Ike Gauntlet: Summary of First Test

ike gauntlet extreme towing test colorado tfltruck

The data from The Fast Lane Truck’s first Ike Gauntlet – Light Duty edition is in.  Here is the summary of the results so you can see it all in one place.  This extreme towing test saw the following three pickups: 2013 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4×4 Limited TRD Off-Road, 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Ecoboost 4×4 Limited, and 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 4×4 Z71.

This extreme test is designed to showcase how the truck cope with towing a load, which is 85% or higher of their maximum tow rating, at high elevation and up a steep grade.  The Ike Gauntlet is going down and up the eight mile stretch of interstate I-70 between the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnel and the town of Silverthorn.  There is more than 2,000 feet of elevation change with an average 7% grade.  The finish line is at 11,158 feet above sea level!

Light Duty Edition

2013 Toyota Tundra 2013 Ford F-150  2014 Chevrolet Silverado
Model CrewMax 4×4 Limited TRD SuperCrew 4×4 Limited CrewCab 4×4 Z71
 As Tested $ $46,518 $54,550 $48,750
Engine 5.7-liter V8 iForce 3.5-liter V6 Ecoboost 5.3-liter V8 EcoTec3
Transmission 6-speed Auto 6-speed Auto 6-speed Auto
Power (hp / lb-ft) 381 / 401 365 / 420 355 / 383
Tow Rating 9,000 lbs (4.30 axle) 9,600 lbs (3.73 axle) 6,600 (3.08 axle)
Payload 1,330 lbs 1,300 lbs 1,957 lbs
Wheelbase 145.7 in 145.0 in 143.5 in
Test Load (trailer + ppl) 8,000 lbs 8,000 lbs 6,500 lbs
Down: Brake Temp (Front / Rear/ Trailer) F 306 / 350 / 185 450 / 400 / 180  230 / 180 / 219
Down: Transmission Temp normal normal  normal
Up: Time 8:13.0 7:50.3  8:23.3
Avg MPG 9.4 11.3  NA
Up: Transmission Temp normal normal  normal

Heavy Duty

2013 ram 3500 dually laramie longhorn towing horse trailer

2013 RAM 3500  
Model CrewCab 4×4 Laramie Longhorn Dually
 As Tested $ $68,000
Engine 6.7-liter Cummins
Power 370 hp / 800 lb-ft
Tow Rating 30,000 lbs (4.10 axle)
Payload  lbs
Wheelbase  in
Test Load (trailer + ppl) 17,650 lbs
Down: Brake Temp (Front / Rear/ Trailer) F NA
Down: Transmission Temp normal
Up: Time 10:12.2
Avg MPG 5.9 MPG
Up: Transmission Temp normal
andre
Andre Smirnov

Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor at TFLcar since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or simply ‘going for a drive’.