Monarch Pass, Colorado in RV - Big Rig, Super C, Jayco Seneca, Mountain Driving, full pass

[@tommyjohnson9635]

Being from Texas the mountain Pass brought fear to me pulling My 5th wheel for the first time in the mountains, it took a while To get use to it, good advice from this video , use lower gear, Don't get in a hurry, i think people from Colorado are use To slow drivers but i always pulled over let them pass, after All said and done i would rate the fear factor a little more horrifying than driving through Dallas rush hour traffic, I LOVE COLORADO AND ITS BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, My hat goes off for the people Who build these magnificent Roads, Colorado is a must to See at least once in your life . I don't think this Texas boy Will travel there in the snow, I going to apologize in Advance for any one behind Me driving through Colorado Becase I'LL BE BACK !!!

[@tingokuman]

Sounds Strong 💪🏾 💪🏾 My grandfather used to tell me about gasser RVs crawling through the Colorados. Even some overtasked diesels struggle up there.

[@tmm4usc]

Excellent mountain pass driving tips. Been considering purchasing a Dynamax Super C (DX3 or Europa), so have been enjoying watching & learning from your videos thus far. I have not yet driven any mountain passes in CO, but look forward to doing so in the future. I have driven the Tioga Pass into Tuolumne Meadows (Yosemite) coming from the Lee Vining area towing a 35 ft. wheel (~12k lbs) a few times. Current tow vehicle is a 2014 Ram 3500 DW 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel. Uphill tow was easy for the Cummins (engine is a beast...love it) ...on the downhill leg I used the exhaust brake all the way down...the drop off is pretty steep so took it slow. As steep as the Tioga Pass is in some sections, I recall many passengers vehicles and some non-commercial trucks driving way too fast down that grade (in my opinion). I look forward to viewing more of your videos. Thank you!

[@jhr2112]

Not fire damage, due to global warming the pine beetles have destroyed the forest going over Monarch pass. Thanks for the video, just upgraded to the Freightliner super c and park every summer in Almont Colorado.

[@synaptik111]

Really appreciate your tips @RV Homeschool - I'll definitely be keeping them in mind when my g/f and I go RV-ing in a couple of years.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you. Glad it’s helpful. I think it’s nice to know what those mountain passes look like before you try to tackle them.

[@jimcollins8097]

We pulled our 7800 lb travel trailer with a tundra over monarch pass several years ago. I worried about the pull up the hill for the whole year before the trip. When we got there the pull up was easy due to the 45 mph speed limit. What was hard was going down - 1st gear was too slow and 2nd was waaay too fast. We crossed june 15th and there was plenty of snow at the top at the chair lift, but none on the pavement.

[@Arthur-Silva]

Thanks for doing this guys!

[@RVHomeschool]

You are welcome. Have a safe and fun trip.

[@Arthur-Silva]

@@RVHomeschool I drive a converted 38’ RV for work, they’ve turned it into a mobile clinic of sorts and I’m on the road for 10 months. I’ve been recently promoted to tour manager so I’m behind the wheel with my whole 3 weeks of experience 🤣. I was struggling with the gears and all that stuff until I found your videos! Much appreciated! 🙏

[@tonyaeakins8179]

Lol. Good information video(visual)Monarch in winter really sucks especially when your weight is 80,000. Although the talk of fear of driving the Monarch,yall haven't seen many fatalities.

[@daniellen8258]

I have to make this drive next week in my 76 carburetor coachman leprechaun class C. I’m super nervous. Any thoughts? Please be kind. This seems to be only way out of the area I’m in and I’m trying to do it as safely as possible

[@ChasingOurSunshine]

We are planning on coming through Colorado on I25 in end of April- are we going to need to have chains with us? Great information - drive was beautiful & way to make it- Chasing RV Sunshine ☀️ Joel, Deb & 🐕 Maya

[@RVHomeschool]

Not for I-25. But if you head into the mountains (on I-70) then yes, the chain laws are in effect until May 31 and we commonly have big snowstorms in April. Let me know any other questions about CO you have, Deb. Happy to help make sure you have a great trip here.

[@johnrlewis]

Did you upgrade the center console radio/display? Mine is never that bright, and have been thinking of upgrading it. I have a 2021 Seneca 37TS.

[@RVHomeschool]

Yes, like the week after we bought the rig we realized the standard stereo wouldn’t work. We replaced with a Kenwood CarPlay system that lets us hook up our Apple phones and even run Apple apps. It has better navigation, or we could use maps from our phone. The maps are not specific for big rigs though so I do still double check things on my truckers atlas and Allstays to know about tunnels, etc.

[@johnrlewis]

@@RVHomeschool Can you share which model you chose?

[@sarahelizabeth9585]

i have a question, I am about to drive highway 50 and drive this road. I am driving a toyota Rav4 , i won’t need chains or anything fancy for my car. That is only for RVs right?

[@RVHomeschool]

Technically Colorado has chain laws in effect from Labor Day to Memorial Day for ALL vehicles. It means you either need chains for your tires, or you need 4WD and snow tires with good tread. They were sick of bald tires on 2WD cars causing winter accidents. If you don't have either of those you can be ticketed. And if you have an accident the ticketing fee is higher (plus, you'll probably be considered at fault). Check CDOT for further details on chain laws.

[@tannerheist7521]

Would you recommend i70 or US50 when crossing throw the mountains. We will be coming from Grand junction and headed east through the mountains. We have a 43ft 5thweel around 17,000lbs. Hauling with a single wheel 2500 is why I ask. Which would be easier on your vehicle. ie- less grades or smaller % grades. Thank you for your input

[@RVHomeschool]

Jeremy says US50. You have Monarch pass but it’s easier than Vail pass and Eisenhower tunnel (which you will have on I-70. It will be slower though and take more time. Although I-70 goes down to a crawl frequently during ski season (which just started).

[@tannerheist7521]

@@RVHomeschool thank you so much. We are headed out in the morning. Just trying to make it easier for the our vehicle.

[@RVHomeschool]

@@tannerheist7521 I hope it was a safe trip. Colorado can be iffy this time of year with snow.

[@user-gw7sh6mn5h]

U could clean that windshield if you gonna make a video

[@rrrrkoop2776]

I just bought one, supposed to be this big powerful engine but not only is it gutless the screaming noise sounds like the transmission is coming apart. Can hardly talk to each other

[@RVHomeschool]

Consider bringing to a Cummins dealer for service. That doesn’t sound normal.

[@rrrrkoop2776]

@@RVHomeschool supposedly LaMesa had it completely gone through by the cummins shop before we picked it up. it made the same noise on test drive when the fan clutch (they say) kicks in. a month later we picked it up and still the same, yet they said that's how they are. I agree i will have it checked out. the lack of power for hills is very disappointing.

[@rrrrkoop2776]

I heard your fan clutch kick in at 2:27. sounds like mine, but mine is noisier. can't talk in normal voice levels when mine kicks in. sometimes its much noisier than others.

[@RVHomeschool]

@@rrrrkoop2776 We also pulled out the plastic insides for the doors and put in Kilmer under the floor mat and in the doors. I think it cut down on our cab volume. I think we have a video on that (mainly it shows in the basement area but it’s the same process we did for the cab).

[@Birdgunner]

are you using the mode button or just standard?

[@RVHomeschool]

When mountain driving he always presses down that button. Honestly I don’t drive often and don’t even know what it’s called. But it does help with engine braking on mountain passes.

[@Thecarguy24]

What engine is in your RV?

[@RVHomeschool]

A Cummins, model ISB17

[@Thecarguy24]

@@RVHomeschool do you have an engine brake on your Cummins?