WORST RV Towing FEARS Come True! (Stuck on a grade Towing 20k lbs!)

[@wfiguy]

I was a US Army Transportation Company specialist. We were constantly retrieving marooned vehicles from a myriad of stuck disasters. The military tactical vehicles were superb but you must know your vehicle, its limitations and the terrain. Neither the tires nor tire pressure was the primary cause. It appears from the video that the driver should have made a much wider turn to stay away from the right side of the roadway to keep the trailer level to avoid binding up and dragging. But the most serious error was failing to engage 4wd and transfer case low range before attempting the gravel road. Momentum is key to negotiating difficult situations. Limited slip axles and 4wd need some distance to engage and provide proper grip. Locking hubs and engaging 4wd once you are stuck usually is ineffective. A winch is also a good idea but you must know how to properly operate them. They can be deadly to the novice user. The couple in this case got themselves in trouble because they had too much vehicle for the changeable terrain and did not get the most out of their truck's capabilities. However they made the very wise decision to recognize that they were in trouble and called for appropriate help. By the way I've made all these mistakes and then some. Thank you, Uncle Sam.

[@majerstud]

As a former 90A myself, I will say this is an outstanding assessment of the situation. Hopefully, they gained valuable knowledge from the experience and will put it to use next time!

[@stevewillis5692]

Momentum works great in military vehicles, pickups and such. Momentum in a flimsy RV is a recipe for disaster

[@mikespencer9913]

First, thanks SO MUCH for introducing us to 'Changing Lanes'! Also, thank you for taking the time to talk calmly and reasonably about the thoughts others had shared. Instead of 'Hate', the World would be a much better place if people tried to HELP, instead of CRITICIZE!

[@ChangingLanes]

Great video, JD! Thanks for the shoutout! 🤠

[@DavidBrown-jt7yi]

If you know you have a bad section of road that is going to be a long-term problem, the best thing to do is fix the road.

[@kathykeene2092]

They talked about that on their channel. They do maintain the road but while traveling, it went into disrepair.

[@RadDadisRad]

They definitely should have widened it.

[@jasonlee5388]

@@RadDadisRad good idea, but probably costly, might even have been something they planned on in the future

[@supporterofsanity]

The haters can stick it! I have a steep gravel drive as well. I use 4x4 everytime I pull out. Kudos to them for reaching out for suggestions.

[@thechroniclesofmaintenance4192]

Good assessment, I watched their video and it brought back some memories, been there and done that. Made it out on our own, but until a person has walked a mile in those moccasins it’s difficult to understand the stress levels in the moment. Both videos are very good.

[@herb7877]

50 + years of RV's & towing 4+ years of Class 8 towing, I would totally agree with most of your assessment. Pure physics & geometry worked against them. dragging 20k & 41' is not an easy task for a pickup on a uphill loose gravel road while making a turn. As you stated a winch & a block / pulley would have helped a lot. Its easy to be an 'armchair' quarterback and another thing to keep your cool during the incident. He did that part pretty well.

[@ipcamper9940]

I watch that video, I don't think they did anything wrong. I grew up in the country with a 1000 ft gravel driveway on a hill. The drive would change with time. The gravel would shift with severe weather, and vehicle traffic. At least twice a year, I would take the tractor out and grade the drive, smooth out the ruts and move the gravel around. A large winch is probably the best thing for them, but they need something to anchor the cable to. I once saw a wire fence made with cut off telephone poles. Something thick and strong, buried deep in the ground that can take the weight of the rig pulling on it.

[@buckhorncortez]

In that situation, they should have tried turning off traction control. If the button is held in for 15 seconds it turns off the advance track as well. With those systems turned "ON," the truck can apply brakes to wheels to transfer the traction to a different wheel, but it also means you're trying to overcome the friction caused by the brakes on top of the load. Traction control works well for snow and slick roads, but not for every 4WD situation. If you're in 4WD, the traction control can defeat the advantage of 4WD. However, you don't know if turning off the system will help unless you try it. If you're stuck, you won't get "more stuck," you'll only get unstuck. That's the only thing I can think of that may have helped in that situation.

[@Itsa_Mea]

He tried it in 4wLow. TC is not active in 4wLow.

