Community Forums

rt749 · 09-09-2013, 07:15 PM

DW and I are heading west from St. Louis with several stops in mind. First to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc. Then on to Cody as a base of operations for Yellowstone, Tetons, etc. From there southeast to I80 and west to Salt Lake City, then Reno and on to Sacramento.
We have a 2002 Damon Intruder with the 8.1 liter Chevy engine. We will be towing a Jeep Wrangler. If anyone has done this trip in a similar rig, are there any tips/concerns/advice you can share?
We are excited about this trip and looking forward to seeing more of America!

Scotter · 09-09-2013, 07:22 PM

Take route 36 across the plains, its a great road and you will see more of America.

RickO · 09-09-2013, 07:26 PM

That's a great trip you've got planned. You'll love it.

I don't have a coach like yours but I would think if you're in good mechanical condition and have aux brakes on your toad, you should be fine.

Rick

Fred and Bonnie · 09-09-2013, 09:10 PM

Unless you are fond of long drives, find two locations that are closer to YNP & GTP.

Get a copy of http://www.mountaindirectory.com/, western version, it will give you valuable info on mountain roads.

fred

klaus4347 · 09-09-2013, 09:12 PM

We did the same trip this summer [Mt Rushmore to Cody]. and it was great. We were recommended to go 90 to Billings and then on down to Cody. That way we did not have to go over a 9500ft. pass. If you go that way stay in Hardin and go to the Little Big Horn Battlefield. Have a good trip wich ever way you go.

Ray,IN · 09-10-2013, 12:51 PM

Whenever we drive to Yellowstone NP we go through Cody via the Southern route. It misses all the mountains except the ones in the park. (Wind river canyon) Pick it up off I 80 at Rawlins then to Lander>Riverton>Thermopolis(gotta swim in the hot springs) to Cody. Once in Cody you are still about 60 miles from the park gate. Several CG's are between Cody and the park gate.

azpete · 09-10-2013, 02:26 PM

what a fun drive. i got back from a trip from dallas to the fmca rally in gillette wy. a few weeks ago. we went to mount rushmore, but parked south of there for convenience. custer park is really a great place to go. be careful of the buffalo. i was chased a half mile in my truck by an angry bull. finally outran him.
after gillette, we went west to custers battleground. there are lots of parks along the interstate.
we went on west to missoula, and parked there. went to glacier park.it was outstanding. it was a little further than i thought, and i found several parks around flathead lake that would have been better.
been traveling in my job for 15 years. its not all work. my opinion, any trip is better than none. theres always a place i havent seen yet.

GaryKD · 09-10-2013, 03:14 PM

Practice going down hill. On I 80, once you get to CA, it is down hill all the way to SF. Some times left and right as well as down. Nothing too steep, just down hill for what seems like forever.

rt749 · 09-23-2013, 12:05 PM

Thanks to all for your comments and advice. This is a progress update! We are now at Custer State Park watching it rain! Got here Saturday and have had a great time. Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore are amazing.
We started our trip a day early and headed to Camping World in Columbia, MO where we had invisibrake installed on our toad. While it was an all day mission, the results have been worth it. We have stopped at Council Bluffs at a casino, Mitchell, SD at a nice rv park and have 2 more nights here before heading to Buffalo, WY for an overnight before getting to Cody. We plan to spend 3 or 4 nights there. We will then head toward Salt Lake City, then Reno and Sacramento.
I have tried several of your mountain driving tips on some of the big hills and like the results. Will keep you posted when we have some real mountains!
Thanks!