Traveling I 70 east bound Utah to Denver

Mstone4141 wrote:
We have a 2007 Dodge Dually 3500 diesel truck automatic transmission and pulling a 42-foot fifth wheel. Reading about grades going up and going down is this something we should attempt or have you done it? Looking for detailed information. Thanks

You should have no real issue with the grades on I-70 - Couple of Notes on your drive - always suggest if you have time to Look at doing RT 128 out of Moab - Beautiful Drive - Glenwood Springs has Bridge construction on the Overpass for RT 82 through town - just check to be sure there is not a scheduled Closure - CDOT cameras - If you continue on I-70 you will have Vail Pass then Eisenhower Tunnel - Colorado Passes and grades

After you have gotten most of the way down, just past Idaho Springs there is a left hand Exit #244 that will take you on RT 6 into Golden, while it may look tight and winding it's a Beautiful drive that is easy enough, as there is a quarry, and the Casino's so Busses and Tractor Trailers both use it. (One of My favorite drives almost as good as RT 128) One nice thing is less traffic and not nearly as steep as the I-70 going into the South Side of Denver.(JMHO)

Summery - it's an Interstate Highway - so you can Handle it.

Hope this is of some help,

Pulling the Ike is fun!

Some big hills on I 70 you will see all the signs warning semi trucks. Use manual in a lower gear and use your brakes lightly. I never had an exhaust brake on a pickup truck ....use it if you have one. There is a long down hill as you get to the last big hill just before the Denver area. Trick is to never let your rig get rolling to fast down hill find a speed, gear that holds back and let it drift. When you see semi trucks going down big hills in low gear in the right lane that is a good indication you should be doing the same.....Be safe.

We have a 2007 Dodge Dually 3500 diesel truck automatic transmission and pulling a 42-foot fifth wheel. Reading about grades going up and going down is this something we should attempt or have you done it? Looking for detailed information. Thanks

Use the exhaust brake going down. It makes a difference in how often you have to use the service brakes and keeps speeds sane.

Use your gears, that's what they are for. Do not just stick it in drive and go, lest you find yourself without brakes half-way down or overheating half-way up.

Nice drive. I enjoyed it. Just take it slow on the downhill and you'll be fine.

It won't be any problem for you. Don't fret.

Nope. Beautiful l drive...and I'm not an Interestate fan.