The first goes through Denver, the next through Albuquerque, and the last through El Paso. Of the 3, the El Paso route is the least treacherous.

I don't think we'll be going that far south though. We will be visiting some of his relatives in Chicago and then coming west from there. We'll be in Utah at one point to visit the Arches National Park so we won't be anywhere near Texas.

I know guys that take big 5th wheel campers through that route all the time. This time of year is the best time to go.

Sounds good. So, you don't think I should be too concerned with the SUV trailered on the back of the UHaul situation?

Although I'm always wary of U-Haul stuff. Just make sure you check it out really well before you go.

There's no snow there in September, right? I'm also wary of UHaul. I've never used them but the last time I moved I was considering using them. I read a lot of online reviews and there were LOTS of bad ones saying that they were unreliable and their trucks tend to break down. I used Penske instead. Want to see if I can get my friend to do the same.

And usually in the latter part of October. You should be fine in September.

It is a beautiful drive going up from Denver through the Eisenhower tunnel then following the Colorado River through to the western plateau.

As long as there isn't heavy snow, it is an easy drive as mountain drives go.

Will definitely look into that. The talk of steep roads was what was making me nervous. My friend doesn't seem that concerned about it but I think he should be.

Runaway ramps are common on most mountain roads.

If I 70 scares you go al the way down to I 10

thank you very much.

You said there were no steep grades on I-70. That is quite and demonstrably wrong.

Coming down from the tunnel/Loveland Pass, west bound is pretty steep. Especially pulling a trailer and more especially for someone not accustomed to pulling a trailer. Then, roughly 30 miles later, you're over the top and starting down Vail Pass.

As a former semi driver who made nightly runs between Grand Junction and Denver, it's my opinion that Vail pass is a little "hairier"*sp*. And once you add snowy/icey or even rain wet roads it can get scarier.

As far as winding, there are two 13 mile stretches of winding road that gets treacherous in wintry or wet conditions. Glenwood Canyon and DeBeque Canyon. And coming out of Glenwood Springs there's that little 3 mile or so pretty windy canyon.

Westbound out of the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass are two of the longest, steepest grades on the Interstate system - 7 miles of 7% as marked.

Like Tobin, I've driven that way dozens of times over the years, in 18 wheelers with and without engine retarders, both in the Summer sun and in mandatory chain-up conditions.

You're correct that there are steeper grades on other roads in the US, But on the Interstate system, there are only 3 or 4 other grades that are as long at 7%. Cabbage Pass in Oregon on I-84 near Pendleton is 6 miles of 6% (but seems steeper).

There are certainly longer grades on the system that aren't as steep - The last few miles of I-15 in CA headed to the Nevada line, for instance (Referred to as "Baker Grade" by some) is marked at 6% for 10 miles.

To the OP, if you read this, you have gotten good advice. The key is to know how heavy you are and to make sure you start the top of any long hill at a speed appropriate for your weight vs. the grade. I wouldn't start going down Vail Pass or Baker Grade as examples, in the rig you describe any faster than about 35 MPH. You want to be able to apply gentle, steady pressure to the brakes so that the vehicle neither accelerates or decelerates for the length of the hill.

BTW, any major truck stop chain will allow you to use their "CAT" scale to weigh a vehicle, no matter what it is. They'll just charge you! It's $11 typically these days to weigh a Tractor Trailer on a CAT scale. The advantage of using such a scale is that it will give you total gross weight as well as accurate weights for each axle, provided you properly split the vehicle on the platforms.

I would not recommend it for people who are inexperienced hauling heavy loads. You said you were going by way of Chicago. I would take I-80 across to I-15 in Utah and then head south.

My friend has about the same amount of stuff that I have and we were able to fit it all in a medium size Penske moving truck when he helped me move. He's renting a larger truck from UHaul because they told him that is the size truck he'd have to use to tow his SUV. Would you consider this a heavy load?

on mountain grades. I've seen a few of them wreck because of that, too. A lot of weight is relative to the size of the vehicle.

