Community Forums

Sky_Boss · 04-06-2017, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Yep. Easier to take in the view at 35.
I find that some of the toughest up/down grades in beautiful passes have a fuel price that is worth it.
Happy Trails

HMMMM... I hope folks gawking at the view too much aren't on my tail. Taking in the beautiful vista by the co-pilot are just fine but for the driver...well...you get my point.

BTW...this is the second time you mentioned fuel as being a factor and I don't know that anyone has brought that up to any serious extent. The issue is being informed on what to expect and understanding one's personal comfort level.

OLYLEN · 04-06-2017, 09:45 AM

If the climb is the same elevation wise on both sides of the pass and the distance to climb on one side is shorter, the climb is steeper.

LEN

Sky_Boss · 04-06-2017, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Gluckman

Maybe I'm not reading this right, but if I look at a route through the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado, it shows a 6% grade going uphill (heading East) and an 8% grade going downhill when heading West.

How can that be?

What are you using to say that?

CampDaven · 04-06-2017, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

HMMMM... I hope folks gawking at the view too much aren't on my tail. Taking in the beautiful vista by the co-pilot are just fine but for the driver...well...you get my point.

BTW...this is the second time you mentioned fuel as being a factor and I don't know that anyone has brought that up to any serious extent. The issue is being informed on what to expect and understanding one's personal comfort level.

Understood. Fuel is what I spend to enjoy the grades, that's all.
We are always comfortable, albeit a bit slow.

Ken Gluckman · 04-06-2017, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

If the climb is the same elevation wise on both sides of the pass and the distance to climb on one side is shorter, the climb is steeper.

LEN

I understand that, but I am looking at I-70 where the lanes in both directions run parallel along virtually the same route. That's why I can't understand it.

I was looking at this on the Flattest Route web site and mapped a route from Los Vegas to Indiana.

jtovo · 04-18-2017, 07:28 AM

I don't think it calculates the flattest route, it seems like it calculates the shortest but tells you the elevation changes you are going to encounter.
Las Vegas to Indiana on I-70 certainly isn't the flattest route.

Sky_Boss · 04-18-2017, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtovo

I don't think it calculates the flattest route, it seems like it calculates the shortest but tells you the elevation changes you are going to encounter.
Las Vegas to Indiana on I-70 certainly isn't the flattest route.

I've wondered the same but there may some difference in how we perceive flattest vs how it calculates it. It also has no clue on what you are driving so, as an example, it doesn't consider length or weight restrictions. Still, the ability to drag the route around helps users evaluate options.

Like a GPS routings or other online map routes, it is a tool that should be trusted only after verification from sources you trust.

Pepper2 · 04-18-2017, 09:02 AM

Thanks for the link.

flaggship1 · 04-18-2017, 10:00 AM

Thanks Don.
For an upcoming trip to Oregon - there's only one way in from the east. It's nice to see the changes in elevation and +/- over distance. I'm with you on the nice addition tool for planning. I have the mountain east and west books and they're helpful in a similar manner.

One aspect of planning that retirement / full timing brings is the ability to stop whenever you want. So if I'm more inclined to do the ups and downs in the morning, rather than afternoon - I can just find a place for the night or a day or two and head on up and down the road at prime time. Sun in my eyes - no thanks. Rain and wind. Sign me up for another night. All just a part of planning.

twogypsies · 04-18-2017, 02:36 PM

I can't recall which forum I saw this on recently but the poster was concerned about the Flattest Route saying there's a section on I-40 that has a 16% grade!!! No way. So it pays to check other sources, too.

Murf2u · 04-18-2017, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

In another thread I learned about flattestroute.com

A very nice site where you can set a start and end point. It will then calculate the flattest route and put it on a google map.

I just climb out to about 10,000 ASL and cruise along flat as can be. No website required.

Of course the problem is no matter how hard I pull back on the steering wheel the motorhome doesn't rotate. It must have one heck of a high Vr speed, those nose wheels just don't come up at all.

Jeffcarp · 04-19-2017, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retreever

Thanks for this, I've been wondering for some time why somebody hadn't already done this - you'd think the GPS makers with RV specific units would be all over this.

Retreever

Garmin RV GPS units do this today.

Sky_Boss · 04-19-2017, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf2u

I just climb out to about 10,000 ASL and cruise along flat as can be. No website required.

Of course the problem is no matter how hard I pull back on the steering wheel the motorhome doesn't rotate. It must have one heck of a high Vr speed, those nose wheels just don't come up at all.

That or little elevator authority. LOL