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10-18-2016, 11:23 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1979 31' Excella 500
Charlevoix
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 350
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1st time on I-70 through Colorado - Grades?
We're towing our 31' Excella through Colorado via I-70 W for the 1st time. Wow, it's beautiful. In Georgetown west of Denver at the moment and taking some time to learn about the rest of the route; specifically, the upcoming grades.
There were some fairly long and relatively steep grades on the way to this point (6%) where we were bogged down to about 35 MPH at one point with the pedal to the floor. Saw some semis crawling along as well.
I've read elsewhere that if your tow vehicle is having trouble (we have a diesel TV) just make sure you're in the right lane and tow at whatever speed is safe and your vehicle is capable of.
I'm wondering if other Airstreamers see getting "bogged down" up mountains as "acceptable" as long as it's infrequent (such as my case) or if the community leans more toward getting a more capable tow vehicle to conquer any/all steep grades. In our case, we're mostly on flat roads, so I never really questioned the capability of our TV up to this point.
Do people really tow 8,500lb trailers up these mountains at the speed limit (65MPH)?
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10-18-2016, 11:30 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trekerboy
We're towing our 31' Excella through Colorado via I-70 W for the 1st time. Wow, it's beautiful. In Georgetown west of Denver at the moment and taking some time to learn about the rest of the route; specifically, the upcoming grades.
There were some fairly long and relatively steep grades on the way to this point (6%) where we were bogged down to about 35 MPH at one point with the pedal to the floor. Saw some semis crawling along as well.
I've read elsewhere that if your tow vehicle is having trouble (we have a diesel TV) just make sure you're in the right lane and tow at whatever speed is safe and your vehicle is capable of.
I'm wondering if other Airstreamers see getting "bogged down" up mountains as "acceptable" as long as it's infrequent (such as my case) or if the community leans more toward getting a more capable tow vehicle to conquer any/all steep grades. In our case, we're mostly on flat roads, so I never really questioned the capability of our TV up to this point.
Do people really tow 8,500lb trailers up these mountains at the speed limit (65MPH)?
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I can't speak for flatlanders because I live at 8000 feet in Colorado, but I always tow near the speed limit.
In Colorado, there is a lot of two lane hiway, as a result it is state law that if you are holding up 5 or more cars behind you then you are required to pull-over and let them pass.
I have never had any trouble with my F-250 pulling near the speed limit.
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10-18-2016, 11:34 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
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That's a lot of trailer for your 'Merc. Take it slow. Do you have all the coolers available?
I live in Boulder CO and tow up I70 and other places in CO. My V8 Nissan Armada does ok, but it sure could use a turbo to counteract the altitude. Very often I'm in a very low gear going 30mph and that's OK, it gives me time to watch the scenery.
And of course, stay out of the left lane. I70 drivers drive FAST, even uphill. I was once passed going uphill by a Nissan GTR, near the tunnel so over 11,000 feet, cooking along at at least 100mph. It's like the autobahn, stay out of the left lane unless you have deep power reserves.
__________________
1972 33' Streamline Emperor Crown Imperial
1949 30' Spartan Royal Mansion
2012 Nissan Armada
Most of China
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10-18-2016, 11:36 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVDreamer
In Colorado, there is a lot of two lane hiway, as a result it is state law that if you are holding up 5 or more cars behind you then you are required to pull-over and let them pass.
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I thought it was 3 cars, no?
__________________
1972 33' Streamline Emperor Crown Imperial
1949 30' Spartan Royal Mansion
2012 Nissan Armada
Most of China
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10-18-2016, 11:39 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
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BTW - Enjoy our state! See Ouray. Take a dip in Strawberry Hot Springs in Steamboat. Also see Mesa Verde NP. It's very quiet this time of year and not hot.
__________________
1972 33' Streamline Emperor Crown Imperial
1949 30' Spartan Royal Mansion
2012 Nissan Armada
Most of China
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10-18-2016, 11:40 AM
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#6
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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I live on the front range and tow I-70 often enough. I typically pull 55-60mph on uphill to the Eisenhower tunnel with my QX 56. 400hp / 413 ft pounds of torque. 25' trailer weighs in around 7000lbs ready for camping.
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10-18-2016, 05:00 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2021 27' Globetrotter
Fort Lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 606
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I drove I70 from Dillon to Denver this morning and by the Eisenhower tunnel (funny that the name at the tunnel proper is "Jefferson", anyone knows why?) the temperature was 32 Fahrenheit. There was ice on my cars parked outside. You may want to keep that speed down and stay in right lane. I towed westward 3 weeks ago and yes, pretty much at speed limit: that was my first tow in mountain and God is especially kind to the ignorant (I am living proof of that).
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10-18-2016, 05:04 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vitaver
(funny that the name at the tunnel proper is "Jefferson", anyone knows why?)
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The westbound tunnel is Eisenhower and the eastbound tunnel is Johnson.
Shari
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10-18-2016, 05:08 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVDreamer
I can't speak for flatlanders because I live at 8000 feet in Colorado, but I always tow near the speed limit.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wulfraat
I live on the front range and tow I-70 often enough. I typically pull 55-60mph on uphill to the Eisenhower tunnel...
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Me too.
I believe if you live here, your vehicles are tuned up for the elevation. There is also a "high elevation" tuning for propane appliances - both for RV's & homes for the thinner air.
