14 west across big horn mountain
I’m planning on traveling across the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. Traveling west from Ranchester to Greybull pulling a 32 ft. travel trailer with a Chevrolet Duramax. On the west side going downhi...
Forum Discussion
If yo are going on hiway 14 you should have no problem as long as you know how to drive in the mountains. Always use the truckers recommendation of always going down a hill in one gear lower than you went up it. 14A is a different story.
My wife and I have gone down 14A several times headed west. We have towed popups pulled by both Chevy Caprice and Mercury Grand Marquis. We also went down 14A going west with a Toyota Escaper w/4 cylinder and auto. I have never had hot brakes (or even warm brakes) on these trips. The thing to remember is that you always go down a hill in the gear lower than you would use going up. I frequently end up going down extreme hills in first gear and use my brakes as little as possible.
This is a quote from the Wyoming Mountain Road website--
"Highway 14A is extremely steep, a 10-percent grade and more, is winding, has several hairpin turns, and many blind corners. This is a challenging road during the summer season and closed during the winter.
This road is not recommended for oversize or over-length loads. Unless you are experienced in extreme mountain road driving, it is not advisable for 18-wheelers.
For tourists, it is a beautiful drive with wildlife, wonderful scenery and over 200 mile views in some areas. However, if you are driving a motor home, please pay attention to the information in the above paragraphs. Use lower gears and save the dangerous possibility of burning out your brakes."
Even after reading this, I will continue to go through the Bighorns when I travel. If YOU are nervous about taking this route, take hiway 14 instead.
My wife and I have gone down 14A several times headed west. We have towed popups pulled by both Chevy Caprice and Mercury Grand Marquis. We also went down 14A going west with a Toyota Escaper w/4 cylinder and auto. I have never had hot brakes (or even warm brakes) on these trips. The thing to remember is that you always go down a hill in the gear lower than you would use going up. I frequently end up going down extreme hills in first gear and use my brakes as little as possible.
This is a quote from the Wyoming Mountain Road website--
"Highway 14A is extremely steep, a 10-percent grade and more, is winding, has several hairpin turns, and many blind corners. This is a challenging road during the summer season and closed during the winter.
This road is not recommended for oversize or over-length loads. Unless you are experienced in extreme mountain road driving, it is not advisable for 18-wheelers.
For tourists, it is a beautiful drive with wildlife, wonderful scenery and over 200 mile views in some areas. However, if you are driving a motor home, please pay attention to the information in the above paragraphs. Use lower gears and save the dangerous possibility of burning out your brakes."
Even after reading this, I will continue to go through the Bighorns when I travel. If YOU are nervous about taking this route, take hiway 14 instead.
