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Old 07-04-2011, 05:57 AM   #1
maximo
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Calif. - Grapevine - Inter State 5

Anyone have problems traveling over the Grapevine on Inter State 5 in Southern Calif. Long up hill and long down hill.

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Old 07-04-2011, 06:08 AM   #2
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No issues whatsoever!
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Old 07-04-2011, 06:11 AM   #3
drknapp
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I've been over it twice. No Problems.
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Old 07-04-2011, 06:23 AM   #4
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I've done it several times with success towing my trailer. You won't be burning up the road on the uphills and on the downhill don't forget to downshift and keep an eye on the RPMS, but if semis can do it, and your equipment is up to snuff (good brakes, good engine and trans, good trailer brake) then it is very do-able.

Sorry about the qualifiers, but northbound I-5 Grapevine right before the final descent was one of the places I had one of my Chinese-made tires blow up on me on the driver's side rear of a prior trailer we owned. With the onrush of traffic and trying to change a tire, it took over an hour dodging traffic as trucks and cars whizzed by.

The easy solution is DON'T have a problem! Fortunately, that was the only problem I've ever had on that stretch of road and I've done plenty of times since. You'll be fine.

Do you have an exhaust temp gauge on your addons? That would help a lot. I don't have one on my current truck, but when I had one on a prior truck used for my prior trailer, don't slam the accelerator or you'll get it up there. Take it easy and don't try and keep up with that BMW! You'll be passing the heavy semis slowly but not much faster.
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Old 07-04-2011, 07:38 AM   #5
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No problem, just take your time. We have been over it many times in both directions.
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Old 07-04-2011, 08:33 AM   #6
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I seem to think it is a easy climb going north on 5, so long as you dont get boged down from a slow poke in front of you, there are many flat spots that allow you to get the RPM's up again and pull it well.
I do think the south side coming out of Bakersfield is the long steady climb, just keep the rpm's up and the boost down, and listen to some slow music. I have been over and back at least 5 times with the 96 ford and twice with the new Ram.
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Old 07-04-2011, 10:31 AM   #7
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Frank,
You've gotten some good info regarding the Grapevine. Long uphills both directions vs downhills! I try to avoid that section of road anytime I can. We like to take the 58 in and out of the Valley anytime we can. It is a much easier climb and downhill. Plus it takes us around the heavy traffic in the LA area. Obviously we don't like to haul the rig in the metro area. But when it can't be avoided we do what we have to do. When you get in the Bakersfield area give us a call or drop a note. If you need info about the stuff in town we can give you directions to just about anything you might be interested in. Happy travels. Dennis
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Old 07-04-2011, 01:12 PM   #8
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Traveled it many times, some of them while towing.

Choose your lanes wisely (plan way ahead) and be careful of the huge speed differentials...you have everything from Franz in his BMW pretending he's on the Autobahn to slow semis doing 10-15 mph!
Pick a good speed and RPM for your particular rig going uphill and watch the downhill speeds. CHP are all over that area! Use your compression brake if you have it or choose a lower gear to help control downhill speed.
All pretty much common sense, but the other guys out there don't always use it so be careful!
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Old 07-04-2011, 08:10 PM   #9
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Frank, be careful, the right lane in many places is terrible!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 07-05-2011, 12:46 PM   #10
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No problem here, either, other than road condition. Have done that climb with both the Ram and the Ford.
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Old 07-05-2011, 04:18 PM   #11
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you won't have a problem, just drop a gear and take your time
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Old 07-06-2011, 06:04 PM   #12
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The hill is not a problem, just some of the drivers and VERY BAD potholes on the inside 2 lanes!
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Old 07-07-2011, 06:38 PM   #13
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Just drove it two days ago on the way north (currently near Klamath in the Redwoods of No. Cal.) and it was terrible! I guess they are getting ready to repave it so they went over it with the grinder to prep it. But the worst part is definitely the drivers!
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