Pulling An Rv

[Big_Dave]

I have a 2500hd crew cab 4x4 with the 6.0 engine, 410 gear set. Loaded I'm just under17,000 lbs pulling my fifth wheel rv. I'm wanting to go and travel Colorado but am worried about pulling some of the long hills.

 

Has anyone else pulled the Colorado hills with a 6.0 and if you have what was your experience?

 

I'm not in a hurry but want to do it without killing my truck.

[Stevens03]

Add an extra transmission cooler, and watch your tranny temps, and you'll be fine. Wouldn't hurt to make sure the coolent in your trucks fresh and working optimum too.

 

Steven

[nbscanuck]

Yeah, a complete fluid change is always a good idea. Engine oil, tranny, gear oil, coolant, I even do transfer case and front diff. From past experience I change everything every 2 years, engine oil 4500 to 5000 miles on Mobil 1 synthetic.

[cvandegna]

+1 on fluid change and tranny cooler. The factory cooler is puny. Last summer I was dragging ours (about 8300#) with our 6.0 out in west TX in 110 degree heat. While it wasn't hills, I had a 20-30mph headwind. No bueno. Keep an eye on your gauges. A once over on your trailer wheel bearings and brakes would also be advised - if nothing else you'll have peace of mind.

 

I would definitely recommend synthetics too. I run Amsoil all the way around and am very pleased with it.

[BlackSilver]

Make sure you have fresh fluids, keep an eye on the tranny temp, and don't be in a hurry (you'll have to accept pulling some long grades at 30-35MPH) and you'll be fine. Small block V8's aren't 'ideal' for heavy towing, but if you accept your limitations your engine will be just fine.

[Big_Dave]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not planning on tackling the mountains anytime soon but would like to go maybe this fall.

[sack1]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not planning on tackling the mountains anytime soon but would like to go maybe this fall.

 

I tow a combined 5th wheel and truck of about 19,000# with my 8.1/Ally. On extreme hills just let the tranny kick down and let it multiply RW torque and take your time. Watch temps. On mine, the engine never wavers once warmed, no matter what I do but the Allison will get warm when given the whip. I use synthetics because I tow.

[steiny93]

i have a 6... pull a 5er that gets me into the 18k range gross combined weight, when I double tow i'm in the 23k gross combined range

 

i'm in the flat lands of ND and MN so hills are rare

when double towing the 6 is a pooch, engine breaking is nearly non existant, i wouldn't feel comfortable on any serious grades with that setup

 

when towing just the 5er the 6 is pretty decent, it will hold 75mph on the interstate and is ok in hills

engine temp never moves, tranny climbs to 200 then holds steady

 

for the money i'm very happy with the capabilities of the 6 liter; IMHO when you get into the upper teens combined gross being in the hills with a 6 would be sketchy

diesels are significantly better but they have their own negatives

[SWDoodle]

I only tow occassionally and it's usually heavy. Hauling cattle around in the spring/fall with a 24' aluminum stock trailer. GCVW is usually in the 18-23,000 range. It's flat in western KS so I can't comment on the Rocky Mountains. I can pull in OD if no headwind to about 18-20K. More than that and I usually need to leave in 3rd. Once there no problems other than gas mileage. If you are 17K GCVW you'll probably be allright, but bear in mind it will be hunting between 2nd and 3rd frequently. My temp guage usually never rises off 210, and tranny temps are rarely over 180. The 6.0 4L80E is a beast for a gas platform. My only complaints have been the poor mileage and the very high gearing for 1st. It's hard to get heavy loads moving. Once moving things get much easier.

[ATMINF]

What is the max weight for the 5th wheel in a gasser? I thought it was 16,000pds? I know with a WD hitch a bumper pull is around 10,000 pds.

[txdutt]

you won't set any speed records going up hill on the grades but neither does anyone else towing heavy...just realize there will some areas where you'll be revving up to 4k or more for a short period of time to get up the grade..if you can avoid I70 on the weekends during the summer, do it--it's pretty much a zoo from Denver to Vail

[terryk]

I pull 8000lbs (5th wheel) out here in California going up and down 8-9% grades with my 6.0 4.10.

