[VaSteve]

I just go back from Ohio along the southern route (I68). I was driving my BMW sedan with an auto transmission and used the cruise control at about 75 the whole way. I know some of you tow this way to MO. I found the transmission would have to shift down for some of he bigger mountains and I only had one passenger and some luggage. What's it like in a tow vehicle. Are you creeping up the hills like the big rigs or what?

FWIW, I got 26.5 mpg in an AWD car. But that's a different issue.

[arob]

My '01 Yukon pulling the SC on 16ft. open trailer WORKED through I68 coming back a couple years ago. Down to 2nd gear on the inclines.

The main issue would be the other cars fugging up my momentum on the downhills.

Although more open, I'll probably take the PA Turnpike both ways next time.

[magnetic1]

No problem at all for diesel.

The PA Turnpike was originally graded for a railroad, so that is why it is "flatter"

[tdatk]

You drive it for the scenery.... and I absolutely hate the Penn turnpike, that thing has been under construction since i was a kid, they should pay you to drive it most times.

[Dr K]

I ran out to M-O at a steady 8-9 MPH over the speed limit towing my steel trailer with my Carrera (withOUT ballast), and 5.7L Hemi in my Durango (southern route). I was easily able to maintain speed with some downshifting on the steeper hills (occasionally where engine went to 5K RPM to maintain 73 MPH). I was trying to make the trailer drop (successful) so I needed to keep up my speed. I got only 10 MPG on the way out. Coming back, where I let my speed drop to just below the speed limit on the steepest hills, I got >14 MPG. I took a modification of the southern route, whereby I drove PAST I-77, and exited at Zanesville and took Rt. 586 to Rt. 546 to Lexington.

[realroadrage]

Originally Posted by Dr K

I ran out to M-O at a steady 8-9 MPH over the speed limit towing my steel trailer with my Carrera (withOUT ballast), and 5.7L Hemi in my Durango (southern route). I was easily able to maintain speed with some downshifting on the steeper hills (occasionally where engine went to 5K RPM to maintain 73 MPH). I was trying to make the trailer drop (successful) so I needed to keep up my speed. I got only 10 MPG on the way out. Coming back, where I let my speed drop to just below the speed limit on the steepest hills, I got >14 MPG. I took a modification of the southern route, whereby I drove PAST I-77, and exited at Zanesville and took Rt. 586 to Rt. 546 to Lexington.

X2 on the 5.7L hemi; those hills are child's play for that engine.

[Trak Ratt]

F150 w/5.4 V8 doesn't down shift beyond overdrive. I help it some by popping it out of overdrive (button on shifter) for a while but the transmissions “learns” when to shift after a few miles. Inital problem is that it waits to long to come out of overdrive.

Prolly not take the PA TP again to MO. It’s just a nicer drive on the southern route! Sadly only ~12 mph! Which was about 30% more than I got going to Sebring (which was all down hill)

[Landjet]

Originally Posted by tdatk

You drive it for the scenery.... and I absolutely hate the Penn turnpike, that thing has been under construction since i was a kid, they should pay you to drive it most times.

81 going north has also been under construction for that long too. I think Pennsylvania authorities use it as a way to slow and control traffic rather than the road actually needing maintenance.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I just go back from Ohio along the southern route (I68). I was driving my BMW sedan with an auto transmission and used the cruise control at about 75 the whole way. I know some of you tow this way to MO. I found the transmission would have to shift down for some of he bigger mountains and I only had one passenger and some luggage. What's it like in a tow vehicle. Are you creeping up the hills like the big rigs or what?

FWIW, I got 26.5 mpg in an AWD car. But that's a different issue.

3.3L 6cyl pulling an enclosed with 3K lb of car and stuff = downshifts. So what? I get there 30 min later or start 30 earler than the rest of the gang. Rest of the time I have a good DD truck. I suspect that the Tralex open and white 911 will be a much easer tow to MO. I just need to figure out how to get to go.......

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

3.3L 6cyl pulling an enclosed with 3K lb of car and stuff = downshifts. So what? I get there 30 min later or start 30 earler than the rest of the gang. Rest of the time I have a good DD truck.

I was just curious, really. I was surprised that my automatic car downshifted so much. The 944 didn't obviously and I was pulling a trailer. I didn't consider those to be big mountains last time I drove that route, but I was also pretty tired so I guess I don't remember.

I do recall Tim and Antonio towed with small trucks and they obviously made it.