Jay and Patty - First of all, congratulations on getting your son through college. What a milestone.

That's great on the towing. I remember my first RV that I pulled with a Mitsubishi SUV. On a 5% grade, I'd be lucky to keep it at 35 mph..
Now you need to come out west and give Teton pass a run for it's money:



Jim

Totally agree. Passes at sea level are way different than at altitude. Thank goodness for diesels and turbochargers.

Turbocharges just level the playing field between sea level and elevation .

I pulled the bumper pull 23' through west Texas on I10 at the posted speed limit (I DO NOT SUGGEST DOING THIS NOR WILL I DO IT EVER AGAIN). The 06 LBZ did a great job at 5 under the posted with temps rising on the uphills and falling back on the downhills. At posted the temps would climb and fall, but they high on the climb kept getting warmer. At 235F I slowed down and she settled back down.

The 18 has pulled the bumper pull and both of the 5ers. So far we have been east to Pigeon Forge, TN and west to Estes Park, CO. Both had decent hills. I'm more afraid of the flat lands and cross winds personally. I can attest that the Turbo braking does work but you must set the cruise for it to do it's best.

I remember pulling my little 21G up some steep mountain passes in my Ford in southern Utah at about 70 mph. The engine oil temps hit 242...the big fan kicked on...I slowed down.

Jay HHI6818 congrats on getting a kid through college. Makes the trip that much sweeter.

Jlawles2 Posted speed limit along I10 in west Texas is 80. You were flying.

Yeah, I'll admit not the smartest thing. That old LBZ had over 150k on the clock and stock HP of 360 when new. The high winds (luckily inline with the roadway) were of more concern. I miss that little unit (not comfortable for between hunts) as it was super light and easy to tow.