campground is hilly! need braking and shifting advice

[TravisNuwa81]

So the campground we are going to is very hilly and curvy. Should I keep the intensity turned up on the trailer brakes and downshift going down the hills? I dont wanna burn up the brakes. Truck is a 2000 F250 5.4 auto tranny. Camper is a 1985 26' jayco fifth wheel.

[Skip426]

At , campground speeds, I always put trans in 1st.
If trailer brake gain was set properly for highway , it should not have to be re-adjusted for low speeds.
You do have the option of manual application of the trailer brakes.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by TravisNuwa81

So the campground we are going to is very hilly and curvy. Should I keep the intensity turned up on the trailer brakes and downshift going down the hills? I dont wanna burn up the brakes. Truck is a 2000 F250 5.4 auto tranny. Camper is a 1985 26' jayco fifth wheel.

Just how many miles do you expect you will be driving in that "very hilly and curvy" campground?
Most people only drive in a campground to their campsite once when they arrive, (and once again when they leave).
How many miles do you expect you will be driving in that "very hilly and curvy" campground?

[TravisNuwa81]

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

Just how many miles do you expect you will be driving in that "very hilly and curvy" campground?
Most people only drive in a campground to their campsite once when they arrive, (and once again when they leave).
How many miles do you expect you will be driving in that "very hilly and curvy" campground?

2 miles maybe. Its just about safety. Ive never pulled it to a campground before. But ill keep it in first and my finger by the brake controller

[RoadrunnerII]

Most Campgrounds have a very low speed limit to begin with
Just go slow until you get the feel of the trailer on the truck. Idling along and just watch out for the kids and the big kids too!
You are going camping There is no RUSH
Everyone else there is camping too.
Go slow so those of us already there can watch the rig come in and see what you did different from what we did
We like to pick up ideas too!

RRII

[TravisNuwa81]

Originally Posted by RoadrunnerII

Most Campgrounds have a very low speed limit to begin with
Just go slow until you get the feel of the trailer on the truck. Idling along and just watch out for the kids and the big kids too!
You are going camping There is no RUSH
Everyone else there is camping too.
Go slow so those of us already there can watch the rig come in and see what you did different from what we did
We like to pick up ideas too!

RRII

Im just worried uphill power wise. 5.4 is a wee bit underpowered. Lol

[RoadrunnerII]

Nah
You are in Low gear when rolling slow around the campground
It should have no issue creaping along

[TravisNuwa81]

Originally Posted by RoadrunnerII

Nah
You are in Low gear when rolling slow around the campground
It should have no issue creaping along

Cool. On a side note I think I found my next hitch! Reese slider. Picking it up used but in good shape for $100!

[Cumminsfan]

Most CG's are 5-10 mpg max. It's usually posted whe you 1st enter. Although some of the more primitive CG's don't post mph. For the most part you won't be able to go very fast anyway as there's always a tree or something making the drives narrow.

[TravisNuwa81]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Most CG's are 5-10 mpg max. It's usually posted whe you 1st enter. Although some of the more primitive CG's don't post mph. For the most part you won't be able to go very fast anyway as there's always a tree or something making the drives narrow.

Like I said, im not worried about the actual campground. Just off the main road into the campground its pretty hilly and curvy. Ill lose my momentum braking for the curve then throttle up to go up around the next. Then slow down for rhe downward curve then throttle up for the next upward hill. Itll be interesting. Haha

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by TravisNuwa81

Like I said, im not worried about the actual campground. Just off the main road into the campground its pretty hilly and curvy. Ill lose my momentum braking for the curve then throttle up to go up around the next. Then slow down for rhe downward curve then throttle up for the next upward hill. Itll be interesting. Haha

Can you actually throttle up with a 5.4

[Luckiest Dreamer]

It sounds to me that you need to learn your rig and it's limitations. That will come, or maybe I should say I hope it does. We just went through route 120 in Yosemite NP. It has miles and miles of 8% downgrade, unless you are going the other direction! If I expected the brakes to stop me on those mountains without the proper gearing, Etc, you would have been picking me out of a very deep hole(dead) Knowing your rig and outfitting it for the roads you expect to drive on is a must. The trailer brakes are needed! Making sure the tow vehicle has the right tranny, engine, undercarriage, and brakes is a must!

[TravisNuwa81]

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dreamer

It sounds to me that you need to learn your rig and it's limitations. That will come, or maybe I should say I hope it does. We just went through route 120 in Yosemite NP. It has miles and miles of 8% downgrade, unless you are going the other direction! If I expected the brakes to stop me on those mountains without the proper gearing, Etc, you would have been picking me out of a very deep hole(dead) Knowing your rig and outfitting it for the roads you expect to drive on is a must. The trailer brakes are needed! Making sure the tow vehicle has the right tranny, engine, undercarriage, and brakes is a must!

Chances are ill roll through without a problem. My buddy says im over thinking it because ive never done it. Most of you would look at this road and laugh but because all ive done is pull it home on a flat interstate it looks intimidating. Haha

[TravisNuwa81]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Can you actually throttle up with a 5.4

A little... haha already got my eyes peeled for the next truck. Lookin for a 99-03 super duty longbox crewcab v10/7.3