Steepest Grade You'd Take Your Truck

[DougOhio]

I have located some downed trees on a property that has a pretty steep grade going down/getting back up. The length of the path/road is approx 300 ft. and im guessing the drop off is approx 30 to 40 ft since it was graded as a floodplain. So what are the limitations of these trucks taking hills -- especially while loaded with logs? I have the 5.3 with the 3.42 gears and would like some advice on how best to proceed. I dont want to tear up my truck. The surface is not paved but is "compacted trail" so it's considered primitive.

[jackl4]

What you describe has a 13.3% grade. Some of the steepest streets in San Francisco are between 27% and 31%. From a grade standpoint, I don't think your truck will have a problem. Traction will be the issue. Not knowing what the surface is, I can't help you there but say don't do it if it is muddy.

 

If the ground is nice and dry, I would put the truck in 4WD Low and walk it right up.

 

Make sure you take pics and let us know how it goes.

[bladz1454]

I agreee with above, 4low for the win. Should be fun, I'm jealous haha

[DougOhio]

Thank you gents for the advice! I will do my best to post the pics but i refuse to leave this old operating system on my iPad because it's stable...unfortunately that doesn't allow me to post to one of the photo storage services...so need to get this done at work somehow. Anyway...thanks again for the responses. Cmon over anytime with your chainsaw and splitter in tow!! We will take that hill by storm

[DougOhio]

Well...conquered the big bad grade today. It was more like 20% grade! The truck was placed in 4WD lo and it was stellar going down empty and coming back up the hill loaded with Yuletide logs. My neighbor took the hill first in the AWD electric Bad Boy Buggie and that thing was beast mode. So the Sierra followed and didn't let me down. This is what I got a truck to do. Not to do work like this every day -- that's more of a job for 2500HD -- just occasionally! And it's nice to know the truck can produce when called upon to perform. Sorry no pics. Will duplicate my adventure again soon and learn to post up with some eye candy. P.S. it seemed to take a while for the "4WD lo" to finally engage. It's not within a few seconds after flipping the dial/knob. That was a surprise to me.

[jackl4]

Congrats Doug. Sounds like a fun day.

 

I too was surprised how long it took to engage into LO. Guess that's how they work.

[smcgillis10]

I'd try just about any grade. 4low and hammer down! Took it up a steep snow cover two track they other day. Had to walk it side to side the whole way up.