If you encounter any problems, it won't be going up hills. It will be going down them. Don't go fast down long, steep grades.

snow storms--with frequent closures. Something worth considering. I-7o through Denver and west certainly can too, but in my many years out here, I-80 is far more unpredictable after about Oct. 1.

*

hauling a trailer requires some skill--even on the flats. Jack-knifed trailers large (semi-tractor trailors) and small are a frequent occurrence, but most of these are due to inexperience, too much speed, or failure to respect changing road conditions (rain, sleet, snow).

If your friend decides to do so, they might really benefit from some instruction on hauling a trailer from someone truly experienced or a professional.

I will talk to him about that. He's acting a bit as though I'm being overcautious. I don't think I am.

The trailer brakes may or may not be working as well as they should; the truck can also be poorly maintained, or could have been abused and the motor/transmission not completely up to snuff.

Unless the friend has some experience with a larger truck and trailer, I'd think long and hard about it. In the Air Force I drove a 2.5 ton truck with a large trailered load from time to time, and it was not a lot of fun in the steep stuff or in any of the narrow streets (and that was *with* specific training on how to drive with these loads). One guy in my unit managed to crush someone's parked car when he cut a corner too close and the trailer came around. He can also pretty well forget about trying to back up (parking lots, etc.) - it's super easy to get into trouble when you don't coordinate everything correctly. The trailer will seem to have a mind of its own when you start to steer the wrong way in reverse, and it can sometimes be very difficult to get straightened out and recover.

Having said that, lots of people do it and make it without any problems (but lots also don't).

Others here have made some good, relevant comments. You guys will have to make your own decision after evaluating the equipment and your own driving skills and training.

All the way I could see the highway on the other side of the river. It was lower and closer to the river, but it looks perfectly wide and safe. Like the train tracks the highway went through many tunnels.

I thought it would be perfectly safe to drive through the Rockies. At least by following the Colorado River. It was during the Summer though.

I wouldn't do it though. Not hauling a trailer.

The 30' had a mid-size sedan on a tow dolly in the back. It was much easier than Utah.

Be sure the load is well-balanced.

We drove a Chevy Tahoe through there. I put the automatic transmission in third gear (no overdrive) and cruise control at 60 mph and had a smooth trip up and down mountains. Never touched the brakes. Maybe you should go slower than 60. Keeping the engine revs up gives more power uphill and better control downhill.

I-70 but during the summer.

But the high desert in Southern California almost got me.

It was a heavily reinforced trailer that contained a very large planetary microfilm camera.

We shoulda went back the way we came from chicago to Phoenix . The drive down to Phoenix on the southern route was more fun.

We went through Colorado at night on the way back to chicago. It was a week after they had some snow and the roads weren't that great. So I say "well at least there is no traffic on the road --- hey wait a minute, there is no traffic on the road! Maybe they know something we don't"

It was probably a good thing we couldn't see over the edge. It was deer season too. Deer were smeared all over the roads. We were passed by an ambulance then we got to see where he was going. There was a little dodge with a deer sized hole in the windshield.

Anyway, we heard this on the radio the next day and laughed.

https://m.

I left Palatine, IL on the 24th (mid-afternoon) and arrived at LAX the afternoon of the 27th. (There was a warm stretch that week in Colorado.)

I took I-80 West and then I-76 at the fork at the CO border then I-76 to I-70 and then on to I-15.

I would suggest (if time permits) driving a smaller truck to CA and flying back to get the SUV and then making the trip in the SUV. Today I priced a number of airfares from various parts of CA to PA < $200.
Advantages:
- smaller truck
- easier time driving
- better gas mileage
- no need to learn any trailering skills
- no need to rent the trailer at all

Disadvantages:
- takes an extra 4 days
- extra gas for the SUV

In my opinion, making the drive twice is easier and more enjoyable. The difference in cost is probably worth what it saves in sanity and a chance to actually enjoy the trip.

BTW, if you're helping maybe one of you could drive the truck and the other the SUV and then you could fly home.