Community Forums

drnitrous · 07-04-2016, 11:27 AM

Hello all,
Planning a short notice trip for a couple weeks in the South Rim Grand Canyon area. I have not traveled in that area at all and starting point is I80 in mid-Nebraska, I have a 42 foot tag axle Monaco and will be pulling my Denali on a trailer. I want to avoid pulling over the mountains (I70) and am looking for suggestions for a less stressful route for both me and the motorhome. First stop is the petrified forest area (Holbrook) and then on to the Canyon. I know campsites in the prime areas are booked and we will have to dinghy out a ways, but that's ok, at least I'm not at work for a change. Any advice would be appreciated for routes and sights to see.
Thanks in advance
BP

Retired-Jake · 07-04-2016, 12:16 PM

Drop down to I40 anytime before getting to I25. On I40, the worst grade you will have is between Moriarity and Albuquerque in NM. Unfortunately, there are no interstates to get to I40 from your starting point. But taking the slow roads is part of the joy, at least to me.

I40 will take you to either Flagstaff or Williams. Both are directly south of the GC and are the usual routes to the south rim.

Where abouts in NE? I was born and raised in Minden.

Jake

drnitrous · 07-04-2016, 04:22 PM

Thanks Jake,
Born and raised in Blue Hill, NE, know some people from Minden quite well. Currently living in the Norfolk NE area, small world isn't it? Does I25 have grade issues? Mapping software seems to want me to go 80 to 76 then highway 71 to 25 then 40. I guess not knowing what you are going to run into is part of the adventure.
Thanks again!
Brent

Retired-Jake · 07-04-2016, 04:49 PM

This is write up from Allstays on I25 just north of Raton, NM.

8000 ft elev, South: 6 percent grade descent for 1.5 miles, break and then 6 percent for 1 mile, break and another 6 percent for 1 mile, North: 6 percent grade for 2.25 miles followed by a mix of 3-6 percent grade short sections into Trinidad, CO.

Allstays does not even list a grade between Albuquerque and Moriarity, but there is one. It is a downgrade heading west, and a climb heading east. I don't think it is as bad as the one north of Raton.

Jake

drnitrous · 07-04-2016, 07:07 PM

Well, you saved me a major headache there, thank you for that!! What highway do you like to drop south to 40? I really don't care about some extra miles as long as the road is reasonable.
Thanks again!
Brent

twogypsies · 07-04-2016, 11:26 PM

Your Monaco is very capable of traveling roads with grades. You'll have no problem. It's an easy drive.

Retired-Jake · 07-05-2016, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drnitrous

Well, you saved me a major headache there, thank you for that!! What highway do you like to drop south to 40? I really don't care about some extra miles as long as the road is reasonable.
Thanks again!
Brent

Don't have a preferred road. Since I now travel west from TN, I have 100's of roads to choose from. Never try to take a road more than once unless it really grabbed me for some reason. Like the previous poster said, your coach will easily take them all.

Haven't lived in Minden for 50 years. Joined the navy and never went back except to visit family while they were still alive.

Jake

RichR · 07-05-2016, 09:42 AM

I would go to I76 to I25 and I40. Traveled that route several times and not much in heavy grades. Raton is almost a non issue.

skigramp · 07-05-2016, 06:40 PM

I will give you an entirely different route:

South on US 81 to the north suburbs of Wichita, KA
I-235 around Wichita
US-400 and US-54 through Liberal, KS into OK, TX to Tucumcari, NM
I-40 west to Williams, AZ

I have travelled all of this route from Wichita to Williams ... good road, plenty of RV parks, and things to see along the way.

drnitrous · 07-05-2016, 08:15 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I don't have a great feel for how the Monaco does on the grades without a 32 foot trailer behind me that's loaded down with the race stuff. I haven't traveled anywhere not pulling it for the most part and there is a grade pulling into Morrison, CO that about kills it, hence my paranoia. Thanks again for all the information!
Brent