Towing through Eisenhower Tunnel

[b_pilot]

Just wondering if anyone has towed over the Straight Creek Pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70. I will be going there this coming week. The pull going up the east side is about 12 miles of 5% to 6% grade. The pull up the west side is 6 miles of steady 7% grade. I have a 38 foot 5th wheel that I pull with a 2013 GMC Duramax 3500 Dually. I have towed in the mountains, but not over a pass with such long grades and 11,000 feet. My concern would be the truck overheating on the pull up the long grades, especially the 7% on the west side. Not concerned about going down hill because of the new Exhaust Brake system. Any recommendations on technique would be appreciated. Perhaps I'm just too paranoid. Thanks.

[time2roll]

campersmd wrote:
Our engine shut down halfway up. It happened a few times out west. Many tests done, but ultimately attributed to "vapor lock" It was a very hot day in July (95 in Denver). We are from the east coast. Are Colorado vehicles tuned differently? I don't think we were overloaded. We had a 6400 towing capacity with a 3500 lb pop-up. Anyone else ever had vapor lock?

Depends on what you are towing with. Maybe you need a new fuel pump/filter.
I have towed hotter, steeper, heavier load without issue.

[Shadow_Grey]

gkainz wrote:
Just a heads up if you're coming back from West to East ... the slow lane is rougher than a washboarded gravel road from Silverthorne to the tunnel. ... actually, from Vail to the tunnel (Johnson tunnel from that side)

Save your coffee for the downhill side or you'll be wearing it!

Have to agree...when it got rough we changed to the fast lane hammered down going up..up..and up...then on the other side we were slowed down at the top and then going down, down and down some more in the slow lane.

[gkainz]

Just a heads up if you're coming back from West to East ... the slow lane is rougher than a washboarded gravel road from Silverthorne to the tunnel. ... actually, from Vail to the tunnel (Johnson tunnel from that side)

Save your coffee for the downhill side or you'll be wearing it!

[caberto]

We pulled up that west side hill in June towing about 12K lbs with a 2005 Duramax 2500. Truck did fine... tranny and engine got hotter than usual, but still withing specs per the owners manual. At the top of hill we were doing about 38 mph. Went through the tunnel and down the hill at that same speed without issue as far as downhill speed, with only a few taps on the brake. What was bad was the ruts/grooves on the downhill side from the semi's.

[tragusa3]

It was a non event. Speed limit up and down and never broke 2400rpm. And that' s with my grocery getter'

[campersmd]

Our engine shut down halfway up. It happened a few times out west. Many tests done, but ultimately attributed to "vapor lock" It was a very hot day in July (95 in Denver). We are from the east coast. Are Colorado vehicles tuned differently? I don't think we were overloaded. We had a 6400 towing capacity with a 3500 lb pop-up. Anyone else ever had vapor lock?

[lbrjet]

I too stressed about this drive for months and when it was done I wondered why.

[b_pilot]

Thanks for all of the comments on this post. Today we made the trip over the Straight Creek Pass and through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Seems as though my concerns were unfounded. My Duramax did a great job of pulling. The temp never left the center position, 210 degrees. I kept my speed at 45 to 50 mph on the climb and on the descent down the 7% grade. The new exhaust brake along with the tow-haul mode made the descent without having to use brakes. I actually had to keep a little pressure on the accelerator to keep from slowing below 45 mph.

[chevor]

The new GM diesel years 2011+ have made huge improvements on cooling and braking than years prior.

[Thom02099]

b_pilot wrote:
Just wondering if anyone has towed over the Straight Creek Pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70. I will be going there this coming week. The pull going up the east side is about 12 miles of 5% to 6% grade. The pull up the west side is 6 miles of steady 7% grade. I have a 38 foot 5th wheel that I pull with a 2013 GMC Duramax 3500 Dually. I have towed in the mountains, but not over a pass with such long grades and 11,000 feet. My concern would be the truck overheating on the pull up the long grades, especially the 7% on the west side. Not concerned about going down hill because of the new Exhaust Brake system. Any recommendations on technique would be appreciated. Perhaps I'm just too paranoid. Thanks.

Not many folks know that it was known as Straight Creek Pass back in the early days of the construction of the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels, when the tunnels were originally called the Straight Creek Tunnels. That was the historical name, and remains the name of a hiking trail in the area, along the Straight Creek in Summit County. Tunnel names were changed prior to the dedication of the tunnels to their current names.

Literally thousands of RV/trailers go through that tunnel daily during the summer. Really shouldn't present a problem, as others have stated. The alternative, Loveland Pass, is another matter, going up another 1000 feet or so, just shy of 12000 feet. I don't like going over that pass solo, much less pulling a trailer. I'm also not aware of any propane restrictions for RVs/Trailers in the tunnels. Hazardous material transport is not allowed, however, and must go over Loveland Pass.

[navy80to04]

Wishing for a 4x4.

[Shadow_Grey]

Went from East to West thru there in May. 3500 CTD and 12,500# trailer. No problems but we ran thru 2-4 inches of snow from Denver till a little after the tunnel and none from about 8000' elevation down. Watch your speed on the declines.

[edm3rd]

If you're concerned with overheating, turn a/c off uphill and on for your downhill (gives a little more drag).

[christopherglen]

With a '13 duramax your only problem will be running people over uphill if you set the cruise. Downhill it should exceed the cruise by ~5 mph, then start downshifting to maintain it. Other then the merge and trucks pulling out in front of you, there is nothing to worry about.