Towing in the Siskiyou's

[Montana_2130]

I will be towing my 5'ver through the Siskiyou's( Southern Oregon on I-5) this week on it's first long trip. Since Camping World/PacBrake have managed to completely screw up the installation of the E/B on my 2005 Dodge 1 ton, I will have to do without.What I need to know is how can I expect my Dodge automatic(w/3.73 rear end) and my 36' 5'ver to handle down the 6% grades through the mountains? My total GVW for everything is right about 20K. Any specific expierences on pulling a similar rig through southern Oregon would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[DHenry]

I pulled my 3670 through there last summer with my Chevy dura max and had no problems at all. Just use your lower gears and you should come down just fine.

[sreigle]

We towed through there last Spring and had no problem, either. But both DHenry and I have the transmissions with grade braking so it might be different for you. I think if you use the lower gears as he suggested you'll be fine. At the end of the trip you'll know whether you need an exhaust brake or not.

[Chester]

I pulled our 2750 through some 6-7% grades in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in June 03 with my 03 Ram with 48RE. I was surprised at how well the tranny handled this since is doesn't have the braking of the Ford and Chevy. I didn't have to use the brakes too often nor did I downshift but my unit wass probably 3000lbs lighter than yours.

[toolmanroy]

We live in southern Oregon and it should be no problem but check the ODOT weather cams in advance. We are not expecting any rain or snow through Christmas. They are doing work on the I-5 near Ashland and it is slowing things down a lot. It is always best to travel the passes this time of year during the middle of the day if you can plan it that way.

http://www.tripcheck.com/RoadCams/roadcams.htm

Click on the little camera for each location for both the report and current photo. You can even look at the pretty snow at Crater Lake. They have cameras for north and south views.

You can e-mail us privately if you need any information you think we can provide.

[Searchers]

I'm about 3000 lbs. lighter but have pulled that stretch without problems often with and without an exhaust brake or a grade braking transmission. Just take it easy and don't start down the grades in a gear any higher than the lowest gear you pulled it in.

As Roy and Nancy mentioned, you can e-mail us for more info or our phone number in case of problems on the way through.

[Montana_2130]

Thanks for all of the replies. It really helps. I have all of the DOT web sites and will be watching them before we leave. Also appreciate the offer of help Roy/Nancy and Don/Claudia. We traveled the same route going north last year pulling a boat when I-5 was closed down. Traveled 350 miles through Oregon and Washington in the snow at night. It was bad.

[toolmanroy]

We are used to traveling the passes around here and we have no problems. Looks like you are choosing a good time to travel right now, as we are having a dry spell with only the fog to deal with in the lower elevations. Have a safe trip.

[toolmanroy]

I hope at this point you are safely over the Siskiyous but if you have not left yet please be advised of a weather alert we just received that the day after Christmas and for several days after that we are due for a cold winter storm with snow and ice even possibly as low as our valley.

[exfuzz02]

Your first mistake was letting anyone at Camping world touch your truck !! Slow is good !!