Planning 1st big trip with Hybrid trailer (GC and Zion)...Any advice?

[dodr33]

Hello!

We are planing our first big trip with a big trailer, have taken our pop-up to CO, AL and FL before but this will be the 1st trip with this rig!

Does anyone have any advice for a trip like this and or is there any surprises I should be on the look-out for?

We are making this trip with 3 kids and a little doggie and I have our reservations all confirmed and here is our rough itinerary starting in St Louis leaving in late May:

Day 1 - Oklahoma City Koa
Day 2 - Aburquerque NM - Cibola National Forest
Day 3 - Aburquerque NM - Cibola National Forest
Day 4 - Williams AZ Koa
Day 5 - Trailer Village RV Park, Grand Canyon
Day 6 - Trailer Village RV Park, Grand Canyon
Day 7 - Trailer Village RV Park, Grand Canyon
Day 8 - Watchman CG Zion
Day 9 - Watchman CG Zion
Day 10 - Watchman CG Zion
Day 11 - Cedar CG Rifle CO
Day 12 - Hotel in Eastern CO
Day 13 - HOME!


Thanks in advance!

[bikendan]

Have you purchased Popup Gizmos and Reflectix yet?
You'll need them for the heat.

[dodr33]

yep, I have reflectix for the 3 beds (good lesson from the PUP) !

[Chief T]

Sounds like a great trip. We have yet to make a multi-state trip.

Okla City to ABQ is 8-hours by car doing 75/80. With the TT that will be one looonnngggg day of driving. You'll be exhausted. I'd add another stop before ABQ. Just my 2 cents.

Safe and happy travels.

[mflummer]

While in Williams AZ visit BearArizona Drive thru and walking. I wouldn’t waste time and money at the Deer Farm.

[BamaBen]

I am doing the same trip at the end of May from Alabama. My first stop is North Rim GC. From there it will be Zion,Bryce,Canyonlands,Capital Reef,Arches,Monument Valley and back home via Wolf Creek Pass. I’m doing it in 15 days so I don’t see a problem with your plan.

[Archicamper]

Consider getting a tire monitoring system. Putting on a lot of miles and could save the trip.

[DNA Dan]

I'd check on the status of any hiking trails you want to do and whether dogs are allowed. Leaving the dog at camp inside the trailer may not be an option if it gets hot outside.

We personally get a dog sitter for our dog when we take long/extended trips. Especially with children, it makes for a less stressful trip because it's one less thing you have to worry about caring for.

[RoyalFrog2]

I think you can expect it to be hot. We were in Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, etc in June 2017 and it was hot - in high 80's and 90's. Your pup might be a problem. The National Parks are very restrictive about dogs. Even service dogs not allowed sometimes. Make sure you have a back up plan for doggie if you leave it in the trailer and A/C goes out.

[Archicamper]

You may also consider boarding doggie a couple of days near Zion to give you freedom while in Zion.

[youroo]

Just for starters ZION NP allows No Dogs on the Free Shuttles and Most of the Trails! You will miss a Lot with this! Youroo!!

[paulbabs]

We live outside of St. Louis in Troy, Ill. and have talked about a trip like this, our longest trip was to Door County WI last year. We also have a hybrid, Shamrock 17. Please let us know how it went

[Ncgrandma]

We did a 6wk trip last summer in our hybrid. 2 adults and 2 1yr old pups from NC to Mt Rushmore, SD, Yellowstone NP, Southern Utah, Grand Canyon, Phoenix, Williams, Az, Lubbock, TX, Port Arthur, TX. New Orleans, Nashville, Natural Bridge, VA home. The only problem we had was with the tires on the trailer. Ended up having to buy 4 new tires in Utah. When we went sightseeing or someplace we couldn't take the pups we left them in the trailer with the ac and radio on, they're toys and kings with peanut butter. Some campgrounds have dog parks so the can run and play off leash. The NPs have strict rules on where dogs can be in the park. PUGS and reflectix worked great. Whatever you end up doing, have a wonderful time.

[dodr33]

Thanks for the replys everyone, some really good points !

