Colorado Hwy 50 @ Monarch Pass
Got a 40' Fifth Wheel towed by a Ram 3500 5.9- but NO exhaust brake. Is traveling east bound over Monarch Pass a safe option?
Forum Discussion
Martyn wrote:
Lived in Colorado for 30 years. I've done it with 29ft 5er and Ram 2500 5.9 CTD. No problem.
Had no exhaust brake but put it in 2nd on cruise at 30mph. Let it slowly speed up to about 50 then braked hard until back to 30. Repeat.
Saw me fine over that pass doing this.
Also going down Wolf Creek Pass but with boat added behind the 5er. Similarly on Vail Pass.
Just take it slow and careful and you will be fine. I found Monarch to be the easiest of the three.
Been over about every major CO pass with my 12,000-13,000lb, depending on water load, 5er.
The low gear, let it speed up, brake hard to slow right down, let it speed up while brakes cool, brake hard method works.
Only had smoking brakes a few times. Slumgullion Pass into Lake City was one occasion. Nasty pass that one.
