dforn83

Greetings - brand new to the forum. I have a 2018 3.5 ecoboost with max tow. Towing a 25 ft TT weighing between 6,500 and 7,000. I've driven over Fancy Gap on I-77 many times in a car, but never towed. It is about a 7 mile stretch with a grade that approaches 6-7% in some areas. A little concerned about the coming down part of it. Any experience or suggestions appreciated.

chimmike

tow/haul mode, power will not be an issue, at all.

i2oadi2unnei2

I personally would lock out at least 9 and 10 regardless of grade. But at 6-7 % I may lock out 8 too if road is curvy, YMMV and safe travels.

scootereh

X2 , did it with my 16 5.0 towing a 28ft keystone cougar and the engine braking in tow/haul worked nicely , only tapped the brakes occasionally on the downgrades. Plus i had to drive it in rainy windy weather in early march at about 3am

77Ranger460

Been up and down it many times with several different trucks and trailers. Going down is no big deal. Just make sure your trailer brakes are working and adjusted correctly and go only as fast as you are comfortable with. Don't ride the brakes. Let engine braking help you.

The only times the mountain isn't fun is in the fog and rain or high winds.

acdii

Going down, select a lower gear then when going up, so if you are locked out at 9, lock out 8. The truck will choose the gears when in tow/haul, so make sure you are using it. When braking, don't jab and release, that will only heat up the pads and rotors faster, and not allow the trailer to assist. If the limit is 55, start braking when you hit 60, slow, gentle pressure, and keep braking until under 55 before releasing. You want your trailer brakes to do the work, and less of the truck brakes, so make sure they are working properly and the gain is set correctly.

Flamingtaco

Make sure the trailer brakes are one gain below locking up and you'll be fine if you don't overload the trailer. Don't be afraid to let off the gas before you crest a peak and let the speed drop to 10-15mph below the speed limit before starting downhill grades. You are a tractor/trailer combo just like the big boys, you can drive like them.

pilotpip

In addition, the transmission will do a lot of downshifting when you apply brakes. Let it do it's thing.

NC F150

Seconded. Don't ride the brakes. If you need to slow, apply pressure then get off them so they can cool.

Whenever I Drive this stretch of interstate, I always see drivers riding their brakes all the way down. Not just trucks and trailers, mostly cars.

It amazes me that more don't burn up.

RubyRed Canadian

No issues. Tow/Haul in my 2016 Ecoboost, towing my 8200lbs travel trailer. The engine braking worked really well.