[@JHA6100]

JD, excellent. I did see Changing Lanes’s video a few weeks ago. I felt terrible for them but was grateful for them to share this stressful situation. I am stunned to hear that they received hateful comments. I on the other hand provided empathetic comments acknowledging their stress & happy nobody was hurt. You are a good person supporting them with this video yet disappointing that people were so abusive or critical rather than supporting them. My only thoughts were, can you improve the shared driveway so that future use will not be stressful. There is nothing worse combatting fear, or feeling overwhelmed using the driveway. Chad & T are good people. Thank you JD.

[@scottburns4515]

The 1st thing I would've done is the truck would've been in 4Hi from the bottom of the hill. That kind of weight in gravel the 4Hi would definitely help. Your idea of a winch would benefit them 100%. But that part of there driveway I would atleast blacktop or put concrete down the last 50-100ft. That would help them more than anything with that much weight.

[@RadDadisRad]

Yep, grooved like a boat launch too.

[@iananderson4897]

I work for a towing company that gets called to do recoveries and salvage jobs no one else will or can do. We've been in exactly the same sort of situation with our rollbacks and semis. Rule of thumb, lowest possible gear for maximum torque and control. You want to be smooth and use the least amount of throttle to maintain momentum, the moment a tyre slips you're stuck. If I was to buy an F450 and intend to use it off paved roads, one thing I'd spec would be the transmission mounted PTO which would allow the fitment of a commercial grade hydraulic winch with a minimum capacity of 20,000lbs with steel cable. A Warn 16.5 is a great winch, but it will fail trying to pull an F450 and loaded 5th wheel for any length of time, you will overheat the electrics. The advantage of the hydraulic winches is as long as the engine is turning the pump, it's working. Overkill? Yes, but we have a saying there is no such thing as overkill, merely suitable and unsuitable. And anything unsuitable can kill. Oh and one other thing NEVER stand any where near a strap or cable under tension during a recovery. Had something failed while they were winching the F450 Tara(?) would have been cut in two. It does happen.

[@pistolcutler4874]

I think that they did it right. Instead of making the situation worse, they stopped and asked for help. Sometimes, another eye can make a big difference. I do believe that a bumper with a winch is a good idea. If they floored it, they would have been bouncing and caused damage to the trailer. Not a lot of people know what it's like towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck it's not the same as a jetski or dirt bike trailer.

[@dhart.3]

I love watching all of the various RV Life channels. Changing Lanes, Keep Your Daydream, Happily Ever Hanks, and yours are such good channels with good people. I'm glad they were able to get up that hill and I know from watching that episode that they learned a lot from it. Keep up the great work and thank you for all of the wonderful content!

[@johneddy9083]

I commented on changing lanes when i first watched the video. 1. End of trip or end of travel day u must pay more attention and not be overly relaxed 2. In this scenario turn off all traction control. 3. Use 4 Hi. Four hi does not mean gun and go. In low you are applying more torque which equals tire spin, hi les torque at low rpm. Les tite spin.

[@majerstud]

I saw that video. As far as "worst nightmares" go, that was pretty mild. No other traffic flying by, no hordes of specators judging or giving advice, no busy highways being blocked. Not too bad at all.

[@craighennager5393]

A good midsized 4020 JohnDeer, based at the house, would work.

[@Itsa_Mea]

A 3 series with ag tires would of pulled that rig no problem. I agree, regardless he should have a tractor anyways for property management, snow, and now recovery.

[@debbieashley6201]

First, giveTara some love from me. I am also a Lymie. I truly feel her pain - daily. For your driveway predicament, I was surprised you did not have a winch. Other than that, I see nothing else you could do. You even backed down far enough to allow the rescue crew to get past you. Personally, we have Coach Net. The first two times I needed them, I was stuck in the soft dirt in my own back yard. You did a fine job.

[@stevewillis5692]

I'm a truck driver I haul cattle from pastures from Texas to Montana. I understand the complex factors that you encounter trying to pull something heavy going up a hill. These guys did everything they could. Their tires were worn and they had 20 thousand pounds pulling them back on a road that didn't have the amount of gravel they needed. Once you spin the drives once on a sand or clay road you have a bad spot in the road that if you hid it again you will immediately spin out again. Going fast up a gravel road in a flimsy RV will only tear stuff up. Lowering tire pressure works if you aren't pulling 20 thousand pounds. A winch may work if there is a tree big enough to handle the resistance if not you can pull the tree on top of your pickup. It's always best to get a wrecker if you are stuck than it is to try to force your way up. Force, high speeds, and reckless abandon to what your pulling only breaks stuff

[@mikeparkin7262]

If it were my cabin, i would likely pave the road over time just so this doesnt happen again. I have been following both channels for years now and im a big fan, thanks for all that you do.

