So... what are some real world experiences pulling a large 5th wheel with the 6.2 thru Colorado on I-70?

I'm looking at this summer going through there, looks like 11,000 feet with some 6% and 7% grades pulling 12,000 lbs signature rig.

Gear used?

Speed?

Weight pulled?

Gear coming down and how was the engine braking?

etc...

Thanks in advance

 

I cannot help, but it's a great question, and one I'm eager to hear answered.

 

not much "Air" at 11,000 feet. Walk Slow.

no help with 6.2L or that much weight at elevation.

you will be in Second a long time. with the 3.73's
but Ford does offer the 6.2L in the F 350 Dually.

All normally aspirated engines work HARD over 8,000 feet...
take a 1 mile fast Walk over 10,000 feet.. you will understand. even if you are 25 years old.

YES, I have been there.. done that.. 12,200 feet..

I will follow this thread with great interest.
. as wife is wanting a newer/larger trailer..
.

 

I been able to find other post about gas motor homes and the V10, but nothing yet about the 6.2.

Being in aviation my whole adult life, I understand the pressure altitude and loss of performance with normally aspirated engines.

I feel good about the brake issue, since I went to disc.

I think rvpuller has made trips this high with his Dually?

 

my understanding... (limited)


that diesel does NOT offer the level of engine braking as a gas engine..

and the 6 speed is very good at using engine braking with the 6.2L
and disc brakes are way better then drums on mountains down roads.

Stay Safe, Have Fun.

 

Yes I have pulled that high with my 6.2 but not I-70, we went over Wolf Creek last year (10856 ft) and will do Berthhoud Pass (11307 ft) this summer pulling our small boat behind the trailer. Our trailer averages around 16K and we gross 24.4K without the boat but we also have 4.30 gears. When we topped Wolf Creek I did end up in low gear for a short time but was still going 25mph (could have gone faster), have to love the high revving 6.2. I use the manual mode in the mountains when pulling and going down grades, the gear I use varies depending on the grade, you will get a feel for it. The engine and transmission braking is better than my other trucks but I still gain speed going down grades so I let the truck gain speed and use heavy braking to slow down with a period of no braking to let the brakes cool, I also set the gain higher for more trailer braking when in the mountains. We have spent a lot of time in the Rock Mountains with varying altitudes without any problems.

When you are going into or out of Denver on 70 one of the hardest pulls or downhill grades is the Glenwood grade west of Denver. Going west we cutoff on 58 toward Glenwood and take 6 to Idaho Springs and reverse going east. Nice easy pull but it is 2 lane with a 45 mph speed limit and its a very scenic drive. The whole drive along 70 through CO is beautiful so slow down and enjoy it

Denny

 

When you are towing up a steep grade is there a slow lane where people can chill out and take their time without getting run over?

 

Yes, most steep grades have a right lane for slowwww moving vehicles. I certainly wouldn't call it the chill out and take your time lane.
Even a big rig hauling up a steep grade doesn't want to loose what little momentum they have because someone is lolly gagging.

Some have pulloffs at the top before the decent to check your brakes and let your vehicle cool off.

 

Glenwood springs? It wasn't even completed divided interstate hwy until maybe 10 or 15 years ago, through the twisties there iirc. That was kind of a white knuckler through there, I thought. Now it's all elevated.

 

I pulled my 5th wheel on I-70 with my 6.2 last year. Trailer weighs right at 10500 lbs. You will be in 2nd or even 1st a lot of the time...only going 15 to 25 mph. The engine will sound like its coming apart but the high revs are normal. Coming down, the engine will help some but extra braking will be necessary. My wife wast impressed ....the reason I traded the 6.2 for the 6.7 PSD a couple months ago. Just enjoy the ride and take your time...be safe!

 

starting to plan my trip on not going on I70 through CO, doesn't sound worth it.

 

Where is your final destination?

Denny

 

HA!

Going on a three week summer trip out west...still planning....thinking about Monument valley, Sedona, Las Vegas...etc...several stops

 

If I remember correctly. regardless of North/central/south.. You need to cross the mountains, to get to the "LEFT" coast.

but I have been wrong before

But it does sound like a Fun Trip
,
,'

 

True and funny,

I'm going to take I40 thru Albuquerque, then up. Been that route before to Sedona and I10 back before but with a smaller trailer. Not as bad as going up the Rockies. Just trying to avoid the highest points.