 

1. Use 1st, 2nd and 4000 RPMs liberally. If necessary, use the cruise and roll on up.

 

2. I would get a larger trans cooler. I only see 210 on the trans in stop and go traffic. Otherwise 200 is about tops on the hottest days. There are a bazillion AM coolers out there. Pick one. I also installed a stacked plate power steering cooler but it's not absolutely necessary. I just helps quite it down when you are crawling at 35MPH in the twisties.

 

3. Get used to the sound of the fan. In fact, make sure it is working correctly.

 

4. On mine, at 60 MPG with Tow/Haul on, it won't drop into OD. I turn off T/H, let it drop into OD and then turn it back on. If it keeps down shifting, I leave it 3rd but on flat ground it will stay in OD.

 

Other than that, enjoy!

 

ps. Make sure the trailer brakes, bearings and tires are good.

[Patrick H]

I pull 8000lbs (5th wheel) out here in California going up and down 8-9% grades with my 6.0 4.10.

 

1. Use 1st, 2nd and 4000 RPMs liberally. If necessary, use the cruise and roll on up.

 

2. I would get a larger trans cooler. I only see 210 on the trans in stop and go traffic. Otherwise 200 is about tops on the hottest days. There are a bazillion AM coolers out there. Pick one. I also installed a stacked plate power steering cooler but it's not absolutely necessary. I just helps quite it down when you are crawling at 35MPH in the twisties.

 

3. Get used to the sound of the fan. In fact, make sure it is working correctly.

 

4. On mine, at 60 MPG with Tow/Haul on, it won't drop into OD. I turn off T/H, let it drop into OD and then turn it back on. If it keeps down shifting, I leave it 3rd but on flat ground it will stay in OD.

 

Other than that, enjoy!

 

ps. Make sure the trailer brakes, bearings and tires are good.

 

Did the plate style cooler for the P/S quiet the pump down? My pump gets pretty noisy when it gets hot towing. I've debated putting my factory trans. cooler for the P/S

[sack1]

I pull 8000lbs (5th wheel) out here in California going up and down 8-9% grades with my 6.0 4.10.

 

1. Use 1st, 2nd and 4000 RPMs liberally. If necessary, use the cruise and roll on up.

 

2. I would get a larger trans cooler. I only see 210 on the trans in stop and go traffic. Otherwise 200 is about tops on the hottest days. There are a bazillion AM coolers out there. Pick one. I also installed a stacked plate power steering cooler but it's not absolutely necessary. I just helps quite it down when you are crawling at 35MPH in the twisties.

 

3. Get used to the sound of the fan. In fact, make sure it is working correctly.

 

4. On mine, at 60 MPG with Tow/Haul on, it won't drop into OD. I turn off T/H, let it drop into OD and then turn it back on. If it keeps down shifting, I leave it 3rd but on flat ground it will stay in OD.

Other than that, enjoy!

 

ps. Make sure the trailer brakes, bearings and tires are good.

 

With my 8.1/Ally I find the same thing with OD. At 60 mph it will not go into OD while in tow/haul. I will either speed up to 62 mph or better and it will or as you do, leave tow/haul, allow the up shift and then put tranny in tow/haul again. On level ground OD while towing can give me another mile/gallon. OK, OK, but that's better than a 10% gain!

[[email protected]]

Hi Big Dave:

I've driven over a lot of the mountain roads in Colorado in sports cars. It is certainly beautiful country to see.

 

Looking at the replies - it would seem that it is possible to pull 17K lbs up hills {mountains} in Colorado with a 6.0 and 4.10's.

 

Just because it is possible - I'd really have to ask myself what kind of trip do I want to have. Do I really want to be struggling along at 30 mph while traffic backs up behind me? Do I really want to have a nervous eye glued to the temp. gauges the whole time? Will I be constantly worried about things giving out or breaking down 100 miles from a qualified service center?

 

If that trip was my goal - and I felt that I deserved to fully enjoy it - then I'd spend the time between now and this fall looking for a very low mileage, well cared for, used 2500HD Turbo Diesel. Or I'd take a much smaller and much lighter Pop-up Camper.

 

I think the whole idea is to enjoy the trip - don't let it turn into a joyless drudgery.

 

For What It's Worth...

Carl B.