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Old 09-09-2014, 05:24 PM   #1
cjf
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Towing Capacity in Reverse

I have a relatively steep driveway to a barn I store the travel trailer in. I can easily pull the trailer up the driveway, but it's too narrow at the top to allow me to position the TT to get into the barn, so I need to back the TT up the driveway to get the TT in the barn.

In reverse, I don't seem (or at least don't perceive) to have the same power as I have in first gear. The truck has a tough time pushing the TT up the driveway. The driveway is packed gravel, and the wheels seem to spin more in reverse (although I use low gear and 4 wheel). Does anyone know if you have measurably less towing power in reverse when you try to push a TT up an incline as opposed to pulling it up the incline? I have a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi engine.

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Old 09-09-2014, 05:26 PM   #2
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yes you do have the same... should be a 3to1 for both reverse and first gear in the 6speed
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Old 09-09-2014, 06:09 PM   #3
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Perhaps a shift in the dynamics of weight distribution may be coming into play.
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Old 09-09-2014, 06:38 PM   #4
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Thanks, good to know i have the same power in reverse. Maybe as suggested it is a change in the weight distribution, as in reverse the pressure/weight of the TT is pushing down on the hitch. Thanks for the help.
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Old 09-09-2014, 06:45 PM   #5
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snip..... the wheels seem to spin more in reverse.....snip
"If" conditions allow, dis-engaged the WDH spring bars (leave hanging), this will return weight over the TV's rear axle. Make sure there aren't any ground clearance issues if you attempt this.

Just a thought.

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Old 09-09-2014, 06:47 PM   #6
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Good suggestion, thanks.
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Old 09-10-2014, 06:10 AM   #7
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If your truck is 4x4, put it in 4x4 LOW to get it up the incline. I have done this and it helps tremendously. The transmission doesn't work nearly as hard because the gear reduction is done in the transfer case.
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Old 09-10-2014, 07:31 AM   #8
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If your truck is 4x4, put it in 4x4 LOW to get it up the incline. I have done this and it helps tremendously. The transmission doesn't work nearly as hard because the gear reduction is done in the transfer case.
X2, what I do not like about 4 low is the drive tran can bind up and it feels hard to turn and make adjustments. But that is just from all the differentals being locked. No harm is being done to the TV
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Old 09-10-2014, 08:00 AM   #9
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Install a front hitch receiver and push it up the driveway?
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Old 09-10-2014, 08:49 AM   #10
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If your truck is 4x4, put it in 4x4 LOW to get it up the incline. I have done this and it helps tremendously. The transmission doesn't work nearly as hard because the gear reduction is done in the transfer case.
he says he uses low gear in his post
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Old 09-10-2014, 11:08 AM   #11
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your issue has less to do with power, gears, or transmission, than with physics.

you have less traction pushing a load up a hill than you have pulling it. Spinning tires means you have enough power, just not enough traction.
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Old 09-10-2014, 02:28 PM   #12
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he says he uses low gear in his post
He didn't specify 4x4 LOW on the transfer case or low gear meaning "1" or "L" on the gear shifter...that's why I wrote what I wrote...
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Old 09-10-2014, 05:07 PM   #13
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Install a front hitch receiver and push it up the driveway?
Seems this would make it worse with the weight now on the front wheels with a lighter rear end. The tires would still spin. Just a thought
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Old 09-10-2014, 05:23 PM   #14
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your issue has less to do with power, gears, or transmission, than with physics.

you have less traction pushing a load up a hill than you have pulling it. Spinning tires means you have enough power, just not enough traction.
Say what? Can you elaborate on how you came to this conclusion please?

Thanks!
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Old 09-10-2014, 05:57 PM   #15
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Directional tread pattern tires?
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Old 09-11-2014, 12:07 AM   #16
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Install a front hitch receiver and push it up the driveway?

Mind blown! Way to think outside the box!!!!
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Old 09-11-2014, 05:58 AM   #17
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your issue has less to do with power, gears, or transmission, than with physics.

you have less traction pushing a load up a hill than you have pulling it. Spinning tires means you have enough power, just not enough traction.
This is exactly the cause. Weight transfer going up hill. Weight is transferred off the driving wheels, thus reducing traction. If your tires are spinning, you have more than enough power.
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Old 09-11-2014, 06:32 AM   #18
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Install a front hitch receiver and push it up the driveway?
This is how my neighbor does it and keep the WDH hooked up and it transfers more weight to the rear.
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Old 09-11-2014, 09:15 AM   #19
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This is exactly the cause. Weight transfer going up hill. Weight is transferred off the driving wheels, thus reducing traction. If your tires are spinning, you have more than enough power.
Again, please elaborate. Some of the tow vehicle's weight is transferred off the rear tires, but some of the trailers weight is transferred TO the rear tires. I'd wager that the net loss/gain of tractive force on the rear tires is pretty minimal.
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Old 09-11-2014, 06:32 PM   #20
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Then explain the wheelspin in reverse versus forward. Weight transfer.
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