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INTRODUCING THE MOUNTAIN DIRECTORY EBOOKS! Try before you buy! Check out this free demo and see how it works.
From the author, RW: When customers find out that I'm from Kansas, they often say, "Kansas? What can you tell me about mountain passes if you're from Kansas?" But after they hear my story, they cut me a little slack. (By the way, did you know that there was once a researcher with too much government grant money who determined that Kansas actually is flatter than a pancake?) When I was a kid in the early 60's my parents owned a 16 foot Mobil Scout travel trailer. We pulled that trailer all over the western United States and Canada with a 1962 Chevy with a 283 cubic inch engine and a three speed on the column. So I learned to love mountains and I learned to love traveling the wide open spaces of our great land. With that small trailer and the reliable Chevy, we never had any problems climbing or descending grades. Read more ...
VITAL INFORMATION FOR ANYONE DRIVING A LARGE OR HEAVY VEHICLE In an attempt to make mountain driving a little safer for truckers and RV'ers, R&R Publishing Inc. has been collecting and publishing information about mountain passes and steep grades since 1993. The Mountain Directory Ebooks give the locations and descriptions of over 700 mountain passes and steep grades in 22 states. The Mountain Directory ebooks tell you where the steep grades are, how long they are, how steep (%) they are, whether the road is two lane, three lane, or four lane, if there are escape ramps, switchbacks, sharp curves, speed limits, etc. With this information, one can know ahead of time what a pass is like and make an informed decision about whether to go over or around. If you decide to go over, perhaps the cool morning hours would ease the "Miller designed his two directories for RV as well as truck
strain on the engine and transmission during the climb. Unhooking the towed vehicle
drivers because, he says, 'RV drivers would face the same
would make the climb and the descent easier. Knowing what lies ahead is half the
problems as truckers because of the weight of their vehicles
battle.
and braking systems that may not be designed to deal with the extreme conditions encountered during mountain descents.' Since most road atlases do not include this specific data, many motorhomers will find one or both of these books useful in taking the surprises out of driving in
The printed versions of the Mountain Directory books had almost 240 pages of text and color relief maps. All 240 pages are in the downloadable versions of the Mountain Directory ebooks. Nothing is missing. In the printed versions, mountain pass locations were marked with a yellow triangle on the color relief maps. In the ebook versions, you can click on the yellow triangles and the text appears that describes that location.
the mountains." Sherry McBride, Senior Managing Editor, Motorhome
Sample from the Virginia/Kentucky East section of the Mountain Directory East:
"RVers often have problems with mountain grades--both going up and coming down. It's helpful to be warned when a steep grade is coming up, and that's just what the two Mountain Directories do." Coast to Coast
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"Color relief maps and more than 150 new mountain pass and grade locations have been added to R&R Publishing's 1999 editions of Mountain Directory West and Mountain Directory East. Together, the books provide locations and descriptions for more than 700 mountain passes and steep grade locations in 22 states, as well as other vital information for anyone driving a large or heavy vehicle. In Mountain Directory East, the introduction notes that elevation by itself does not indicate a grade's difficulty; the change in elevation, depicted in the book as percentages, is
4. US 33 (between Harrisonburg, VA and Judy Gap, WV.)
the critical factor." Family Motor Coaching
Sample from the Wyoming section of the Mountain Directory West:
There are three summits along this stretch of US 33. The eastern summit is between Rawley Springs, VA and Brandywine, WV. The east side is 4 miles of 8 to 9% grade. The west side is 4½ miles of 9% grade and both sides have continuous sharp curves and hairpin turns. The highway is two lane on both sides. The middle summit is between Oak Flat and Franklin, WV. The east side of this hill is 2½ miles of 8% with 25 mph curves. The west side is about 3½ miles of much milder grade. It is 4 to 5% over most of its length. There are some sharp curves near the bottom. The road is two lane on both sides of the hill. The western summit is between Franklin and Judy Gap, WV. It is 5 miles of steady 9% grade on both sides. Both sides are two lane with sharp curves and hairpin turns. Use caution on this road.
