Community Forums

Jktb · 05-29-2021, 09:33 PM

We’re considering a cross country trip in our class c pulling a toad. The trip will include Denver to Grand Junction. Any information from anyone who has driven that route in a similar rig with toad will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Jktb

rarebear.nm · 05-29-2021, 09:58 PM

Many RVers do this trip every day. You will have a long and sometimes steep climb out of Denver up to Eisenhower Tunnel . Then it's a long steep downhill, 7% for 7 miles and then only 5 or 6% for a couple of more miles. After that the drive is much easier and very nice.

Make sure you understand about mountain driving and stay off your regular service brakes. Low gears are your best friend.

Think about taking sometime in Glenwood Springs.

TXiceman · 05-30-2021, 06:12 AM

As noted, many RVers run this same trip, either direction. It should not be a problem....just gear down and take it easy in the right hand lane. Make sure the brakes in the motorhome are in good shape as well as the auxiliary brakes in the dinghy. More than likely, you will have to use your service brakes a little, but keep it geared down and limit brake use.

Ken

Winterbagoal · 05-30-2021, 07:02 AM

In a 31 foot, pre-2016 V10 powered Ford chassis, pulling a towed, the climbs will be challenging and slow. Keep right and use your 4-ways. The downhills may be even more challenging, and use your transmission to help keep your descents under control. If you have 2 capable drivers, you might also consider splitting the vehicles and using 2 drivers to get through. It really is a very scenic route, but don't lose focus on your driving.

Capt Steve · 06-08-2021, 08:02 PM

If you properly use your Tow haul {as in all of the time} you should have no issues going up or down. TH will reset the shift points to the most efficient settings for the conditions eliminating any well intentioned guesswork on your part. With TH most long descents should require little or no use of your brakes and best of all you will not burn a drop of fuel going down... going up not so much.

Try using cruise control on a long 6% descent with TH engaged. i typically set mine at around 55 depending on the road/weather conditions. You will arrive at the bottom of the grade with nice cool, fully functional, brakes as you probably haven't even touched them all the way down.

Add a Scan gauge or comparable display and monitor your trans fluid temps. This will quickly confirm the necessity for using TH. Even a slight grade will raise the trans temps 12 - 15 degrees very quickly but engage the TH when you note your error and the temp will drop by that much in just a mile or so. Over the course of a fifty thousand miles an additional 12 - 15 degrees will slowly, but surely {and needlessly} cook your transmission... Why would you want to do that?

Ron Dittmer · 06-09-2021, 04:58 AM

If travelling further from Grand Junction to Moab, be sure to take the scenic route. It's not much longer, but the views are awesome.

Here is one example of many.

Isaac-1 · 06-09-2021, 12:29 PM

Don't worry too much about the slow climb you will find a slow moving big truck in the right lane, going so slow you will be temped to try to pass it. Just stay behind it and take your time on the climb out of Denver, then take is slow going down hill, don't ride your brakes, when you need to use your brakes, use the hard and slow down to well below the speed limit, when you get back up close to the speed limit, use them again to slow down. If you find you are doing this cycle too often, slow down even more, and start braking at a lower speed.

momdoc · 06-09-2021, 02:08 PM

We have driven it a couple of times with our Class C and toad in the past and no problems. Just take your time.

hes4all · 06-09-2021, 02:14 PM

What everyone else has told you is great advice!
I'm going to tell you to have everything stored well, it is one bumpy road and in terrible condition!

Safe travels!