Sacramento to Phoenix. Update in post 2 Weights, temps. mpg, etc.

I’ll be traveling in couple days from Sac to Phx in a 2012 CM 4x4 with tow package. According to owner’s manual, GVWR is 7200 lbs, and GCWR is 15,300 lbs. I’ll be driving alone, with some tools and gear in the bed, and the cap will add about 200 lbs. So I should be well under 7200 lbs.

My TT weighs 6500 lbs empty. I doubt that I have 1000 lbs of stuff in it, but let’s just say I do for numbers sake. Dry hitch weight is 635 lbs.

I’m planning on stopping at certified scales, soon after starting the trip.

I have WDH, airbags, brake controller, and I just installed Scangauge II to monitor transmission temps.

So my question is mostly, but not limited to the people who have travelled those routes and know the Grapevine climb. Which way should I take?

1. Fcuk it, go for it. I5 over Grapevine, to I10 and climb the incline in Indio.

2. 99 to 58 to 14 through Lancaster and Palmdale, to 138 and drop down I15 to I10

3. 99 to 58 to I40 and then drop down to the I10 somewhere along the way.

I have only driven option 1, many times in a car and don’t know what other routes are like.

 

Trip Report:

I took 99 to 58, which was a nice steady incline and not as aggressive as Grapevine. The hottest that transmission fluid got, was 221° at the pan and 246° at the TC, and it was only for a moment. Most of the time temps hovered around 194° on level and 205° on slight inclines.

Traveled 850 miles, got combined MPG of 8.686. The highest I got was 9.8 when I first started the trip in CA, by the time I got to AZ, higher speed limit and I got pretty confident and comfortable, I only got 7.54. It was interesting to see how MPG was going down, by increasing the speed by only about 5 mph. I started out around 58 mph, but by the time I was on the last full tank, I was doing 70-75.

I drove it onto the scales and saw some interesting results. I can't really believe it, but did WDH really shift that much weight from the trailer to front wheels?


Overall, I'm very pleased with the performance of the tow vehicle. While it is not the best tool for the job, it certainly exceeded my expectations. I kept it within weight limits, and my own comfort zone. This trip was going to be a deciding factor on whether I keep the Tundra, or start shopping for a diesel. I guess I'm sticking with this 1/2 ton.














Some crazy numbers after adjustment of hitch and bags. Makes me question the accuracy


HOME!

 

Awesome, thanks for the report, I'm glad your truck served you well.

Interesting weight there on the front axle for sure.

 

Glad safe traveling!

 

Badass! These thirsty b!tches are indeed work horses! Well done!

 

That third from last photo looks like the same trailer you have right behind you being pulled by a 20 year old Ram . If he can do it you shouldn’t have any problems .