Towing contests - Ike Vs Davis.

[Uncle Dave]

Lots of guys like the fast lane truck guys - use the Eisenhower pass (Ike gauntlet) as their benchmark.

Although a big climb for sure maybe the longest in the US - I feel this isn't nearly the test Davis Dam is because of the air temps.

At no point does IKE have 110+ degree air like Davis Dam run.

The nice cold air at IKE keeps transmissions from cooking and naturally aspirated trucks from flat out dying.

In short up Ike you are just slow- - at Davis you are on the roadside overheated and out of the game if not waiting for flatbed.

Thoughts?

UD

 

[rivrrts429]

That's a decent pull but didn't translate into much on motor/trans temps in this article. It's a few years old...

http://special-reports.pickuptrucks...y-duty-hurt-locker-davis-dam-grade-climb.html

 

[Uncle Dave]

That's a decent pull but didn't translate into much on motor/trans temps in this article. It's a few years old...

http://special-reports.pickuptrucks...y-duty-hurt-locker-davis-dam-grade-climb.html

"Of the three trucks, the Sierra ran coolest up the hill, even when the outside temp was more than 100 degrees. Coolant temp climbed by just 3 degrees, from 187 to 190, and transmission temp ranged from 210 to 215.

While the Ford was almost as fast as the GMC, its powertrain ran hotter. Coolant peaked at 231 degrees, and the transmission temp hit as high as 216. The Ram stayed cooler than the Ford but warmer than the GMC. Coolant temp topped out at 226 degrees, and the transmission hit 213."

Question stands which is tougher Ike or Davis mid summer? What's a better test?

J2807 isn't made on Ike - it is on Davis.

100 is about normal - What happens when its 112 out ? How do NA trucks perform?

Pretty wide gap between the Chevy and Ford here temp wise.

UD

 

[TPC]

Lots of guys like the fast lane truck guys - use the Eisenhower pass (Ike gauntlet) as their benchmark.

Although a big climb for sure maybe the longest in the US - I feel this isn't nearly the test Davis Dam is because of the air temps.

At no point does IKE have 110+ degree air like Davis Dam run.

The nice cold air at IKE keeps transmissions from cooking and naturally aspirated trucks from flat out dying.

In short up Ike you are just slow- - at Davis you are on the roadside overheated and out of the game if not waiting for flatbed.

Thoughts?

UD

I don't trust the FLT guys.
Like Motor Trend Magazine, they get juice from the MFG's for good reviews or omitting certain things from their takes IMHO.

They seem Ram truck bias.

Wolf Creek Pass is my test.
[video=youtube;qUOM3LsndDo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUOM3LsndDo[/video]

 

[Uncle Dave]

Saw this when it came out -

"The first run was completed late in the afternoon.
The second run was completed the next morning. We averaged the two runs to calculate the fastest time."


Well isn't that convenient.

Neither time were the 1-2PM hours of blistering hot time "in yo face" hitting the hills @ hottest of the day or about what happens when you leave on Sunday morning hung over late from Mojave.

These runs were purposefully timed so to as avoid the hot time.


UD

 

[rivrrts429]

I climbed Old Priest Grade Rd into Yosemite in July, about 95 degrees.

That bastard is a monster when towing my 5er. Trans and motor temps stayed well into the safe zone but fans were whirling mad.

If I'm towing heavy in July/August on Davis I'd like to think it wouldn't be mid-day. That's a long 12 miles but I'm not sure it would be a game changer. I'd want diesel at 2,000 RPM's than a N/A gasser at 3500.

Something isn't right about that articles temps on the Chevy. They fucked something up there or flip flopped the trans/coolant. Three degree difference isn't likely.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I climbed Old Priest Grade Rd into Yosemite in July, about 95 degrees.

That bastard is a monster when towing my 5er. Trans and motor temps stayed well into the safe zone but fans were whirling mad.

If I'm towing heavy in July/August on Davis I'd like to think it wouldn't be mid-day. That's a long 12 miles but I'm not sure it would be a game changer. I'd want diesel at 2,000 RPM's than a N/A gasser at 3500.

Something isn't right about that articles temps on the Chevy. They fucked something up there or flip flopped the trans/coolant. Three degree difference isn't likely.

Is Old priest the run with all the switchbacks? If thats the one I been there - brutal.

You get climb and the heat and the low air speed through the radiator all at once - way more accurate than a run up Ike.

UD

 

[rivrrts429]

Is Old priest the run with all the switchbacks? If thats the one I been there - brutal.

You get climb and the heat and the low air speed through the radiator all at once - way more accurate than a run up Ike.

UD

Yep, that's Old Priest. No way would I climb that in 110 degree heat and loaded.

It's a good topic and hopefully others will chime in. I've been on Davis but never Ike. Heat is the great differentiator.

 

[TPC]

I climbed Old Priest Grade Rd into Yosemite in July, about 95 degrees.

That bastard is a monster when towing my 5er. Trans and motor temps stayed well into the safe zone but fans were whirling mad.

