So we left Indiana on 5 Aug en-route to Grand Junction Colorado. We decided to detour down into Kansas just off I70 and pay a surprise visit to our kids and grand kids. When we left there on 17 Aug, I was getting a little worried about the truck performance and climbing up over Vail.
Now mind you, we have not had any major problems so far since we started traveling the end of March, but we were getting ready to climb to 10,600 feet.
We stopped in Seibert Co for the night. Left about 8:00 am and headed west. Stopped in Limon, Co filled up the fuel tanks, reset the mpgs and trip on the truck computer and off we went.
The truck pulled like a champ!! Up the hill between 35 and 40 mph and had no problems with the descent down the west side. The down side to the trip, not many places to pull off at 55' long to take a break of have lunch. The upside, no break downs and the computer showed us getting 8.2 mpg's from Limon to Grand Junction!!
Kathy Doin It said
07:12 AM Aug 23, 2011
Hurray for your victory! Glad you "Made it over the hill!!"
Kathy
Delaine and Lindy said
11:27 AM Aug 23, 2011
For those who haven't run I-70 out of Denver, its a beautiful ride. And going into GlennWood Springs its breath taking.. Vail pass is awesome, we have ran accross I-70 in 3 different Trucks. A 2005 Chevy 2500HD and a Chevy 3500HD DRWs and last summer in the Freightliner M2. We have moved back up to Buena Vista, Colorado for a week. Haven't had any issues with the 2011 Chevy 3500HD DRW pulling the 2010 38 RSSB 3 Mobile Suites we have pulled the La Veta pass and just went over Poncha Springs pass yesterday 9,000 +. With the 397 HP the biggest change for the 2011's is the exhaust brake, very seldom use the foot brake.
When you pull I-70 it will test your ability and your equipment.. But nothing compares to the West, we have been out here since July 10th. So for we have traveled about 5,000 miles since leaving Tennessee. The fuel mileage has been very good 9.5 to 13.4 towing and the highest running I-25 was 21.1 deadheading. All towing mileage is at 60 to 62 mph. The 2011 Chevy 3500HD has been the best 3500HD and the best over all fuel mileage. Hope the 2012 Chevy 3500HD stays the same. Happy Trails.....
P.S. Its always fun to reach the summit, but then the downside...
So we left Indiana on 5 Aug en-route to Grand Junction Colorado. We decided to detour down into Kansas just off I70 and pay a surprise visit to our kids and grand kids. When we left there on 17 Aug, I was getting a little worried about the truck performance and climbing up over Vail.
Now mind you, we have not had any major problems so far since we started traveling the end of March, but we were getting ready to climb to 10,600 feet.
We stopped in Seibert Co for the night. Left about 8:00 am and headed west. Stopped in Limon, Co filled up the fuel tanks, reset the mpgs and trip on the truck computer and off we went.
The truck pulled like a champ!! Up the hill between 35 and 40 mph and had no problems with the descent down the west side. The down side to the trip, not many places to pull off at 55' long to take a break of have lunch. The upside, no break downs and the computer showed us getting 8.2 mpg's from Limon to Grand Junction!!
Hurray for your victory!
Glad you "Made it over the hill!!"
Kathy
When you pull I-70 it will test your ability and your equipment.. But nothing compares to the West, we have been out here since July 10th. So for we have traveled about 5,000 miles since leaving Tennessee. The fuel mileage has been very good 9.5 to 13.4 towing and the highest running I-25 was 21.1 deadheading. All towing mileage is at 60 to 62 mph. The 2011 Chevy 3500HD has been the best 3500HD and the best over all fuel mileage. Hope the 2012 Chevy 3500HD stays the same. Happy Trails.....
P.S. Its always fun to reach the summit, but then the downside...