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Timeking's avatar
Timeking
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016

drive shaft hill in Utah

I plan to go north on 191 from Arizona on up to I-70. Mountain Directory says that 14 miles south of Blanding there is a hill called Drive shaft hill, which is an 11 percent half mile climb, presumably named because your drive shaft fails trying to climb it. I was planning on getting up some steam, and pop over it; but the wife is worried. Any thoughts? Assurances? I'm towing a 5000lb TT with a V8 Trailblazer rated at 6200.
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  • Timeking's avatar
    Timeking
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2016
    Great news guys. Thanks much. Will try to find other things for wife to worry about.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2016
    The fun road is a bit to the west, 262 IIRC the Moki Dugway.

    Moki Dugway


    We've been up and down 191 a number of times over the years and I never even noticed "Drive Shaft hill".
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2016
    Do you mean this little step (looking south,downhill)

    https://goo.gl/maps/pFWT1D7vPES2

    A name like that probably does not come from the current highway and grade. More likely it got the name back in Model T days when cars had to backup steep slopes so their gravity fed gas would keep flowing.
  • 2lazy4U's avatar
    2lazy4U
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2016
    I've been over that stretch many times and can't recall anything too serious. I did find this link:

    http://www.irv2.com/forums/f42/draftshaft-hill-aka-utah-highway-191-a-156138.html
  • rocmoc's avatar
    rocmoc
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2016
    Has some pretty good curves. Have been over & down several times and never a problem. Also have never seen anyone else having a problem and this road has a fair amount of traffic. Plus you are at elevation!

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

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