Donner Pass - I-80 - RV-Dreams Community Forum

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Donner Pass - I-80

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Donners pass going west bound is very well marked with instructions for Truck drivers.....the signage will tell you in advance when to gear down and whats ahead..

I pulled doubles & triple trailers(commercial) through that section for several years...weather is a bigger factor than the grade you will do Ok

some say feather river canyon is better but that road is narrow and has steep drop offs its not for the inexperienced....stick to the interstate on that area you will be fine and the views are great!!

CurveCarver · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not sure where you crossed Sierra's in Yosemite but whether it be rte.108 or 120 these are much more difficult to negotiate than Donners.
The interstate will be a piece of cake in comparison. If it were me, I would plan my trip during the week well in advance of Labor Day weekend though.
Relax and enjoy the ride, there are some spectacular vistas along the way.
Good luck and much success while in the Bay Area.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the feedback. We actually crossed the Sierras going through Yosemite, right over Tioga pass. With our Toyota Tundra, 29 ft TT in tow, that was stressful, plus all the impatient drivers trying to get around us. Figured the Interstate would be a better option this time. Unfortunately if we don't use the Labor Day weekend to do this drive, I'll have to take vacation days and we hate using my vacation time for driving days, much rather spend vacation days with real R&R or working an art show for my hubby. I'm thinking early September, we should not have weather issues unless we get hit with something really wacky.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

With the truck you now have it will be a piece of cake. Use the exhaust brake going down and what the temps- Transmission- going up.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not sure what equipment in on the newer F450's, but it may not be an engine brake. If the newer ones are like my 2008, they will want to use the "tow/haul" feature of the transmission for down-grade braking. Just watch that the engine RPM's don't get too high. If the RPM's do go up, brake fairly quickly to slow down 15 to 20 miles per hour fairly quickly and then let the transmission go back to work on the braking. That sudden slow down will limit the amount of time that your truck's brakes will actually be engaged, thus keeping them from overheating.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

The 2011 and newer Ford trucks (F-350 / F-450) have what is called an exhaust brake, a big upgrade beyond the tow haul feature. Actually it is a turbo brake. It uses the engine turbocharger’s variable veins to restrict the RPM’s and thus assist with braking.

All the 2011 and newer trucks, Ford, Chevy, GM, some Dodge, have this type of safety feature and it is a big deal in controlling speed coming down the hills with a heavy rig. We’ve done mountains and grades as bad last year without issues. Very little use of the brakes.

Your 2012 has this feature and you’ll be fine. Just don’t let the RPM’s get too high and don’t ride the brakes. As was mentioned, if you have to use brakes, push them somewhat hard, slow down 10-15 MPH or so, then get off them. Let the speed build back up, and then hit them again. This gives the brakes time to cool. Enjoy the ride.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

CBS Morning News just had a feature about I-80 this minute. Said Utah has added about 200 highway patrol to monitor traffic. Very heavily driven this time of year. Know you'll be cautious and not speed - just watch out for the other guys.

Sherry

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Maybe you already did the Donner Pass on I80, but I avoided it by going through Susanville CA and down 395 into Reno.

Trikester · RV-Dreams Family Member

We'll be doing some Smokey Mountain travel in September to the RV Dreams rally. On our 2013 F-450, what's an appropriate RPM ceiling for those downhill exhaust (or turbo) braking events?

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Trikester wrote:
We'll be doing some Smokey Mountain travel in September to the RV Dreams rally. On our 2013 F-450, what's an appropriate RPM ceiling for those downhill exhaust (or turbo) braking events?

Below the red line "unloaded." That is without any power applied, below the red line. It is a very good idea to get slowed down before you get to the decent, downshift a gear and let the engine get control of the rig before it gets going too fast. If necessary apply brakes quite firmly and slow the rig 10-15 MPH, then take your foot off the brakes, allowing them to cool, and let the rig speed up if it has to. Apply brakes again, firmly - but don't stomp on them, again slowing the rig 15 MPH or so. This is a standard braking technique allowing the engine to stay well below the red line and keeping the brakes from over heating.

The reason for not specifying an RPM limit is because all engines are different. My red line max, unloaded - that is with no power applied and coasting - is 4,800. Not a problem for my engine. The 2013 Ford is a bit lower if memory serves.

