How to Tow Your RV Safely Through Horseshoe Bend, Idaho (Without Using the Runaway Truck Ramps)​

Master the Mountain: Towing Safely Through Horseshoe Bend
Towing an RV through State Highway 55 is a rite of passage for Idaho travelers, but the 1,600-foot descent into Horseshoe Bend is no joke. With grades reaching 7% and tight curves that test even the most experienced drivers, this stretch of road requires more than just a powerful truck—it requires the right technique. To avoid smoking brakes or a trip into a runaway truck ramp, savvy RVers focus on engine braking, maintaining a “mountain speed” well below the limit, and ensuring their trailer brake controllers are perfectly calibrated.

Whether you’re heading to McCall or Ponderosa State Park, surviving the hill means understanding your gear ratios, using Tow/Haul mode, and knowing when to let impatient traffic pass. Don’t let your mountain adventure become a cautionary tale; prepare your rig, watch your transmission gauges, and take the descent slow and steady.