[GalsofEscape]

We also did this in June 2017 in our hybrid, we left from Maryland traveling along I70 and did Pikes Peak, Bryce, Zion, GC, Hoover Dam, Meteor Crater, canyon deChelly, and petrified forest and home thruogh Oklahoma, Tennessee and virginia. We don't have a dog so we had no pet issues.
We camped at Bryce and traveled by car to visit Zion for the day (they are only 90 miles apart). I was glad we did that as Bryce was much cooler than Zion by about 15 degrees. Zion was over 100 degrees during the day and Bryce was mid 80s. Grand canyon, we stayed at Trailer Village. I found the temps comfortable in the mid 80s. Liked that there is a grocery store next to the campground. Williams was hot, over 100 there. Definetly needed the PUGS and reflectix. Drink alot of water while you are out and about.

We had no issues, I had put new tires on the camper just before the trip.
We tried to keep each day to 300-350 miles, we stop every 2 to 2.5 hours to top off the gas tank and restroom break. One thing that you probably already know since you have done some long trips, it takes longer than goggle maps says it will. you've some pretty long days scheduled. The leg of your trip from Zion to Rifle, there is a stretch there on I70 where there are NO services for over 100 miles, they do post a warning. Be sure you have enough gas.
We had a great time and it is some wonderful country to see. Hope your trip goes smoothly.

[tragusa3]

We were there in June on two occasions. The first time, everything was so amazing to us, that we plowed through the hot temps like they weren't there. Second time, the heat slowed us down.

After 50-60 National Parks, Zion may in fact be our number one park. That said, I might drop a day from the Grand Canyon to add one to Zion. Especially if you aren't going to hike much at GC.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Sounds like a great trip. We have yet to make a multi-state trip.

Okla City to ABQ is 8-hours by car doing 75/80. With the TT that will be one looonnngggg day of driving. You'll be exhausted. I'd add another stop before ABQ. Just my 2 cents.

Safe and happy travels.

I agree with the chief, this is a very long drive when towing. Hold your speed down when towing.

[Rollingdunder1]

Nice trip. We were thru there last summer. Suggest you bring lots of water and patience. The parks are packed with people during the prime season. Visit with the Rangers and park volunteers. They gave us several suggestions on how to navigate trails/parks that helped avoid crowds and were lovely. While in the Arches/Canyonlands area do not overlook Deadhorse State Park. It is on the road to Canyonlands and is SPACTACULAR! Try for a sunrise or sunset. BTW They are expanding the campground in the park. Should be ready for this season. Enjoy 😊

[cheeseheadjim]

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

We also did this in June 2017 in our hybrid, we left from Maryland traveling along I70 and did Pikes Peak, Bryce, Zion, GC, Hoover Dam, Meteor Crater, canyon deChelly, and petrified forest and home thruogh Oklahoma, Tennessee and virginia. We don't have a dog so we had no pet issues.
We camped at Bryce and traveled by car to visit Zion for the day (they are only 90 miles apart). I was glad we did that as Bryce was much cooler than Zion by about 15 degrees. Zion was over 100 degrees during the day and Bryce was mid 80s. Grand canyon, we stayed at Trailer Village. I found the temps comfortable in the mid 80s. Liked that there is a grocery store next to the campground. Williams was hot, over 100 there. Definetly needed the PUGS and reflectix. Drink alot of water while you are out and about.

We had no issues, I had put new tires on the camper just before the trip.
We tried to keep each day to 300-350 miles, we stop every 2 to 2.5 hours to top off the gas tank and restroom break. One thing that you probably already know since you have done some long trips, it takes longer than goggle maps says it will. you've some pretty long days scheduled. The leg of your trip from Zion to Rifle, there is a stretch there on I70 where there are NO services for over 100 miles, they do post a warning. Be sure you have enough gas.
We had a great time and it is some wonderful country to see. Hope your trip goes smoothly.

That sounds like one AWESOME trip !!!!

[GalsofEscape]

Originally Posted by cheeseheadjim

That sounds like one AWESOME trip !!!!

It was a totally awesome trip. Now, we need to go back and see the stuff we still missed. 😀