Book Introduction: There is an old saying among over-the-road truckers. "There are two kinds of drivers --those who've been in trouble on a mountain grade, and those who will be." Unfortunately, this also applies to many RVers. Trucks and RVs have similar problems regarding weight, engine power, and braking in mountainous terrain. 12. TETON PASS elev. 8429' (on Wyoming Highway 22 west of Jackson, WY) Teton Pass has sustained 10% grades on both sides of the summit. An unusual feature is that both runaway truck ramps on the east side of the pass can be used only if the runaway truck crosses the oncoming lane of traffic. There is a posted
Imagine yourself descending a mountain grade in your RV. You didn't know there was such a long, steep grade on this highway. What a surprise! And things are not going
weight limit of 60,000 lbs. on this pass.
well. You have a white-knuckle grip on the
The westbound descent from the summit of Teton Pass begins with a
steering wheel. The engine is not holding back all of this weight, the brakes are
25 mph speed limit and a truck warning sign--"Steep grade--10% next 3 miles--use lower gear." This grade warning is repeated a mile later. About 2½ miles down from the summit the grade eases to 6-7% and the speed limit increases. This grade continues for about
smelling hot or even smoking, you're pushing harder on the brake pedal but your speed keeps increasing. All you can see ahead is more mountain. Your mind is racing through all of the available options and none of them are good. "I've got to do
3-4 miles and eases near the Idaho state line.
something," you say "or I'm not going to make it." The options include: run into the
The eastbound descent from the summit of Teton Pass starts with a
rock wall, go over the side, hit those trees, or see if you can make the next curve and
truck warning sign--"Steep grade--10% next 5 1/2 miles--use lower gear." There are 20 mph curves near the top. About 1/3 mile down from the summit is a sign--"Runaway truck ramp--2½ miles LEFT side." This warning is repeated several times as you approach the
ride it out. You choose the last option and, if you are lucky, you make it to the bottom in one piece. You pull over and while you are waiting for your heart to stop pounding, you wipe the sweat from your face and you notice your shirt is soaked, your mouth is
ramp. To use the ramp you must cross the oncoming lane of
dry, and your hands are shaking. You are thinking, "If I had known it was going to be
traffic. The ramp slopes uphill.
like that .
The second runaway truck ramp is about 1 mile after the first. It, too, is on the left side and is an upsloping ramp. At this point the grade begins to ease to about 6-7% and the speed limit increases. The hill continues to the town of Wilson, which is about 5½ miles from the summit.
Perhaps your rig has difficulty during the steep climbs. The temperature is in the 90's and the grade is so steep that you can barely climb it in first gear. The engine and transmission temperatures are rising. How far to the top of this hill? You don't know if it's one mile or ten. Something smells hot. What to do? Pull over and cool off? But
"The worst part isn't the white knuckles, the cold sweat, the
then all momentum is lost. Can you even get started again? You wish you had
unbelievable adrenaline rush. It's the emptiness in the very pit of the stomach, the utter hopelessness of the situation. Anyone who has ever lived through a runaway can relate a rig out of control on a long downgrade has a mind of its own.
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And it doesn't care what gets in the way. Miller's directories
unhooked the car you're dragging up this hill behind the motorhome. If you are lucky,
are full of good stuff that'll help drivers make smart routing
you can do that next time. You are wondering how many thousand dollars a new
decisions and prepare them for dangerous grades - like
engine and transmission will be.
length and severity of grades, sharpness of curves and location of escape ramps. It's invaluable info for rookie
During the last few years we have heard
drivers or old hands traveling into a mountainous area for
many stories about very expensive repairs to
the first time." Andrew Ryder, Editor, Heavy Duty Trucking
drive train components. Sometimes rigs are lost entirely. A highway patrol officer in
"Many truckers have had the frightening experience of
Oregon told us that in the summer an
cresting a mountain grade too fast and wondering if they'll
average of one motorhome per week burns to
be able to stop at the bottom. Richard Miller is one of them.
the ground while trying to climb Cabbage Hill
After a thrilling descent into Camp Verde Valley, AZ in 1993,
on I-84 east of Pendleton. If a fire starts, the
he decided to do something about the lack of information on
nearest fire department is likely to be many
many mountain grades. The results of his efforts are two
miles away. By the time they arrive, there is
excellent resources: Mountain Directory West and Mountain
nothing left to do but hose down the ashes.
