San Jose, CA to Banff, Canada - Take II
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May-23-2016 11:08 PM
I posted this before a few weeks ago, but I've found more information on calculating grades and can now formulate a better question.
Through the miracle of Google Earth Pro (now free!), I've determined that the steepest grades in the U.S. portion of the trip are 7% and are in Idaho on 95. I'm confident that my venerable rig can handle this without issue -- it's been to Tahoe about a dozen times, it's been over the Grapevine more times than I can count, it's been to Yellowstone and to the Grand Canyon -- my point is that it can pull most grades.
(Here's the question):
Google Earth Pro (now free!) shows that H95 in Canada has at least one (maybe two, I forget) very long grade at 10-11%!
With a 6.0L gasser and a 9,000 lb 5r (see sig below), is there any reasonable hope of making that grade? I've got a pretty good-sized trans cooler and the temp hasn't gone beyond 190 no matter what (so far).
I've been told the Tioga pass out of Yosemite would be impossible for my rig and I don't want to get all the way to Canada only to find I can't get to Banff.
Any sage advise would be appreciated.
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May-27-2016 12:09 AM
2013 Palomino Maverick 2902
2018 GMC 3500HD, 4x4, 6.5' box, SRW, Denali, Duramax, Andersen
DeeBee, JayBee, and Jed the Black Lab
The hurrier I go the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll)
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May-26-2016 08:53 AM
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May-25-2016 10:00 PM
Oh and if you are going to Banff, it would be a real shame not to spend another day to go further north to Jasper along Highway 93 in the Rocky Mountain trench......
I'm just sayin...... 🙂
2013 Palomino Maverick 2902
2018 GMC 3500HD, 4x4, 6.5' box, SRW, Denali, Duramax, Andersen
DeeBee, JayBee, and Jed the Black Lab
The hurrier I go the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll)
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May-24-2016 09:49 PM
2013 Evergreen i-Go G239BH
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May-24-2016 07:38 PM
I was explicitly warned off the Tioga pass because the unanimous consensus at the time was that the grade was just too steep for my 6.0L gasser to get the 9,000# trailer over. I trust (most) people on the RV forums, so I didn't try it.
Sadly, you learned a lesson and lost out on an opportunity to cross the highest paved pass in California. You would have made it just fine, probably got two miles per gallon and gone up at 25 mph, but very doable. Unfortunately, some think you need a Peterbilt to tow a tent trailer. That kind of small thinking helps nobody.
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May-24-2016 06:46 PM
jmtandem wrote:
I don't understand this comment at all. If you keep your temperatures in check you can climb Tioga. You might be only going 25 mph but as long as the truck's engine is not stressed it should be fine. If you want to tow up long grades half throttle at 1800 rpms and do the speed limit all the way, get a diesel. They flatten hills.
The comment comes from a trip I was planning several years ago from San Jose to Mammoth Lakes (where, as it turns out, there are no mammoth lakes). I was explicitly warned off the Tioga pass because the unanimous consensus at the time was that the grade was just too steep for my 6.0L gasser to get the 9,000# trailer over. I trust (most) people on the RV forums, so I didn't try it.
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May-24-2016 10:02 AM
I've been told the Tioga pass out of Yosemite would be impossible for my rig and I don't want to get all the way to Canada only to find I can't get to Banff.
I don't understand this comment at all. If you keep your temperatures in check you can climb Tioga. You might be only going 25 mph but as long as the truck's engine is not stressed it should be fine. If you want to tow up long grades half throttle at 1800 rpms and do the speed limit all the way, get a diesel. They flatten hills.
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May-24-2016 09:48 AM
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May-24-2016 09:13 AM
However if you really don't want to try it ( and miss some of the best scenery/wildlife viewing) you can stay north of Radium on 95 to the Transcanada at Golden and then head east to Banff etc. But then you have to cross the Great Divide on Kicking Horse Pass out of Field. Your choice but eirthe one is completely doable!!
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse