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Old 01-01-2014, 06:39 PM
 
5 posts, read 11,442 times
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Has anyone ever driven their gasoline engine RV from the Austin, Texas area to Leadville Colorado? We have seen many RV's driving the steep mountain roads in the area of Leadville but they've all be diesel engines. We own a gasoline engine RV and really would like to drive it to Leadville, Co.

Thanks!
Kelly, Austin, Texas
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Old 01-01-2014, 07:41 PM
 
8,317 posts, read 29,403,019 times
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If it's a carbureted engine, forget it. You will have nothing but trouble with it at altitude--running problems, vapor locking, overheating, etc.

The big problem with any gas RV is that they are not turbocharged. A non-turbocharged gas engine loses about 4% of its horsepower for every 1,000 feet gain in elevation. At 10,000 feet, you've lost 40% of your horsepower. Gas RV's are usually gutless road pigs even at sea level--at altitude they are terrible. Couple that to the fact that most flatland drivers don't have a clue about how to drive them in the mountains and don't have the decency to pull off of the road to let faster traffic pass on two-lane roads and you've got a combination where you will be a road hazard, traffic obstruction, and you will be the object of hate and road rage from many of those delayed drivers. I've spent four decades driving in the Rocky Mountains in everything from economy cars to heavy trucks. There is no way that I would drive one of those gas POS RV's in the mountains--not even if someone were paying me to do it. As for the RV's that I encounter--most of them are driven by people who have no business driving such a vehicle on mountain roads. My personal view is that anyone driving an RV's with a GVW of more than 26,000 lbs. (and there are plenty that have GVW's more than that) should be required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL), including passing the physical necessary to get a CDL, and be required to clear the ports of entry and pay gross-ton-mile taxes just like commercial trucks of the same weight. Those RV's are every bit as much a hindrance on mountain highways as big trucks, with drivers that are much less skilled and who often do not meet the physical requirements necessary to operate such a vehicle safely.

Last edited by jazzlover; 01-01-2014 at 08:05 PM..
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:14 AM
 
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Hi Kelly,

While we have not driven the route you propose, we have driven our fuel injected gas RV all over the Colorado mountain roads. Thankfully we have never encountered jazzlover as other drivers have been courteous and understanding that you can't rocket around the curves at the same speed you would in a corvette or climb the hills as fast as a small SUV or speed down the mountainside like a small vehicle. We only pull over at pull outs that are clearly stable enough for our size vehicle and not the soft shouldered ones that look like they would collapse under the weight of an RV. No one has ever had road rage at us or acted in a hateful way. The roads are many and the miles are long. The chances of jazzlover driving on the same one as you, at the same time as you is very small. We look at the scenery as we drive and find that most of the other vehicles are doing the same so don't mind our pace. We pull over to take pictures and many of the cars are doing so also. We chat with the other drivers on occasion, remarking on the pretty colors or magnificent scenery.

Good luck with your trip!
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:32 AM
 
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I texted my father after reading the first two posts because he has a gas powered RV and has driven around the US and parts of Colorado. He has not been to Leadville though. His RV is 37" long and he tows a carolla behind it. He said that he loses speed on long uphills, but rarely ends up below 45 mph. He said he would drive to Leadville in his RV and not think twice about it. He did add the caveat that if your RV was old or in poor shape it might not be a great idea.

I hope that helps!
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Old 01-02-2014, 06:21 PM
 
8,317 posts, read 29,403,019 times
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mic111 obviously does not understand the subtle point that many people driving in the Colorado mountains are not there for sightseeing. Way more of my mountain driving is for work and business purposes--people like me have schedules and deadlines to meet. Much a I love driving in the mountains, every hour that I'm delayed by tourists driving way below the speed limit or lollygagging without having the courtesy to pull over and let faster traffic pass is another hour that I have to spend away from home, and/or not getting work done under which I am under a deadline to finish. I am not alone in this regard--talk to anybody who has to drive in the mountains for work purposes and they will have the same disdain for being delayed by bad tourist driving. I feel the same dislike for the drivers (local or otherwise) who think the speed limits on the highways are for everybody else but them. Today, in the space of 10 miles, I was passed by no less than 6 Texass vehicles driving 75 mph in a 55 mph zone (I drive the speed limit). That 55 mph zone was set by the DOT on this particular stretch of road due to the number of fatal accidents caused by excessive speed in an area with a lot of sideroad traffic and blind intersections. The Texans couldn't be bothered with that because they were too dumb or arrogant to figure it out.

Last edited by jazzlover; 01-02-2014 at 06:31 PM..
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:08 PM
 
9,891 posts, read 11,704,117 times
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I once owned a 250 space R.V. park in Estes Park, Co. People drove from our 8,000 foot elevation over Trail Ridge Road the highest elevation through highway in the country which goes over 12,000 feet all the time in gas powered rigs.

You have people like the poster above that thinks he owns the road, and everyone else should get off of it. Don't listen to him. If your R.V. is in good running condition, it can go to Leadville with no problem if it is running O.K. If it has a carburetor run a can of Carb Out or other cleaner through the engine before hitting the mountains to make sure the jets are shooting enough gasoline before you go up the mountains out of Denver. Good idea even with fuel injection. Partially plugged jets run fine at low altitudes, but do not do well in the mountains. It also increases your mileage, if the jets are clean.
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:12 PM
 
5 posts, read 11,442 times
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Hi Mic111 and Brown_dog_US:

Thank you for your courteous and helpful reply - we truly appreciate it.

Kelly
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:15 PM
 
3,105 posts, read 3,815,758 times
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You'll be down on power, as Jazz noted, to the tune of 40% at 10Kft. Your best bet is to travel with little to nothing in your holding tanks (where possible).

Also, try to avoid two lane highways and stick to the interstates. Be courteous and let faster traffic pass. If possible, try to travel during the week, avoiding traffic as much as possible.

Nobody likes to be stuck behind a slow moving RV.
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:16 PM
 
5 posts, read 11,442 times
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Thanks Oldtrader! We own a 34' Four Winds 2009 gasoline engine RV w/ minimal miles and you give good advice so we thank you!

Kelly
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Old 01-02-2014, 09:22 PM
 
1 posts, read 2,765 times
Reputation: 25
jazzlover: Which Communist Block Country did you move to? Sounds like everyone is glad you are gone.
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