Mock Tender
Adventurer
I have spent quite a few weeks this year driving in and around mountains and higher altitudes. I have been on dozens of passes over 10,000 feet. My highest on dirt/gravel unimproved roads was Hagerman Pass (11,925’) west of Leadville, Colorado. On asphalted roads it was Independence Pass (12,095’) east of Aspen, Colorado. At several places, we camped above the 12,000’ level.
I am in a 2015 Fuso: my weight is 12,000 pounds and I currently have 295 75R16 tires. The following would even be more critical with larger tires.
What I have found is there is a tremendous loss of power after 9000’ and the technique for driving has to change in the 10,500 feet and above.
On good paved surfaces, just by keeping your speed up, you should be able to crest most passes at the posted speed. If you have to stop, at over 10,500, make sure that you are on a flat or slightly descending spot. Don’t pull into an area where you have to ascend, right away, before you can get to at least 2-3 mph. Once rolling you are good.
For unimproved roads, at 10,500 and above, even flat surfaces may not work. I have almost been stuck when on flat dirt or where smallish rocks would not allow me to move.
Another thing is make sure that where you camp also allows some flat or descending area to get moving. Most of the nights at that altitude will get down into the 30’s or less. You just won’t get enough heat generation sitting there to help with a sluggish Duonic transmission.
And for those of you curious, the creep mode or manual is the only way to go in these situations.
Now having said all that- not many campers up at those altitudes. And the look on the Jeep, ATV and motorcycle crowd face’s are priceless. They can’t believe how we got there.
Another side note- at those altitudes and temperatures you will burn up propane rather quickly. You may also have problems lighting propane appliances. What I found that works, is to bend the brackets that hold the probes, to get them closer to where the burner is. Not the PROBE- but the bracket that holds the probe.
I am in a 2015 Fuso: my weight is 12,000 pounds and I currently have 295 75R16 tires. The following would even be more critical with larger tires.
What I have found is there is a tremendous loss of power after 9000’ and the technique for driving has to change in the 10,500 feet and above.
On good paved surfaces, just by keeping your speed up, you should be able to crest most passes at the posted speed. If you have to stop, at over 10,500, make sure that you are on a flat or slightly descending spot. Don’t pull into an area where you have to ascend, right away, before you can get to at least 2-3 mph. Once rolling you are good.
For unimproved roads, at 10,500 and above, even flat surfaces may not work. I have almost been stuck when on flat dirt or where smallish rocks would not allow me to move.
Another thing is make sure that where you camp also allows some flat or descending area to get moving. Most of the nights at that altitude will get down into the 30’s or less. You just won’t get enough heat generation sitting there to help with a sluggish Duonic transmission.
And for those of you curious, the creep mode or manual is the only way to go in these situations.
Now having said all that- not many campers up at those altitudes. And the look on the Jeep, ATV and motorcycle crowd face’s are priceless. They can’t believe how we got there.
Another side note- at those altitudes and temperatures you will burn up propane rather quickly. You may also have problems lighting propane appliances. What I found that works, is to bend the brackets that hold the probes, to get them closer to where the burner is. Not the PROBE- but the bracket that holds the probe.
