Teton pass 10% Grade:Safe?

[wags999]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

a total aside. Our first steep grade we were presented with after getting our first TT was a 14 percent over two miles on gravel going to the campground.. I was a little worried about getting out as the gravel was real loose.

Did not stick.. Did not even spit gravel everywhere. So when we encountered 12 percent coming out of Oak Creek in the Sedona AZ area it was a piece of cake.

Steepest grade on a paved road around Sedona is 7%...not even sure there is any paved road at 12%. You must be speaking of 89 near I 17...it's 7%, use to drive that every month when calling on customers....

[travelingjw]

We are near the end of this trip. My van is gas powered and has a 5.3 engine. I can handle an 8% grade a few miles long using second gear. Going up, engine will review to 5000 and I would not want to sustain that for very long. We are happy with the decision to go back through Yellowstone. Now, do I need a bigger truck [emoji3].

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

We are near the end of this trip. My van is gas powered and has a 5.3 engine. I can handle an 8% grade a few miles long using second gear. Going up, engine will review to 5000 and I would not want to sustain that for very long. We are happy with the decision to go back through Yellowstone. Now, do I need a bigger truck [emoji3].

I think the answer to this is always "Yes!!"... Starting to think about moving up to a 2500 at some point myself as my need for driving into the office is getting less and less and that was the main reason I stuck with a 1500.

[felshurt]

The best advice is don't do it. Possible snow this time of year. Go around through Hoback Junction that follows the Snake River. Very pretty drive.

[Morttt]

Second the suggestion of heading south through Alpine instead. Added bonus of that route is you can stop at Rainey Creek Country Store in Swan Valley for a square ice cream cone!

[Tinkman]

Low and slow both ways. I run a 10% grade once a year to Shaver Lake. It's a very long grade. I settle in at about 40 mph on the way up. On the way down, turn off overdrive and shift into second. Still have to tap the brakes every so often, but as long as your not in a hurry, all is well. Other travelers understand your situation and are generally ok with it.

[Holy Cow]

I hauled my 2015 Jayco 375 BHFS (almost 42 ft long) over this pass. Used my 2013 F350 DRW to do it. Would do it again, but not something I would enjoy doing over and over and over. Road crews were doing construction so I had to stop a couple times in bad spots which was even more crazy. Coming from west, going into the Town of Wilson I believe is 25 mph so I know I was glad to be out of that. Brakes were definitely tested going down and transmission was tested going up. Road crew guys said I was crazy for pulling this rig over this pass. YES, I had a very tight grip on the wheel.

[LarryB41]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

Thanks, we are in Grand Teton National Park.

I've been over that pass a dozen times pulling a 314, 8500 lbs dry. Never had any trouble.

[Atlee]

What is your tow vehicle?

Originally Posted by LarryB41

I've been over that pass a dozen times pulling a 314, 8500 lbs dry. Never had any trouble.

[spark of insanity]

That was a nightmare over there. Especially going around the mountains with 7% grades. Montana is more a roller coaster. I am not sure I would want to do that again. If I did? I would come in from the north side. Or from California side. Coming from SD gets tricky. Done it not sure I want to again. Now I am worried about what I am getting into with Colorado. Good luck.

BTW great country out there.

[vcbice]

Colorado isn't bad if you keep to good roads.

For example, I would not take a med or large RV through Rocky Mtn NP or on US 550 around Silverton. Many of the passes are just fine if you take it easy. Do some proper planning and you will be ok.