Some help in Wyoming

[camper70]

Coming from the East towards Yellowstone. Looking to stay a night in Buffalo or Worland for one night. I'm towing a fifth wheel 35 ft. about 13600 weight. What is the easiest route to Yellowstone from that area? I 'm looking for a route other than going up to Sheridan and route 14. Do not have a diesel.

[Homer Vista]

RV Trip Wizard shows 3 campgrounds in Buffalo, 1 in Ten Sleep and 1 in Worland. I'd go north from Worland to Greybull and straight in through the east entrance. Have fun! We'll be there for 9 days at the end of the month as we start full-timing!

[camper70]

Thanks for the help Homer Vista. That is one thing I was wondering if that route would be alright for a large fifth wheel ifI stay in Worland. I would probably go up to Sheridan and in on Route 14 if I stay in Buffalo.

[Traveling Circus]

Originally Posted by camper70

Coming from the East towards Yellowstone. Looking to stay a night in Buffalo or Worland for one night. I'm towing a fifth wheel 35 ft. about 13600 weight. What is the easiest route to Yellowstone from that area? I 'm looking for a route other than going up to Sheridan and route 14. Do not have a diesel.

RV trip wizard will show safe RV routes based on your 5th wheel specs. It will also show the elevation and gradient percentages for the route. You can also Google your question for a wider range of opinions and options.
Safe travels.

[mikeyk101]

Rt 14 is going to be more challenging with a longer trailer as it has a lot tighter turns. Even more of a challenge would be jumping off on 14A and probably should be avoided completely. I have heard that 14 and 14A may be best to be avoided if towing an RV. Rt 16 would probably be the better choice but with gas truck will also be a bit of a challenge. It has a very steep grade after coming out of Buffalo.

I traveled this last year and it was interesting. I screwed up and filled up in Buffalo with 85.5 octane to save a few bucks. I should have gone with the premium at least for this part of the trip. I was also following and attempting to keep up with another couple that was only pulling an enclosed cargo trailer that was much lighter than me. Not a good idea. I was using my 5.3L Chevy Silverado and pulling a 25ft toy hauler at about 6200lbs loaded. The grade heading up ran for several miles and my truck didn't like it. I saw the oil temp, cooling temp, and trans temp climb high enough that I had no choice but to pull over for several minutes for it to cool down. Once it did, I was most of the way up the climb and was able to keep going for the rest of the way through the Big Horns but kept speed down. Coming back east at end of trip, it was also a several miles long steep climbing grade. This time I used slower speeds along with a higher grade octane gas. It did better but still had temps climb higher that I was comfortable with. I think if I had tried to go Rt 14 either way, it would have caused even more problems.

I have since changed out my coolant thermostat from the stock GM 207⁰ one to a GM 194⁰ thermostat. Mine I found out later during last winter was faulty. My transmission thermostat also got changed from the 194⁰ GM stock one to the upgraded GM 154⁰ one. I haven't gotten a chance to try it out in a similar situation but want to soon. Unfortunately I am not close to any such area so it will have to wait until I have more time for the trip.

[camper70]

Thanks to Traveling Circus and mikeyk101 for your responses. I'm using trip wizard but did not get to this part of the trip yet. I'm anxious to see what this 7.3L beast will do in those mountains. We have mountains where I usually tow but nothing like the mountains in Colorado. I'm getting the message from folks to just take it slow.

[breul]

I have done this route a couple years ago pulling a 26ft TT with a 3.5 ecoboost. I read that driving over 14 is easier going from the West to the East. I decided to take 16 coming from the East. 16 is a good hwy. Sure it has a few inclines and curves but really nothing intimidating for a rookie like me. I enjoyed the drive, some of the roads in Yellowstone were a little more of a challenge. Going back home travelling East I decided to take 14 over the Big Horns. Climbing up on the West side was pretty steep but not too bad. There were many pull outs if you wanted to stop and cool off or just take in the scenery. I didn't have any issues pulling up from the West side. We camped at a NF Campground on a lake up in the Big Horns. It was beautiful. Coming down the East side was kind of a white knuckler. It was very steep, many switch backs and you are on the outer edge of the road. I kept the ecoboost in 1st gear at about 15 - 20 mph all the way down. I pulled off several times to let faster cars go by. Even though I was in first gear I still had to tap the brakes several times to keep my speed down. Ecoboost engine does not do a good job of slowing down even in 1st gear. We made it and thinking back it was kind of fun. Bottom line is I would do it again the same way if I get the chance. I don't recommend climbing up from the east side on hwy 14. Have fun.

