1st time crossing the Rockies

[tjay]

Hi everyone. We will be crossing the Rockies for the first time next month. we pull our 34' 5th wheel w a Chevy Silverado 2500hd. We will be leaving Custer SD heading to Moab. I hoping to find the flattest (LOL) route possible. Ive been debating between I80w from Cheyanne or going thru Casper and Muddy Gap. I dont think i want to use I70. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
thank you

 

[twindman]

I agree with you to take I 80. I don't recall it being real steep anywhere. I70 west of Denver is a bear on Friday to Sunday night.

 

[mlh]

I80 between Cheyanne and Laramie is 8200 feet. It’s never less than 5000 feet Laramie is 7200 feet. You have a Chevy HD but don’t say if it’s gas or diesel. If it’s gas you will loose 3.5% of it’s power for every 1000 feet of elevation. With that said I made it with a 5.4 Ford pulling a 27 foot 5er. You can make it just fine. Slow down and enjoy the ride and you will enjoy it.
Lynwood

 

[tjay]

I80 between Cheyanne and Laramie is 8200 feet. It’s never less than 5000 feet Laramie is 7200 feet. You have a Chevy HD but don’t say if it’s gas or diesel. If it’s gas you will loose 3.5% of it’s power for every 1000 feet of elevation. With that said I made it with a 5.4 Ford pulling a 27 foot 5er. You can make it just fine. Slow down and enjoy the ride and you will enjoy it.
Lynwood

Thank you for the insight!

 

[twindman]

I have a program that show elevation along the way. It says Cheyenne is 6200 and Evanston (far west Wy.) is 6700. Between Cheyenne and Laramie is the highest point at around 8700. The steepest grades are 6% which is steep but not that bad. And Cheyenne to Laramie is only 43 miles so no real long pulls up hill. Of course my guideline is the Big Horn mountains highway 14A. It is 8 miles at 8% and 10 miles at 10%, so after that, 6% is a cakewalk to me! LOL

 

[brycesteiner]

Sounds like fun!

 

[DABOO77]

Hi everyone. We will be crossing the Rockies for the first time next month. we pull our 34' 5th wheel w a Chevy Silverado 2500hd. We will be leaving Custer SD heading to Moab. I hoping to find the flattest (LOL) route possible. Ive been debating between I80w from Cheyanne or going thru Casper and Muddy Gap. I dont think i want to use I70. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
thank you

Hello there. Beautiful country out there. I've got a 2004 Silverado 3500 Duramax / Allison. Best advice I can give based on my experience is start at highest elevation slower than you think you might be able to maintain. In my case tow / haul engaged and I can maintain 25 to 27 mph without touching the brake on a steep downgrade. Ya just need to find the sweet spot for your rig and enjoy the scenery.

 

[GWP-MOC]

I would tell you to be aware that I 70 is a rough mess. I 80 will be much easier on both your tow rigs as well as your trailer. I live in Colorado with a Montana 3123 and avoid I70 at all costs. Safe Travels!

 

[Keith Schweizer]

TJ How far west are you traveling on I- 80? At some point you will have to go south to get to Moab. Moab is towards the south eastern part of Utah. There are not many road choices once you get to Utah on I-80 where there will still be climbing and descents to deal with. Going south in Colorado to I-70 is a more direct route. I'm sure you know 70 has some really steep grades.
I have been on I-80 and I-70 a fair amount as a resident of Utah. PM me if you want to actually talk about your trip.

Safe Travels, Keith

 

[tjay]

Hello there. Beautiful country out there. I've got a 2004 Silverado 3500 Duramax / Allison. Best advice I can give based on my experience is start at highest elevation slower than you think you might be able to maintain. In my case tow / haul engaged and I can maintain 25 to 27 mph without touching the brake on a steep downgrade. Ya just need to find the sweet spot for your rig and enjoy the scenery.

Thank you for the insight. I will definitely remember your advice!

 

[mdpcjjjj]

Hi everyone. We will be crossing the Rockies for the first time next month. we pull our 34' 5th wheel w a Chevy Silverado 2500hd. We will be leaving Custer SD heading to Moab. I hoping to find the flattest (LOL) route possible. Ive been debating between I80w from Cheyanne or going thru Casper and Muddy Gap. I dont think i want to use I70. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
thank you

I would go through Casper and Muddy Gap. More hilly between Cheyenne and Rawlins, and Windy. Moab is a great destination.