[@badasstrucker79]

From a toy hauler user taken that bike out helps a lot not only is it weight over all it’s counter weight to the front of rv so would’ve gave them more rear tire pressure for traction

[@johnbranch882]

put a deep solid steel poll in the ground painting it reflective yellows then u will have suitable anchore to attach your truck too

[@charleyhough4355]

I watched Changing Lanes video, and you are a voice of reason. Thanks again for another great video. Always appreciated your insight.

[@Benders25]

You know I'm glad that you posted this video. I was one of the ones that commented on their video and said to lower their air pressure The only reason I said that is because I've done that an hour at 450 with 19.5in rims I have the Firestone destination XT tires on them as well now had I known what you said about those tires and rims I probably wouldn't have done that however I did and it worked for me at the time. I agree 100% with on everything you just put out speed would not help that trailer and that corner could you imagine if you had more speed it would have nailed that bed of the truck and they'd be in a whole other ballpark of trouble. That's a very tricky situation I'll tell you that honestly I would probably get a wench and use a winch for situation like that I don't know what else you would do other than that or if you had the ability to put some water down on the gravel that would give you some more traction keep that road nice and wet and just wheel rolling with your pickup truck at some point. Is now going to prepare them I cannot believe the people that are sitting there criticizing them from the things that I seen he had swung as why does he could around that corner that fifth wheel is so long that his corner where the fifth wheel tires actually end up or what was causing him to lose that momentum and traction My suggestion was to fill in that corner and make it wider. I'm coming from an engineering standpoint I build roads and civil heavy civil jobs and stuff so those are the things that I would do myself just make that corner wider

[@mbrown1519]

In your defense you said you've never been in that situation I have been there, I also recommended they dropped the air pressure down to 20 - 30lb in the front tires I have done this numerous times I have had four F450. It makes a world of difference I have never had a tire spin on the rim. What I did have happen was the valve core was leaking and tire went flat after 3 days aired up and was good to go. You're suggestion of a bumper and a winch is fine however in the sand where no trees or a rock to pull from you would be done. Nothing and I mean nothing works all the time but in this case I would bet money on it. Buy the way my 5th wheel is 49ft toy hauler and yes it's heavy.

[@tekman196]

We own a 2020 ford F-450 . My wife pulls a 40 foot Lakota 4 horse trailer . The stock tires in my opinion are absolute garbage . And being an odd ball 19.5 inch wheel we opted to make some serious changes . Because most horse shows and trailer rides that she goes to are in rural areas and parking is most always in a field . I made several suspension and wheel and tire modifications. I put on a 2” leveling kit on the front suspension. I then put on a 7500 pound rear air ride kit for more weight hauling capability. And finally we added a set of 20 “ custom American Force forged aluminum wheels with a set of Toyo 35x13.5x20 all terrain tires . And yes they were a fortune 🫣. But in the 3 years since all the changes were made not once has she got stuck . In fact she’s the one pulling out other trucks . My only regret is the American Force wheels require a supplied bolt on adapter . This makes swapping the tires impossible . And the factory spare will no longer work . Anyone wanting to change out their tire and wheel setup I would highly recommend going with a different wheel that bolts directly to the factory hub. The American Force wheels are essentially made to order and we were not aware of the added bolt on hub adapter when we purchased them . We unfortunately had to buy an additional matching tire to carry in the truck just in case of a tire failure . Allot of time effort and definitely MONEY but for me but when your several hundred miles from home and in the middle of a field . It’s nice to know you can get out when it’s time to leave .

[@Eveloffroad]

I was thinking of a bumper and winch as well. Not just for the fact of having a winch, but also to help add a little bit more weight on the steer tires. A couple hundred pounds won’t make a massive difference. But it wouldn’t hurt either.

[@paulnelson9907]

Also adding the winch is the heavier bumper adding to the traction the front axle too!

