I went down last FRI 18TH  . One Major Pull . You should Not have any problem .

I went up Cunninghams Gap , close to 2ton - car trailer , tractor backhoe , chipper & slasher.

In 3rd gear at 80k . I do Gibraltar Range with my van @ 1200k , comfortable in 3rd gear .

I have an Auto , 2.5turbo in a Kia Sorento . I reckon I could come up "Bretti" comfortably

in 2nd gear .

Assuming you BT50 is modern & around 3.0turbo & your van is 1,500 to 1600k , you could do same.

Interested to see what others say.

A couple of places between Nowendoc & Walcha were 'iffy' but comfortable at 90k.

No wonder wobblynut has no problem going over them hills 1200k in 3rd gear what's it do in overdrive ?

Mmmmm, I read that 3 times and I reckon WN said his van weighs 1200k not did 1200 Km. Silly billies. Maybe I'm the silly billy though and read wrong. Wouldn't be the first time I have been wrong

 

Edit........ooops, I got a phone call just before posting that, came back and posted it, bugga.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 28th of September 2015 02:30:42 PM

Back on track, the ascent looks worse than it is. I have no problems towing 2 t up it with an aged Navara D40. The thing about it is you get the climb over in one go, not several like if you go via Tamworth. When you get tho the top of the big hill there is a nice morning tea spot with a good view (if it's not too crowded.) Some of the road is slow due to the bends but I find it a pleasant drive.

I use it going through to Warwick. As a halfway stop I use the Walcha CP, the showers have heated floors.

If Thunderbolts worries you an alternative is the Oxley from Port Macquarie. You can stop at a great free camp at Ellenbourgh (spell Check)
It is a long steady climb but not steep, did it easy with a Pajero towing almost 2500 kg

Loved riding my motor bike up and down thunderbolt way.Brings back memories. Miss the motor bike but can't be a silver gypsy and have my bike. enjoy the drive