As some of you know I recently had to start my move down to Palmdale, CA from Spokane, WA. I am towing my Supra with my 2001 Tacoma on a tow dolly. Total weight of both vehicles came in around 8500 pounds. Here is the route I am taking: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=spokane%2C%20wa%20to%20palmdale%2C%20ca&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl
I left Spokane on Monday and headed east on I-90 over the 4th of July pass and Lookout pass. Everything was fine and the roads were wet up until I started up the base of Lookout pass, then it started to freeze.... Shit. I thought it would be smooth sailing to travel in late April. I threw the transfer case into 4-High and trucked on.
Slowly I crept upward toward the summit. It is only a 4000 foot pass but as a high point for those Pacific storms that roll in it tends to collect a lot of ice and nastiness. About a mile from the summit, the ice on the road became really thick. My 2.7 Liters of fury dont really carry much torque, so maintaining momentum up the hill took some work. Third gear soon gave way to second. I knew I had to slow it down to be safe. Thats when I came up to the trucks that were stuck on the side of the road around the banked curve. The roads were so slick that they couldnt get going; all they could do is spin the tires.
I tried to go into the left lane to get around these trucks, but as I started to turn left, the Tacoma and Supra began to slide sideways (to the right) toward the lower part of the banked curve. I decided that it was best to wait for the trucks in front of me to get their chains on and move out of the way.
As I was patiently waiting, another semi rolled in behind me and though he would be a hero and try to get around all of us. This genius in this fully loaded truck began to slide sideways towards my car and all I could think of was "Dont hit my Supra, asshole!" He stopped well short of it and waited for us to move.
Eventually, the sand truck came by a couple of times and gave me some traction in the left lane. Once the trucks in front of me were able to pull up a few feet I gave the passing lane another shot. The Tacoma began to slide sideways once again and the Supra followed. As I gained traction the Supra came around the back of the truck and tracked like it should. It looked like everything was going to be fine.
Finally, I reached the summit and began my downward trek in first gear. Trucks were lined on the side of the summit with their brakes set for at least a mile. I could see people staring at me as I drove by - its kind of funny looking at the Supra in tow because with the dolly it is actually longer than my truck! As they watched me drive by I could see them talking and staring. They probably thought I was crazy.
Anyway, I made it safe and sound. Now im in Utah and about halfway there. The truck tows it at a steady 70 on the flat and level but with any grade I have to downshift to fourth.
I left Spokane on Monday and headed east on I-90 over the 4th of July pass and Lookout pass. Everything was fine and the roads were wet up until I started up the base of Lookout pass, then it started to freeze.... Shit. I thought it would be smooth sailing to travel in late April. I threw the transfer case into 4-High and trucked on.
Slowly I crept upward toward the summit. It is only a 4000 foot pass but as a high point for those Pacific storms that roll in it tends to collect a lot of ice and nastiness. About a mile from the summit, the ice on the road became really thick. My 2.7 Liters of fury dont really carry much torque, so maintaining momentum up the hill took some work. Third gear soon gave way to second. I knew I had to slow it down to be safe. Thats when I came up to the trucks that were stuck on the side of the road around the banked curve. The roads were so slick that they couldnt get going; all they could do is spin the tires.
I tried to go into the left lane to get around these trucks, but as I started to turn left, the Tacoma and Supra began to slide sideways (to the right) toward the lower part of the banked curve. I decided that it was best to wait for the trucks in front of me to get their chains on and move out of the way.
As I was patiently waiting, another semi rolled in behind me and though he would be a hero and try to get around all of us. This genius in this fully loaded truck began to slide sideways towards my car and all I could think of was "Dont hit my Supra, asshole!" He stopped well short of it and waited for us to move.
Eventually, the sand truck came by a couple of times and gave me some traction in the left lane. Once the trucks in front of me were able to pull up a few feet I gave the passing lane another shot. The Tacoma began to slide sideways once again and the Supra followed. As I gained traction the Supra came around the back of the truck and tracked like it should. It looked like everything was going to be fine.
Finally, I reached the summit and began my downward trek in first gear. Trucks were lined on the side of the summit with their brakes set for at least a mile. I could see people staring at me as I drove by - its kind of funny looking at the Supra in tow because with the dolly it is actually longer than my truck! As they watched me drive by I could see them talking and staring. They probably thought I was crazy.
Anyway, I made it safe and sound. Now im in Utah and about halfway there. The truck tows it at a steady 70 on the flat and level but with any grade I have to downshift to fourth.
