Towing Over Wolf Creek Pass

[JWP127]

I have a Ram 2500, 6.4 Hemi, towing a 38 ft travel trailer that weighs 10000#. I'm well within my towing means. This summer we're taking a Colorado trip from Texas to Canon City, CO, then into Pagosa Springs. From Canon City to Pagosa Springs we'll go over Wolf Creek Pass. Should I be concerned at all? Anyone with a gasser want to chime in?

[ACZL]

Grit.....you read my mind !!!!

C W McCall's "Wolf Creek Pass"

I LMAO each time I hear it. Wonder if they ever found that genuine acc'y gear shift knob?!

[ramyankee]

I had completely forgotten about that great old country song. Here is just over 8 minutes (2 versions) of a pretty darn good bit of country.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KHb_0Lhegig

And darned if the link will not work!!!

Hopefully this link works...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LzWZYWpOU

[Lwiddis]

You are overweight so everyone else will be ok, Bob3putt? Is that a “feeling” or a guess? Are their brakes as good as your brakes? Their tires? Their driving skills? Weather the same? Speed the same? Distractions? Engine braking? Night or day?

[Bob3Putt]

I have a Dodge 2500 5.7 with an 11000 lb 5th wheel and have been back and forth over wolf creek pass many times. No sweat. Since you have a bigger engine and a smaller trailer than I do, you should be able to pull it anywhere without worry.

[4runnerguy]

At least you didn't run across Mike Tierney on the Pass. He's a unicyclist from Aspen. We've seen him riding over Independence Pass. He's done the paved passes in the state. I believe he's right around 60 years old. Quite a feat.



Article on some of the passes he's done: Aspen Newspaper Article

Some years ago we saw him coming down a mogul run on a powder day at Aspen Highlands - on his unicycle!

[wanderingbob]

Many moons ago we went over Wolf Creek on a Honda GoldWing , We certainly were proud . While friends were taking pictures of us and our bike, into the parking lot came a van with a big sign that said , "San Diego Senior Citizens Bicycle Cub .", Followed by 16 or 20 Seniors on bicycles.
Also , I second that you check your brakes and do not stack the chickens to high .

[Edd505]

Wolf Creek last Oct. 4" on the ground by the time I made the summit, pulling a 35ft 5W. Go slow, you can go down many times too slow, once too fast.

[time2roll]

I would have no concern. Probably the highlight of that days drive.

[smarty]

Been across this pass many times
Drive smart and you will be fine

[Horsedoc]

Interesting you should post this . We have friends on a extend tour of the western US right now. They towed over Wolf Creek Pass this weekend in a snow. Small trailer towed with a Tacoma. She said it was white out conditions most of the time and they were barely moving, but afraid to stop for fear of getting snowed in up on the mountain.
The last time we crossed the Pass, we were heading into Pagosa Springs. Our friends were headed the other way.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2383524715041584&set=basw.AbqP7jcjFj8ErDQbZMimY2Cx2ZFJ5l4bJmnAD297MyvD0Ugq

hope this works

[memtb]

I believe that’s it’s much better than it was many years ago! Here’s a description of what it once was! :B


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LzWZYWpOU

[JWP127]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

[coloelk]

I live in Pagosa Springs so use Wolf Creek a lot. Going up either side is not a concern. It's coming down where people get into trouble. Start off the top slow and stay that way. Use your brakes as little as possible, downshift. Use the runaway ramps if you need to. There are more wrecks on the pass than needs to be, from people not knowing how to drive downhill.

[JIMNLIN]

The 6.4 hemi has plenty of power so going up isn't a issue. Going down just drop it in a gear that runs the hemi around 4k rpm and as Biscuit say stab the brakes to scrub speed ...let off and repeat till rpm maintains speed.
We ran Wolf Creek years back with a '90 2500 chevy 5.7 engine 4.10 gears and a whoppin' 210 hp and 300 torque pulling a 8200 gvwr 5th wheel trailer.