[@SegoMan]

Having an onboard winch gets you stuck in inaccessible areas..😂😂😂😂

[@davecamilleri9411]

I have been stuck plenty of times towing doubles elk hunting, usually a 30 ft 5er with a 14ft horse trailer behind and spin out going up a steep grade covered in snow. Last time it happened, been a few years ago, I had brand new tires, didn't help got to about same place as the year before, spun out and ended up in the ditch. I had a 12k winch on the front of my truck, but no tree close enough to grab. I put chains on the front tires and worked it in 4 low and got out. Chains on the rear would have been nice, but It would have been very hard in the situation I was in. I should have chained up at the bottom of the hill! As for tire pressure, I have been selling tires for 35 years, but I don't have experience with 19.5's, but with any heavy duty tire dropping 20 psi especially on the front tires could have made a difference and not resulted in slipping the tire on the rim. Minor correction to terminology, you called their front differential a limited slip, I am pretty sure it isn't since the only HD truck for installs a limited slip in the front axle is the Tremor. So the front differential is an OPEN differential, the tire with the least traction will spin. As for the rear limited slip differential, limited slips use clutches and mildly applying the foot brake and letting the engine torque push through it could have tricked the rear axle into spinning both tires and possibly keep moving. it is a trick that Humm Vees need to use to get the torsen diffs to lock, but they are a different style of limited slip than what Dana uses. Dana uses a clutch type limited slip. As for gearing, 4 low all the way for slow and controlled movement. I like the winch idea, I am in the process of adding a winch and custom bumper to my 23 GMC dually. Every truck I have ever owned has had a front winch. My Jeep has two , front and rear. In my opinion new tires probably wouldn't have helped much in dry gravel but tire chains could have helped.

[@mike_adams]

I realize they have a bigger rig now, but in watching their replay I was saying to myself “they’re traveling too slow”. (Not enough momentum up that grade) I don’t think the new tires will solve their problem .. with the loose gravel, heavy weight, and truck overpowering the loose material road surface issue still remains. Widening their road and addressing the loose gravel with some other material likely the only “real” solution.

[@KMT15]

@8:28 the front differential on a 450 is NOT a limited slip. It’s an open differential. The rear differential has an electronic limited slip

[@txshirle]

I believe you are exactly correct. If you have manual locking hubs that’s exactly what you have, MANUAL. I was I in this situation and locking the front hubs made the difference.

[@michaelharman-derosier6776]

My suggestion to Changing Lanes was to buy some overlanding traction boards. Not sure if it would have helped since the weight of the rig, but better than nothing.

[@DoubleTap1115]

Something to point out, I can't tell for sure but also looks like the space between the bed rail and camper is a little tight. I know that isn't the stuck issue but still something I would look into. Love the content.

[@diy-mitch-vlogs]

I'm not the brightest flashlight in the drawer. I've also already owned a travel trailer, 5th wheel and a triple axel 5th wheel like they have. I now have a diesel pusher. I've owned F250s, F350s and many tow vehicles in between. I'm glad they made it up to their cabin. One day, they will have to go back down that hill. With that being said, I wouldn't have tried it. If I had the means to have a cabin on a mountain, I would most likely have a storage unit at the bottom of the hill. Just my .02. But I do watch (subbed) you and their channel.

[@edisoncarteresq9111]

TIRE CHAINS! Put on a set of tire chains, gets you an extra 1/4 inch in height and a lot more traction.

[@Tierarzt77]

I pull a 42' 5th wheel and I'm always vigilant (concerned) with how my rig's wheels are tracking relative to the tow vehicle (F-350 DRW). I suspect that right-hand turn was always "just waiting" to catch those passenger-side wheels! It doesn't look like they have the luxury of starting that turn really wide to the driver's side in an attempt to take a wider radius. They did NOTHING wrong, and really handled the unfortunate results well. For that rig, it would be money well spent to get that curve widened and elevated on the inside radius. Thanks for sharing.

[@russellrogers3260]

I have a cardinal fifth wheel that i pull up a pretty steep ( similar) gravel driveway to my house. My suggestion for the future is widen the driveway and cut limbs back. I try to keep my speed 15 to 20 mph. The problem with a gravel driveway being the spinning. Its kind of like goung up the hill with snow. You try to start at a fast but safe speed and then let off as it spins to not completely lose traction and then re apply fuel.. That being said i feel fir them and yes new tires wiuld be the best start.

