Going west,any grade issues?

[Jim Smith]

Going west next September through October from Michigan to Rushmore then across to major parks then to the balloon fest in New Mexico. Are there any grade issues to be concerned about? 2004 qc lwb 2whl auto 4. 10 pulling heavy 36' rv. thanks,

 

[SnoKing]

I did my first major loop down the West Coast, over to Vegas, Zion, Bryce and back to Seattle. Loved my exhaust brake!!!!! 19K combined weight. SNOKING

 

[JRMora]

I can only speak on the Denver to Albuquerque part of it, but there really isn't anything bad there. The only pass is Raton pass on the Colorado/NM border. It's two lanes up and two down, but it isn't really high (~9200') and isn't really steep. Going Northbound, it's a 6% from the border in to Trinidad, CO. I use my exhaust brake and have never had any issues with speed.

 

[Ragain]

Are you going west of Rapid City to Yellowstone? Or south to Albquerque? I run south out of Rapid City frequently to Albq. & the path of "least resistance" to avoid Denver/Co. Springs area is: S. D. -rte79s to US385s to NEB. -rte19s to CO. -rte113s to I-76w to CO. -rte71s to CO. -US350w to I-25s... just some rolling hills until Raton Pass @ CO/NM line. (3 mi @ 6% "actual" pull up and the first 2 mi @ 6% drop on the NM side) The signs say differently though. then just rolling hills until La Bajada pass, just south of Sante Fe, which is just a 2 mi. drop @ 6%. Its a nice drive that is actually faster if Denver & Co. Springs is jammed up w/traffic.

 

[Grizzly]

Other then what everyone else has said, exhaust brakes, good brake controller and few major passes, I would avoid Denver if you can, if you can't, go around Hwy 470 by-pass. There is always construction through Denver. I would get reservation NOW for your RV in Albuquerque as they fill up fast. If you need to know anything about Albuquerque, ask JR Mora or myself since we live here. I hope you have a laptop with you so that you can PM us if you need assistance or if you PM me I'll give you my phone Number. Sounds like a fun trip.

 

[JMartynowski]

Grizzly



I will be making a trip to the ballon fest this year also.

Never been there, but i didnt think about the campgrounds filling up.

Thanks for throughing that out there!



Do you recomend any where to stay?



THANKS!!

 

[Jim Smith]

yes to yellowstone then south i think to nm.

 

[Jim Smith]

a friend has tried the most popular place and its already booked.

 

[Jim Smith]

i don't have an exhaust brake is thta an issue? our route is not totally planned so i want to avoid any problems.

 

[wyosteve]

If you're heading to Yellowstone from Rapid City area, I'd suggest taking the hwy. off I-90 thru Buffalo, WY. to Ten Sleep and Worland rather than going from Sheridan, WY. to Burgess Jct. and Shell. Less grade and fewer hairpins. With the size of rig you're towing you really should look at an exhaust brake if possible.

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly



I will be making a trip to the ballon fest this year also.

Never been there, but i didnt think about the campgrounds filling up.

Thanks for throughing that out there!



Do you recomend any where to stay?



THANKS!!

For the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta log on to, www.balloonfiesta.com/Guest/Travel_Help/rv.php

There are many other campgrounds in Albuquerque and outside of the city. Parking in the balloon field is reasonable I have been told and your right there. They do fill fast. Good luck.

 

[Ragain]

I attended the Zozobra (sp. ?) fest in Sante Fe in late summer. Excellent fun, love the history also. I'm not sure how well the exhaust brake does on the automatic, but on my 6 sp. manual w/ U. S. Gear underdrive has been a life saver! I won't disclose what my rig grosses out weight wise. but can assure you that any rv would be considered a "gravy" pull comparitavely. Ok... . when I'm grossing 38,000#, (shhh!), my jacobs brake will hold at 25 mph on 6% grade and I never have to touch the brake pedal.

 

[mgoncalves]

If you're heading to Yellowstone from Rapid City area, I'd suggest taking the hwy. off I-90 thru Buffalo, WY. to Ten Sleep and Worland rather than going from Sheridan, WY. to Burgess Jct. and Shell. Less grade and fewer hairpins. With the size of rig you're towing you really should look at an exhaust brake if possible.

