Forum Discussion

WyoTraveler's avatar
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014

Mountain driving in the west

Another problem on route 16 down through Tensleep. Do not ride your brakes. Use lower gears and if braking is required brake hard to bring your speed down to 10 to 20 MPH below your speed. Let your engine do the work. On July 6, a good example. RVer apparently rode his brakes down the grade. They were able to find a truck safety ramp. When RV stopped they unhooked toad, used fire extinguisher on brakes and put out fire. However, after driving to town and returning MH burned to ground. Was a 32 ft Fleetwood. As many posts that have described how to drive down grades RVers still ride their brakes. Fortunately they were safe. MH not so fortunate. These mountain grades aren't that steep. Just don't ride your brakes.
Seeking Advice

8 Replies

  • John_S_'s avatar
    John_S_
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2014
    I liked 14 when I did it last. It is just mountain driving and knowing your rig is not any mire difficult the 16.
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    Ya 14A bothered me (sans RV). But honestly there are grades in Canada that are worse. A few in BC that are just, well, WOW!
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jul 15, 2014
    This is where a diesel and a great Exhaust brake is your best friend.
    Newer gassers have a transmission breaking system, but my manual diesel with Pacbrake I very seldom need to even tap my service brakes on a downgrade, this is with a 19,500# GCVW. Ridding normal service brakes is a recipe for disaster.
  • Chock_Full_o__N's avatar
    Chock_Full_o__N
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    Jim Shoe wrote:
    And 16 is the easy one. 14 and 14A are both worse. East coast flatlanders, beware. Buy a copy of "Mountain Directory West", and read about all three.


    Speaking as a proud flat-lander, Hwy 16 scared the starch out of me. I just thank God I chose that route and not one of the others~! The Bighorn Mountains may not seem like much to those of you who live out there but they are not to be trifled with. I knew enough to downshift and keep my foot off the brake as much as possible but I was a big ol' ball of nerves by the time we reached Buffalo. I pulled off at the first RV park I saw that didn't look like Jack the Ripper and 10 of his friends lived there.
  • Jim_Shoe's avatar
    Jim_Shoe
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    And 16 is the easy one. 14 and 14A are both worse. East coast flatlanders, beware. Buy a copy of "Mountain Directory West", and read about all three.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    Yes, now starting to get an idea of the folks here that are afraid of "topography".
  • John_S_'s avatar
    John_S_
    Explorer II
    Jul 15, 2014
    Just drove that road. Stab your brakes and use your gears as well as retarder or jake.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,184 PostsLatest Activity: Sep 04, 2018