Road Grade
I understand there is a book or program that tells you what the grade of a road is. Also is there one that will tell you what route that maybe to narrow or windy, So I know what routes to take.
Forum Discussion
leeper wrote:
Vail pass on I-70, Colorado is a big dog!. 10 miles going up to 10,000 ft. elevation with no escape at 7%. The elevation effects engine power. Elevation and grade slows you down to a crawl.
Big dogs are easy to handle - even without an EB - just gear down and take your time. (Towing 34' fifth). CTD never needed to "crawl" going up - with the exception of US-6 detour.
Had already done "The Vail".........
Traveling Westbound I-70, Loveland Pass, Eisenhower tunnel (11,158 ft) was having road work, with height restrictions.
Detour to US-6.
BTW - Grade for the tunnel approach is 6 or 7 percent, depending on approach side.
Elevation -
Took "old" US-6 *over* the Eisenhower tunnel (11,990 ft) - top of the Continental divide - then down the other side.
US-6 *is* a crawl - due to winding, one lane each direction - with tractor-trailers and oversize loads.
Didn't find any dog(s) with attitude (altitude?) in the "height fight" or the grade/s..;)
Enjoyed the view at 12K feet of the Atlantic & Pacific sides.
Would do it again - nothing to see inside the tunnel..;)
~- With an 8% grade you will rise (or fall) approximately 420 vertical feet per mile driven. I always figure it off of 5000 feet (easier for me and it is close enough) instead of 5280.
200 vertical feet per mile = 4% grade
300 vertical feet per mile = 6% grade
400 vertical feet per mile = 8% grade
500 vertical feet per mile = 10% grade - From a level horizontal plane, zero reference, add 8% of 90 degrees up and you have a "8% grade". Actual grade is less than 6 degrees
- What the heck does grade mean anyway ? Say an eight percent grade , eight percent of what ?
- There is also a Trucker's Atlas which shows all the roads that truckers can travel. We figure if it is safe for a truck, then it is safe fir us. It is also available at truck stops and has low clearance info.
- It's also available as an app in the Androide and Apple versions. It's the route I went which was lots more cost effective.
- It's called "the mountain directory" and there are an east & west version .... Available at amazon or any truck stop.
