ike gauntlet - how would you do it?
So I am entertained by the Ike tests. I don't put a lot of value in them, and if I ever go to buy a new(er) truck, they would not change my opinion, but I do find it entertaining. If you were to ...
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The best way is to start at the bottom, crest the top and ease your way down the backside.....
I've driven this stretch of highway dozens of times. There is really nothing special about it other than it's a long, fairly straight and consistent grade of good asphalt that tops out over 11,000 feet. There are roads that are higher, steeper and curvier, but this chunk of road makes for a good test due to a consistent grade and relative straightness.
When my father was teaching me to drive and operate equipment, he said "You can work a piece of equipment as hard has you want, just don't abuse it."
This means you don't bounce it off the rev limiter, lug it unnecessarily, or slam gears, while keeping the EGT's in check and watching your gauges to see if anything is being overstressed i.e. overheating or otherwise.
There should be no problem with pulling this grade for a vehicle in good repair. It's very possible you could be doing 20mph on the way up in an older truck, but if you keep an eye on the gauges and "feel" what the truck is doing, you should be fine.
I should add, that it's almost an hour from the base of the mountains outside Denver to the top of Ike. Oh, and then you have Vail Pass another 20-30 minutes beyond that. Cresting the hill 10 mph faster won't get you there than much quicker. Enjoy the climb, it's a beautiful drive all the way to Grand Junction.
Adam
I've driven this stretch of highway dozens of times. There is really nothing special about it other than it's a long, fairly straight and consistent grade of good asphalt that tops out over 11,000 feet. There are roads that are higher, steeper and curvier, but this chunk of road makes for a good test due to a consistent grade and relative straightness.
When my father was teaching me to drive and operate equipment, he said "You can work a piece of equipment as hard has you want, just don't abuse it."
This means you don't bounce it off the rev limiter, lug it unnecessarily, or slam gears, while keeping the EGT's in check and watching your gauges to see if anything is being overstressed i.e. overheating or otherwise.
There should be no problem with pulling this grade for a vehicle in good repair. It's very possible you could be doing 20mph on the way up in an older truck, but if you keep an eye on the gauges and "feel" what the truck is doing, you should be fine.
I should add, that it's almost an hour from the base of the mountains outside Denver to the top of Ike. Oh, and then you have Vail Pass another 20-30 minutes beyond that. Cresting the hill 10 mph faster won't get you there than much quicker. Enjoy the climb, it's a beautiful drive all the way to Grand Junction.
Adam
