Yellowstone? RV or Car

[JCasper]

Even more spectacular then Yellowstone is Glacier National Park, IMO. It is a little farther North. We sure liked. Going to the Sun Tour". Nice NP Campgrounds.

I have thought about that, it just depends on how much time we have.

 

[bighammer]

We were also going to take the Northern route on Rt 90. I've heard of the "Dells. " What's there to see?

.

Supposed to be the most waterparks in one place. Never been there, but one day flippin' channels, my son & caught a show about one of the waterparks. (he's hooked) Looks like a really pretty river cut thru a rocky canyon there too.

Waterparks, boat rides, a bunch of touristy kind of stuff-- Sounds like a kid's paradise.


We're considering spending another day or 2 in the Black Hills area, and then heading straight to Butte to visit friends and then to Glacier. I saw most of Yellowstone by bicycle (NOT a good idea) but never made it to Glacier yet.

 

[PKozlowski]

There is also a Minuteman missile launch facility they give tours of

up near the black hills. You don't get to see that everyday.



I could get some info on that if your interested.

 

[Nate]

Yeah more info on that would be awesome.

 

[Fireman Dave]

JCasper: I think you'll like the campground you chose. We've camped both at the Bay Bridge and Canyon campgrounds. The showers in the camping villages are very clean and reasonable, so not having hookups really wasn't a problem for us. The thing that kept us from camping at Fishing Bridge was the "parking lot" layout and the lack of a campfire area. The other campgrounds are what I'd call real campsites - with a campfire ring at each site. Having a buffalo meander through your campsite in the morning is pretty cool, too. When you drive across the canyons, take a moment to stop and use binoculars to scan the area. We've seen many grizzlies that way - which we wouldn't have noticed driving through with the naked eye.



Pete: Let me know if you have time to stop when you come through God's country on your trip. We're about an hour NE of the Dells.

 

[Bart]

His truck has both on it. The factory 2" and the aftermarket 2. 5". I can come up with a 2" WD hitch that isn't a problem. He is trying to tell me that I need the 2. 5" aftermarket Reese to handle the weight.



The trailer has a gross of under 9,000 if I remember reading the tag correctly. The factory hitch should handle that fine as I have had 13,000 on mine without a WD setup. I know that was a bit much, but it doesn't happen often.

The standard 2" hitch on Dodges is a 10,000 pound rated hitch. The 2. 5" Reese is an over kill 15,000 hitch. I put the 2. 5" hitch on my rig only because I have a camper with a 3 o 4 foot rear over hang. With that out there I figured I'd derate the hitch and still be safe. I also use a easy lift still hitch insert. That's serious over kill. For a 9K trailer you don't need it. The easy lift style insert would be nice but not required.

You defiantly want to camp at Yellowstone. There's only a couple three motel and they are VERY expensive. Plus you miss all the other neat areas that are far removed from those motels. We did it with a truck/camper and were able to park in regular parking places. When everyone else, that couldn't get their big motorhomes and or trailers into the smaller areas, were standing in line for the toilets and eating out of the back of the mini vans we were comfortable in our 10'9" Lance camper. Consider that option if you can.

 

[tgordon]

Wife and I did it for our honeymoon. 10 days, southeast MI to yellowstone and back. Bighammer, just make sure you miss the Sturgis rally, we hit MT. Rushmore the last day and saw rates for everything drop by about 2/3rds. Also made friends with a few bikers who were impressed how the CTD rattled the tunnels down there.



It was my wifes first intoduction to mystyle of vacationing. Pack, get in the truck, and go. We got there late at night, stayed in a hotel just outside the park, then went in through the south east enterance first thing in the morning and I belive we camped at Bay Bridge. Because of fires we had to exit through the north east enterance. The next time we go we will take the truck again and take in some of the trails, reason for the truck is I went down one in the Tetons that was not listed as 4x4 only and were glad to have the clearence and suspension. We got to greet a friendly buffalo every morning on our way out around the lake. Just make sure you take the CTD just to bug the people taking pictures who think they own the park:-laf



After seeing the advice given here for our next vacation I will have to ask some of the locals on here, it would have been neat to see that missle silo, even if it was only from the outside.

 

[ddechris]

Hmmmm... . "back road and trails were snowed in" ... . "glad to have the higher clearance" Sounds like my kind of fun. More details, please?



We were considering Glacier NP. How far from Yellowstone?



At 3 years and 9 months, the kids are a little small for waterparks. But I'll have to do some searching to see what else is around the Dells.





- Dave

 

[Forrest]

I am thinking of going to Yellowstone this summer.



I can either borrow my Father in Laws 26' or 28' Komfort Travel trailer which weighs around 9-10,000lbs or drive my wifes Honda Odyssey.



My FIL told me that I can't tow his trailer without a aftermarket hitch and he thinks I would enjoy the trip more if I drove the car.



