Best route from AZ to Michigan?

[BHuebner]

Im planning on picking up my new 5th wheel at Lakeshore RV in Muskegon, MI next weekend(6/22). im coming from Kingman, AZ. So any advice from fellow TDR members who have made simular runs to this, i would appreciate some advise. i plan on fueling at the flying-J truck stops(unless you know of better). are there any tolls, height restrictions, do i need to stop at any of the scales, construction going on?... etc.

im thinking of taking the 44 to ST Loius then the 70 to the 57.

i havent had the opportunity to drive across country yet, so im looking forward to the trip.

i will be picking up a Heartland Big Country 3300RL. 34'7" in length, 12'11. 5" tall, 10700 uvw, 14K gvw and 2200lb hitch weight

Thanks in advance! Brian

 

[PC12Driver]

Yep, that's about it. 40 to Tulsa, 44 to St Louis (toll), 270 around St Louis to 70, and then either 55 or 57 (its a draw, maybe a tilt towards 55 for the Route 66 nostalgia) on up. I know there's no construction from STL to Michigan via 57 (just drove it last week). And you don't have to stop at scales, since you're an RV.



The traffic around Chicago on 80/90/94 is terrible, though. You might want to sneak over to I-65 or IN-421 and then up to 94 when you get close. I usually jump across on IL-24 (just north of Bloomington on 55 or Champaign on 57). You'll be on state highways with a town with a 4-way stop every 10 miles or so, but there's plenty of services available (diesel fuel) and you'll be way ahead stress-wise, and maybe even time-wise.

 

[jkalchik]

PC12Driver's advice is pretty good. I moved out of the Chicago area a year ago after living there for 12 years, and have made the run around the south end of Lake MI quite a few times back into Michigan. The IN/IL border traffic blows. I'd do a BUNCH to avoid it, some times to the point of going north and back down across the Big Mac.

Which, if you've got some time, and want to see some different country might not be such a bad thing. Be warned that unless you hug Lake MI back down into Wisconsin, you're gonna be on a bunch of much smaller roads. No lack of services, but lots of stops.

 

[DonTX]

Just curious, but how much over specs are you going to be when hauling that trailer? (Gross combined, etc)

 

[BHuebner]

According to my 95 svc manual GCVW for my year truck is 14500 with auto and 3. 54 gears, my GVWR is 8800. max trailer weight rating is 8200 totaling 17K. curb weight for my truck is shown to be 5960lbs: front axle 3845/ rear 2115. so as for hitch weight i should be ok since GAWR for the rear is 6085.

transmission was just rebuilt with billet TC. helper airbags ordered

 

[PWitteveen]

The route up from IN to Muskegon is pretty straightforward. There is some construction on US-31 by Grand Haven, just south of Muskegon. There is a drawbridge at Grand Haven that backs up traffic quite often.



There used to be quite a few Smokies in MO (when the speed limit was 55), but I haven;t driven through there in quite a while. The advice about missing the traffic on 80/90/94 is good. I hate driving that stretch.



Enjoy your trip.

 

[JHardwick]

If it were me, I'd take I-70 to I-465 around Indy, and up US-31. 31 is a pretty good run and only adds 45 miles or so to avoid all of the Chicago traffic.

 

[DonTX]

Just about what I guessed, the GCWR is what seem to bite you, you will be WAAAAAY over of course by about 6000 lbs when in travel mode.

That is just numbers though, it will handle the load with ease and is not a problem in the USA, it is commonly done with no consequences. My buddy from Canada however claims that in Canada, you would have to unhook it, they enforce that part according to him.

