I have a predicament, maybe. I am going to a friend's ranch this weekend and have to go down a fairly steep hill and then go right back up the other side. I am not sure if I will be able to do it with my 5er. I don't remember it being so steep that it was a definite no-go, but it may drag if I am not careful.
What is the best way to come at this? Would going down and up at an angle be best? Kind of like doing an S-turn as I am going down and up? My 5er is fairly tall but is 39' long, and has quite a bit of ground clearance so I should be able to make it if I approach it right. Any ideas? Maybe someone with a toyhauler going into one of those offroading areas can pipe in? The dimensions and ground clearance is similar to a lot of the longer Toyhaulers.
'06 Chevy CC/LB 4x4 3500 DRW Dmax/Alli a few go fast mods
'08 Pilgrim Legends 37QB4S-H5 full-timing ready!
JT Strongarms, 5th Airborne, few custom touches
Me (DH), DW, darling little boy and sweet little girl.
I have not had to traverse a deep ditch with a trailer as long as yours, but when I am offroad, whatever vehicle I am in, and I am confronted with a deep ditch to cross, crossing it at a diagonal angle, in low-low gear, feathering the brakes, after comming to a full stop at the crest, has usually worked best for me.
Really check it out. Getting a trailer hung up that long is a real mess. I've seen it happen several times here. Will usually tear the rear end up really bad if it's hung up. Most of the damage occurs when it is pulled out backwards by a wrecker. I have seen the whole back end pulled out. Also trying to back-up a steep hill on a dirt or gravel road can be impossible even in 4 wheel drive. Don't get yourself trapped.
Actually, angling may not be the best solution. I spend most of my time at un-improved sites in the mountains of West Virginia, and I've found that angling has a tendency to roll the TV or trailer to one side or the other, actually increasing the chances of smacking a bed rail. I usually (but not always) hit a steep grade head on, and yes, I have scraped the rear bumper a time or two. But most trailer frames are full length and incredibly strong, and if you don’t actually lift the wheels clear off the ground, you should have no issues. A little scrape on the rear bumper won’t hurt anything.
That being said, if there is a possibility that the angle is THAT steep, I would not even try it. Only you will know that at the time, but I’d get out and study it carefully before getting locked up in a gully. As someone said previously, your rig is likely to get torn all up if it has to be extracted from the scene.
Mark and Lucy T.
2004 Chevy 2500HD Gasser
2008 Jayco Eagle 27.5 Super Lite
Superglide on Homemade Removable Rails
Watched a Class A lift the drive wheels off the ground at a rise to a parking spot (paved) in White City, NM. Full size Bronco in 4 wheel drive pulled him back off it, but it wasn't a pretty sight. I think I would be very careful with taking my 5er across a narrow low spot, and always be thinking of how I was going to back out if necessary. I think I would hit it pretty square also as torqueing the frame and possibly smacking a bedrail on one side wouldn't be my choice. I feel I could keep a better eye on how much clearance I had if I were fairly close to square. Good luck.
Puller: '04 HD2500 4x4 SB,EC Duramax/Allison. Airaid intake, 4in. exhaust turbo back, ORU leveler.
Pullee: '02 Keystone Cougar 276EFS Reese 16k w/ slider.
(map is for current 5er only)
I would suggest making a bridge of sorts or blocking up ramps at the bottom to support the wheels as you go across the lowest part, that would help a lot with the dip. As mentioned above, a bunch of 2x6's will do the trick, just cut them to different lengths and make an upside down triangle.
Mat
'05 Dodge 3500 SRW 4x4 QC LB SLT- CTD 325HP/610TQ w/ 6 speed manual
'06 Coachmen SOA526RLS 28' 5th wheel Loaded PLUS
Bearing Buddies, Kingpin Stab., Slide Out Stab., Roof Vent & Tire Covers, 15K BTU ducted A/C+ 13.5K in BR, 100W Halogen back up lights
When going from tent camping to towing a pop-up trailer we had to give up some places we used to camp at. Roads too steep, driving across dry washes, dips, ruts, etc, etc. When we went to a MH there were more places we couldn't get into.
I've been stuck enough times, in jeeps, 6x6 trucks, 60ton tanks, etc, that I don't want to do it again.
Scout carefully and admit if you aren't sure you can make it.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
Offline