The "loaded," that is under power, RPM limit for my truck is 3,200, but a 4,800 RPM in a exhaust (turbo) braking condition. Your truck will be different and model years of the Fords are different. So you have to check the manual and also the red line on your specific truck.

Hope this perspective helps a bit.

BTW, the worst you will see on I-81 is about 6% or so grades. Not that bad at all and they don't last for extensive distances. Driven them a lot.

Enjoy the Rally! You'll love it.

Bill

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have driven Donner in both directions, many times, up to nearly 80k pounds. It is a good road and not terribly technical. What differentiates it from Cabbage or the Grapevine is it is a much faster drive. Where I can do the grapevine or cabbage without touching my brakes, Donner has some spots that are long easy downgrades that beg for you to drive 60 miles an hour. These are followed by steeper sections that require a little more technical driving. Bottom line is, I wouldn't hesitate to do Donner without chains if it were snow packed and sanded. You have driven tougher roads, Donner just has a reputation. Once you drive it, you'll wonder what all the hoopla is about.

With that being said, I search out these tough drives because I enjoy the challenge and I want to be able to share my opinion in cases like this. I have never felt a lack of control or any fear on an interstate when following the highway markings. Currently, I drive the Grapevine 10 times a week, usually above 60K pounds. Many times I have been passed on a downhill section by an RV going way to fast. Trust me when I say, it's not the road, it's the driver. I'm pretty certain that my large car equipped with big brakes and a big engine will handle the curves and slopes better than any RV. Yet, I'm doing 35 going down this hill and the guy in the motorhome is doing 60. A good rule of thumb is, if you have to grip the wheel, you're going too fast. Do not hesitate to follow the 18 wheelers lead or restrictions. If he is going slow, there is a reason. Second rule of thumb is, if you have to hurry to get to your destination, you left too late.

I suppose I am on my soap box but, mountain driving is not dangerous or scary when done correctly. Unless, you're my wife, then scary is in the eyes of the beholder. When it comes to maneuvering your RV, it is not a 2000 pound four wheeler, It is a heavy vehicle. Slow down A.J. and live to camp another day.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark has given some sage advice. RVers tend to drive WAY too fast....I would say the majority of them. I am constantly passed by RVs doing 15-20mph more than me - and I drive at 62mph. They also almost always are too close to the traffic in front of them. IMO, an RV is equivalent to a commercial truck and should be 6 seconds minimum behind the vehicle in front.

I have (almost) the same brakes as Mark and drive in a similar fashion. In his and my case the Jake brakes make a big difference over a typical towable RV. But I agree with him that ANY RV can be safely driven on any Interstate without an issue - assuming it is in good shape (a given). It is the drivers that cause issues. Mostly because off speed or lack of minimal skills.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are definitely learning to drive slower with this bigger rig, we were right there with the trucks over the passes on I-90 as we travelled across Idaho and Montana with those passes.

So now Mark has raised another question in my mind, trying to understand what the Grapevine is, based on the searching I've done on-line it appears it's on I-5 north of LA. So if one were driving from northern CA to LA is 101 a better choice? We'll actually be doing that in late October so it would be nice to know and we aren't going straight into LA, hoping to bypass it on the northern side while heading towards Palm Springs.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

SF to Palm Springs my route would be to head east to CA99 south, then CA58 east at Bakersfield to Barstow, then CA247 to Yucca Valley where it is a short trip via CA62 down to Palm Springs.

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Bill for that alternate route, we will be taking that after we leave the Sacramento/Auburn area. We will be following 90W to 25S to 80W from the Rapid City area. We do not have a diesel MH so we are following these posts and would like to avoid steep incline/declines. Has anyone taken 395 out of Reno to 50 to avoid the Pass? What is that road like? Thanks for your help in advance.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

