Community Forums

3026Searay · 05-04-2016, 07:39 PM

Hi, this is my first post.

We have a 35ft Bounder, class A gas motor home, towing a CRV. We will be traveling from FL to the northwest on I 90. We would like to know how our gas motorhome will do going over the Rocky Mts. The gas RV starts to rev up when it sees an overpass!

Thus, some concern of the height and road over the Rockies. We like to go to the Boeing plant in Washington. Should we try it, or leave the RV somewhere and go in our car.

Thanks to anyone who may be able to help us, Debbie

TMan59 · 05-04-2016, 07:51 PM

Just my opinion but your gas rv will go wherever you want it to.
It just takes a little longer.
I might suggest doing your hill climbing in the mornings when it's cooler and the engine heat should be less.
In other words you'll be fine. Just add an extra day for the trip.

dezolen · 05-04-2016, 07:58 PM

Impossible with a gas powered unit. No one has ever done it. Seriously?????

jfran304 · 05-04-2016, 08:00 PM

You didn't say which gas chassis you have? Is it the Ford or Workhorse? We have the Workhorse and tow a Chevy Spark. We haven't had any problems in the mountains. In 2015 we traveled from GA to South Dakota.

Jon

**CLIFFTALL** · 05-04-2016, 08:02 PM

Welcome to irv2. I traveled to 49 United States and all 10 Canadian Provinces and can assure you that yours can do the same. All MH's climb mountains a little slower than when on straight flat roads. Gassers are a little slower than diesels but we get there

.

jmcannonball · 05-04-2016, 08:05 PM

Our previous RV was a 1996 35' Georgie Boy Cruisemaster gasser on a F53 chasis with a Ford 460 cu in engine. We traveled to all four corners of the US as well as 44 of the 50 states (towing either a 1986 Toyota PU or 1991 Honda Accord) and had no problems with the Rockies or any other mountains. We probably made at least 10 cross country trips from Seattle east and have traveled I95, I94, I90, I80, I75, I70, I65, I40, I35, I25, I10, I5 (I might have missed one or two!).

In 2013 we made the trip from Seattle-Fairbanks-Anchorage-Homer-Seattle. There were a few places where the road was quite steep (8%-10% grade). Yep, we had to take it easy up the hills but nothing that the RV couldn't handle. Just take it easy and don't push the engine hard uphill and you will be fine.

I did have the Banks exhaust system installed and it made a noticeable difference in pulling power, although it still needed to downshift a couple gears on big hills.

Mr_D · 05-04-2016, 08:05 PM

Don't worry about it. You'll slow down some but will still make it up and over! We did with our gas rigs.

Fancy · 05-04-2016, 08:12 PM

Hi
We just took our gasser out east up the mountains. What we learned was set the cruise at 65 and enjoy. Our RV was Revin up pass 4000 rpms we slowed her down to 50 going up those mountains she did fine. We have a 35' gasser Ford V10 towing a jeep. 600 miles took us 11 hrs we stopped for doggie potty breaks, 350 mile gas up and change of driver.
Have fun.

rjsupersonic · 05-04-2016, 08:52 PM

I have a 35' Sea Breeze pulling a Chevrolet Malibu. You will be just fine I just came across Interstate 90 from the midwest. You will have some single lane construction going on in Montana and Idaho the passes are no problem, my coach does great at 3600 rpm, you may slow to 35 or 40 Mph thats what the right lane is for. Snoqualmie Pass in WA is no problem, try to maintain the same speed going down that you were at going up. You should be able to get close to the Boeing Field area and then look for a state park or overnight stop to leave your motor home, Saltwater state park is one. Safe Travels.

MN_Traveler · 05-04-2016, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjsupersonic

I have a 35' Sea Breeze pulling a Chevrolet Malibu. You will be just fine I just came across Interstate 90 from the midwest. You will have some single lane construction going on in Montana and Idaho the passes are no problem, my coach does great at 3600 rpm, you may slow to 35 or 40 Mph thats what the right lane is for. Snoqualmie Pass in WA is no problem, try to maintain the same speed going down that you were at going up. You should be able to get close to the Boeing Field area and then look for a state park or overnight stop to leave your motor home, Saltwater state park is one. Safe Travels.

x2. You should have no problem. Just shout hello as you pass by southern MN😎. Good KOA about half way across South Dakota. Enjoy the scenery in Montana !!

Wobster · 05-04-2016, 11:30 PM

You'll be fine getting out here...but driving your RV to Boeing...no one wants to drive a car in Seattle traffic... Spend a day or so in an RV park and drive to Boeing (it's pretty cool!).

scrapperjohn · 05-05-2016, 04:00 AM

No rv info, but multiple trips Seattle to Montana, worst pass is Montana Idaho border.
Hope you see more than Boeing plant!
We have a GREAT aerospace museum, museum of flight, really cool.
Lots to see in Washington, I live here!

Brian W · 05-05-2016, 05:53 AM

I have a Bounder and have no problems. Yes, I go a whole lot slower uphill, but it eventually makes it up. I just get in the right lane and observe all the people finger waving at me.

DrDaveMA · 05-05-2016, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3026Searay

Hi, this is my first post.

We have a 35ft Bounder, class A gas motor home, towing a CRV. We will be traveling from FL to the northwest on I 90. We would like to know how our gas motorhome will do going over the Rocky Mts. The gas RV starts to rev up when it sees an overpass!

Thus, some concern of the height and road over the Rockies. We like to go to the Boeing plant in Washington. Should we try it, or leave the RV somewhere and go in our car.

Thanks to anyone who may be able to help us, Debbie

Debbie, welcome to IRV2, you will find lots of good advice here. As everyone has said, you should do fine on the trip provided your coach is running well. We made a trip from Boston to San Francisco in our Southwind gasser before we bought a diesel pusher, only 2 comments I will make.

1) You said "The gas RV starts to rev up when it sees an overpass!:eek". I am wondering if that is a slight exaggeration, either way, I would make sure your engine is in top operating condition, maybe a tune up before you depart and consider the Banks kits they really improve performance.

2) You don't say how old your Bounder is, Fleetwood has been manufacturing them for a lot of years (I think they started back in the 90's). When we did the trip it was out I-40 so we could hit the Canyon and Vegas, among others, our 2001 Southwind gasser was VERY noisy pulling up those hills, however, I understand Fleetwood has improved the dog house insulation over the years. If you have an older Bounder search for threads here on IRV2 to help you reduced the engine noise in the coach, going through the Rockies WILL increase the rpm's!!!! If you are really concerned, take the southern route, I-10 turn right at I-5, the passes are a little lower.

Good luck, take your time and enjoy the trip, this is a beautiful country, see as much of it as you can. We have stayed in 49 of the 50 states and 6 of the Canadian provinces with our rig (I just haven't found an economical way to get it to Hawaii and I am sure the roads would not like a 40' MH and toad). I have a rule I live by, I would rather say "I remember when", than "I wish I had".