sandstravels
Northern California
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Joined: 06/01/2005
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We have the opportunity to build an RV site on family property in KY. To access the site I would have to back up about 200 yds. and the last few yards would be up a slight incline. I would say the incline is about 6 feet over the last 40 or so feet before it levels off. I've never backed up an incline and I'm not sure if it's possible. How hard is it to back a 13,000-16,000 lb. 5th wheel up a slight incline using a 4x4 diesel dually on a gravel driveway? Thanks to all for your insight.
2006 Chevy Silverado 3500 LT, 4x4, CC, D/A LBZ, LB, SRW, Line-X
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B W M
Princeton IN.
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Jest use the low side of you 4x4 and let it idle up the hill.I have done this a lot with my 03 dodge 4x4 jest let it idle.
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Mike@Asheville
Asheville, NC
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In a previous home I had to back up a 28' - 8,000 lb. fiver up a fairly steep drive. It was tough, burned up one transmission in my 2001 F350 4X$ dually. Using 4 wheel drive low range worked but it was not fun.
2003 36.5' HitchHiker Champagne Quad Slide
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jetboater454
FL
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Wondering how you can burn up a transmission backing up?It is lower gearing going backwards.Can't see it be any worse going forward up a steep hill.
"If momma not happy  ....Who cares.I have my TH AND my toys  .
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targaboat
sulphur springs, tx, usa
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 How does one burn up a transmission backing up?
Last summer in a park where we stayed for three months, people had to back their fifth wheels into a spot behind us. About one in four had difficulty and after spinning their wheels one gave up and moved elsewhere. The morning after one of the above individuals showed up with plywood to put under their tires, although it was down hill going out, and I just could not stand it any longer. So I went over and started to talk to them. We finally found our that they had been using their left foot to inch while they were backing and that the FW brakes were at least partially on while they were trying to back.
I do not know if that is everyone's problem. However, I can not see why backing as far as the effort the truck has to produce is any different than going forward up the inclines. Does anyone have a better explanation of the technical cause of the problem?
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MrRepair
North East
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i do it every time i come home with my 5ver and have never had a problenm. i need to back up 600' up a grade
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Our driveway is 18% grade, curved and about 200' long. No room to turn the fifth wheel at the top so it is backed up each time we come home. Fifth wheel is 25' long, truck is F-250 PSD 4x4 shortbox. Each time we lock the hubs, and put it in low range.
After one of the tranny oil changes, the tech advised that the truck should have 10-15 minutes of idling at the top to let the fluids continue to circulate and cool the tranny well.
More an issue for us is where the driveway levels off ... the bottom of the fifth wheel just brushes the top of the tailgate when the trailer is level but the truck is still on the incline. We have good clearance when everything is level ... it's just the drastic transition between the two vehicles. Slow and easy does it!
sue t.
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rick83864
Sandpoint, ID
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targaboat wrote: How does one burn up a transmission backing up?
Last summer in a park where we stayed for three months, people had to back their fifth wheels into a spot behind us. About one in four had difficulty and after spinning their wheels one gave up and moved elsewhere. The morning after one of the above individuals showed up with plywood to put under their tires, although it was down hill going out, and I just could not stand it any longer. So I went over and started to talk to them. We finally found our that they had been using their left foot to inch while they were backing and that the FW brakes were at least partially on while they were trying to back.
I do not know if that is everyone's problem. However, I can not see why backing as far as the effort the truck has to produce is any different than going forward up the inclines. Does anyone have a better explanation of the technical cause of the problem?
I don't. The only thing I have heard on the Diesel boards is that the stock 48RE Dodges don't cool the fluid in park thus going forward or reverse at an incline then putting it in park would shut down the cooling process.
06 Dodge 3500 Laramie 4x4 Dually
5.9 Cummins HO Automatic,Jacobs brake, Dodge Navigation
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georgej
Canby, Oregon
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To me a 6 foot rise in 40 feet seems pretty steep. As far as burning up a tranny I'd consider these facts..
In stop and go traffic the tranny will run much hotter than highway driving.
There is little air flow across the radiator moving backwards.
The torque converter will not be locked up and will create extra heat.
Backing a trailer can generate very high temperatures and break down the transmission oil and if allowed to get to high, the service life of the oil is then drastically reduced and if not changed asap can lead to transmission problems.
While I haven't had any, I was aware that my truck had a history of some issues with the tranny. In 2001 Dodge made a couple of changes to help durability. Some design changes and a change to a synthetic fluid has helped these trannys survive under heavy towing applications. I also have the transmission serviced every year and have had trouble free service for 128k mi.
Hopes this helps a little
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Jayco254
Eastern Missouri
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I don't know about your Chevy but Dodges reverse is geared somewhere between low and second, could never figure out why it wasn't the same as first.
Tom, Kathy, Nikki, & Kelly
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