The 101 is a more scenic and flatter route but will drop you into LA. You can take it down to the 134 then onto the 210 to skirt the northern part of LA and that takes you to I10. But it's still LA. Bills idea will avoid LA altogether. Another choice might be 58 to 395 then I15 to 210 and miss almost all of LA. LA isn't horrible. It just goes on forever. My choice would be 101-134-210-10 but LA doesn't bother me. It is certainly not the most difficult city to navigate. After SF, LA is a piece of cake.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks guys, will look at this as we get to the end of October when we'll be heading south. Love the fact that there are people out there with "real world experience" to give us newbies advice.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Linda wrote:
Trikester wrote:
We'll be doing some Smokey Mountain travel in September to the RV Dreams rally. On our 2013 F-450, what's an appropriate RPM ceiling for those downhill exhaust (or turbo) braking events?
It is a very good idea to get slowed down before you get to the decent, downshift a gear and let the engine get control of the rig before it gets going too fast. If necessary apply brakes quite firmly and slow the rig 10-15 MPH, then take your foot off the brakes, allowing them to cool, and let the rig speed up if it has to. Apply brakes again, firmly - but don't stomp on them, again slowing the rig 15 MPH or so. This is a standard braking technique allowing the engine to stay well below the red line and keeping the brakes from over heating.
Bill

The automatic transmission on Fords is called Torqueshift. In my experience the Tow/Haul feature does it's job without interference. I tow heavy and NEVER "downshift". Control your speed before getting to the descent by removing your dang heavy foot from the accelerator. When you need to slow, apply the brakes firmly (as most others have stated) and the transmission will shift down until you apply the accelerator.

The 'puter in the Ford is really pretty smart. If the driver tells it what to do, it will continue to do it's job. The torqueshift is not like an older transmission. It is controlled by the 'puter. Leave the gear selector alone (with Tow/Haul engaged) and let the tranny do the work. Moving the gear selector down only limits what the computer can do to protect the rig. If you have manually selected a lower gear, the computer cannot shift down if required. Likewise, it cannot disengage if the engine begins to over-rev. Use your brakes as instructed by everyone on here and be an intelligent driver. As Mark said, if you need to hurry, you left too late.

Trikester · RV-Dreams Family Member

Helpful, full responses to my question. So far we're loving this new '13 Ford truck, but we still have lots to learn about how it operates. Many thanks to each uv ya.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Loretta wrote:
Has anyone taken 395 out of Reno to 50 to avoid the Pass? What is that road like? Thanks for your help in advance.

I would suggest I-80 unless you want to see Lake Tahoe up close. In my opinion Donner Pass is an easier drive with an RV than 50. Hwy50 is both 2 and 4 lane road, heavy traffic, and a few congested area's to pass through. And it's on the other side of Lake Tahoe from I-80.

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for your response Dan. We decided that I-80 is the road we will take. It doesn't look like there are many sharp or curvy turns. We'll just take it slow and rest the brakes if needed.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

53 Merc wrote:
Bill and Linda wrote:
Trikester wrote:
We'll be doing some Smokey Mountain travel in September to the RV Dreams rally. On our 2013 F-450, what's an appropriate RPM ceiling for those downhill exhaust (or turbo) braking events?
It is a very good idea to get slowed down before you get to the decent, downshift a gear and let the engine get control of the rig before it gets going too fast. If necessary apply brakes quite firmly and slow the rig 10-15 MPH, then take your foot off the brakes, allowing them to cool, and let the rig speed up if it has to. Apply brakes again, firmly - but don't stomp on them, again slowing the rig 15 MPH or so. This is a standard braking technique allowing the engine to stay well below the red line and keeping the brakes from over heating.
Bill
The automatic transmission on Fords is called Torqueshift. In my experience the Tow/Haul feature does it's job without interference. I tow heavy and NEVER "downshift". Control your speed before getting to the descent by removing your dang heavy foot from the accelerator. When you need to slow, apply the brakes firmly (as most others have stated) and the transmission will shift down until you apply the accelerator.
The 'puter in the Ford is really pretty smart. If the driver tells it what to do, it will continue to do it's job. The torqueshift is not like an older transmission. It is controlled by the 'puter. Leave the gear selector alone (with Tow/Haul engaged) and let the tranny do the work. Moving the gear selector down only limits what the computer can do to protect the rig. If you have manually selected a lower gear, the computer cannot shift down if required. Likewise, it cannot disengage if the engine begins to over-rev. Use your brakes as instructed by everyone on here and be an intelligent driver. As Mark said, if you need to hurry, you left too late.

