Towing through I70 CO

[Merkel W]

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

 

[Casa_Woody]

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

Would be nice to know a bit more about your tow vehicle. Assuming a 6.7L CTD. Assuming additional mods to support the pin weight. Don't want this to turn into a GVWR discussion. There's plenty of that already on the forum.
The Ram 2500 will pull the weight just fine. I'd slow down both up hill and down hill. Use a lower gear, no need to be in a hurry. Respect the curves. Keep the exhaust brake on going down hill to help reduce chance of overheating the brakes.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Merkel W]

Thank you for the response. We have 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, that fully supports pin wt wo mods. Our truck is rated to tow 19,300lbs and our RV weights 16,800 so we are concerned about our ability to climb such steep grades.

 

[triplethreat]

Thank you for the response. We have 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, that fully supports pin wt wo mods. Our truck is rated to tow 19,300lbs and our RV weights 16,800 so we are concerned about our ability to climb such steep grades.

Just a heads up...the towing capacity of the truck is not the determining factor here. The payload capacity of the truck is what may be in question. That trailer has around 2900 lbs of pin weight when it's empty.....new from the factory. The pin weight will be way over that number when the trailer is loaded. You might want to check the sticker on the driver side door post to see what your truck's actual payload capacity is. It will probably be labeled something like "Cargo Carrying Capacity"

 

[Stealth13777]

I agree with others that I doubt your suspension (and possibly axle) is rated for that load. My only concern would be axle because those get hot pulling mountains - you want to be under the axle load rating. If you’re under GVWR and payload, you’re likely under axle too. It’s GCWR that plays into towing rating - a different set of numbers. I digress.

Towed that recently. You pretty much have to go over the mountains if you are going through there, and I70 is fine. If going west, it’s a loooooong but more gradual grade versus going east. Slow down, stay right, monitor temps. Make sure you’re under the rear axle rating if you want that to stay cool. But most important - don’t try to go down (much) faster than you are capable of going up, and use the engine to brake.

On our trip, we had plenty of power to accelerate if we wanted going up, and I’m not sure I ever touched the actual brakes going down. The transmission started to warm up when we got above 10k ft so I slowed down from 60 to 45 for the last couple miles and had no issues. Your 6.7 will likely also have enough power to accelerate at any point on that route, and to hold the load back going down. .

 

[triplethreat]

I agree with others that I doubt your suspension (and possibly axle) is rated for that load. My only concern would be axle because those get hot pulling mountains - you want to be under the axle load rating. If you’re under GVWR and payload, you’re likely under axle too. It’s GCWR that plays into towing rating - a different set of numbers. I digress. .

Normally, the order of progression for overload is this. Normally, you will reach the payload capacity first. Once you go over the payload capacity, the truck is automatically over the GVWR. The next in line if someone keeps adding more weight is the RAWR. Once that reaches overloaded weight, then it's usually the tires that will be over the Tire load capacity rating. Obviously, I'm talking about OEM tires and or tires that have the same load capacity rating as the OEM tires

 

[Second Chance]

Moved to Campgrounds, Destinations and RV Trip Planning.

As others have said, the loaded pin weight on that trailer will be around 3,850 lbs. - way too much for a 3/4-ton truck. Have you had your setup across the scales with and without the trailer (loaded, of course) to determine what your actual pin weight is?

Rob

EDIT: I would highly recommend purchasing and downloading a copy of The Mountain Directory and check all your routes very carefully.

https://mountaindirectory.com/

 

[triplethreat]

Moved to Campgrounds, Destinations and RV Trip Planning.

As others have said, the loaded pin weight on that trailer will be around 3,850 lbs. - way too much for a 3/4-ton truck. Have you had your setup across the scales with and without the trailer (loaded, of course) to determine what your actual pin weight is?

Rob

EDIT: I would highly recommend purchasing and downloading a copy of The Mountain Directory and check all your routes very carefully.

https://mountaindirectory.com/

I'll second the suggestion for the Mountain Directory. I bought the western area last year before we headed out west for our trip. Very good info about locations of and a description of steep grades.

 

[traveldawg]

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

I was going to suggest Hwy 50 from Pueblo over to Grand Junction. But then you will deal with Monarch Pass - also 11,000 ft.

There is probably no good way without going wayyyyyy out of your way.

 

[jjbbrewer]

I just drove that route last weekend and I have many time with both a Dodge 2500 6.7 Cummins pulling a 35' KZ 5th wheel and with my Ford F450 pulling my 349M.

As others have said, you should be fine climbing. If you have an EGT gauge, I'd keep an eye on it.

When I do that route, going up is no big deal. It's the downgrades that will test your exhaust brake so make sure it's working well.
You'll be able to test it first on the descent past Floyd Hill. The real test will be after the Eisenhauer Tunnel into Silverthorne.

If you handle that ok, then the descent into Vail should be ok. Just watch for the right hand decreasing radius corner near 39.578392, -106.249427 as they have construction going on in that area right now.