[@krice24]

You are correct but wrong withf450 tire pressure. I have this happen a good bit, lower your tire pressure down to 70psi, the factory, and tire shops put the pressure up to 90+ psi, and on dirt/crusher run gravel hills it just spins out with or without a trailer. 70 psi it makes it without spinning. Also, on 2020+ trucks use slippery mode, it does work and works the trans good and will get really hot, but it regulates the wheel slippage and they do not spin, while you can floor it more on the gas pedal. I tow 35k trailers with excavators down these roads in nc all the time, what I said works!

[@RustySpurs63]

I always take my traction control OFF. That way your not getting the computer doing the braking for you when your needing the wheel to drive. Something like that....:)

[@krice24]

@@RustySpurs63 pre 2020 super duties or other vehicle yes, on the slippery mode it auto does it/removes it. I am amazed at how well it performs, thought it was a gimmick but it’s not. Just monitor your trans temps though I had mine in with 35k behind it for 15 mins going up a long washboard road 15% grade and trans hit 259 degrees! 270 is limp mode.

[@ptcclatlptcclatl1683]

JD, I’m happy to say that a winch was my first suggestion to them. Thx for confirming. I would also recommend a sand anchor.

[@rjhein]

As you said - a winch as a failsafe is a great idea (16k lb min for that application w/ snatch block) - But a few other things I was thinking about while watching this. The first one is that it appeared that they didn't have a whole lot of room between the top of the bedrail of their truck and the bottom of the front of the trailer (maybe 3-4" at most on level ground) causing little room for error for torsional loads at angle, such as this. I wonder if having a bit more height at the pinbox area would have helped keep it out of contact range, or at minimum, reduced the chance of contact unless angles were even more extreme. It doesn't take much, as we see here :). Note, there are a few hitches that offer this - one being the Andersen Hitch has 3 levels, and you can always use a lower one for regular highway driving, but can easily switch it up if you know you're going through a sketchy area like this at lower speeds... Anyway the 2nd thing (and perhaps this didn't get mentioned) - is that being in 4wd from the VERY BEGINNING might have helped with traction, rather than turning it on when they were stopped. They are on gravel, thus it should have allowed for enough slip to keep this safe while being in 4wd, provided they kept reasonable throttle and provided they're not in low range to reduce load on the front axle under high torque/angles. Both of these things may have helped prevent that situation, or at least helped reduce the chance.

[@patrickhayesTN]

I agree with the winch. Since its their driveway they could/should even consider burying a couple anchor points along the edge of the driveway. That said recovering the driveway with Crusher Run gravel instead of #57 of whatever they have down. Crusher run settles as hard as concrete. Its what my pad for my camper is topped with and I highly recommend it. They didn't do anything wrong, sometimes things just happen. Gravel is a dynamic thing, each time up that driveway is different.

[@majerstud]

Hey- the anchor point suggestion is brilliant!

[@aithris8567]

😮 the size of that trailer yikes! I always wondered if a semi would be better to tow such a large trailer , probably could find one cheaper than the cost of that truck. Glad they got help❤

[@JAMESMT-mm6zl]

They did all the right moves for the equipment they possess. They were smart to call in the professionals when they did. I agree about the winch….good insurance. Enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing.

[@coolftp]

Maybe it's worth thinking about changing the bed to a dedicated aluminum flatbed optimized for towing on the 5th wheel (?). This is not the first time I have seen someone have a problem with the sides of the bed being too high. These trailer designs don't leave much space.

[@mountainsintomemories]

Watched the livestream the other day and learned quite a bit. This whole deal makes me really appreciate my smaller truck and trailer.

[@reygabrielgarcia3473]

JD, Ive heard the same thing about 19.5 commercial tires and not being able to air down. I drive an F450 on 19.5 Yokohama commercial tires on ford Alcoa style rims no bead locks. I tow a 20k-22k lb toy hauler in desert sand and beach sand. When aired up to 100 psi i get stuck in the loose sand. I cautiously aired down to 40psi and at times 25 psi in fear of losing a bead, yet in the many times I've done this, I have never had any of the tires come apart from the rim. One time by accident, a friend helping me air down let out too much down to like 8-10 psi in the front tire and i thought it would happen then, but it never came off and we drove on it through sand dunes back to camp. Maybe im just the luckiest F450??? I believe you when you describe the design of a 19.5 commercial tire, I just know that it has never happened to mine even down to 10 psi on the front steer tire.

[@traderbob6245]

I have a 2024 F350 DRW. It has electronic locking rear diff. So yes you can lock those.

