Hello from Texas

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   Just bought a 179 last week and intend a shake down trip this weekend. This is our second small travel trailer. The prior travel trailer weighed about the same but was square on front, therefore it was like pulling a sail boat. The 179 pulls so much better at highway speed.
I've a 1994 Chevy K1500 with a 350. I'm the original owner, and as you might notice I've a hard time parting with it. I retired to California from the Army, but after  the housing market crashed we headed for greener pastures (Texas). 

When I bought my first trailer, the one with the sail on front (LOL), it was summer so we headed for the mountains. Cooler air at 6,500 feet. On Highway 18, headed for Big Bear, and above Lucerne Valley there are a set of switch backs. Maximum grade I think is about 11%. Almost at the top, going around the last hard curve there was a pull out. I took it and let the cars pass. In L1, floored it, and the truck went backwards! You should have seen the look on my wife's face. Scared! I hit the brakes, went to Low 4 wheel drive and crawled on over the hill. 

A beautiful weekend in the mountains! L2 and on down the hill. Last straight away, brakes over heated and went to the floor board. Truck took off down the mountain. You should have seen the look on my wife's face! So, this must have happened before. There was this super long pull over. At the end of it we stopped. Brake smell everywhere!

Welp, that's how I learned everything. 

Rebuilt the engine and added a torque cam. Much better! Also, I try not to use the brakes going down any more than I have to. L1 works on that mountain so much better.

Anybody else have any crazy experiences with grades or wind?

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Mojave1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Topic: Hello from Texas Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 8:27pm
	Just bought a 179 last week and intend a shake down trip this weekend. This is our second small travel trailer. The prior travel trailer weighed about the same but was square on front, therefore it was like pulling a sail boat. The 179 pulls so much better at highway speed. I've a 1994 Chevy K1500 with a 350. I'm the original owner, and as you might notice I've a hard time parting with it. I retired to California from the Army, but after the housing market crashed we headed for greener pastures (Texas). When I bought my first trailer, the one with the sail on front (LOL), it was summer so we headed for the mountains. Cooler air at 6,500 feet. On Highway 18, headed for Big Bear, and above Lucerne Valley there are a set of switch backs. Maximum grade I think is about 11%. Almost at the top, going around the last hard curve there was a pull out. I took it and let the cars pass. In L1, floored it, and the truck went backwards! You should have seen the look on my wife's face. Scared! I hit the brakes, went to Low 4 wheel drive and crawled on over the hill. A beautiful weekend in the mountains! L2 and on down the hill. Last straight away, brakes over heated and went to the floor board. Truck took off down the mountain. You should have seen the look on my wife's face! So, this must have happened before. There was this super long pull over. At the end of it we stopped. Brake smell everywhere! Welp, that's how I learned everything. Rebuilt the engine and added a torque cam. Much better! Also, I try not to use the brakes going down any more than I have to. L1 works on that mountain so much better. Anybody else have any crazy experiences with grades or wind?