 

[jleonard]

I don't think you'll have any problems pulling with the Ram. We just went thru that way in July with a lighter rig. I used the Auto engine brake mode and set the cruise at 25 going downhill and the truck did all the braking. Rarely touched the brake pedal. And it didn't break a sweat going uphill even in close to 100 degree heat.
Relax and enjoy the scenery.

 

[Second Chance]

I don't think you'll have any problems pulling with the Ram. We just went thru that way in July with a lighter rig. I used the Auto engine brake mode and set the cruise at 25 going downhill and the truck did all the braking. Rarely touched the brake pedal. And it didn't break a sweat going uphill even in close to 100 degree heat.
Relax and enjoy the scenery.

I don't think a 7,850 lb. Imagine and 16,800 lb. Solitude make for a good comparison.

Rob

 

[marine6805]

My preference would also be Monarch Pass (U.S. Hwy 50) and the westbound approach is quite negligible for a CTD 6.7.
I always travel with mine locked in MAX 5th (use ERS), the engine brake in auto, and the TOW/Haul engaged. No gear searching, down shifts as needed, and engine brakes does most pf the stopping.
The scenery is spectacular, and the road conditions are mostly construction free. We do this route at least once every other year.

 

[Homegrown]

I have travelled that route numerous times in the last 10 years. Last summer we pulled our 30BH with a 3000 lb atv trailer behind that with our 2015 ram 3500 dually. Going up was no issue, and going down I ran the exhaust brake on max and I never felt uneasy. Every once in a while there would be a super slow semi that I would have to slow down for and I’d just have to be patient and wait to pass. There is a reallly nice rest area we stopped at to give the truck a break. It had nice hiking trails and ample parking. I wouldn’t worry too much about it with our setup, though I am unfamiliar with yours to give an opinion on that.

 

[mostad]

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

You will need to look at the weather this time of the year. The snow will be sticking to the roads now up there.

Vail pass is another pass you’ll hit, last time I went through there the roads were absolutely the worse. So watch for the bad spot and avoid if you can, some of this road damage will destroy a tire.

 

[bmbl-bee]

You will have plenty of power to pull the grades. Watch out for cross winds in the mountains. We were pulling our 22MLE near Georgetown lake last winter. Ahead we noticed snow blowing across the road. That's when we were hit by an incredible side wind. That along with ice on the road can be a really bad situation for towing. The wind lasted only a couple seconds and we made it without any issues except two undie changes. It will get your attention.

 

[Sprice1386]

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

Your post did not mention what time of year you plan to travel across CO. If you are traveling in the summer, I would avoid the heat of the day. I would also avoid weekends if possible, especially in the summer and winter. Your I-70 travel time on weekends between Denver and Vail can double or triple with lots of stop and go which can really drive up drive train temps.

 

[jking1286]

Idaho Springs...

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

Watch out when you're dropping in a little before Idaho Springs, There's a downward Left turn that leads into a pretty quick right turn... I've seen many a spinouts during ski season there... after that, just be very aware and keep off the brakes as much as you can, use exhaust brake. My #1 policy is "Keep Your eyes and anticipation as far ahead as possible, and assume everyone near you is ignorant and wreckless." Good Luck. Safe travels

 

[COGrandDes]

Hi. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, if you feel another spot would be more appropriate please feel free to share.

We are towing the Solitude 390RK with a Dodge Ram 2500 turbo diesel. We need to get to Grand Junction, CO via I-70 from Denver area. We are a bit concerned about the grades of the highway, we have never pulled that steep. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions for this route? Any opinions of alternative routes?

Thanks for the help!
Michelle

We live in CO and do routes like this all the time for our summer camping excursions. Up until last week, we towed our 16K lb 40' Montana with our 2017 Sierra 3500 and now 2022 Sierra 3500 AT4 up and down the mountains just as fast as I wanted to go. The new diesel engine and drivetrains won't be the limiting factor. At least I can say they aren't for the GM trucks! I set the cruise control to the speed that I desire to go, enable the exhaust brake, and let the truck do it's thing. Pay attention to traffic all around you and stay away from the looney and inconsiderate drivers. The exhaust brakes on the new diesels work really well and are allot more effective than an engine brake on a gas engine truck. Even with the weight of my Montana and my truck going down steep passes....the drivetrain is able to lock-in the speed that you desire without riding the brakes at all. This is super important. Good luck---it's an awesome and fun trip through the mountains especially now with the leaves turning.

 

[drydocked]

We went through there last October. I agree with all the load discussion. Too many people don't understand all the weight numbers and how they work. Regardless, no one is discussing the snowstorms that you can get caught in. I would recommend travelling only in the daylight. We learned the hard way that even in a little bit of darkness when the snow flies, it is a challenge to get to a place to pull over. There are not a lot of rest areas when you get up there.