If I'm towing heavy in July/August on Davis I'd like to think it wouldn't be mid-day. That's a long 12 miles but I'm not sure it would be a game changer. I'd want diesel at 2,000 RPM's than a N/A gasser at 3500.

Something isn't right about that articles temps on the Chevy. They fucked something up there or flip flopped the trans/coolant. Three degree difference isn't likely.

I've done it with the 8.2 gas GMC and a 14.000 lb 5'er.
Brutal.
Everything gets hot.
Engine, trans, brakes,,, everything.
AAA recommends not towing up it is why we tried it.

 

[Devilman]

I climbed Old Priest Grade Rd into Yosemite in July, about 95 degrees.

That bastard is a monster when towing my 5er. Trans and motor temps stayed well into the safe zone but fans were whirling mad.

If I'm towing heavy in July/August on Davis I'd like to think it wouldn't be mid-day. That's a long 12 miles but I'm not sure it would be a game changer. I'd want diesel at 2,000 RPM's than a N/A gasser at 3500.

Something isn't right about that articles temps on the Chevy. They fucked something up there or flip flopped the trans/coolant. Three degree difference isn't likely.

The description of the road you mentioned sounds like the Chisos Basin Road into the Basin campground in Big Bend National Park out in West Texas. Went out there with a few friends years ago & that is a helluva climb. Truck got hotter than shit on the way in, I finally gave in & pulled over when steam started coming out from under the edge of the hood, had boiled all the water out of it, lol. Ranger come along while we were putting water back in it, said it was a familiar site, lol. I remember him saying something to the effect of that road being a harder climb than any road in Colorado. Not sure how true that is, but this thread prompted me to do a little research on it. Only numbers I found was that it rises over 2,000 feet in 6 miles and the road is not recommended for trailers longer than 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet due to its sharp curves and steep grades (as much as 15%). Guess my moho is out.

Cool thread. :thumbsup

 

[t&y]

Speaking of towing and fans whirling... I've always tried to keep my 6.0 off the fans. But it is my undestanding they are not necessarily a bad thing to have pulling air helping things keep cool. It makes the wife pretty uneasy when they kick on and she is sure we are going to blow the truck up.

So what's the deal with the rest of you guys on long pulls with the fans kicking on. Normal for the type of towing you do? Or do you rarely hear them?

For a point of reference; Unless I was pulling 80 up Cajon or out of needles on the 40 headed back to cali, I would never hear them pulling my 20.5 Carrera. Now that I'm lugging the 24 Cheetah around those fuckers come on while I cruise at 60mph up most passes

 

[mash on it]

I don't feel to bad about my old mule- '96 PSD, CC, bone stock, runs about 53 at the slowest point on 'Davis Grade' pulling a 12k equipment trailer. I know its not 19.5K, but its just a 'lil 215 hp T444E.

With the Eliminator (+/- 5K), It'll run 70 on cruise, ~26-27 lbs manifold pressure.

I like to hear the fan come on, making sure it's working.

Hwy 18 from Lucerne Valley to Big Bear is a helluva grade too. Driveshaft hill and whiteface, +2900 ft in 8 miles, some 16% grades

Dan'l

 

[Gelcoater]

Speaking of towing and fans whirling... I've always tried to keep my 6.0 off the fans. But it is my undestanding they are not necessarily a bad thing to have pulling air helping things keep cool. It makes the wife pretty uneasy when they kick on and she is sure we are going to blow the truck up.

So what's the deal with the rest of you guys on long pulls with the fans kicking on. Normal for the type of towing you do? Or do you rarely hear them?

For a point of reference; Unless I was pulling 80 up Cajon or out of needles on the 40 headed back to cali, I would never hear them pulling my 20.5 Carrera. Now that I'm lugging the 24 Cheetah around those fuckers come on while I cruise at 60mph up most passes

How much noise are we talking about here?
What year is it?
If the noise is excessive maybe that clutch is getting ready to go?
Have 2FF come over and test it with a towel.

 

[CampbellCarl]

8-10 years back it was common to see camo'd Fords towing trailers full of lead plates up the 68 towards Kingman as Ford had a proving ground just outside of Kingman on I 40.

Don't see it much any more...dunno why.

 

[spectras only]

8-10 years back it was common to see camo'd Fords towing trailers full of lead plates up the 68 towards Kingman as Ford had a proving ground just outside of Kingman on I 40.

Don't see it much any more...dunno why.

CC, because they don't have to prove anything anymore, that's why.:thumbsup

 

[Uncle Dave]

Have a fan clutch on an NA gas truck (titan)-

At the top of Davis the engine is screaming its guts out so loud it hard to hear the fan.

- but once the RPM settle down its like a small airboat under the hood.


UD

 

[mash on it]

8-10 years back it was common to see camo'd Fords towing trailers full of lead plates up the 68 towards Kingman as Ford had a proving ground just outside of Kingman on I 40.

Don't see it much any more...dunno why.

Arizona Proving Grounds in Yucca, Chrysler uses it now. Harley Davidson has a facility there, too.

I've seen GM, Ford, and Dodge all test around that area, as well as Toyota, Nissan and VW, all with manufacturer's plates, typically Michigan plates, thru the summer.

Dan'l