[@marksr1907]

At that angle the axles are being unloaded (leveraged up) by the trailer causing lack of traction. More aggressive tires will help but nothing overrides physics. Several years ago I started traveling with MaxTrax just in case. Even with my F450. They work but not a cure all. I recently drove my max GVWR (truck camper on it) up and down the dempster and dalton. Tires at normal inflation. No flats and no problems - and I even run steer tires. Lots of mud and ruts... again, no problem. I also still have the stock Continentals on the rear. The stock Continental HD3 have excellent traction in all but wet snow or very sticky mud. Chad would have had no problem with the truck at max GVWR (more weight over the rear axle). Physics were the enemy in this case - unloaded the axles = not enough traction in loose rocks or sand.

[@rustywrench2119]

You’re exactly correct on traveling that road many times. Environmental conditions play a big part in it. Over the road truck driver here and have found it just takes a momentary lapse of judgement or rainfall making the road in passable. I think I may start looking into a wench for my rig also.

[@jasonlee5388]

I think they did everything right. In hindsight maybe they could widen the turn and level it a bit more. Looked like the trailer wheels went down on the low side of the turn. That might have been part of why the truck lost traction

[@bparkinson1234]

Hey. Put the 10,000 lb 2 inch eco tech receiver from etrailer like I did on my 23 super duty on the front. Plug in a winch when needed or adjustable flip tip hitch ball from Anderson or snow plow or bike rack or storage rack etc etc. when not in use included license plate makes it disappear. Have your buddies send you one.

[@bobuncle8704]

I always like to have some kind of recovery gear in the truck all the time. You never know when you might need it for yourself, or to help others.

[@aaronbritt2025]

They already said what they could've done differently that I think would've prevented all of this. Before you head out, inspect your tow vehicle and make sure it's good to go. Fluids all topped off and in good condition, brakes good and TIRES. They're tires were very worn. They should've addressed that before leaving.

[@paulshannon4576]

I’m planning on doing an extended trip to western Canada and Yukon to Alaska. I’m installing a winch mount and winch to the front of my truck, just incase.

[@kenndogg7469]

To be honest i lived on an rv in montana and have had some interesting predicaments. But i always have a good set of chains in the too box and they saved me many times on all types of surfaces. Great video

[@TheBurnsStuff]

I hate KZbin Shorts. I have extensions installed that blocks them. I prefer the longer content.

[@allanwarmflash4440]

we keep an agresive tire pattern tire its helped us a lot in so crazy areas with sand snow

[@fu4616]

Now I'm considering buying a winch and I don't even own a trailer yet. 🤪

[@alexspurlock3727]

You need to talk about the issues that Paving New Paths channel is having with their Grand Design’s broken frame. Thats an absolute travesty with how they’re being treated by Grand Design!!!!

[@jasonlarsen3515]

Physics wins every time. 30k being pulled hill by 6 relatively skinny tires is a hell of problem.

[@georgelee7259]

Winch is a good choice to help

[@SurelyYewJest]

Airing down tires would NOT have fixed that breakover problem. If it were at all possible, I would have used some fairly heavy wood planks or build up some gravel to back the trailer tires onto, back the truck up a bit to give some increase in the clearance, park it, then add wood/gravel **in front** of the trailer tires, then try moving forward. That was super tight though, if the front cap was already resting on the bed. Clearance with the leveling system is seriously a LOT less than it might look, many times. I continue to find myself surprised it doesn't tuck much further up on a lot of 5Ws. I think everyone is bound to biff one or more of their stabilizing jacks at some point. There are just too many situations out there where the angles and clearances seem fine until they're not.

[@RadDadisRad]

What’s cheaper and easier option to maintain for their situation? 1) that hill will damage the bed so they need to figure out if a flatbed is better or get a receiver that can elevate the load above the bed. 2) those tires were not benefiting them 3) I would recut that driveway, smooth out that transition to the right decrease the incline and widen it, they should bed it with larger rock, 3” clean, to limit washout.

[@ericgrimsby5256]

I would maybe say to be safe maybe rent a spot to park the rv. It looks like a steep hill and narrow as well. If it was me I'd park it in safe spot so no damage done to either vehicle.

[@chuckwillcox1930]

I like the winch idea as well. Not sure what I would have done differently. Used to live in WV and had a major hill on a country road. Had a 1/2 ton Chevy with electric transfer case. I installed switch so that when I went to low range, would not engage the front wheels. Made it nicer on the transmission with the trailer when on the black top.

