‘Downhill’ from Mareeba with 3300kg caravan

Submitted: Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 09:29
ThreadID: 143614 Views:8130 Replies:4 FollowUps:0
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Greetings all.
Rex Range (nope). Kuranda Range (nope). Gillies Range (nope). I’ve settled on the Palmerston Highway however, I’d like to hear some feedback regarding first hand experiences regarding this descent. We are a 2019 200 series with a large heavy caravan. Useful feedback would be, average speeds, steepness of the grades, is it over reasonably quick or does this wonderful experience drag on forever (I dislike long descents haha, can you tell!), how are the overtaking opportunities for the following traffic?, etc etc.
I know how to approach downhill driving, my question is more so asking for actual feedback on the Palmerston Highway. Anyone that shares my dislike and concerns for downhill driving, will offer great reading.
I’ve driven down Toowoomba, Brown Mountain, Clyde Mountain, Adelaide Freeway, some comparisons would also be helpful.
Regards.
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Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:12

Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:12
Have a drive along it on your computer - Palmerston Highway - there are quite a few scattered down the list. When watching the videos, note the dates they were posted, the earlier ones will not include the road improvements.


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Reply By: Member - Theo - Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 17:37

Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 17:37
Hi Brant
We have a 200 towing a 3 ton van. We live right at the bottom of the Gillies. I'd prefer going up from there but going down is also no problem. Because of the bends most go slow anyway. But going down the Palmerston is probably more enjoyable. There are a few places where it gets a little steep but no biggy. There are a plenty of places for following traffic to pass and it's a pretty good road. You won't have any problems going this way.
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Reply By: Member - Bigfish - Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 19:43

Monday, Apr 25, 2022 at 19:43
Did the Palmerston recently with 2 tonne camper. Just take it easy . Low gear and let the engine be part of the braking system. 3300kg is a bloody heavy van. I wouldn't enjoy towing it down any of the roads suggested. I,ve travelled all of them a lot. However I reckon the Kuranda road would be my pick .
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Reply By: swampy - Friday, Apr 29, 2022 at 08:27

Friday, Apr 29, 2022 at 08:27
hi
Done the Palmerston with heavy camper alot .
Run still goes up/down alot
For majority road is well wide enough
No tight twisty bits
Lotsa low gear work for heavy van
My Hilux will not stay in cruise on some sections, some 3rd gear mostly 4th gear

Yes u will be gad your finished but my Hilux are a bit short on power even with a heavy camper .
Common trucking route with alot of overtaking lanes . Many older trucks seem to break done going up .
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