This morning we packed up, dumped the tanks, and left Barr Lake RV Park (elevation 5,082ft) on our way to Grand Junction, CO. We got on I-76 west to Denver where we intercepted I-70 and continued west. As we approached Applewood (exit 264) the road started to climb, seriously. As I drove on I watched my engine temp climb and climb, past 240 degrees and into the red zone. I pulled over and let the engine cool a bit and then made it on up to exit 256 at an elevation of 7,160ft. We still had 3,500 more feet to climb in the next 50 miles.
I have a new transmission with an upgraded, heavy-duty torque convertor, but it appeared my cooling system and engine were not suited for heavy climbing while pulling our 25ft 5th-wheel trailer. So, I changed my mind -- a privilege of a retired person. I didn't want to see Grand Junction (with an expected temp of 103 today) anyway.
We turned around and headed back down to Denver, caught I-25 north, then 287 out of Ft. Collins to Laramie and further west to Rawlins, WY. That is where we are spending tonight. Tomorrow we continue west to Evanston, WY and eventually to Truckee and other points of interest in NoCal. Sorry to miss the trip across Nevada on Hwy 50, the Loneliest Highway in the World, but sometimes, common sense trumps valor.
sam, the Prudent RVer (www.prudentrver.com)
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