Community Forums

johnmichael · 06-03-2013, 10:47 AM

Not sure if this is the place to post this; I'm pretty new here, and to towing.

Planning to leave louisiana for the pacific northwest in late June, essentially going Louisiana -> Denver/colorado -> Salt Lake City - > Yellowstone ->Spokane -> Seattle

This will be nearly my first camping trip and longest trip towing my new MPG183, so I'm kind of in over-planning mode.

Any tips, routes, POI's, suggestions, wanrings and advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance!
jm

TN Blondie · 06-03-2013, 12:29 PM

Good luck! I'm currently in planning mode for Memphis to Custer State Park to Seattle to Portland to Yellowstone to Arches NP to Colorado to TX back to Memphis. We're planning on 5 weeks. How long are you planning to take?

I've started with Google Maps, and digging around to see which route I like best. Definitely pick up a copy of Mountain Directory West (tells you grades / switchbacks / places NOT to drive a big rig) and also, I'd say search this forum for each location. I've found a GREAT amount of detail and tips doing that.

Also, if you haven't reserved a site around Yellowstone, I'd suggest to get going now. Reviews of RV Parks and Campgrounds - RV Park Reviews is a great site to figure what places to avoid and narrow down to what you want to pay for. I'm not sure there is any space available at Fishing Bridge (inside Yellowstone with FHU) since that seems to go as soon as you can reserve it (a year in advance).

Around Colorado Springs, I've been researching Garden of the Gods.

Have you thought about Arches NP (Moab UT?) I'm working on that leg of our trip now.

Finally, you might want to add your rig info in your signature. With a 40 ft class A, we will have different size restrictions than someone towing a 28 ft TT. It also makes a difference if you have kids or pets with you.

Look forward to seeing what you work out!

Go Dawgs · 06-03-2013, 12:39 PM

If you are planning to be at major attractions I hope you have reservations. Otherwise it might be difficult. Only construction I know of in Washington State is over the pass on I90. Could be some delays and messed up roads.

Tom3205 · 06-04-2013, 09:38 AM

THBlondie.. Better check that Arches nat'l park. I am pretty sure rigs over 28 feet will not fit. We drove thru there and sites are tight and short.
We are planning a trip, from Wisc., to Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone in Sept. Hope the crowds are gone, kids back in school, and weather a bit cooler, but Murphy's law is always in affect.
Johnmichael. There is so much to see and do in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, that a search of each state is a must. Your personal decisions .. Again, late June the temps will be HOT. That will figure in on some decisions.

TN Blondie · 06-04-2013, 06:16 PM

Tom3205 - thanks! I found that out and am looking in town. Actually at Erve's size, we don't fit in quite a few state and national parks (I was excited to find out that we fit in Yellowstone

). We will be in Yellowstone the third week of September. I've been warned to expect freezing temperatures and make sure we have a water pressure regulator since the PSI in Fishing Bridge is crazy high.

This is the first trip we're taking out west. I've been researching RV Reviews, and searching threads on this site and have received great advice!

Tom3205 · 06-06-2013, 07:37 AM

Tn. Blondie. I am sure there is a reason you call the Allegro bus "Erve". How long will you be out on the road?. Get the mountain roads book. It will give you all the grades, hill, passes, etc. Helps you decide what/which route to take. Just remember to take it slow and easy and enjoy "getting there", which is ALL the fun.. When we were in Yellowstone, it was a pleasure to drive as slow as we wanted, to take in all the awesomeness of the park. We did not drive thousands of miles to "RUSH THROUGH".. Enjoy it !!!

TN Blondie · 06-06-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom3205

Tn. Blondie. I am sure there is a reason you call the Allegro bus "Erve". How long will you be out on the road?. Get the mountain roads book. It will give you all the grades, hill, passes, etc. Helps you decide what/which route to take. Just remember to take it slow and easy and enjoy "getting there", which is ALL the fun.. When we were in Yellowstone, it was a pleasure to drive as slow as we wanted, to take in all the awesomeness of the park. We did not drive thousands of miles to "RUSH THROUGH".. Enjoy it !!!

Actually, I named it Erve b/c of one of the threads I saw when I first joined iRV2 - something along the lines of "what do you call it?" and there were all these comments about RV vs camper vs bus vs trailer. Some were very passionate about their choice. Plus I had already named our Jeep "Blurple" so we had to name our RV SOMEthing so it didn't feel left out. DH says he doesn't like the name, but he's stuck!

We're not retired yet, but do want to start checking items off the bucket list now that we can. We bought the Mountain guide last year, just after deciding to head to the PNW. It's been a great help! There are a couple dated events we have planned, so we'll have 2-3 days of 400 or less miles driving, broken up by 4-7 day stays. Right now, I'm trying to extend our stay in Yellowstone, and that close to the end of the season, they're already booked solid. I keep calling back trying to catch a cancellation, but if not, we'll just head down to Colter Bay for a couple nights to stay IN the Grand Tetons.

Thanks for the helpful advice!!!