I have pulled the Grapevine at 80,000 lbs, many times without incident. But it seems there is always some bozo ready and able to create an incident and these days the cops do patrol it and enforce the down-hill speed limit, which varies by weight. I have not pulled our big Avion travel trailer over the Grapevine yet but I did run my 1-ton with camper northbound over it this February. It was a clear, sunny day and my main concern was the dance with the semis in the right two lanes. "Whose comin' up behind me; can I pull out around that Swift-ie goin' 25MPH, etc. Then on the down-hill side there's the smell of acrid brake smoke from the motor homes in a big hurry.
About ten years ago we used the 1-ton to pull the 8500 lb Avion home from Thompson Falls MT through Spokane, across US 2 and over a couple of 4,000 ft passes. I was able to stay ahead of the loaded log trucks on the hills. That was with the 235 engine. It got about 9.5 MPG.Now with the 261 it's lots faster. No weight distribution hitch or anti-sway and no towing problems. I did stop to cool the brakes on the 8% down grade on the way into Grand Coolie. And you can't be in a hurry on the I-90 grade westbound out of Spokane.
So towing with a classic (or any other tow vehicle) is a matter of knowing the road, knowing the tow vehicle and knowing the trailer. My Avion travel trailer tows very well, my 14 ft. flatbed is more work, especially with the 8,000 lb. excavator on it.
A healthy dose of common sense is mandatory and some prior towing experience is very, very helpful. Trailers over a certain gross weight are required to have brakes. The weight varies by state. Make sure they work. Trailer brakes must be capable of stopping the trailer without assistance from the towing vehicle. Less than that and you'll overheat the TV brakes. Electric brake controllers are adjustable. Read The Manual. None of us needs the white knuckle experiences ALL of us old OTR truckers have had. It's really bad for your blood pressure and you may need clean underwear.
