long trip planned

D

Don Z

New member
Has anyone towed I80 through Truckee?? Will be leaving the Erie Canal approximately September 3rd enroute to San Francisco. Found a grade map showing 6000' drop in 50 miles leaving Truckee, California. As a flatlander from Florida, not sure what this means.

Towing a 22' C-Dory on tandem axle, 3600 lbs. Tow vehicle 2001 Dodge pickup, 5.9 lt. and tow package. I assume the grade leading up to California to be slight. Thank you. Don Z
 
Been over that road in my trucking career(that seems like it has no final end), you shouldn't have any problems as long as your cooling and brake systems are doimg a good job. just be prudent ,careful and you shoudl do fine. Have fun, good luck!
 
The Nevada side of the grade, which will be the incline for you heading west, is recently renovated and resurfaced and is really nice. The California side, from Donner Pass down to Auburn is narrower and rougher, as typical of our decaying infrastructure in this state. Just take it easy on the way down.
 
Don Z

I've towed my CD-22 and tandem axle trailer over that grade back and forth many times.

I now have a Dodge Durango with the same 5.9L engine and tow package and it should be as close to yours as well probably find here.

Just don't use overdrive on the way up to prevent overheating and keep it locked out on the way down to slow you down and you'll be fine.

I would advise you to check out the trailer brakes beforehand, though, as they are very important in keeping the overall speed down and especially necessary if you have to stop quickly.

I've got new disk brakes and with the transmission in 3rd, have to touch the brakes only for tighter curves on the downhill. Stop after 5-10 miles on the downhill and see how hot the brakes are getting. They'll be quite warm/hot, and that's to be expected, but if they're super hot or smoking, take a time out and cool the system down.

Good luck on you trip and keep us posted! Joe.
 
I 've made the Reno-Santa Cruz run many times, usually towing 5th wheel RV's weighing between 8-10,000 lbs. Far easier than the Grapevine Grade going north out of Los Angeles. Take your time, use engine braking as much as possible and remember that anywhere on California freeways you MUST stay in the right hand lane unless passing if ya have a trailer in tow. Towing 3500 lbs, even without trailer brakes wouldn't be a serious problem for that truck if it's a full size LT.

No, the grade out of Reno isn't "slight" but it'll be a piece of cake. :wink:
 
That area was home until 2002. The Nevada side is the step side. The California side drops more over all but takes longer to do so. Don’t go down 80 if you don’t have to (here comes the hate mail) take the grade from Reno to north shore then take either side of the lake. I like the west side. Highway 88 down to south shore. If you can make time launch in south shore and make the run to emerald bay and visit the Viking castle. Lots of fun and boat camping. From there take highway 50 down the hill to sac. and then the bay. a lot slower and don’t do it on a weekend if you can help it. You will not believe the views and scenery in the mountains.
 
Don Z

We towed the TomCat Cygnet both was over Donner Pass in the last two weeks. Attended the Delta/Bay Extravaganza with the C-Dogs. The road is OK typical western mountain freeways. The Nevada side is steeper and in better condition. The California side a more gentle grade with some rougher pavement. The TomCat and trailer weigh 7200 lbs and we have a Ford F450 diesel, not any problems with power or breaking.

Brent
 
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