sholland96

I am planning a camping trip in late July from SF Bay area to Zion and back possibly through Death Valley via 160/190 to 395. I'll be towing an 18' trailer (~5000lbs loaded with full water tank).

I've been researching and see there are some fairly steep grades on the East end of DV on 190 going towards Lone Pine, CA - ~7-8% grades! I am thinking of just entering DV from the East, then exiting again on the North hwy (267) via Scotty's Castle, but I can't find any good advice about that route.

I'm a little worried about overheating, but I'm hoping there may be some others on the forum that have done this route. We won't be staying overnight in DV, but just stopping in Las Vegas, then in Mammoth.

Watt-maker

Just watch your temps. Engine and trans. Back out of the throttle if you see a drastic increase. Towing in high heat they will already be a little higher. I would use premium fuel too. Don't be afraid to put the hammer down. I don't see you having any condensation issues.

jcain

I towed this summer on stock tune and tuned, 110* with 8200lbs up and down mountains here in Vegas to Arizona, no issues

sholland96

Awesome feedback, thanks! What was the worst grade?

I've driven the I-5 passes in Northern California with the trailer and not seen any problems, albeit with much lower outside air temps, and fairly short grades.

The worst I've seen is an 11% grade, for a short run into a campsite near here... The trans temps shot up to 228deg F! But they dropped again really quickly, so the fans were doing their job...

sholland96

FWIW, here's a plot of the elevation following hwy 190 from Death Valley junction to Lone Pine... There are a couple of really long hills, probably at 120 degrees ambient. I think I'll go around another route :-).

Wanted33

I did it in a rented Dodge w'1300 miles on the odo in July. Yea I know, it was a Dodge. It was damn hot, 121 in Death Valley Junction. We went in from I guess you would call the S.E. left Las Vegas to go there. All was well until the climb out (which may be the route you posted), that's when the car began to run hot. I slowed down, which helped enough to get to the top of the grade. Enjoy the trip, Death Valley is quite unique.

sholland96

Were you towing anything, or just the truck?

Wanted33

It wasn't even a truck, it was a crappy Intrepid. Sorry I didn't mention that.

It was a couple of years back. Maybe more, I'm retired and time has a way of messing with your head.

NorCal-09

IMO, you will be just fine, with your nice new truck and that trailer!

I have driven and towed a lot (TT and boat) over the years in that region and up and over all those big grades on US 395...Conway Summit is the highest at 8,143 feet... and with older equipment and older cooling and coolant technology.

With that EB and the 6 spd. trans and tow/haul mode, you will breeze over the passes, even on the hottest day.

The altitude will not affect you with the EB, and the new technology cooling systems in these new trucks will keep you out of the red, just about anywhere you go in the state, and anytime of the year.

These days are long gone...

eastern sierras

I've got a place in Lone Pine. I've been done to DV alot and there are some long grades. I never pulled a trailer with my Ford, but have with my old Silverado. It's a tough pull. Enjoy the trip and bring a fishing pole.