10k lbs vs 3 half tons vs the Ike Gauntlet

[jerem0621]

Older videos from 2013 driving 2014 models from TFL... I know they are kind of corny but I enjoy their videos, entertaining at the least. Basically they hook 10k up to the trucks and race to the top.

Titan vs Ike Gauntlet

EcoBoost F150 vs Ike Gauntlet

6.2 Silverado vs Ike Gauntlet

For you out west guys... does it get any worse than the Ike Gauntlet?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[spoon059]

Perhaps my comments were a bit rash. For those that don't live in the area, why would you take this route? There are other routes to take to get east or west. Those with higher GVWR's like to talk down to half ton owners, saying that our trucks can't handle this route.

This shows that they CAN safely do it... but if you can avoid it and take another route... why wouldn't you?

I guess its a moot point for me. I have no intentions of going out west with a camper during the time I expect to own my current truck.

[Colorado71]

spoon059 wrote:
Those are cool little marketing pieces... but how many people actually try to haul a RV over that pass? I have never been there and have ZERO intention to go there. I've been across country before never took that route.

People cite roads exactly like this as to why a half ton truck is inadequate for anything but buying groceries... Why would I ever want to haul over this pass??? The only reason that I can think of is to justify to myself buying WAY more truck than is necessary 99.9% of the time, just so I can use it that 0.1% of the time driving up this road.

I live in the area and have towed this pass a few times, but honestly Vail pass (east) is a way, way more sustained climb which I do a lot more when I take the TT and dirt bikes down to the desert.

It's the reason I bought a *turbo* diesel (3/4T) over all the naturally aspirated 1/2 tons. Even though my TT is 3700lb dry. You can't swing a dead cat round here without hitting a mountain pass.

I've even been caught towing over Vail pass on ice & snow, trying to make an early spring run for the desert. Mountain Driving in CO is no joke. I've seen two semi's blown off the road in the last month.

[rjstractor]

06Fargo wrote:
check the 14 minute or so mark of this Ike test - diesel pickup towing for all it's worth and a class 8 most likely running empty at about 30,000 lbs comes along -

Having double the torque doesn't hurt for sure, but a more efficent drivetrain that makes better use of the horsepower is a big factor. Also, that OTR truck likely has 500 hp or more.

[jus2shy]

There is plenty far worse here in the west. Especially if you take highway roads versus interstates. Like taking highway 6 from Portland to the Oregon Coast. It's a gnarly winding road, tight lanes, constant up and down, accelerate and then slow down on 5% or 6% grades, etc... That's far tougher on a vehicle than steady-state cruising up a grade. Or maybe even White pass as well, with all the slowing down for towns and such and speeding back up to highway speeds.

[jerem0621]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I think next time someone post that someone NEEDS to buy a diesel/turbo chargedif they are towing in the mountains I'm going to point them to this thread.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[12thgenusa]

spoon059 wrote:
Those are cool little marketing pieces... but how many people actually try to haul a RV over that pass? I have never been there and have ZERO intention to go there. I've been across country before never took that route.

People cite roads exactly like this as to why a half ton truck is inadequate for anything but buying groceries... Why would I ever want to haul over this pass??? The only reason that I can think of is to justify to myself buying WAY more truck than is necessary 99.9% of the time, just so I can use it that 0.1% of the time driving up this road.

I-70 through the tunnels is actually one of the milder passes in Colorado; I've been over it many times. There's no reason to avoid it. If you want to get from Denver to the western slope it's the only practical way. There are many "tougher" passes in Colorado, but none on interstate highway.

[BBFD]

nevadanick wrote:
To answer the ? Whether there is worse than Ike, i would say yes. There are several passes where there are lots of curves and you have to slow then back to speed several times. That to me is much more taxing to the truck than just a straight pull like Ike.

Exactly. I 'might' argue I70 is easy - straight shot, 3 lanes heading east uphill and if I recall 60 mph. Something like Wolf Creek Pass is far tougher with lots of curves and two pretty good switchbacks. As said above, need to slow and accelerate for the turns is more taxing on brakes is my experience. Last time I took Monarch Pass it was 40 mph, 3rd gear and 2,000 rpms with a 15k load for a slow drive up that included some pretty good drop offs. The curves dictate the speed not the weight of the load.

[RCMAN46]

06Fargo wrote:
Who would take this route? Me... I would haul an RV over that pass to get to the other side and plan to one of these trips... it looks like a perfectly good road and beautiful scenery - just uphill for a bit...

Spoiler alert: The turbocharged engine "wins" at 10,000 - 12,000 ft elevation.


check the 14 minute or so mark of this Ike test - diesel pickup towing for all it's worth and a class 8 most likely running empty at about 30,000 lbs comes along -

Same HP more torque?

If you look at the video close you may have to agree the pickup got caught in traffic and had to let the class 8 go by before he could move over. Also look close and you will see the pickup does move over to pass what ever was in front of him as soon as the class 8 is clear.

If we could see all of the footage uncut we may even see the pickup pass the class 8 later on.

Same horsepower? not likely.

[john_bet]

Try going to the east gate of Yellowstone from Red Lodge,Mt. with a '76 Dodge Maxi-van, 5.9L @ 180hp,3.23 gears and a '75 21' Konfort tt. Done it in 'June of '82. Truck lived a long trouble free life after that too. And for those that think I was holding up traffic, There was not any. Great views.

[nevadanick]

To answer the ? Whether there is worse than Ike, i would say yes. There are several passes where there are lots of curves and you have to slow then back to speed several times. That to me is much more taxing to the truck than just a straight pull like Ike.

[nevadanick]

I have been that route several times, just because you live back east doesnt mean that there arent people that have to or want to go that way.

[2112]

Where is the Tow/Haul indicator in the 2013 F-150?
If it is on the dash as my 2011 it's not engaged.

Are these guys cheating?

[Taco]

I don't see the big deal all of the trucks made it to the other side. As far as who would tow an
and RV over this pass. I guess anyone that needs to use the road to get to their destination

[noteven]

Who would take this route? Me... I would haul an RV over that pass to get to the other side and plan to one of these trips... it looks like a perfectly good road and beautiful scenery - just uphill for a bit...

Spoiler alert: The turbocharged engine "wins" at 10,000 - 12,000 ft elevation.


check the 14 minute or so mark of this Ike test - diesel pickup towing for all it's worth and a class 8 most likely running empty at about 30,000 lbs comes along -

Same HP more torque?

[spoon059]

Those are cool little marketing pieces... but how many people actually try to haul a RV over that pass? I have never been there and have ZERO intention to go there. I've been across country before never took that route.

People cite roads exactly like this as to why a half ton truck is inadequate for anything but buying groceries... Why would I ever want to haul over this pass??? The only reason that I can think of is to justify to myself buying WAY more truck than is necessary 99.9% of the time, just so I can use it that 0.1% of the time driving up this road.