Shari
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10-18-2016, 05:24 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2021 27' Globetrotter
Fort Lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 606
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I see, I stand corrected. Thank you (I was driving, I guess the "J" stood out for me LOL)
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10-18-2016, 07:55 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,278
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Towing up long grades is taxing on our tow vehicles. In many cases they are near full power for long periods of time. The thin air robs power. I tow in the right lane. Some big trucks are at 30 mph or less. Watch your temp gages (engine oil, water and trans oil). Yeah, my pickup can pull 6% grades at 60 mph, but the fuel usage is way down below 5 mpg doing it.
BUT getting over the pass and going downhill is the hard part. You are going to have a significant weight pushing you down. You need to select a transmission gear that will give you some significant engine braking. You don't want to "ride the brakes" going downhill lest you overheat them. And you don't want too much speed that may induce sway. Winds in the mountains can be variable and strong at times.
And don't think about towing in ice and snow on mountain roads.
David
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10-19-2016, 12:02 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Yorba Linda
, California
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 69
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We tow our 2015 FC 27' with a 2015 F-250 Powerstroke Diesel 4x4. I live in the west and tow up and down Eisenhower class grades often. I've never bogged below the speed limit. Although not necessary, I usually lock out 6th gear and easily cruise up in 5th. Listening to a diesel effortlessly and quietly chug-a-chug-a-chug up an 8% incline is preferable to a gasser (or under powered diesel) struggling at 5000 rpm in 3rd gear while you worry about over heating or damaging your power plant. Descents are equally easy in a modern diesel rig. Locking out 6&5 just before descent begins and engaging the engine brake gives a safe and stress free descent without engaging brakes all the time. Sounds like you've got too much trailer for your TV.
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10-19-2016, 12:50 PM
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#13
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LifeIsShort
2013 22' FB Sport
Winter Park
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 27
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I live at 9000' in Winter Park, CO. I had to give up my beloved Toyota Tacoma when I bought my 22FB Sport. Although the Tacoma is rated for towing the AS, it would not cut it at the high elevation I live and play in. I bought a used Ford F-150 with ecoboost. Like a good Colorado boy, I do stay in the right lane except while passing everybody--even at the Tunnel and on Vail Pass.
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10-19-2016, 01:49 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Taos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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just push the accelerator down, stay in the right lane and, on average, within 10-20 minutes you are headed down hill for awhile then up and down and on and on. Don't over stress on it but do be realistic and safe. There are long threads on how to minimize use of the TV and trailer brakes on downhill grades and how to pace yourself for the uphill grades. Personally I like to get some speed built up as I enter a grade and I simply keep my foot all the way down. It is inevitable that two things will happen - you will come up on the back of a slow vehicle (slower than you) and you will either have to slow down or pass it, and the other is you will get honked at and glared at as people pass you because you just won't be able to go 65 or 70 mph going uphill on I-70. Life goes on. If your TV begins to over heat then pull over and if you can get off the highway and figure out what is the best course of action. These days that really doesn't happen that often as it used to. My 97 2 door Tahoe with a 350 and whatever they used to add for a tow package works just fine.
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10-19-2016, 02:01 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
1999 25' Excella
Western Springs
, Illinois
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 92
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Last year we towed our 25ft Excella (7300lbs) with our Toyota Tundra from Denver to Grand Junction and had no problems . Just stay in the right lane and keep your trans in a gear that keeps the engine around 3k and enjoy the ride
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10-19-2016, 03:30 PM
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#16
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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Remember what goes up goes down. Low gear and save the brakes on those 6-7 degree descents. That would of more concern than how long/speed of getting to the top....
__________________
Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
NØVPN
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10-19-2016, 03:47 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Flying Cloud
Greenback
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 294
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You will find a lot of folks here that think you are under-powered unless you can zip over the highest passes at 70 mph. I drive through the Rockies nearly every summer with a gas burner and I just go as fast as the grade allows. Most highways, even if two-landed, have frequent passing zones and if not, I simply find a place to pullover and let people by, if I see several behind me. Most of my driving is not in the high country, so I don't see the need for a diesel. I kept my last truck for 14 years and it only had 104,000miles on it, so the longevity of a diesel means nothing to me. You probably didn't drive more than a few miles at 35mph, so don't worry about it.
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10-19-2016, 06:30 PM
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#18
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S/OS # 023
2005 28' Safari S/O
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 25
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Just returned from our first long adventure on I70 W through the mountains from Indianapolis to St. George, Utah with our 2005
Safari 28' S/O 7800# TV is a 2010 Tundra We slowed only on
the steepest grades usually after coming up on a slower Semi
always stayed in the right lane The combo towed like a dream and
we thoroughly enjoyed the journey - Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon NP We are flatlanders and usually camp in Indiana State
Parks - which are wonderful - we don't often see other AS's in camp
It was a real joy to get out west and see all the other AS's out there
we saw so many we lost count - now it is clear Airstreams are built
to be on the highway Can't wait to plan our next adventure
Be Safe - Stay within your comfort zone - Enjoy the ride!
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10-19-2016, 06:41 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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I took a video while going east to the Johnson/Eisnehower tunnel.
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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10-19-2016, 07:09 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1962 28' Ambassador
1961 19' Globetrotter
1962 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,996
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KJ that looked like a nice smooth ascent. Minus the car guy on the phone there for a few seconds. IE the sudden unnecessary slowdown on his behalf.
So in the beginning you say you are in 4th gear. Are you driving a stick or what do you mean when you say 4th gear. Does a Tundra have a D,4,3,2,1 versus a D,3,2,1
__________________
Hittenstiehl
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