What is the “Super Ike Gauntlet”?
You have to start with the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test. It is an 8-mile stretch of I-70 interstate from Dillon, Colorado and up to over 11,158 feet above sea level at the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels at the Continental Divide. This is where we test all trucks with standardized towing weights, separate into their respective classes. We take a trailer weight that all trucks in the same class are capable of towing, and use that load for testing. If a truck performs well on the Ike Gauntlet, then you know it’s a capable towing machine. This is also a big part of the annual Gold Hitch awards.
You have asked us to got further, and we often wondered about how the trucks would hold up to the extreme conditions of the Ike Gauntlet when loaded near their maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Hence, the “Super Ike Gauntlet”. The 2016 Ram 3500 HD can be configured to tow over 31,000 lbs. We tested the one-ton trucks with a load of 21,400 lbs. How will it do near 31,000 lbs? We want to find out this summer.
We are also happy to announce, that Big Tex Trailers will be a big part of Super Ike Gauntlet and all other TFLtruck towing tests. They are providing trailers and support for the upcoming year.
Don’t worry, we are not abandoning the standard Ike Gauntlet towing testing that will be a part of the 2017 Gold Hitch awards and beyond.
Let us know what you think about the “Super Ike Gauntlet” in the comments below.
We did our homework by checking two other Rocky Mountain high altitude passes. And this is the result that we came up with.
