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Topic: Interstate 70 (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Interstate 70
Yahoo Message Number: 104911
I am thinking of taking I 70 over the Rockies to Colorado instead of I 80.  I drive a 2008 27ft LD towing a Honda CRV.  Will I have difficulty on the high mountain passes on 70?  Would you recommend disconnecting the toad and driving it over separately?  Any advice would be welcome.

Donna Williams
Re: Interstate 70
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104913
My guess is that you will get varied responses on this question. I have a 2002 26.5 RK (lower horsepower than your 2008) and I tow a 99 Jeep Wrangler (3300 pounds) and have no problems, other than I take it slow. I also have a 4spd tranny, as vs your 5 sp. So I don't think you will have any issues. If you do, as you say, you can always disconnect and go over separately.
 I would ask if you have tow brakes on your toad? You do NOT want to have to overuse brakes going downhill. If you do tow (or even if not), take it as slow on the downhill side as you were going on the uphill side. Go down
2000 TK
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT
Re: Interstate 70
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104940
Quote
I am thinking of taking I 70 over the Rockies to Colorado instead of I 80.  I drive a 2008 27ft LD towing a Honda CRV.  Will I have difficulty on the high mountain passes on 70?
Donna,
 We have a 2004 Mid Bath and tow a 2005 Honda CR-V and travel over I 70 eastbound once or twice a year.  I have never unhooked the CR-V when crossing either Vail Pass or the Eisenhower tunnel.  Vail Pass is only two lanes each way (no truck lane).  If traffic will not allow me to get around a really slow semi as I approach it, I will be stuck behind it at 25 mph or whatever it is going until I reach the summit.  If I can pass without slowing down, I can make it over the top at 35 mph by keeping the rpm at about 3200.  If I wanted to rev the engine higher I could go faster.
 The climb to the Eisenhower tunnel has a truck lane so I don't get stuck behind anything and I will usually be going about 35 when I reach the tunnel.  Obviously unhooking the CR-V would allow faster travel but we haven't felt it necessary.

Monti

Monument, CO
Re: Interstate 70
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104956
Hi Donna:
 We don't tow but we have constantly used I-70 over the rockies (we live 53 miles from exit 49).   We never had any problem, either
 
Re: Interstate 70
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104957
Donna,

As others have said, I don't think you will have any problems going up.  Going down on the other hand is all up to you.  I highly recommend that you have toad brakes and you MUST use a lower gear.
You don't mention which direction you will be going, as the grades on either side of the passes are different, especially Eisenhower.  The eastern side is more of a bunch of short climbs and decents that take you to the top, whereas the western side is a very long grade to the top.  I've taken 70 in my '91 MB (with GearVendors) with no problem, but I wasn't towing anything.

70 is a gorgeous interstate, but my favorite part is through Glen Canyon (western end of CO).  It's breath taking scenery.  Add time for stopping at the many turnouts.  The interstate in that area is an engineering marvel, Discovery Channel did a show on it.
 One last thing, make sure your coolant, steering and brake fluids are topped off.

Regards,

-Victor