NOW Raton Pass...

[davidkerryedwards]

i wasn't keeping a close eye on speed over Raton and I wasn't towing anything
but I think I
held 30mph or so until the last steep half mile when it dropped down to the
lower 20's. I
believe it was in 2nd gear. I've been on a couple of hills where 1st gear was
necessary.
One wonders under those circumstances what is going to happen if the hill gets
steeper.
Climbing out of Palo Duro canyon was like that. Ist gear and 1900rpms. It
wouldn't pull
any more than that but my primary filter was partially plugged so that wasn't a
reliable
test. There's always reverse!
What's the steepest challange that has been met by a Bird with a 3208NA?

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> I have always used the Raton Pass as my "dyno test" Our 88 FC is able
> to maintain 32mph while towing a 4400 lb. Toyota Tacoma. The Bird was
> empty as we had just bought our baby and were driving it home. I have
> never driven an NA FC but there is a big difference in power from a 250
> Turbo to the 300 Turbo.
>
> Bruce
> 1988 FC35
>

[John]

If you are coming from the east and want to go north into Colorado /
Wyoming, you can go north on US 287 at Amarillo, Texas and follow it
north west up into the panhandle of Oklahoma and at Boise City, OK.
you then pick up US 385 and follow it north into Colorado, if you
want to go to the Denver area, just go west on I-70 where US 385
crosses I-70 at Burlington, CO just west of the state line, then over
to I-25 and go north into Wyoming. There are a few steep grades
coming up out of canyons, but nothing any where close to those on
Raton Pass. I have taken many overweight 13 axle 200,000# and heavier
super loads (oversize loads) and large yachts on this route, there
isn't much to see out there, but it sure doesn't put a strain on the
power plant, like going over Raton and I have been both ways. This
also takes you away from any traffic congestion until you get into
the Denver area and that can be avoided too, by continuing up US 385
to Sterling, CO and then go west on Colorado 14, over to I-25.

I like this route, but then I prefer to stay off of the Interstates
as much as possible, so I can relax and not be in the way at 60-65
mph. I made my living running like a madman trying to meet delivery
times, set by unrealistic dispatchers, but now I'm retired and prefer
some relaxing drives :o)

"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> i wasn't keeping a close eye on speed over Raton and I wasn't
towing anything but I think I
> held 30mph or so until the last steep half mile when it dropped
down to the lower 20's. I
> believe it was in 2nd gear. I've been on a couple of hills where
1st gear was necessary.
> One wonders under those circumstances what is going to happen if
the hill gets steeper.
> Climbing out of Palo Duro canyon was like that. Ist gear and
1900rpms. It wouldn't pull
> any more than that but my primary filter was partially plugged so
that wasn't a reliable
> test. There's always reverse!
> What's the steepest challange that has been met by a Bird with a
3208NA?
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
> >
> > I have always used the Raton Pass as my "dyno test" Our 88 FC
is able
> > to maintain 32mph while towing a 4400 lb. Toyota Tacoma. The Bird
was
> > empty as we had just bought our baby and were driving it home. I
have
> > never driven an NA FC but there is a big difference in power from
a 250
> > Turbo to the 300 Turbo.
> >
> > Bruce
> > 1988 FC35
> >
>

[davidkerryedwards]

Agreed. On both points. That is a better route and blue highways are
preferable. If
you're coming from anywhere in the midwest heading to Denver, I think Rt. 36
from
Indianapolis is better than either I70 or I80.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John" wrote:
>
> If you are coming from the east and want to go north into Colorado /
> Wyoming, you can go north on US 287 at Amarillo, Texas and follow it
> north west up into the panhandle of Oklahoma and at Boise City, OK.
> you then pick up US 385 and follow it north into Colorado, if you
> want to go to the Denver area, just go west on I-70 where US 385
> crosses I-70 at Burlington, CO just west of the state line, then over
> to I-25 and go north into Wyoming. There are a few steep grades
> coming up out of canyons, but nothing any where close to those on
> Raton Pass. I have taken many overweight 13 axle 200,000# and heavier
> super loads (oversize loads) and large yachts on this route, there
> isn't much to see out there, but it sure doesn't put a strain on the
> power plant, like going over Raton and I have been both ways. This
> also takes you away from any traffic congestion until you get into
> the Denver area and that can be avoided too, by continuing up US 385
> to Sterling, CO and then go west on Colorado 14, over to I-25.
>
> I like this route, but then I prefer to stay off of the Interstates
> as much as possible, so I can relax and not be in the way at 60-65
> mph. I made my living running like a madman trying to meet delivery
> times, set by unrealistic dispatchers, but now I'm retired and prefer
> some relaxing drives :o)
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
>