Directory East. Each contains maps showing the location of grades and detailed information about them, including the
Many people are under the impression that
height of the summit, length and steepness of grades,
the grades in the eastern mountains are not
severity of curves, location of escape ramps, and signage."
as serious as the grades in the western mountains. Apparently this is because the
Truckers News
elevations are not as high in the eastern states. But elevation alone is not the problem--it is the change in elevation that makes a grade potentially hazardous. If all
From the Southern California section of the Mountain Directory West: CAJON PASS elev. 4190' (on I-15 south of Victorville, CA) There is very little descent on the north side of Cajon Pass. The southbound descent begins with warning signs--"Downgrade next 12 miles--trucks check brakes" and "Truck speed limit 45 mph" and "Truck scales 5 miles" and "6% grade next 4 miles" and "Runaway truck ramp 2½ miles." The grade may be a bit more than 6% down to the escape ramp where it eases for a very short distance and then goes back to 6% until reaching the truck scales. After the scales the grade eases to
other factors are equal, a grade that descends from 4000' to 1000' over 10 miles is no different than a grade that descends from 10000' to 7000' over 10 miles. Either way you have a 3000' change in elevation spread over 10 miles. (This example would result in an average grade of almost 6% for 10 miles.) A large percentage of the grades in the western states are in the 6% range. A large percentage of the grades in the eastern states are 8, 9, or 10% and sometimes even more. The eastern grades are often shorter but this is not always so. A quick glance
about 2-3% for 3 miles, then goes to about 5% for another 4½ miles.
through the eastern book will reveal over 50
This road has four lanes downhill and a great deal of traffic. Use caution on this hill.
4 to 7 miles long. There are others that are
grades that are between 7 and 10% and from even more challenging. The road to the top of Whiteface Mountain in New York is 8 to 10%
"Rvers traveling to new locations often meet unforeseen and
for 8 miles. There would be no need for
possibly dangerous challenges in mountainous terrain
truckers to use this road but RVs are allowed.
because they could not know what type of road lay ahead.
Near Cumberland, Maryland there is a hill on
Atlases may mark elevation, but not how steep and how
I-68 that is posted as 6% for 13 miles. In North Carolina highway 181 crosses the Blue
many miles a grade is, whether or not there are turnouts, and
Ridge Parkway and the southbound descent is 11 miles of grade that varies from 6 to
the condition of the road. Mountain Directory West and
10%. Much of it is 8 to 9%. These grades are just as hazardous as the grades in the
Mountain Directory East give locations and detailed
western states.
descriptions of almost 700 mountain passes and steep grades in 22 states. This enables drivers to plan safer and easier routes, or to be prepared to face the grade." Highways "A useful book for those planning to travel in the Western states is Mountain Directory It tells you the percentage of grade, alignment, width and length of significant mountain passes in 11 Western states.
From the Colorado section of the Mountain Directory West: VAIL PASS elev. 10603' (on I-70 east of Vail, CO) The descent on the westbound side of Vail Pass is about 10 miles in length and begins at milepost 189 on I-70. One half mile west of the summit there are warning signs for westbound traffic--"Speed limit 45 mph for vehicles over 30,000 lbs." and "Steep grade next 8 miles-trucks stay in lower gear." The next mile is rolling hills. Then there is a sign--"7% grade next 7 miles."
(In fact, there is now Mountain Directory East as well, which
The descent is steady at 7% and there are 3 advisory signs for the first runaway truck ramp
covers almost 300 mountain passes and steep grades in 11
which is about milepost 185 or 4 miles down from the summit. The escape ramp is upsloping on the right. The second runaway truck ramp is about milepost 182, which is 3¼
Eastern states.)" Joe and Vickie Kieva Collins, Highways
miles after the first escape ramp, or about 7¼ miles down from the summit. There are several advisory signs before reaching it and it is an upsloping ramp on the right. Don't be
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. fooled when the grade eases after the second escape ramp. It soon goes back to 7% and
"As RVers and travelers in the west, we recommend this
doesn't bottom out until 2½ miles after the second escape ramp or about milepost 179.
book as a good reference and we plan to keep it in the cab of
The eastbound descent from the summit of Vail Pass continues almost to the Frisco exit about 11
our truck. Of course, if we get an opportunity to travel in the
miles down the hill but the descent is not steady. There are short steep sections followed by short sections of lesser grade. The last half of the descent is 3-4% grade. There are no escape
east, we are prepared with that book as well."Chronicle
ramps on the east side of the pass.