[@williamrizzo1285]

I believe he would have made the hill if he had more momentum.

[@mesnkc]

Traction on gravel can be a challenge especially when towing 20k lbs uphill. If it’s new and relatively deep take a layer or two off of it. Over time with weather and traffic it’ll get much better

[@kevinhirdes8097]

Thank you for taking the time to answer the question. I have been in a similar situation. I ended up adding little more peed and got out of it but it was scary at the time. What would you expect to spend for towing in that situation verses having a winch?

[@deanhopkins4117]

From where it starts and where they end up, and seeing the footage of him initially reversing, they made it worse by backing out wrong. He tried to angle it back when he should have straightened out as much as possible.

[@Kneemako]

Wow great advice from the viewers. I might suggest trying all of the suggestions to assure no future issues-or- just fix the road. It appears that the 90 degree turn was the issue. Cut a new section of road. Humm maybe mark the turn to make sure to pull through the same way. Decisions decision.

[@rickrichardson5329]

I appreciate your remarks about the problems that Chad and Tara had and i watched that video last week and they didn't do anything wrong. Like Chad said it could have been the wesr on his tires or that driveway might need some work. I like your suggestion about a winch it would look good on their truck.

[@DBscrilla1]

Man, I watch all your videos you’ve been so helpful to us with the journey of RV’ing. If there’s anything I need to know or want to know, I literally go to your videos first to find the information. Thank you so much you’ve been very helpful. Me and my fiancé are nurses and we travel around Texas in our RV at different hospitals. Just actually got a new couples camper just for us instead of the family camper that’s sleeps 10 and we’re really enjoying it. Need to buy a new weight distribution hitch that’s all but thank you so much for all your helpful information. Keep up the great work. Hopefully I get to meet you at the Houston RV show we will be there.

[@paulbarber1077]

I'm a fan of Chad and Tara. I have watched them for years just like I watch you. Of course, I saw the episode where they got stuck. They had to be very careful with that new rig. All that weight could have pulled them backwards and off the road. I did think about a wench but, they did not already have one so... Chad is a very good RVer and I didn't fault anything they did.

[@andysmith5220]

Why is it i have a feeling he slept in trailer that night alone. His wife was how do put this. UPSET! But it all worked out. Bet the road is going to be getting wider soon

[@UltimateAnarchy]

I'm confused by the completely irrelevant B-Roll footage from 5:38 till the end of the video.

[@rigsnrvs]

Great video going through the different suggestions and why each likely wouldn’t have worked. And good insight on the F450 specs. What bumper and winch do you have mounted on your F450?

[@paulaweaver6508]

I really like the winch idea. I'm getting a winch for my sil just so we have it. Fyi question would it be better for them to have a rv toter for their drive way? Thank you

[@RustySpurs63]

If you take the traction control off sometimes that can keep you moving, I find anyways up here in the north with the snow. That drivers side may have kept driving but it was sensing something else so it wasn't putting torgue to the wheel. Just my opinion. First thing I do when I get in my truck or jeep is take the traction control off(in snow) so theres no hesitation and always have torgue going to the wheels. Not sure I'm explaining that correctly.

[@Nitro5454]

I watched that video. The biggest problem I saw was the type of gravel that was on the road. The rock didn't have enough clay like binder in it. It was like they were driving on marbles. It might have help if Chad had went to the far left shoulder on his driveway going around that slight corner.

[@anthonyfreed4494]

Regrade the driveway make it less steep and the corner much wider

[@chrislucy1589]

Probably bigger gravel in the turn, wouldn't hurt, as a truck driver though I would upgrade to 22 inch wheel with all terrain tires all around, on the 450. I've pulled 48,000 plus pounds up steep gravel construction sites, I run wide based super singles and lock both drive axles on my semi and never stop your momentum

[@goingadifferentdirection]

JD, what are your thoughts on a winch on a 2" square mount plate vs a permanently installed bumper mount?

[@ShopJock]

We had a similar occurrence in colorado a few years ago except on ice. I ended up haing to back down the road and get a running start. Things i noticed though.... Trailer brakes tend to hang a bit killing the trucks pulling ability to gain traction. For me i ended up also turning down the trailer brake controller to the lowest setting to let them engage less.

