Um, yeah....remember I said I live up near Prescott? I've been up and around the steep hills all over the area, inlcuding 87 to Payson, and coming North on 17 from PHX, and also coming South on 17 from Camp Verde on that really big hill. Yeah, with 285s, roof basket, full size spare.....pretty much just barely able to get it to speed limit, just no more juice left on those steep grades.
I hear ya. Not to mention I had it loaded down with fishing gear, an ice chest, and my gf and dog.. lol plenty of weight. I had to throw it in D2 once or twice on the way up. You ever host an AZ meet for us VX owners? I think that would be fun.