"From time to time, humorists writing in RV literature will gleefully make hay out of the concept of an RV hurtling down a mountainside using G forces to describe the speed rather than miles per hour. However, the reality of brake failure in the mountains, as those who have experienced it will attest,
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the maps included in this book, it is nearly impossible to include all necessary detail on such small maps. We recommend that these maps be used in conjunction with larger, more detailed road maps.
is not the least bit funny. For the RVer tackling the Rockies
In most cases the passes and hills are
and other western ranges, this directory would be an
described as descents. In other words, a
invaluable reference." RV Times
pass will be described from the summit down in one direction and then from the summit
"Mountain Directory is well put together, easy to use, and
down in the other direction. This directory
prepares the user for driving in the mountains. When it
does not claim to include every steep grade.
comes to personal safety and protecting the investments
In fact, because of the enormous area we
made in RVs and motorhomes, drivers would be well served
have tried to cover, we can guarantee that we
to keep this book handy." National Motorists Association
have probably missed some. Sometimes the
News
percentages quoted are estimates and many times they are based on road signs or
"Mountain Directory for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome
information provided by highway
Drivers... Wow! With a name that long, this book better
departments. This book does not attempt to
provide a service to RVers---and it does." Jim Brightly,
Managing Editor, Motorhome
rate passes or grades according to difficulty. There is an enormous variety in vehicles and equipment. A hill that is very difficult for
"It's bound to provide the traveler with knowledge and peace of mind................Here's a book that should be located next to every rig's navigator... Keep this book handy during your travels." Bob Carter, RV Today
one vehicle may be no problem at all for a similar vehicle that is equipped differently. Driver judgment is critical in deciding which hills should be avoided. The purpose of this book is not to discourage drivers from going where they please. It is
"
only to inform them of the conditions they
should definitely be included in your RV library... chock full
may encounter and to encourage them to
of information... our traveling columnists have already made
make sure their equipment is in good repair.
excellent use of this directory." Camping Canada
Brakes must be in good working order and properly adjusted and the engine and
"Mountain Directory
transmission should be used to slow the
was specifically written for drivers of RVs and other heavy
vehicle whenever possible, thus saving the
vehicles. The text, accompanied by maps pinpointing
brakes and keeping them cool enough to
locations, describes how steep and long each grade is, plus
retain their stopping power. The engine's
other pertinent details." Trailer Life
cooling system should be in good repair to prevent overheating during the climbs.
"... let me tell you straight: this book applies to you." Bill
Turning off the air conditioner during climbs
Farlow, Woodall's Southern RV
may help, and if necessary, turning on the heater will help dissipate heat from the engine.
"Fear Heights No More" "While the publishers are the fist to admit that it would be nearly impossible to list every steep hill in the western United States, Mountain Directory covers
From the North Carolina section of the Mountain Directory East: I-40 (between Black Mountain and Old Fort, NC)
most grades that are long enough and steep enough to pose By law, all trucks except pickups and vans are required to stop at the top of this hill and read the information posted about the eastbound descent ahead. The top of the hill is near
a problem to RVs." Coast to Coast "Motorhome drivers and truckers have very similar problems involving steep grades, weight, brakes, etc., and part of the
milepost 67 just east of Black Mountain. The grade is posted as 5 miles of 6%. It is a strong 6%. There are three runaway truck ramps, all of which are short sand beds with sand piles at the end. There is about a mile of grade left after the last escape ramp. The westbound descent is about 1¼ mile of 6%.
solution is knowledge about the hills before you get
FromFamily the Pennsylvania East there." Motor Coaching
section of the
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Mountain Directory East:
There are many aftermarket devices that can help heavy vehicles in the mountains.
Pennsylvania highway 125 (between Shamokin and Good Spring, PA.)
Some will help by increasing horsepower for the climbs. These include turbos and
Large vehicles may want to avoid this 18 mile section of road. It
descents. Some products, like gear splitters and auxiliary transmissions can help
crosses four mountains and includes numerous 15 mph hairpin turns and many more 20 and 25 mph curves. Regardless of your direction
during the climbs and the descents. Many of these products also improve fuel
of travel you will have to climb and descend some very steep hills. Much of the grade is 7 to 9% but there are numerous sections that must be 12% or more, some lasting almost a mile. Brake shoes don't have enough time to cool much between descents.
exhaust systems. Other devices, such as engine braking systems can help during the
economy (while delivering more horsepower) and reduce wear and tear on the drive train. The main ingredients involved in overheated brakes are the length of the grade, the steepness of the grade, and the speed and weight of the vehicle. Reducing any of these will improve the chances of getting down the mountain without overheating the brakes. Most of the time, the only one the driver can change is speed. Reducing speed may keep you alive. Remember the old phrase, "You can go down a mountain a thousand times too slowly, but only once too fast." Try before you buy! Check out this free demo and see how it works.
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