Well, we all have our opinions and I’ll stick with mine about "pre-downshifting." A good friend of mine lost his engine because the truck computer screwed up and over revered the engine on an “automatic downshift.”

I just came down 7 miles of 7% grade on the west side of Denver on I-70 after the tunnel using a down shift and getting the rig slowed down ahead of the grade. Rig stayed at the same speed all the way down. While other RV's were braking, I didn't have to touch the brakes at all, for 7 miles, and we are heavy. Our truck is the same vintage as the Ford has a "smart computer" with the same “Tow Haul” shift change algorithm and it "should" protect the engine. But things can go wrong as they did for my friend. So I still recommend that people slow down and let the transmission and engine get a hold of the rig before the speed builds up and you need the brakes.

BTW, I used this technique coming down Pikes Peak with the same very heavy truck. They check your brakes half way down to make sure they are safe. Maximum they will allow is 300 degrees without holding you for a cool down. Mine were 103 degrees. The Ranger said, “You must be doing something right. Proceed on.”

Just my perspective and trailing as a former professional driver instructed.

Bill

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, I guess I am not smart enough to outfigure a computer, so I just leave the gear shift alone. My first truck driving job was in a rig that grossed 125K lbs. Permits all the way. Top speed was 35 mph (and it seemed too fast on occasion). Lots of other truck driving at times, but never in the mountains. Found the "Jake Brakes" were a lot of fun when coming to towns. If you pay attention to the speed of the rig, and let the transmission do it's job, the chance of an engine explosion is slim to none (without other failure). If the engine grenaded as bill and linda describe, no amount of shift control was going to help all that much.

BTW, doesn't the 2012 Chev have exhaust or turbo braking? With tow/haul and exhaust braking there should be no issues.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

53 Merc wrote:

BTW, doesn't the 2012 Chev have exhaust or turbo braking? With tow/haul and exhaust braking there should be no issues.

Ken:

Sure does. And while not quite as good as a Jake Brake, much better than the typical after market pickup truck Exhaust Brake.

Ford, as you know in the 2011's and forward, does the same thing with the same vendor's turbo. I.e. same make. However, Ford has a somewhat different implementation and in the case of the Ford, as you know, the Turbo Brake can't be turned off. The Chevy / GM's can be turned off if so desired for in town driving without a trailer. No big deal either way. Just a little different. Both have proven to be extremely effective in the lower gears as you commented. I.e. not in overdrive. That's why I down shift at the top to get out of 5th or 6th gear before I start down. Just a style that works for me to make sure the RPM's stay down and has worked well even back in the day without the turbo brake in my 2006 truck.

Bill

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

We made it to Winnemucca without incident as far as the mountain advisories. We'll make it to Reno tonight and do the Pass tomorrow. Fingers crossed it works out like the others.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Loretta - take it slow and enjoy the scenery! We're probably 2 weeks behind you.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

So how was the trip over the summit Loretta?

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

The trip was very uneventful. The scenery was beautiful. I think the descent in Utah, Parley's Summit, was worse than the one on the Pass. We are now in Auburn and we have driven down to Roseville and notice there are a few more declines to go. You are basically going from 7000+ feet down to 2000 where we are now. We did encounter and accident where there was an overturned TT, but it was most likely caused by a sleepy driver not the road . I do think, though, that I would rather go down the pass rather than have to climb it. Our coach is slow going climbing.... disbelief

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Parleys summit is so very easy to avoid. Take I84 from where it connects ot I80 around to Salt Lake City. No hard climbs, no steep hills at all. It is 14 miles farther. Probably a half hour quicker.

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

MarkS wrote:
Parleys summit is so very easy to avoid. Take I84 from where it connects ot I80 around to Salt Lake City. No hard climbs, no steep hills at all. It is 14 miles farther. Probably a half hour quicker.

Thanks MarkS, we will remember that for when we do that road again.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the follow-up Loretta. Donner isn't a problem unless snowing, then it gets real interesting. Not sure what route we will take from Kansas back to California when we finish our stint here at Amazon. I prefer the southern route of I-40 and DW wants to go I-70 to I-80. Decisions decisions...

