than the hills!

I should definitely be good to go then! Thanks

[jonnycat]

Your toughest hill will probably be through Lethbridge coming out of the river bottom to the top of the westside hill. Get your speed up a bit and you should be able to keep it at 90 by the top, if you keep it buried. I am actually curious about what you will do. Hitting the hill at 105km/h i can keep my Titan above 90 by the top towing 8000lbs, in 3rd gear screaming at 4-5000RPM's.



_

[ExtraSlow]

Or just relax and let the truck slow down as you climb the hill. That sounds smarter to me.

[spike98]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Or just relax and let the truck slow down as you climb the hill. That sounds smarter to me.

This is my plan.

I'm not in a hurry at all. If i putter up the hill at 80km/hr safely and controlled then its a success. Its a family vacation, relax-mode starts after we pull out of the driveway.

[HiTempguy1]

My main concern would be wind. I've seen plenty of trucks and trailers blown over around that area, even had a road crew blocking the road and first telling people to take it slow before allowing them to pass.

Like others have said, you'll be fine otherwise... Except for the gas bill with the hemi

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by spike98
I've never pulled a big trailer through the pass and I know there are some steep grades. Will I have an issue or is there a safer route to take. Pulling a TT with a Ram 1500. Probably 6000lbs loaded. Towning on the Ram is 10500lbs.

We are heading down to medicine hat first so I'm thinking the #3 all the way through creston and crossing the boarder via the 6 in nelway.

Specifically we are going to Ione, WA. About 85 mi north of Spokane.

Thanks!

*edit*...misread the OP. Thought your trailer was 10,500.
That 10,500 towing capacity is quite misleading. Dealers will always tell you "Oh yeah, you'll be able to pull this trailer".
The most important figure to keep in mind is what the GVCWR is for your vehicle. Even if your trailer is under the "towing capacity"...you need to know the combined weight.

And sorry...but since going through what we went through...I'm a little "anal" about towing and weights now!

[spike98]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


*edit*...misread the OP. Thought your trailer was 10,500.
That 10,500 towing capacity is quite misleading. Dealers will always tell you "Oh yeah, you'll be able to pull this trailer".
The most important figure to keep in mind is what the GVCWR is for your vehicle. Even if your trailer is under the "towing capacity"...you need to know the combined weight.

And sorry...but since going through what we went through...I'm a little "anal" about towing and weights now!

Which is why i picked a trailer that is a little over half its rated tow. The RV guy tried to tell me that id be ok with a 9000lb DRY trailer. I laughed and walked off the lot.

[jonnycat]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Or just relax and let the truck slow down as you climb the hill. That sounds smarter to me.

Yeah being the guy going 50kms in a 100km zone is super safe for everyone.

[Cos]

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[ExtraSlow]

Yep, going 50 up a hill IS safer than overdriving your vehicles capabilities.

[Cos]

.

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, but OP was talking about a Ram. . . .

[rob the knob]

Originally posted by Cos


happens all the time on hills, throw on the hazards and fall in line with all the other people/semi's doing 50-60. If you're not paying attention in a car for a heavy vehicle you're not being safe.

wow.

this is worse than driving slow in the left lane.


it is good way to get you and your family killed by either mechanical crash or someone hitting you because you are doing about half of speed limit.

left lane block happen all the time. does not make it right.

how about you stay home instead of drive unsafe past your vehicle limits!

i am surprise people here recommend unsafe driving like this.