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Old 07-03-2013, 11:48 AM   #1
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Monarch Pass, Colorado

I'm heading back to Colorado next week from Monterey, California to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The route I've chosen will take me over Monarch Pass west of Salida. I've been over this pass in a car but never in a motorhome. I have a 2011 Thor Serrano with a Maxxforce 7 diesel engine and a Jeep Wrangler in tow. I don't have an exhaust brake, but I've been down 7% grades before without difficulty. The Allison transmission gives me pretty good braking in 2nd or 1st gears. Monarch pass' max grade is rated at 6.4% by the CODOT. Just to be sure, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience going over this pass with a coach that has this engine or something similar. Also, should I unhook my toad before going up? I've never had an overheating problem, but generally I can't get much over 30mph with the Jeep in tow. Thoughts anyone?

Steve and Debbie
Estes Park, Colorado
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Old 07-03-2013, 10:06 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iryshe View Post
I'm heading back to Colorado next week from Monterey, California to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The route I've chosen will take me over Monarch Pass west of Salida. I've been over this pass in a car but never in a motorhome. I have a 2011 Thor Serrano with a Maxxforce 7 diesel engine and a Jeep Wrangler in tow. I don't have an exhaust brake, but I've been down 7% grades before without difficulty. The Allison transmission gives me pretty good braking in 2nd or 1st gears. Monarch pass' max grade is rated at 6.4% by the CODOT. Just to be sure, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience going over this pass with a coach that has this engine or something similar. Also, should I unhook my toad before going up? I've never had an overheating problem, but generally I can't get much over 30mph with the Jeep in tow. Thoughts anyone?

Steve and Debbie
Estes Park, Colorado
I have the maxxforce 7 in a Monaco vesta with 6 speed Allison. I've been over it both directions pulling a 2004 rubicon wrangler. It would be nice to have engine or exhaust brake but I manage my down hill speed with transmission and occasional intermittent press on the air brake. I had no problems going either direction. Slumgullion near lake city I have unhooked the jeep just to manage the navigation You will be near very scenic Bach country to enjoy offroad trips with you wrangler. Lake city to silverton and ourau are great day trips. Nice little theater nearby in creede. The alpine loop is a wonderful trip with several ghost town stops and scenery is magnificent. Fish can be great in any part of this area. This makes me want ro leave in the morning. I hope you have time to explore. My thought is to manage speed on way down as you do on way up. Use engine and lower gear to manage append as much ad you can before applying brakes. Certainly don't ride brake down. Go slow and enjoy the scenery. Our vesta is the 260hp and 22000 pounds I'm not sure about the sorrano. Good luck and enjoy the ride. Hopefully fires are behaving. O
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