Mountain Towing
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 18
From: Randolph County NC
Just throwing this out there, I travel from central N.C. to Sieverville, Tn a couple of times per year. I have given up on I-40, it is rough and winds around so much it is not an enjoyable tow. I take Hwy 52 in Winston-Salem to I-77 and then I-81. The route is about 25 miles longer but you make better time and the scenery is very nice. To me it is much more tow friendly than dodging big rigs in the mountains.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 84
We are planing a trip through the mountains to N.C. this spring. The tv is a '16 f 250 with a 6.2 gasser and 4:30 axle The trailer weighs around #9300 loaded.
Any tips from your experience? Have towed through WI. and southern OH. but that is as close to hill country as we have been with the camper.
Thanks.
Any tips from your experience? Have towed through WI. and southern OH. but that is as close to hill country as we have been with the camper.
Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 491
From: NC
Just throwing this out there, I travel from central N.C. to Sieverville, Tn a couple of times per year. I have given up on I-40, it is rough and winds around so much it is not an enjoyable tow. I take Hwy 52 in Winston-Salem to I-77 and then I-81. The route is about 25 miles longer but you make better time and the scenery is very nice. To me it is much more tow friendly than dodging big rigs in the mountains.
I-40 can be rough in Haywood County, I too have used US 52 to I-77 to I-81, I-81 is very heavy with trucks around Wytheville, VA but gets better once I-77 branches off to WV.
I have been tempted to go I-40 to I-26 to Johnson City, TN and then hop on I-81 just to go a different way.
Elder User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 551
Likes: 4
I-40 can be rough in Haywood County, I too have used US 52 to I-77 to I-81, I-81 is very heavy with trucks around Wytheville, VA but gets better once I-77 branches off to WV.
I have been tempted to go I-40 to I-26 to Johnson City, TN and then hop on I-81 just to go a different way.
I have been tempted to go I-40 to I-26 to Johnson City, TN and then hop on I-81 just to go a different way.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
The F250 should handle that drive and weight just fine. I manually lock out gears all the time depending on the situation. It's a good way to keep in the proper RPM range and control speed. I've found that I'm most comfortable gradually slowing down as I go up the mountain, that way when I crest the top and start coming down the other side I have more room to play with speed. It's great advise to take it slower. The advice about pulsing the brakes was very good. If traffic is heavy I just slip in behind a semi & slowly make my way up and down. I find all the constant braking people do to stressful and as mentioned above smoking brakes don't smell good.
The faster you go the uglier things can get and towing a trailer they get uglier faster.
The faster you go the uglier things can get and towing a trailer they get uglier faster.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 105
From: Casper, Wyoming
Great information guys. I just ordered an F250 with the 6.2 and 4.30 rear end and I have been told it is a great combination for towing out here in the rocky mountains if you are not interested in a diesel. I am learning some good things about this truck I will hopefully be taking delivery on in about 6 weeks!
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