drive shaft hill in Utah

I suspect that hill along with others throughout the country have acquired the name driveshaft hill from truckers.
If they hit the hill wrong and did not downshift fast enough the last shift will result in a big jolt and the driveline will twist off or a universal will explode and the drive shaft is on the ground. I have seen it happen and hate to admit had it happen.

I said going down, not going up. I know it can be done, and I could do it, but I choose not to.

lbrjet wrote:

Searching_Ut wrote:
Glad you're not nervous about it anymore. Actually, that I can think of there aren't any hills on paved roads in the State of Utah that I've encountered that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my fifth wheel on. 143 heading up to Brians head ski area has sign saying trailers aren't recommended as I recall but you had to take that route for a couple years due to a rock slide on the other road coming in from the west. It really isn't bad other than somewhat steep. The only other questionable road would be 158 up to powder mountain, which I've never towed on due to there being no reason too. I wouldn't try it without a diesel with exhaust brake for coming down.

We have towed a bunch of Utah roads and several were challenging for my gasser right at the GCWR. 12, 191 from Vernal to the border, 72 and 43. 95, 89, 24, 191 from Vernal to Bluff not as much. All were beautiful. The one road I drove in my truck and won't tow is 14 from Cedar Breaks to Cedar City. I could do it in first gear but it wouldn't be fun.

hwy 14 is the recommended route to Cedar Breaks from the West, and is the road I was referring to that was closed by a rock slide. I've drug a large assortment of different rigs up there over the years and never had an issue other than my old class A Winnebago that would blow a lot of smoke on the climb unless I stopped on the way and adjusted the carb. I often tow doubles up that road as there are some great ATV trails we like riding. Sometimes we come in off I-15, sometimes via 89 then west. Lots off interesting stuff to explore in that area from the spot where the virgin river comes out of the cliff, to lava tubes, wildlife filled forests etc.

Searching_Ut wrote:
Glad you're not nervous about it anymore. Actually, that I can think of there aren't any hills on paved roads in the State of Utah that I've encountered that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my fifth wheel on. 143 heading up to Brians head ski area has sign saying trailers aren't recommended as I recall but you had to take that route for a couple years due to a rock slide on the other road coming in from the west. It really isn't bad other than somewhat steep. The only other questionable road would be 158 up to powder mountain, which I've never towed on due to there being no reason too. I wouldn't try it without a diesel with exhaust brake for coming down.

We have towed a bunch of Utah roads and several were challenging for my gasser right at the GCWR. 12, 191 from Vernal to the border, 72 and 43. 95, 89, 24, 191 from Vernal to Bluff not as much. All were beautiful. The one road I drove in my truck and won't tow is 14 from Cedar Breaks to Cedar City. I could do it in first gear but it wouldn't be fun.

If you made drive shaft hill OK maybe try crankshaft junction just for fun?

I was over that area a couple times a little over a month ago and don't remember anything special on US-191 about 14 miles south of Blanding. There is a bit of a steep hill a bit north of the junction with 262. Nothing special about the hill in my opinion.

Now on US 163 about 7 miles south of Bluff - the road goes through the wall of Comb Ridge Bluff. West of Blanding on UT-95 about 16 miles - that road also goes through the wall of Comb Ridge Bluff.

Those are both quite steep, hard climbs. The hardest climb is north bound on 163, and east bound on 95, however, the climb out of the wash on the other side of both is about 1,000 to 1,500 feet in three or four miles.

Glad you're not nervous about it anymore. Actually, that I can think of there aren't any hills on paved roads in the State of Utah that I've encountered that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my fifth wheel on. 143 heading up to Brians head ski area has sign saying trailers aren't recommended as I recall but you had to take that route for a couple years due to a rock slide on the other road coming in from the west. It really isn't bad other than somewhat steep. The only other questionable road would be 158 up to powder mountain, which I've never towed on due to there being no reason too. I wouldn't try it without a diesel with exhaust brake for coming down.

I wonder if the hill got its name because the sloped ramp shape reminded someone of the exposed angled drive shaft of a typical truck.

Timeking wrote:
Drive shaft hill was nothing at all. Needless fretting.

Glad you returned with your update!!

Like I said, 7 percent. I have been up and down it a few times and it is just a short hill more than anything. Sometimes Mountain Directory is just plain wrong.