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, they car calling for snow this weekend at Tahoe so I would think if it is winter you might be better off coming 40. We are in Auburn now and the weather has definitely changed since yesterday. Tonight it is supposed to be in the 40's. Time to go South. We are headed to AZ so we were thinking of 80-99-40 or 80 -10. Tell me about the decisions!!! The route seems to change daily. smile

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

easy trick to Donners pass is to check with the truckstop on either side.......the 49er truck plaza's both have current road conditions and upcoming forecasts available to the Truck drivers who frequent the road.....or simply turn the old CB to channel 19 and ask........if the "chainers" (the fellas that rent chains on both sides of the pass and install them on trucks ) are readying for the hill stay off till it clears!!!....

a good sign the mountain pass is going to be bad is when the 49er truck plaza in Sacramento Ca. is backing up or the one in Winnamucca NV is backing up..

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
..if the "chainers" (the fellas that rent chains on both sides of the pass and install them on trucks )

Seriously, Mike? Install them? That must be for the refer and van yankers that are too lazy to throw iron. I don't know of a real truck driver or flat bedder that would be seen having chains installed.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am in Carson, and planned on going to S. Lake Tahoe today, didn't because of weather. I did see snow on the peaks. But the locals are insisting that by Sunday it should be OK, and the weather channel forecast has the area at 65-75 degrees for the next week or so, with 40 degree overnights. I am going to brave it over 50 to S. Tahoe tomorrow AM to do the flea market. Then staying there for a week, then making my way back down. Hope the snow holds for the general area for a while, the locals are insisting it will stay on the peaks for a while.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina - hope you are right about Donner Pass, we stopped outside of Reno tonight after battling winds for the last 70 miles across Nevada today. We're hoping to make it through Donner tomorrow!!

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good luck on Donner Dale and Ruth. Lets know how you do.

Red

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had high winds in Carson too; the AirTabs I put on my rig seemed to help. I am hoping the weather will hold too, I have already paid for a flea market space and reservations up there. I would have to cancel everything, like right now.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

you should read the history of the pass, the first RVers (covered wagons) made that journey.......when I was younger I drove it on a daily basis for a year and hiked alot of the area....it is rich in history and the weather up there flips in minutes .

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Right now at the South Carson Walmart, there is a dusting of snow on the mountains, but I checked the weather cams and street cams for S. Lake Tahoe, and the roads look clear. Still conflicted, I guess I will go, I'll be late for the flea market, but I am still new at driving this rig, have NEVER driven on snow or ice, even in a regular car (AZ and Cal gal) and don't want to encounter patches of ice on Hwy 50, which is a notorious grade. I've been waiting out the hot weather here, and it's getting too cold to stay, but still too hot down south. Ugh.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we used to snow ski it was very rare to be on the slopes around Tahoe before Thanksgiving, normally it was January before they had a good base. After the storms the roads are good for travel, even in an RV. There are plenty of places to wait out the storms on both sides of the mountain.

We will probably take the I-40 route to allow us the opportunity to visit the DW's brother in Apple Valley CA. We prefer 99 to 58 at Bakersfield over Tehachapi and skip LA. Weather is still a concern but the Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield always has room for us to wait out the storms. We did spend a night in Mojave in the Motel 6 parking lot one year as they closed 58 over Tehachapi for high profile vehicles due to 70+ mph winds.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

I live just "down the hill" on Hwy 50 in Placerville. The roads are clear, the sky is beautiful and the smoke is all gone! You all should have no problems with 50 or 80 once the sun has been up a bit. Drive safely, and I look forward to visiting with Hina and the NWescapees in the next few days!

--Debbie

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Beautiful drive over the pass today, fresh snow all on the side of the road. Only problem was some poor guy who was towing what looked like a "project car", some old classic down the pass, had a tire blow out on the project car followed by a fire so that caused a bit of a slow down near Alta CA. Dale's comment on driving Donner Pass was that it was a long pass but not near as steep and not nearly as many sharps curves as Home Stake Pass on I-90 in Montana. So happy to see the sunshine and the winds were very light compared to yesterday's drive across Nevada.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Glad y'all made it OK and had a good day to boot!