Last Tuesday night I started just NW of Milwaukee WI for my first 880 mile tow with that 7k lb car hauler to Julian NC. Plenty of through city freeways, highways and WV / VA Appalachians. I just returned yesterday and here’s my review.
I inflated the 20” Dueler tires that the truck comes with to 44 psi cold when in the garage at 50*. This is an in-between temp for where I live and where I was towing to this time of year. I had the 33 gal fuel tank filled with 93 octane 10% ethanol premium and used this same fuel the entire trip.
After reading the thread about the Hellwig sway bar, I purchase one through the Military Exchange for $196 delivered and installed using the middle hole that is same location as stock bar just prior to leaving for NC.
I used the cruise control as often as possible, and briefly used the Tow/ Haul mode and preferred it off the entire rest of trip.
Some very similar towing characteristics as my 2011 Hemi Ram. At times when being passed by much faster traffic (10+) you can feel a slight sucking. Most of the time it wasn’t present on slower passes.
With Semis / Large Trucks…. being passed by Semi, passing Semis, running next to or sandwiched between semis in 3+ lanes this truck handles very well, maintains the trailers lane and is confident inspiring while towing my trailer at speeds up to 70 mph. Most times towing at 65 maximum.
Driving the Appalachians was very much more of the same in handling. Most times steering with one hand at 8 o’clock and only using two hands at 8 and 4 when needed, same as before.
On the return trip I drove through rain towing first time in Ohio and Indiana. Slowed to 55 – 58 mph as I normally would.
When I got to Chicago tollway in early Sunday afternoon a cold front was coming through and the wind picked up. By the time I reached the IL / WI border the side winds were in excess of 30 mph from the West. The Flags were straight out. Most traffic was slowed by over 5 mph of maximum. I had the cruise set to 55 - 58. The extreme side winds were shaking the trailer, but it never reached a point where the safety tow system activated or I felt not in control. It did take more steering correction to stay in ones lane, but no worse than the traffic that I was driving in. This became a heading as I turned due West and 50 - 55 mph seemed to be the best maximum speed.
Here’s what that trip was all about. I’m an avid Money ET Bracket racer traveling East of the Missip. This race I attended was at Piedmont Dragway, had over 400 entries, and the picture is the Saturday night final round paying $20k to the winner. It’s 8pm and 35* outside.
First Tow with 2022
