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driverdave
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2014
Posts: 66
Location: Denver, CO
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 Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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I'd recommend heading through Aspen and going over independence pass over to Leadville. It's an amazing drive.
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1984 Vanagon Westy with a 91 EJ22 KEP Conversion |
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ironturtle
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2014
Posts: 55
Location: Vail, CO
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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I drove Vail Pass eastbound for soup a couple days ago (the pho place in Frisco is great!) The eastbound pull is one of the two steepest interstate ascents between Vail and Denver, so it's a good test.
The van stayed above 30mph in 2nd but just barely on the steepest sections. I try not to take it on this stretch of I-70 mostly out of safety concerns, and frequently there are semis going slower than me up this stretch, but still.
As it is you'll do fine everywhere in Colorado you want, you just need to be patient and enjoy the view along the way!
Definitely do the drive over Independence Pass, it's gorgeous!
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1985 RWD Westfalia, brown with flowers, 2.1 transplant, 4 speed. |
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j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 9:06 am Post subject: |
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(not Colorado, but 11,800ft, in White Mountain Wilderness Area, CA)
The rewards for pushing the envelope.
There is a Vanagon in this picture.
I swear.
LOTS of 1st gear to get here.. 11,800ft.. and several turns needed a "run" to get up.
This is not a steep road.. several modern cars made this trip with no problems.
Though one new Jeep Renegade blew a tire and had to do the return 22 miles of fairly decent graded road on a space saver spare. YIKES!.. not fun.
The altitude robs power, no doubt.. and I run oversize tires.
In this environment, it reached its absolute limit.
Simply won't go any further.
There is certainly a limit for Vanagons, particularly when loaded up for road trip fun.
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-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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highaltidude
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2005
Posts: 219
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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I have found that one of these magnets makes a world of difference:
People have no issue with a slow vehicle.
If they think you are texting or being an ass, that's another matter.....
FWIW, it's a stock 1.9L.
That picture was taken right before going up the 20% grade in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Chuck
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66 Double Cab
83 Vanagon Westfalia, Vanistan'd |
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vegpedlr
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2014
Posts: 774
Location: TBD
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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| ironturtle wrote: |
| I drove Vail Pass eastbound for soup a couple days ago... |
This was funny. I thought, who drives a bus over a huge mtn pass for soup?! The I saw that it was pho, and it made perfect sense. After all, it's pho. Thanks for the tip.
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As it is you'll do fine everywhere in Colorado you want, you just need to be patient and enjoy the view along the way!
Definitely do the drive over Independence Pass, it's gorgeous! |
OK, thanks for allaying my fears. I'll be OK. In 2nd gear. I hear there are a couple of pretty places to look at. |
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vegpedlr
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2014
Posts: 774
Location: TBD
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| highaltidude wrote: |
I have found that one of these magnets makes a world of difference:
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When is a camper not an RV? When it's a Westy and you want to drive crazy roads. Good job climbing that. I wanted to get one of those magnets when I was at a VW show, but couldn't find one. Unfortunately my bikes will probably block it. It's kinda redundant, but maybe people have forgotten.
Thanks everybody, I'm feeling better about my trip. So excited to finally see CO! |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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vegpedlr
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2014
Posts: 774
Location: TBD
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| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: Can My WBX Handle Colorado? |
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So far, so good.
Crossed the Continental Divide for the first time as captain, Hwy 24 from Minturn to Leadville over Tennessee Pass. There were some 2nd gear sections as much fro sharp turns as grade. Otherwise the WBX trucked along just fine.
Will tackle Independence Pass to Aspen in a couple days on my way out.
Last edited by vegpedlr on Thu Jul 28, 2016 7:02 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Love My Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1837
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vegpedlr
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2014
Posts: 774
Location: TBD
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Can My WBX Handle Colorado? |
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Yes, it appears it can. Slowly, but hey. Top of Cottonwood Pass, over 12,000 ft. Paved on the way up from Buena Vista, dirt on the way down toward Crested Butte. Rain and hail, the van wore a dirt coating for a couple of weeks. Second gear towards the top, but we made it.
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1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope” |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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