I second that. Exhaust brake is cheap insurance.



If you really want to test things, take 14a from burgess jct. to Lovell. 13%grade coming down.

 

[Grizzly]

For the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta log on to, www.balloonfiesta.com/Guest/Travel_Help/rv.php

There are many other campgrounds in Albuquerque and outside of the city. Parking in the balloon field is reasonable I have been told and your right there. They do fill fast. Good luck.

That link, which I pulled off the internet, doesn't seem to work. Try www.balloonfiesta.com

 

[PWitteveen]

i don't have an exhaust brake is thta an issue? our route is not totally planned so i want to avoid any problems.

My brother and I were out that way a couple of years ago. I had a Dodge 1500 and he has a 1999 Ford 3500 Powerstroke. He doesn't have an exhaust brake, just a switch to lock-up his torque converter. Neither of us had any problems with the grades. I remember just one pass with a long grade going into Yellowstone from Mt Rushmore on the interstate.

 

[J D Moore]

I would not tow an RV in the mountains without an exhaust brake and a means to lock-up the torque converter (assuming automatic transmission). The peace of mind more than justifies the extra $ JMHO.

I would suggest that you look at a book "Mountain Directory", it is available in the West & East US versions. As an example Lolo pass on US 12 west of Missoula, MT; westbound has a 6% grade next 5 miles--trucks 35 mph with many 30-35 mph curves followed by a lesser grade & 77 miles of winding road. I plan my route on this kind of info and avoid passes that are intimidating. Roads do exist that have 10% or even 15% grades and I avoid them.

Jim

 

[JERRYKAM]

I live on the outskirts of Colorado Springs and routinely pull the higher Colorado passes on secondary roads that have much steeper grades than you will find on any of the CO interstates I25 and I70. Some of these secondary passes exceed 11,000 feet. My 2500 does not have an exhaust brake and downgrades are no problem what so ever. Keep it in 2nd and you will be good to go. I also pull Raton pass several times a year on my way to visit family in CA and it is an easy grade to handle.



With all that said I'm basing my experience on towing an Artic Fox 29SE with a combined weight of 19,000 lb (give or take a few pounds). As long as your combined GVWR is not exceeded you should be fine as far as the brakes are concerned. The truck brakes stop the truck and the trailer brakes stop the trailer.

 

[JRMora]

Its a nice drive that is actually faster if Denver & Co. Springs is jammed up w/traffic.

Let me warn you - I-25 in Colorado Springs is constatntly jammed up - it's always under construction. If you go that way, just avoid driving thru the Springs anywhere near rush hour. I frequently run Denver to Pueblo and it can be a mess.

If you need to know anything about Albuquerque, ask JR Mora or myself since we live here

Sorry George - I moved up to Denver just before Christmas. But being an ABQ native, I still know a lot about it!



One thing - the prices for camping at the Fiesta park can be VERY steep. With few exceptions, there are no utilities. They do run a honey wagon to help get rid of the stinky stuff. I would camp somewhere off the Fiesta Park and use one of the many "Park and Ride" options during the Fiesta. You'll have a lot more opportunity to explore around the city and state when you're not watching balloons. BUT MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY. The ten day event draws more than 1,000,000 visitors every year. Also be aware that the weather changes during the Fiesta. It can be sunny the first weekend and snowing the second weekend. It's another reason why I would stay/camp outside of the park. If you want any side trips, let me know.



Juan

 

[Russknh]

Exhaust Brake is the best--try to go around the Fords with the blown headgaskets sitting on the uphill slopes!!

 

[DBF]

i don't have an exhaust brake is thta an issue? our route is not totally planned so i want to avoid any problems.

Buy the "Mountain Directory West" published by R & R Publishing.



Intended for use by RVers, truckers, Motorhomes, etc.



Shows locations of steep grades and their real (versus what the state puts up) characteristics.



It's kept me out of trouble a couple of times.



Regards, DBF