That depends on your definition of reasonable...

If you were bound and determined to do it, I'd have suggested Little Panoche rd, and then on through to the 25. It's longer, and slower, but virtually no traffic and the hills are not as steep or long. Note, "Little Panoche", not Panoche. I think it goes by some other names, maybe J1?

MV

J1 from I-5 to the 25 goes over a 2000 ft. pass west of Panoche. Maybe it's more gradual. Terrible place to lose a radiator hose

Sixto
MB-less

It is a bit lonely out there, but less so every time I go through. More houses, more ranches, more wineries... Mainly, it is less steep. The tradeoff is that it is not as direct. The lack of traffic though means you can go slow, keeping it easy on yourself and your tow vehicle.

I guess the tradeoff is if something goes wrong on the lonely backroad, it is likely to be an inconvenience. If something goes wrong over Pacheco, it is likely to be a multiple car pileup that shuts down one of the major routes on/off of the peninsula and makes the evening news. Some folks will take their fifteen minutes of fame anyway they can get it, but me? I could sure avoid that spotlight.

What is it you are towing back? You mentioned a transmission?

MV

Ford E350.

Sixto
MB-less

I'd say "YES".

Weight the entire trailer. Put JUST the area the ball goes into. Take the ball weight and divide by entire weight and you want to be between 10-15%. I weighed the trailer and back it off the scales till just the ball area is on the scale, put a pipe ad support it on the scale. I'm guessing that the ideal weight at 10% should be around 800# and your hitch should be around 600#.

That far overloaded, I'd say the safe speed is 0 mph, You have to stop and that much weight might overpower the brake system which makes for a LONG day.

Depends. Does the brake controller interface with the trailer (electric brakes) or is it hydraulic?

I'd be asking for a tow company like U-ship or who can loan you a bigger truck.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Yeah..., generally I was wondering if GVWR was more of a serving suggestion. Many passenger vehicles are over GVWR if all seats are occupied by average weight adults.

Thinking out loud, weigh the tow vehicle alone then weigh the tow vehicle hitched but with trailer wheels off the scale. Wouldn't the difference be the tongue weight?

How come no one suggested performance brake fluid? Wouldn't Motul provide a margin of fade resistance if push came to shove downhill?

Sixto

Sure. If you add better brakes, better suspension, maybe even braided SS hose. All assuming the frame and the hitch isn't too weak, that is.

Take my Excursion for example. The later years had a bit more tow capacity in the later years. The change seems to be the larger bolts that attach it to the frame.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

From this point I'm just being argumentative.

GVWR - the manual says max trailer weight with 3.73 gears is 6500 lb. With 4.10 gears it's 8000 lb. Swap the 6.5td for a 7.4 gasser and it's 10,000 lb. I've studied the option charts and there's a brake upgrade available but the brakes on there now are standard with 4.10 gears and 7.4 engine. It seems max trailer capacity on these terms is more about getting and keeping things moving than bringing them to a stop. Can a 6.5td with 3.73 gears safely tow 8500 lb? That's up to the driver, not the vehicle.

edit - but there might be beefier hitch to handle 8500 and 10,000 lb towing. I only checked brake and cooling options.

Brake fluid - let me rephrase. I'm going down a 6% grade at 65 mph at full GVWR (no trailer). I lean on the brakes to stop as quickly as possible. Would better quality brake fluid reduce braking distance or just be less likely fade?

Sixto
MB-less

In answer to your last question....neither, IMHO. The better brake fluid will not boil as easily if everything gets very hot. Of course if you have a long hill to go down you want to keep your speed under control by using lower gears not your brakes.

As far as your other observations, yes, you make good points. The mfgr has to consider warranty issues in addition to towing safety issues so that is reflected in the different towing capacities according to different gear ratios in the diff. The basic safety of the chassis and brakes as you observed is going to be the same in many cases, leaving the different towing capacities down to what they want to warranty.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

One thing to consider is the transmission. Does this vehicle have a 700R4? 4L60E? 4L80E? Turbo 400? Turbo 350?

Does the transmission have an auxiliary cooler?

If it's a 4 speed auto, it's best to run in 3 on the hills. The shifting in and out of the OD under full power is really hard on it.

I've towed over loaded a few times and it's best to simply have a plan for emergencies, take it easy and give yourself plenty of space to maneuver and stop.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Engine braking increases heat in an automatic transmission more than intuition would lead you to believe. Real, real hot on long steep grades.

Think how hot your brakes would get. It takes the same amount of energy to slow you whether you use the brakes or trans.

And using your trans is not smart. Brake pads are cheap. They're designed to stop the car.

__________________
'O=00=O'
bmw 2002.
long live the legend

Using brakes on a mountain instead of the motor will have them smoking in minutes. I have tried it once.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

And when you faded the brakes, how much would you pay for a functioning set as your truck is rolling out of control?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

...And, you don't use the trans to slow the vehicle. Use the trans to keep the vehicle from gaining speed in the first place.

MV