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Old 07-10-2006, 01:54 PM   #1
Montana_5787
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Towing at High Elevation

I have a 2006 36ft Mountaineer Travel Travel, I am from the east coast and planning a cross country trip out west in Sept.
I am pulling with a 2005 Chevy Suburban 3/4 ton Vortec 8100 Big Block V8 engine. We are planning on driving the Scenic Highway 550 and also I-70 in Colorado, was wondering, what do I need to do to make sure my vehicle can handle towing at High Elevations ? Does my dealer have to set my Suburban up differently since I am from the East and my SUV never pulls my TT at High Elevations?
Any advice on towing at High Elevations would really help !
Thanks so much !
Safe Travels
 
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Old 07-10-2006, 02:07 PM   #2
8.1al
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Bruce,
There isn't much your dealer can change, the computer will do all that can be done. We have the 8.1 in our 2500 HD pulling a 38 ft fifth wheel loaded pretty full as we full time and did ok in colorado. We have been down in low gear at 35 mph on a 10-12 degree grade, 6-8 second and third.

One word of caution, when going back down, unless the grade is much gentler, never go any faster than you went going up. this way you won't get into any trouble with your brakes. I don't know if you have the Allison trans or not. If so just keep it in tow/haul and let the trans do the downshifting. If you don't then you will have to downshift manually so that the engine does most of the braking.
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Old 07-10-2006, 02:17 PM   #3
Cat320
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A non turbo gas (or diesel for that matter) engine loses about 3% power for each 1000' of altitude it climbs. So if you climb to 8000' west of Denver on I70, you will lose about 1/4 of your power.
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Old 07-10-2006, 05:06 PM   #4
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Back in the "olden days" they used to recommend changing the jets in your carburator at this altitude, but these days with all the computer stuff there isn't much that you can do. I-70 isn't really a big deal, pulling up to the Eisenhower Tunnel and back down the other side can be dicey, and then there is Vail Pass, those are the only two big pulls with the exception of Floyd Hill dropping down into Idaho Springs.

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Old 07-10-2006, 05:07 PM   #5
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Whoops, and always downshift. If you need to use your brakes don't keep pumping them, it's better to use them for a longer period and slow the vehicle down. Let your engine/transmission slow you as much as possible. There are a few runaway truck ramps but I've only seen them used a couple times in my life, always by tractor/trailers.
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Old 07-10-2006, 05:07 PM   #6
Wrenchtraveller
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Dave,it is naturally aspirated engines that lose power with high elevations. Turbo engines like your Duramax do just fine.
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Old 07-11-2006, 03:30 AM   #7
dsprik
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Thanks, Don. That's a 30% loss at 10,000 ft. They are talking about gas engines only then? There must be a loss % of some sort, though, on a turbo diesel isn't there?
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Old 07-11-2006, 08:44 AM   #8
Devildog
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No loss on turbo engiens, and the increase in air density when the turbo is pumping, takes care of the decrease in altitude density. I pulled with my turbo Duramax last year above 8000 to 9000 feet and never saw any loss in power, but would watch the downhills and let the Allison trans do its thing!
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Old 07-11-2006, 01:55 PM   #9
dsprik
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So this figure is strictly for gas engines, then?
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Old 07-11-2006, 02:14 PM   #10
Wrenchtraveller
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Dave it is for non turbo gas and diesel engines. A super Charger will also do what a Turbo does but at extra fuel use because the super charger is driven by the engine unlike a Turbo which is driven by exhaust gasses.

Engines without super chargers or turbos are naturally aspirated and many of the old diesels were like this, remember the black smoke........ unburnt diesel fuel and todays Turbo Diesels burn the fuel a lot cleaner so Turbos clean up the air and give more power.
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Old 07-11-2006, 03:03 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the tips, has anyone ever been on Hwy 550, the "Million Dollar Hwy" in Colorado and know if it has a lot of inclines and elevation changes?

Someone told me to put Premium Gas in my Suburban instead of Regular when I am at High Altitude, does this really help??
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Old 07-11-2006, 03:17 PM   #12
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Bruce,

The Million Dollar highway used to be VERY dicey, my dad drove a tractor and trailer up there when it was only one lane in many places and told stories about having to back up when coming upon another vehicle. It's much improved now but it is still very steep with many grades and tight turns. I've not pulled my trailer over it but I have driven an Class C motorhome over it with no problems.

It's beautiful up there, just be careful, just like with every mountain drive.

mac
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Old 07-11-2006, 03:21 PM   #13
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What year is your Suburban? With older vehicles, if they pinged on grades , you could move up to the higher octane and benefit. Now with the new computer engines like my 05 V10, the computer is set up for 87 octane and it will make adjustments for altitude. To get a benefit from 89 or 91 octane I would have to put a chip in my computer, otherwise I just waste my money. My V10 does great on 87 and I have never heard it ping, just gulp . LOL.
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Old 07-11-2006, 04:01 PM   #14
Montana_5787
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I have a 2005 Chevy Suburban 3/4 ton Vortec 8100 Big Block V8 engine, 4.10 gears in it as well, so I guess putting premium gas in it won't really help?

Thanks for the advice on the Million Dollar highway, guess I will just have to take it slow and easy, and hope that I don't loose to much power with the high elevation and am not able to yank my 06 36ft Mountaineer up the hills !! =)
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Old 07-11-2006, 04:08 PM   #15
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US 550 is one of the most beqautiful drives in the state,IMO. As others have said, watch Red Mountain Pass south of Ouray. It's 2 lanes, with a lot of switchbacks, and very steep. Your Chevy should handle th upgrades OK, but it's the downhill you have to watch. The tranny should have a speed holding device, and my advice is to use it. S L O W is the watchword here.

I-70 is no problem, it's an interstate highway, and in good shape. There are some pretty long downgrades on it, too, so take your time and enjoy the scenery.
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Old 07-11-2006, 04:08 PM   #16
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You'll do fine, take her slow and easy.
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Old 07-11-2006, 04:14 PM   #17
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P.S. September is one of the most beautiful times of year in Colorado, but you can get snow most any time, so watch that. Also,there is a nice KOA on the north side of Ouray (pronounced you-ray, BTW) and Ridgway State Park is a bit farther north.
I live in Colorado, so if I can answer any questions for you, let me know.
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Old 07-11-2006, 04:36 PM   #18
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And another PS from a CO native.... the reason it has the name of the "million dollar highway" was going back to those days I mentioned with my dad. It was a terrible road and sometime in the late 50's they "fixed" the road and it cost the unheard of amount of a million dollars. Just a little interesting fact, I doubt that the guardrails can be purchased for a million dollars these days.
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Old 07-11-2006, 04:43 PM   #19
Wrenchtraveller
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I think your 8.1 Vortec will do just fine with 87. Take care and safe travels.
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Old 07-13-2006, 04:25 PM   #20
Montana_5787
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Have you guys ever heard of Vapor Lock? Someone told me it's something that happens to Tow Vehicles at High Altitude?

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