Towed heavy up Vantage Pass...twice!

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

We always called it Vantage Hill. I heard growing up it was the longest uninterrupted grade on an interstate in the US, but I don't know if that's true or not.



It can get pretty warm at times in the summer at the bottom of the grade, where you are entering the Columbia Basin, over 105 occasionally but fortunately the Eastern WA I-90 corridor is normally a few degrees cooler than this area.

 

[Tractorat]

I love going up I-90 pulling my tt. My trailer is only about 4klbs. But its a good place to really feel the power. And I really enjoy ditty bopping along and then stepping on it while I pass cars, other trucks etc.



I always see the evidence of a blown coolant hose. The best is to actually see a sudden gusher of water coming from behind a car, see the car start to smoke, and then off to the side of the road.

 

[HBarlow]

It's on I-90 east of Ellensburg, WA. The grade is 11 miles. The top half is 3-4% grade and there are about 2 miles of 5% grade. From the Trucker's Mountain Directory (West).

Love that Cummins growl when it's working.

Bill

Ohh, now I remember. I've pulled that one with a heavy trailer many times myself. I went down it a year ago on the way to Seattle and Bremerton on my Goldwing with an extremely strong wind blowing from an angle

 

[JJPage]

Vantage is approx 10. 75 miles of constant climbing, from 650 to 2550 feet, or an average of 3. 3%. There are small stretches at 6% mixed in. The thing about vantage is that it's always quite hot/dry and long, but it's nothing crazy. In fact the hill just on the other side of the river, E side, is steeper but shorter. Snoqualmie going E bound is also steeper.

Last time I pulled Vantage I was at about 15K combined (not heavy) but pulled it in 6th at 70 at about 1000° and 15 psi.

Ohh, now I remember. I've pulled that one with a heavy trailer many times myself. I went down it a year ago on the way to Seattle and Bremerton on my Goldwing with an extremely strong wind blowing from an angle

What can be killer about Vantage is the wind blowing off the Columbia, especially challenging travelling westbound. This thread kind of reminds me of fish a story... first liar doesn't stand a chance.

I am proud for the OP, GOOD JOB! Congrats on your beautiful equipment.