| What's the steepest grade you've ever climbed in a GMC? [message #241834] |
Fri, 28 February 2014 21:17  |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
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Yesterday I climbed from the Death Valley Furnace Creek floor at -190' to Dante's View at 5450'...well, almost. I ended up parking the coach at 5240'.
Did you know that a GMC doesn't want to climb a 15% grade? It's true! I got almost all the way up but the last 1/3 of a mile or so was too steep, my wheels started spinning and the front end started getting squirrelly. And that was before the switchbacks started!
So being the highly edjumacated man I am, I donned cycling attire and rode to the top. Did you know that a 15% grade at a mile high elevation on a bicycle isn't as easy as it sounds? That is also true! I had to stop several times and even had to walk for a short bit. I _never_ do that. The ignominy!
But I made it, the coach is in one piece, and that's all matters. The road has a 25' vehicle length limit so all you full size GMCs wouldn't be allowed to even attempt it (technically). What's that about protecting someone from themselves...? 
So the question arises, what is the steepest grade that a GMC should/could attempt? Has anyone made it to the top of Dante's View in a GMC?
I've also heard that you can turn the coach around and back up just about anything, but I wasn't about to test that out, especially not backing up switchbacks on a narrow road with other traffic. It does sound like fun, though!
Richard
It's been raining steadily for most of the day here in Death Valley.
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
[Updated on: Fri, 28 February 2014 21:20] Report message to a moderator |
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