According to my 95 svc manual GCVW for my year truck is 14500 with auto and 3. 54 gears, my GVWR is 8800. max trailer weight rating is 8200 totaling 17K. curb weight for my truck is shown to be 5960lbs: front axle 3845/ rear 2115. so as for hitch weight i should be ok since GAWR for the rear is 6085.

transmission was just rebuilt with billet TC. helper airbags ordered

 

[Grizzly]

According to my 95 svc manual GCVW for my year truck is 14500 with auto and 3. 54 gears, my GVWR is 8800. max trailer weight rating is 8200 totaling 17K. curb weight for my truck is shown to be 5960lbs: front axle 3845/ rear 2115. so as for hitch weight i should be ok since GAWR for the rear is 6085.

transmission was just rebuilt with billet TC. helper airbags ordered

The auto trannny and the 3. 54 gears for that much weight scare me.



Also if it's not too late, why can't you get an RV closer to home, such as La Grande, Oregon. Northwood Manufacturing is located there, which make the Arctic Fox and Nash, both of which are 4 star rated.



The Big Country is a good RV, 3 star rated, 35' length, 14,000 lb GVWR and a one ton truck is recommended. You may want to consider something small and lighter for your 2500 truck. This information is from the RV Consumer Guide.

 

[steved]

Having driven to New Mexico a bunch of times, you can either do the I40/I44 thing or you can run I40 to Tucumcari, pick up Rt54 to Wichita, KA. From there you take I35 to Rt50 (to avoid the toll) and then I believe it is I335 to I70 to St. Louis. That is a good way to avoid a bunch of traffic... also a little more scenic than the Interstate (and just about as quick)... I usually sneak around Wichita... Rt61 out of Pratt to Rt50.

I40 and I44 are fairly good roads... some construction in Texas/OK... that stretch of I40 from Gallup, NM to OKC is rough in most spots (another reason I take Rt54). I44 is pretty good and pretty new for the most part... St. Louis is a little confusing...

I just ran I44 to I40 (to Gallup) and back a month ago...

steved

 

[BHuebner]

Thanks everybody for the input so far! 40/44/70/465 to 31 up into Muskegon is the route im looking into.



As far as the towing weight is concerned the svc manual shows a 95' 8. 0L V10 having a towing cap. of 13200 and a GCWR 19K for a 2500 with 3. 54/auto. i would think it to be the other way around with a diesel.

as for a 95' 1ton reg cab with 3. 54 w/auto it tows the same, just that the GVWR is 10500 instead of my 8800. GCWR is still 14500



ive been looking at 5th wheels for some time and Lakeshore RV in Muskegon has the best prices. i will mainly be using it for work so i wont be traveling much(for now) instead of renting apartments or houses and having to move my stuff every 6 months, id rather use a 5th wheel(with some room in it). i never know where im gonna end up and for how long with my job.

if i do decide to purchase and make the trip, a buddy and i will be hauling it with his Ford PS... ... . yeah sorry for using the "F" word.



Here is the trailer im currently looking at:



ALUMINUM RIMS

EQUA FLEX SUSPENSION-30% LESS IMPACT

ELECTRIC REAR JACKS

BIG COUNTRY PACKAGE:



Real Wood Edged Countertops; Ball-Bearing Drawer Guides; Electric Front Jacks; Raised Wood Refer Fronts; Roof Ladder; Surround Sound System; Shower Skydome; Spare Tire & Carrier; Awning; 12 Gal. DSI Water Heater; Free Standing Dinette w/4 Chairs; Day/Night Shades; Hide-a-Bed Sofa; Courtesy Light in Kitchen; Ceiling Fan w/Lights; Washer/Dryer Prep. ; Fantastic Fan w/Rain Sensor in Living Room



VALUE PACKAGE:



Fold-Away Entry Handle; Doorway Assist Handle; Crank Down Rear Stabilizer Jacks; Porcelain Toilet; Extended Hitch Pin; E-Z Lube Hubs; Range Cover; 27” Color TV; Hi-Output Range w/Auto Ignition; 22” Oven; TV Antenna w/Booster; 2 Rocker/Recliners (where applicable)



WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES

MODEL 3300 RL

Length (TOTAL)34'7"

Hitch Weight (lbs. ) 2200

Unloaded Vehicle Weight 10700

FRESH WATER (gal. ) 75

BLACK 45

GREY 90

View attachment 64544 View attachment 64545

 

[DonTX]

I hope you decide to go for it, you will love living in that trailer, as well as towing it. Nice floorplan too.