[camper70]

Thanks breul for the info! I will be coming into Yellowstone from the East. I will head South out of Yellowstone to the Tetons and down into Colorado when leavinf Yellowstone.

[jeepin1]

Just a note, if you go on the 14 and go through Powell it has a nice rest stop right in town you can stop there overnight, we've done it a few times. we've stayed there for a couple of nights in a row, my wife has family there.

[camper70]

Thanks jeepin1 I;ll keep that in mind.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by camper70

Thanks to Traveling Circus and mikeyk101 for your responses. I'm using trip wizard but did not get to this part of the trip yet. I'm anxious to see what this 7.3L beast will do in those mountains. We have mountains where I usually tow but nothing like the mountains in Colorado. I'm getting the message from folks to just take it slow.

Your 7.3 will outperform most diesels made prior to 2010 or there abouts many people remember the old gas engines with 200 Hp and 200 ft pounds of torque. That or the old Ford 5.4 relax enjoy trip

[camper70]

Thanks moose074! My thinking is the same as yours. I'll find out when I get there.

[jeepin1]

Also about that Powell rest stop it has a free dump station too, don't tell anyone.

[sherman12]

You'll find yourself climbing some grades that you may not have experienced in the past. When we visited Yellowstone last year, the South entrance coming from Jackson, WY, there were many grades over 10K feet, no guard rails, and narrow roads with huge drop-offs. I followed an old trucker's adage, "The gear you go up the incline in is the gear you go down the incline". Your 7.3L will certainly give you the power needed, but going down the hills is usually the bigger challenge to your driving abilities. I told my wife that I drove my RV up the mountains, but it was the RV that I relied on to take us down, meaning downshifting to a lower gear where the speed was comfortable during the descent without the threat of overheating the brakes. And, remember when you do brake, "stab" the brakes to break speed, don't ride them.

Plan your Yellowstone stay in the quadrants that YS is broken up into, visiting each section one day at a time. That way you'll save time from trying to drive all over the park chasing famous sites willy-nilly.

Enjoy your trip!

[JPJ]

There are tons of Boondocking sites in that area. If you want to stay outside of Town Meadowlark lake is a great area. We were just north on 16 last summer and stayed at Sibley lake. Amazing country.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by sherman12

You'll find yourself climbing some grades that you may not have experienced in the past. When we visited Yellowstone last year, the South entrance coming from Jackson, WY, there were many grades over 10K feet, no guard rails, and narrow roads with huge drop-offs. I followed an old trucker's adage, "The gear you go up the incline in is the gear you go down the incline". Your 7.3L will certainly give you the power needed, but going down the hills is usually the bigger challenge to your driving abilities. I told my wife that I drove my RV up the mountains, but it was the RV that I relied on to take us down, meaning downshifting to a lower gear where the speed was comfortable during the descent without the threat of overheating the brakes. And, remember when you do brake, "stab" the brakes to break speed, don't ride them.

Plan your Yellowstone stay in the quadrants that YS is broken up into, visiting each section one day at a time. That way you'll save time from trying to drive all over the park chasing famous sites willy-nilly.

Enjoy your trip!

Today’s technology is awesome for going down hill, my 2014 Tundra and 2019 F 250 6.2 provided downhill braking assistance other than the brakes and they were very helpful

[BarabooBob]

Breul-I also tow with a 3.5 EB and agree with you on the engines ability to engine brake. I have found that if I need to control speed on a long downhill, I set my brake gain a little light and alternate between the truck brakes and the brake controller. I have never had brakes get hot using this method, and that includes the Beartooth Highway, highway 14A going both ways, and other steep long grades.

[camper70]

Thanks yo everyone for your help! Barsboobob I like your idea of alternating brake usage never thought of that before. Thanks jpg but we don't boondock. Good advice from sherman12 I sometimes have a problem doing that. Thanks jeepin1 for the heads up about Powell. Thanks breul I have heard RT 16 is a beautiful ride that is why I was thinking of the possible stop in Ten Sleep or Worland. I hope I covered everybody with all the good info I received here. Thanks!