Let me first say that im sure my trucks up to the task, im just putting this out there for conversation and to get second opinions etc..
I have the ext cab 1500 5.3 ltr 4x4 Silverado with 73,000 on the clock, at 70,000 miles the tranny, diffs, and Syn oil were changed. Last summer i pulled the lower hose on the radiator and drained what was in there and refilled. My trucks got the trailer/haul button. I have a 12 foot open utility trailer (it s a single axle). I think only the HD Silverado's models came with a tranny cooler, although i could be wrong, i will have to have a closer look at my truck. With that said im planning on putting two motorcycles in the bed and two more motorcycles on the trailer (Each motorcycle weighing 430-460ish pounds each so roughly 2,000 lbs worth of bikes, The trailers probably 1,000-1,200 lbs itself another 250 ish lbs of gear, and 4 adult men ranging between 170-230lbs each. On flat Indiana land driving around with this load is nothing, i already know this, However im taking this crew over the smokey mountain's. Ive never hauled this kind of load over a mountain range before.
my rough math says im hauling 4050 lbs (roughly with passengers) I have every intention of using the tow haul button in the hilly areas, and of course in the mountains.. i dont think its realy necessary (or is it ?) on the flat lands ? I haul my Polaris Ranger around on this trailer and the tow button is only really needed when climbing long grades or hills (and the polaris is 1,200-1,700Lbs ish. I switch the button on when im start to nocice the tranny shifter or "working" Im wondering on the flat land untill i get in the mountains if its necessary at all ?
Ive hauled two bikes in the bed over those mountain ranges a dozen times without a hiccup, but this is a trailer and two more bikes so im wondering what some of the do's and dont's are ?
Should i consider pulling over on occasion and letting things cool off (while climbing)
What Psi should i run in the truck ? on the trailer ? etc..
anyways, who's hauled some loads over the mountains before, what advice can you offer ?
I think my trucks rated at 10,000 plus towing capacity but this is a 500 mile trip each way and 1/3 of its over mountain hilly roads.
I have the ext cab 1500 5.3 ltr 4x4 Silverado with 73,000 on the clock, at 70,000 miles the tranny, diffs, and Syn oil were changed. Last summer i pulled the lower hose on the radiator and drained what was in there and refilled. My trucks got the trailer/haul button. I have a 12 foot open utility trailer (it s a single axle). I think only the HD Silverado's models came with a tranny cooler, although i could be wrong, i will have to have a closer look at my truck. With that said im planning on putting two motorcycles in the bed and two more motorcycles on the trailer (Each motorcycle weighing 430-460ish pounds each so roughly 2,000 lbs worth of bikes, The trailers probably 1,000-1,200 lbs itself another 250 ish lbs of gear, and 4 adult men ranging between 170-230lbs each. On flat Indiana land driving around with this load is nothing, i already know this, However im taking this crew over the smokey mountain's. Ive never hauled this kind of load over a mountain range before.
my rough math says im hauling 4050 lbs (roughly with passengers) I have every intention of using the tow haul button in the hilly areas, and of course in the mountains.. i dont think its realy necessary (or is it ?) on the flat lands ? I haul my Polaris Ranger around on this trailer and the tow button is only really needed when climbing long grades or hills (and the polaris is 1,200-1,700Lbs ish. I switch the button on when im start to nocice the tranny shifter or "working" Im wondering on the flat land untill i get in the mountains if its necessary at all ?
Ive hauled two bikes in the bed over those mountain ranges a dozen times without a hiccup, but this is a trailer and two more bikes so im wondering what some of the do's and dont's are ?
Should i consider pulling over on occasion and letting things cool off (while climbing)
What Psi should i run in the truck ? on the trailer ? etc..
anyways, who's hauled some loads over the mountains before, what advice can you offer ?
I think my trucks rated at 10,000 plus towing capacity but this is a 500 mile trip each way and 1/3 of its over mountain hilly roads.
