Community Forums

donie · 06-28-2016, 07:21 AM

I came across a book titled "Mountain Directory for Trucks and Motor homes.
It's downloadable to ipad, iPhone and antroid devices.
Has anyone on the forum heard about this or does anyone use it?
If it is used, how well do you like it?
I'm curious before I spend the funds on it.
Thanks.

**CLIFFTALL** · 06-28-2016, 07:25 AM

Here's a link to some previous threads on this.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Moun...com&gws_rd=ssl

I had both hard copy books and found them to be most helpful.

**Lt Dan** · 06-28-2016, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donie

I came across a book titled "Mountain Directory for Trucks and Motor homes.
It's downloadable to ipad, iPhone and antroid devices.
Has anyone on the forum heard about this or does anyone use it?
If it is used, how well do you like it?
I'm curious before I spend the funds on it.
Thanks.

I have copies of both the east and west versions in print. I have found they are mostly accurate on their descriptions of the mountain passes I've been over. They have writeups on both interstates and smaller roads through the mountains.

donie · 06-28-2016, 06:52 PM

OK Thanks for the replies.I appreciate it.

DebbieMH · 06-28-2016, 07:28 PM

I really like it and check it before heading out if I'm going to a mountain area. Get the printed copy, my opinion.

Mr_D · 06-28-2016, 07:32 PM

I have both east and west copies of it. Very seldom remember to look at them though as we mostly stay on the freeways out west due to time constraints.

Afubar · 06-29-2016, 04:04 AM

I recommend the print copies, bought both books for East and West prior to traveling from Oregon to East coast, invaluable.

They were recommended here on the forum, they haven't let me down yet.

George Schweikle · 06-29-2016, 06:39 AM

Agree.

Some years ago, we thought to drive toward Yellowstone from Buffalo Wyoming. It was 100 degrees, and the mountain guide noted a long grade for many miles. After some engine overheating, and advance knowledge of the road conditions ahead, we turned around, sought another route, and may have "dodged the bullet".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afubar

I recommend the print copies, bought both books for East and West prior to traveling from Oregon to East coast, invaluable.

They were recommended here on the forum, they haven't let me down yet.

computerguy · 06-30-2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

Agree.

Some years ago, we thought to drive toward Yellowstone from Buffalo Wyoming. It was 100 degrees, and the mountain guide noted a long grade for many miles. After some engine overheating, and advance knowledge of the road conditions ahead, we turned around, sought another route, and may have "dodged the bullet".

Hmmmm
George,
Not sure if this was a problem. I used to live in Vegas and frequented CA and Lake Tahoe and also up to Yellowstone and Sturgis. I used to own a diesel at that time. I first got my diesel I thought one wanted to keep the rpms low to take advantage of the torque. When doing this I noticed it overheating and always pulling over to let it cool. After a discussion with a engine/transmission professional I was informed if your temps are rising while climbing a grade you need to get the rpms up to help cool the engine. Seems counter intuitive to me but I am not pro when it comes to engines. I never had a problem after that conversation with overheating after manually downshifting to increase the rpms.

deandec · 06-30-2016, 10:59 AM

I have it on CD for East and West.

It has been useful.

cenfl · 07-04-2016, 06:17 AM

We have the printed books and have found them to be very helpful in planning routes during our current travels in southern Utah and Colorado.

George Schweikle · 07-04-2016, 07:07 AM

computerguy, Thanks for the comments. While not directly related to the Mountain Guide post, here's my story: Our Safari TREK at the time had the infamous GM 6.5 Turbodiesel (not the 6.6 Duramax) with a 3 speed w/overdrive transmission and we were towing a car trailer. This didn't offer the speed & gear flexibility of a DP to find the optimum cooling point. I suffered it's entire life with overheating, and was not gonna try that long grade where I could see coolant temps of 240 degrees within minutes of moving (I even had the engine A/C turned off, and the heater on to provide additional cooling). The thing just wouldn't pull that grade in any gear with the ambient temperature and trailer load. We returned to the town of Buffalo and returned some guidebooks to the visitor center where the lady said her husband worked on the road and saw one or more motorhomes each year catch fire when climbing the grade. Maybe an urban legend, but maybe just someone thinking "Full throttle, I'm gonna get to the top of this long grade" with disastrous consequences. Sorry for getting a little off-topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by computerguy

Hmmmm
George,
Not sure if this was a problem. I used to live in Vegas and frequented CA and Lake Tahoe and also up to Yellowstone and Sturgis. I used to own a diesel at that time. I first got my diesel I thought one wanted to keep the rpms low to take advantage of the torque. When doing this I noticed it overheating and always pulling over to let it cool. After a discussion with a engine/transmission professional I was informed if your temps are rising while climbing a grade you need to get the rpms up to help cool the engine. Seems counter intuitive to me but I am not pro when it comes to engines. I never had a problem after that conversation with overheating after manually downshifting to increase the rpms.