Trip acros Oregon

[MAPit]

Ok so in July I am going to take my 86 GW from Oak Harbor down to Oakland. Then tow my buddies VW bus back across Oregon. Right now it is stock except I have a BJs 3in exhaust. I know Rosy can make it there and back however I have never towed anything. I also have never driven across Oregon. Should I be worried? Are there upgrades that I should think about? All tips will be accepted!:drivin:

[Scarochee]

The terrain is mostly flat. The only real hills along I-5 are near the border with California south of Ashland and a couple of small ones around Salem. You should be okay if everything is mechanically sound. You might consider an auxillary tranny cooler and gauge though.

[mattmopar440]

Whats the Mileage on the trans and the condition of it towing put the most strain on the trans and cooling system

[Danbert]

Sounds like a good time to set up a meet and great with some of the guys here in Oregon.

[AlsChopShop]

i wouldn't say the drive is flat at all!

the biggest grades are going to be in southern oregon, through the siskiyou's. a full tune up would be advised, as well as changing fluids and hoses.

if you want to swing by after passing through portland give me a shout. i'm only 10 minutes from I-5.


-hey dan, haven't seen you on the board in a while!

Al

[Lost Arrow]

it's an awesome drive... oregon's a beautiful state.

it would take longer but the coastal route is definately worth it (101). i drive that way anytime i'm headed to CA- trip > destination.

[MAPit]

i have 140 on the moter/trans. and i whould love to meat up with some FSJers! going to be hanging out with my buddy who is a VW guy all weekend

[TooRisky]

Its a long pull though S OR. and then through N. CA., Siskyu's and Shasta...Hit Redding and you got it made going south, and well it is a long trip back while towing...Watch that temp gauge like a hawk and bring at least 2 radiators worth of anti freeze and water...

I ran truck up and down the I-5 from Seattle to LA for years...You may also do a brake job before ya go...You will need brakes on the downhill portions when that load want to push you...

Also CA. is very touchy about towing, make sure you have all the safty gear, lights working, and all equipment CA. approved...The northern half of CA. lives off of traffic tickets, and if you contest you have to go back to argue your case...I used to call it Indian country.

[goldhammer]

Come July, the route on 101 and the coast will be 10-15 degrees cooler, if you ae not in a big hurry. 3 good hills to climb between Eugene and Grants Pass on I-5, then the climb out of Ashland over Sissy.

[Danbert]

-hey dan, haven't seen you on the board in a while!

Al

yeah, got busy with life and parked the jeep for about a year. Now I am just trying to get it back to good you know.
Home more now that I am not working.

good to see some of the you all that I hadnt talked to in a while.
Now i just need to get the carb back on and dialed in.

[Danbert]

So, Mapit, when ya planing this thing for?

[AKAMC]

Will that VW Bus be on a trailer? You say you never towed before so I'd load up a trailer with simeral weight and see how bad she squats. Get a set of rear add-a-leafs if you need them. I tried to tow a J20 on a trailer with my stock 89 GW and she sat on the rear bump stops. Granted a J20 is alot more weight and I was foolish to even try but it sagged much more then I expected.

[MAPit]

So, Mapit, when ya planing this thing for?

my buddy just got back off the ship. so i will need to talk to him and plan it all out. maby in mid Augest?

[MAPit]

Will that VW Bus be on a trailer? You say you never towed before so I'd load up a trailer with simeral weight and see how bad she squats. Get a set of rear add-a-leafs if you need them. I tried to tow a J20 on a trailer with my stock 89 GW and she sat on the rear bump stops. Granted a J20 is alot more weight and I was foolish to even try but it sagged much more then I expected.

that is a great idea

[zowtiak]

I have heard that going up 97 north is a lot easier on a vehicle then I-5.

[Randyzzz]

The area around Shasta has some good tough grades. 97 might be an easier drive, but you go out of the way, and then have to get back over to Portland, and that takes you over Hood. Have you done a Google or other trip search?

Towing a VW van should be easy, especially if you dolly or flat tow. They're really light. Adding a trailer kicks it up quite a bit. I dolly towed a bug from Sacramento to Sisters with an XJ Cherokee with no problems.

[goldhammer]

Two good pulls on 97 in Oregon, one not too bad out of Chiloquin, and a decent grade out of Madras. Once you hit I84 getting back to Portland is fairly flat.

[zowtiak]

Medford to Portland, but the stretch from Medford to Eugene is some of the worst in the west IMO. Definately a fan of 97 to Eugene. This is the route the ruckers take because it is more gentle on the rigs.

[goldhammer]

From 97 to Eugene is easy uphill pulls (a couple of short ones) and not bad downhill grades.

[mudjammer]

If you decide to do the I-5 route, I'm just north of the border in case you need any help or anything.

[MAPit]

Thanks i may swing down just to drop buy and talk jeeps when i get back from japan!