Map views of and then dashcam video footage from a recent trip down the long curvy 6% grade of I84 Oregon westbound (Cabbage Hill) on a busy truck traffic day in mid-April 2022. Our rig is a 2018 Ram ST Crew Cab Long Box 3500 6.7L Cummins with AISIN tranny and SRW 3.42 Rear End towing a 10,000 lb Keystone Cougar Fifth Wheel Trailer.
Conditions were pretty fair with low wind and 50F+ temps, bare pavement. This stretch of road is notorious for poor weather and quickly changing conditions like snow, ice, fog, wind, and rain. Utilizing the Cummins turbo exhaust brake and tow/haul mode with higher transmission gears locked out made it a breeze. I barely had to apply regular braking the whole way down.
Here is the elevation change from Deadman's Pass to the casino about 13 miles - https://www.flattestroute.com/deadmans-pass-to-wildhorse-casino
The steepest, most hazardous part is about 6 miles. You’ll lose about 2,000 feet of elevation in six miles and twist through a double hairpin turn at a 6-percent downgrade
Thanks, Ray!! We're planing on going that way from our home base here in Nampa, Idaho...
We have a gasser, 2500 Chevy Silverado. Pulling a 30 foot 2008 Rockwood fifth wheel. About 8300 pounds loaded, but I always empty all the tanks before traveling....we don't do boondocks camping, too old and lazy!!! We only stay at full hookups RV parks...
Thanks for the quick response!! Travel Safe!!!