Mapping your trailered trip

[consultingmers]

What resources are out there to map a trip that is the most level when trailering my boat? We live in Ohio and when we want to travel to NC, TN or further south, WV is a kick in the transmission and brakes. I am open to adding a few hours out of the way just to stay on more level ground. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[VitaminSea]

You got me thinking, I found
Flattestroute.com

gives you some options and observations about changes in grade.

I know Google Maps can do as well, but I could only see the elevation changes for walking or cycling. I forgot how to get the info there for driving.

 

[WV Hillbilly]

You’re hurting my feelings a bit…
I see it as three options:
Buy a 3/4 ton diesel (what I did)
Use I95
Use I75
And I guess the fourth option is move out of Ohio?

OK, I’ll quit being snarky. I never really thought about it but things to consider when making the choice are how far out of the way it is to go around the mountains and is that more wear and tear on the towing rig than just easing up the hills below the speed limit. I agree with above that some of the cycling apps and sites may give you some insight. Here is another article that may help.

How To Find The Flattest Route For RVs on Google Maps (Guide)

You do need to open Google maps and then go to the menu bar on the upper left-hand side. The menu should be able to provide more options for you to use to

thecampingadvisor.com

 

[2kwik4u]

What resources are out there to map a trip that is the most level when trailering my boat? We live in Ohio and when we want to travel to NC, TN or further south, WV is a kick in the transmission and brakes. I am open to adding a few hours out of the way just to stay on more level ground. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

What tow vehicle, and what boat? Might be a non issue with the hills; depending on setup.

 

[Judge]

What tow vehicle, and what boat? Might be a non issue with the hills; depending on setup.

The tow vehicle makes all the difference in the world. When I bought my 275SD last year, the only dealer that had one left was in NY and I had to tow it from there to Florida. My '21 GMC Sierra AT4 1500 w/ 6-Cyl Duramax had not issues pulling the the baby mountains of WV and Virginia. My AT4 is rated at 9200lbs towing capacity and I was towing about 8400lbs.


To the OP...... I have used TruckRouter for several years as compliment travel planning tool when I'm planning trips in my Super C Motorhome towing a Jeep Wrangler.

I primarily use Google Maps and Waze but I use this to make sure I don't run into any low bridges or roads with under 10 ton weight restrictions. It will also provide an Elevation report. I haven't used that feature but you will see it in the report example below. I have already gone through the Rockies in my rig so I don't worry too much about elevation.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

The tow vehicle makes all the difference in the world. When I bought my 275SD last year, the only dealer that had one left was in NY and I had to tow it from there to Florida. My '21 GMC Sierra AT4 1500 w/ 6-Cyl Duramax had not issues pulling the the baby mountains of WV and Virginia. My AT4 is rated at 9200lbs towing capacity and I was towing about 8400lbs.


To the OP...... I have used TruckRouter for several years as compliment travel planning tool when I'm planning trips in my Super C Motorhome towing a Jeep Wrangler.

I primarily use Google Maps and Waze but I use this to make sure I don't run into any low bridges or roads with under 10 ton weight restrictions. It will also provide an Elevation report. I haven't used that feature but you will see it in the report example below. I have already gone through the Rockies in my rig so I don't worry too much about elevation.


View attachment 212619

that looks like a great routing tool!

 

[consultingmers]

What tow vehicle, and what boat? Might be a non issue with the hills; depending on setup.

Ram 1500 Laramie Sport. Standard two package. Yamaha 222s. Full weight of boat, trailer and gear is around 5,550 lbs. WV Rt 77 S is brutal. 4-5 grades of 4-6 degrees for over a mile each, lots and lots of turns and 4 tolls. Not fun to drive even when not towing.

 

[WV Hillbilly]

What tow vehicle, and what boat? Might be a non issue with the hills; depending on setup.

Ram 1500 Laramie Sport. Standard two package. Yamaha 222s. Full weight of boat, trailer and gear is around 5,550 lbs. WV Rt 77 S is brutal. 4-5 grades of 4-6 degrees for over a mile each, lots and lots of turns and 4 tolls. Not fun to drive even when not towing.

Yeah, 77 South of Charleston takes you through some mountains all the way south of Galax VA into NC. The WV Turnpike is a joke with the tolls. You could run 70 east to 81 south and then cut across 64 east to 95. That will keep you out of the higher elevations.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I guess its all perspective… I’ve been towing trailers since my 20’s, on grades much steeper and longer with trailers that are much heavier, and was a passenger in a tow vehicle when I was younger for many other journeys and those grades do not sound significant to me. Just make sure your tow vehicle is in good repair as well as the boat trailer and enjoy the drive, those grades and trailer load sound like they are well within the towing envelope of your tow vehicle. The tolls, well, the roads have to get paid for some how, but I’d still try and avoid them.

 

[AZMark]

That flattestroute site is cool.

I looked up our most frequent tow in summer. I might need a diesel!

This burns about a gallon or two short of a full tank in my truck for the round trip. It’s not the funnest drive in a few spots but I wouldn’t go very far out of my way to avoid it, even if it were an option.

 

[Berrie]

I go out of my way to avoid grades but I have a different set up (F-250 6.2L and a 13,000lbs boat+trailer). Nowadays I would have gotten the 7.3 with 4.30 axles but that wasn’t available in 2012.
When traveling from Kansas City to FL, I took I-65 to I-22 to I-20 instead of I-24 through TN to avoid the ridge at Monteagle - 7 miles of 5-6% downhill. I wasn’t worried about going uphill, just switch to lower gears and keep up with the 30mph semis. It the downhill I didn’t want to do.

 

[Berrie]

Another issue that is more of a concern to me is where to get gas. Towing a 10’6 wide 13’ high and 37’ long trailer, I can’t get into most gas stations.
Google Earth and street view are a life saver finding accessible gas stations while planning the trip