I-70 from Grand Junction CO to Denver CO

[ELDEN1948]

We will be driving through Colorado on I-70 from Grand Junction to east of Denver on our way to Michigan in May 2018. The trip planner shows about 5 tunnels on this route. I have contacted CO DOT about elevations in these tunnels. The specs on our 5th wheel say our height is 13-11. I believe we won't have any issues with clearance in the tunnels. Has anyone traveled this route? Is my assumption about clearance for our rig correct?

[ELDEN1948]

We measured our 5th-wheel at the dealership/service center last week with our rig on our truck. Turns out it is 12-10, thanks again for all the replies.

[avoidcrowds]

If you are on I-25 going through Denver, stay in the center lane, as it has the highest clearance. As high as you say you are, you would likely clip a bridge if you were in the outer lanes, due to the curve of some of the bridges.

While they have increased the clearance on some of the worst offenders, you will still need to pay attention, and stay out of the median lane. I believe that is where the lowest clearance is.

[Grit_dog]

Martyn wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Just don't roll down Wolf Creek Pass at 13-9 without listening to CW McCall first!

I rolled down Wolf Creek Pass towing double - it's the last bit going west that is the steepest part. Anyway, Wolf Creek Pass is about 150 miles south of I-70. 🙂

I know where WC pass is. Listen to the song and you'll understand......:)

[ELDEN1948]

Thanks much for all of the feedback. The manufacturer's data sheet states the height is 13-11 but I will measure the height. We have a Ford F-350: a few of you mentioned Wolf Creek Pass - we drove that route in May 2016 with no issues. We have also driven I-17 in Arizona, steep grade north and south - again, no issues.

[Allworth]

If you are going to warn him about Wolf Creek, you might as well include Monarch, Engineer, Coal Bin, and Mastadon Gulch.

None of them have anything to do with I-70, but they are neat places.

[Martyn]

Grit dog wrote:
Just don't roll down Wolf Creek Pass at 13-9 without listening to CW McCall first!

I rolled down Wolf Creek Pass towing double - it's the last bit going west that is the steepest part. Anyway, Wolf Creek Pass is about 150 miles south of I-70. 🙂

[JAC1982]

Yes, there are bridges in downtown on I-25 that are on the low side especially in the right and left lanes because they are arches. Semis have hit them before. But if you stay on I-70 you won't hit those bridges.

Here's an article about an incident a couple years ago. This was a truck pulling an excavator so I'm guessing it was oversized and taller than a normal trailer. The second picture shows how they can get low on the sides, and shows a clearance sign of 13'0". http://www.denverpost.com/2015/08/27/police-locate-semi-that-hit-four-bridges-on-i-25-in-denver/

I personally would never take our trailer on I-25 through there anyway. The lanes are narrow and people drive crazy through there. It's stressful even in a car! Much easier to skip over to I-70, or if going south or north, get on E-470 (the toll road) and just pay the money and save yourself a lot of aggravation.

I agree w/ the others to the OP, are you sure you're 13'11"? We've got a really tall toyhauler 5er and we're at 13'1".

[Allworth]

13'-11" would require an "Oversize Load" permit in some states. Are you sure???

[Oldtymeflyr]

john&bet wrote:

mockturtle wrote:
AFAIK, all US interstates can accommodate semis so not to worry.

Then hows come my GPS set for a height of 13' routed me off of I-25 in downtown Denver because of low clearance?

Some of the bridges in the mid-town section of I-25 are quite low.

Rick

[rhagfo]

ELDEN1948 wrote:
We will be driving through Colorado on I-70 from Grand Junction to east of Denver on our way to Michigan in May 2018. The trip planner shows about 5 tunnels on this route. I have contacted CO DOT about elevations in these tunnels. The specs on our 5th wheel say our height is 13-11. I believe we won't have any issues with clearance in the tunnels. Has anyone traveled this route? Is my assumption about clearance for our rig correct?

13' - 11" is 5" over the normal standard or 13' - 6" are you sure that it is what the manufacturer stated?

[DownTheAvenue]

ELDEN1948 wrote:
The specs on our 5th wheel say our height is 13-11.

If you really are 13' 11" you are 5" over the legal height of 13'6". Therefore, you could find some problems traveling even on the interstates. You should very carefully and as accurately as you can measure your actual height with the tow vehicle attached.

[john_bet]

mockturtle wrote:
AFAIK, all US interstates can accommodate semis so not to worry.

Then hows come my GPS set for a height of 13' routed me off of I-25 in downtown Denver because of low clearance?

[Veebyes]

For any road, if you see semis coming the other way, you are safe.

[Jim2007]

Hi.. No problem on the height . ... As others have noted be careful on the down grade from tunnel.. Jim2007... take it slow and do not ride the brakes..