[@ShopJock]

Ive been debating adding a winch to the front of the truck since that occasion. Also traction boards did not help they just became projectiles and got broken

[@chrisblair3414]

Very interesting video. My suggestion would be to look at aggregate on road. Looked like quite loose stone. Didn’t seem to have much fines in it for binder.

[@jnk26]

The reason the DRW doesnt have a locker is because the Dual tires have a far greater grip. A locker isnt designed to deal with that amount of weight vs traction. Its a 9500lb GAWR(13,500lb design). I wouldn't use the locker on my trucks if i was loaded to GAWR(4500lbs F150, 7300lbs F350) the binding while turning empty is hard on the locker, max load will defintley break something

[@toddfolmsbee2429]

Unloading the motorcycle could have helped with tongue weight transfer on the rear of the truck

[@montepaulson3131]

Taking the bikes out of the back prior to going up definitely would've helped. That 1,000lbs at the back would be reducing the hitch weight by maybe 500lbs and with the upward slope in this case it'd have more negative effect. Water, well depends on where the tank is located. Maybe they might need to widen the road at the corner to help keep the trailer tires on hard pack and have less rolling resistance. I have a toy hauler and when loaded up I'm at 29-30,000lbs. Had the trailer tires, 3 of them, on one side sink 18" into the road in a soft spot parking me. Up hill cliff to one side, 60' drop off on the other with only enough room for a quads to pass. I was in the lead so no one could pull from the front and the road ahead was washed out and we were the first ones in. After many attempts to work out of it we had to dig out part of the road out to get the atv's out of the back, hours of shovelling, and had three quads hooked up to the front of the truck. After three hours we got through. Removing 1600lbs from the rear adding more hitch weight definitely helped the truck get traction. The final win was when we pulled the entry area carpets out front the trailers and put them infront of the rear tires on the truck and it gave me just enough traction to get rocking a bit to work it out. That was a very stressful evening for all of us. So much so that out of 11 phones there, no one thought to take a picture.

[@chrisokeeffe7624]

Just pave the road or have it widened a graded.

[@AmJaxineer]

JD, as info, their 410TH is 21k.

[@kswaynes7569]

Looked, to me, like the right side of the 5th wheel dropped off driveway and the tires were cutting into the softer ground. The axles could be dragging the driveway causing more drag than the 20,000# 5th wheel. Widen the driveway and add a bumper with a winch. 3:27 mark

[@jeffboquist3904]

Thanks for your input.

[@lazykbarranchoutdoors4866]

This is where 4wd makes all the difference. Gears wouldnt affect this as ifs gravel and the problem is traction. Year tire psi would put a bigger footprint. We did it on ol macks ehen i was a kid . They have alot stiffer tires than this f450. Lock in in 4L and get a running start. Also both axles in SRW and drw are danas both are dana 60 fronts, thr rears are. 80s in drw, 60 in srw. Last thing if you turn the advance trac off it also turns traction control off. This will allow the truck to lock up and gear traction. Im just saying this is not tyat bad of a hill and 2 of the 3 6.7s ive had pulled more then this . One being a D4 cat dozer. Trailer and dozer together was probably 41-43k. It did have this issue hoing up a geavel him that was shorter but steeper

[@stana2z]

Like the winch idea, but on Chad & Tara’s driveway, where would they hook it to? I still think they need to upgrade the road, if possible, or install anchor along the road to hook winch to.

[@johnbranch882]

put a large winch on the front

[@tomogletree1]

Mixer trucks with 22.5 commercial tires and wheels air down to gain traction every day (while carrying 88,000#). I air down our medium duty wreckers with 19.5's every time needed and never spun a tire off. Airing down the tires would have given them the best chance at recovery.

[@nunyobizkneez]

a lot of "may or may not have helped" here. instead of throwing out the "but", just say "this is what I would do or try" instead. Hindsight is always 20/20...btw, they had made that drive many times, it was their cabin/house so it wasnt the first time they had to go up that driveway with their 5th wheel.

[@brianbyrd6080]

May could of jacked that side up with jacks put wood under wheels drive out

[@donaldpereira2652]

I priced 20 inch after market wheels and larger, more aggressive tires for my F450...$6000. And, no warranty. My truck is poor in snow, partly because of the tires, plus them 4:30 gears. In 18 inches of snow, I'll get stuck with chains on.

[@TheGreatestShowman69]

5th wheel - 0 Travel Trailer - 1