 

[Grizzly]

a buddy and i will be hauling it with his Ford PS... ... . yeah sorry for using the "F" word.









I Have more confidence in the 95 Dodge/Cummins then any Powerjoke.

 

[BHuebner]

Ha Ha!!! Yeah i hear ya Grizz! its an 03' too!! the only real reason is the crew cab, more room to sleep while the other one drives, but hopefully no issues while out on the road. He says he gets 18mpg unloaded. Lord knows what we'll get comin back with the trailer!

Thanks Don! after months of searching, i finally narrowed it down. so i hope i would be happy with it if i decide.

 

[MMeier]

Notice my sig... just in case that f thing screws up!!!! and only 2 hours from you also!

 

[bmoeller]

Yep, that's about it. 40 to Tulsa, 44 to St Louis (toll), 270 around St Louis to 70, and then either 55 or 57 (its a draw, maybe a tilt towards 55 for the Route 66 nostalgia) on up.

I-44 in OK and I-335/35 and part of I-70 in KS are toll roads. They are cheaper than running through Chicago or out east. I run over to Topeka and down to El Dorado, KS all of the time. IIRC, there was road construction on I-44 east of Tulsa. Some on 44 or 70 in MO. Wasn't bad when I went through the last time.

To get around some of the tolls in KS when I'm coming up through El Dorado, I would jump off at El Dorado, grab US 54 east over to Yates Center, then north up US 75 to Topeka and grab I-470 east/ I-70 East. It is mostly 2 lane to the interstate, but posted 65mph. Knocks $14 off for me, and something else to look at vs. the turnpike. If you need fuel (if you jump off at El Dorado), grab it at the last service plaza before you jump off. Yates Center and Emporia are pretty much it for fuel.

Depending on how strong your engine is, I'd suggest going up I335/35 (or my alernate route) and grabbing I-70 in Kansas City to STL vs taking I-44. 70 pulls easier. Best to hit that part of KS at night, or nowhere near rush hour. The turnpike in KS is hilly. About the same as I-70.

The traffic around Chicago on 80/90/94 is terrible, though.

Yep. Had to go around two accidents the other day. The tolls in Chicago going north are outrageous. #@$%! The skyway is the worst.

I always try to hit 80/94 in the middle of the night. Otherwise it is a cluster..... Didn't work out that way on my last run.

 

[DonTX]

Another alternative that I usually take, is get off the Kansas Turnpike at Emporia, I35 there will take you right to I70 in KC, and on to St Louis, all free starting at Emporia. Shorter and less hills, fastest route probably, but you do have the lower Kansas turnpike tolls.

 

[bmoeller]

Tolls and scales are the reason I don't go that way.

 

[Grizzly]

Ha Ha!!! Yeah i hear ya Grizz! its an 03' too!! the only real reason is the crew cab, more room to sleep while the other one drives, but hopefully no issues while out on the road. He says he gets 18mpg unloaded. Lord knows what we'll get comin back with the trailer!

Thanks Don! after months of searching, i finally narrowed it down. so i hope i would be happy with it if i decide.

The Powerjoke is going to blow a head gasket with that much weight going over the Rocky's. I'd still take the Dodge.

 

[JHardwick]

I40/I44/I70/US31 is no doubt the quickest.

Use I255/I55 around St Louis and I465 around Indy.

The toll from OK City to Joplin, Mo is not worth the extra 95 miles it takes to go on into Alma, AR on I40, and up I540/US71 into Joplin from the south to catch I44. I've done both as I run through there regularly and have tried both. Those are the only 2 options I would entertain.