We just made our first trip (c. 2000 miles, mountain freeways and
highways) in our new rig: 1990 Chevy C2500 3/4 ton pickup, manual shift,
and 1979 Wildernes 25' TT.  Slow on hills but otherwise fine. I wonder
if there is any upgrade that would help on that. The only problem was
sometimes starting from a stopped or slow position on a steep gravel
road, the wheels would spin out. Would carrying some weight above the
rear wheels help?

The trailer already had an EZ sway bar and load equalizers. Towed very
smoothly, no problems with it trying to affect the truck, no problems
going down hills (often geared down a little). Of course the trailer has
its own brakes which are controlled with the pickup's brakes.

When not hooked up the pickup's rear end sticks up. The weight of the
trailer brings it down to about level.

Ms. Gypsy

Of course, the diesel would be nice to have but he probably
would have to buy well used and I already covered that. If
he bought a gas job he'd get much lower mpg. He isn't
planning on buying a 12,000 lb 5th wheel. He's planning on
buying a short trailer with a bedroom which puts him in a
22' to 24' range, well within the comfortable towing limits
of a 1/2 ton with the biggest V8.
HD in CNY