I have towed 12,000lbs plus with my truck and think it does a good job of it. I don't mind motels for a few days, but don't really like unpacking every day for 8-9 days. Not to mention I don't like eating out that much.



I can spend the money and upgrade the hitch, not a problem.



I think I would enjoy the RV more then motels, what do you all think?



We have two kids 6 and 1. 5.

There is no question about it, the RV. You WILL enjoy the RV more, period. The campgrounds are a totally other world from the motels. Closer to nature & the kids love it. We had our two kids in campgrounds all the time, never a motel. Sitting around the campfire ... nothing like it for quality family time. And that smell of bacon in a campground ... that's the best bacon you'll ever smell. I cook the bacon OUTSIDE, just for that reason. You're getting me all fired up here!!!!! :-laf



re the comment about seeing more country in the car. OH Bat S, you see more with the trailer behind as you're typically driving slower! Also, you'd be surprised what you see when you pull off to make some sandwiches ... keep that camera handy



Enjoy the trip, take lots of pics & make sure you drive those roads in the park that are outside the normal tourist stuff. You can walk right up to the hot pots & little geysers ... no walkways & fences



If you drive down to the Tetons, there is a drive up close to the Tetons, take that too. Super cool lake pics & close ups of the Tetons.





Forrest

 

[JThiessen]

Glacier is about an 8 hour drive from West Yellowstone.

 

[Mike Ellis]

You guys will have a ball. My son and I took my truck and Bigfoot camper up to Yellowstone after a Boy Scout summer camp in June 2005, it was a great trip. We went in from the east side because it was mandatory for me to go through Cody WY and see the Buffalo Bill museum, specifically the outstanding gun collection. Yeowza! It was perhaps the only time in my life I have been truly tempted to try the 5-finger discount, I stood there gazing so long at Paladin's Colt (Have Gun Will Travel) that the security guys started getting nervous :-laf:-laf Had to stop off and see Liver Eatin' Johnson's grave there too.



We stayed at Fishing Bridge the first night, it is basically a parking lot like the guys say but it is a NICE parking lot :-laf. Lots of trees, an extremely nice facility with laundry and hot showers for a reasonable fee. There is an ampitheatre just down the street, short hike, where they put on some nice Ranger talks in the evening. Highly recommended.



We generally stay in smaller RV areas (forest service campgrounds etc), so I had not been around the parking lot type campground too much. What sticks in my memory about the Fishing Bridge campground was how huge some of the rigs are, and how much junk some folks bring along when they camp. Also, if I recall correctly they had restrictions at that campground on the use of soft-sided campers (pop-ups etc) because of bears. Depending on trailer type this could be a factor for you.



We went into the park at the tail end of a big storm right about sundown, pretty much had the road to ourselves but it was an "interesting" drive as we were almost hit by trees being blown over into the road. Got some awesome double rainbow pics (see below).



When you get up and around and start driving around the park, like the guys said be prepared for traffic. The speed limits are low, and its usually 20 or 30 miles to wherever you want to go. The sheer number of people packed into the park is amazing, the parking lot near the main lodge and Old Faithful looks like what you see at Six Flags. Fortunately most of the people congregate in the same few "major attraction" spots, you can pull off at any of the roadside spots and walk 10 yards off the road and pretty much be all by yourself in pristine country. Awesome!



The drive south to Jackson Hole is nifty as well, gazing at the Grand Tetons over that lake is something you will never forget.



After our trip, I was very pleased with how the slide-in camper and truck worked out. About the only thing I could see working out better in Yellowstone would be a nice Class B motorhome, or (believe it or not) the standard issue hippy Volkswagen van. For a family, the traditional pop-up tent trailer and a minivan to pull it would be great too - easy to set up when you get there, then you have the minivan to negotiate the crowded parking lots. Sure the big 5th wheels, motor homes and travel trailers are more comfy and the trucks are more fun to drive, but in my doddering old age I have reached the point that I wonder if the tradeoffs in hassle are worth it. There's a lot to be said for a small rig that you can park easily and set up with minimal fuss and bother.

 

[JCasper]

You guys will have a ball. My son and I took my truck and Bigfoot camper up to Yellowstone after a Boy Scout summer camp in June 2005, it was a great trip. We went in from the east side because it was mandatory for me to go through Cody WY and see the Buffalo Bill museum, specifically the outstanding gun collection. Yeowza! It was perhaps the only time in my life I have been truly tempted to try the 5-finger discount, I stood there gazing so long at Paladin's Colt (Have Gun Will Travel) that the security guys started getting nervous :-laf:-laf Had to stop off and see Liver Eatin' Johnson's grave there too.



We stayed at Fishing Bridge the first night, it is basically a parking lot like the guys say but it is a NICE parking lot :-laf. Lots of trees, an extremely nice facility with laundry and hot showers for a reasonable fee. There is an ampitheatre just down the street, short hike, where they put on some nice Ranger talks in the evening. Highly recommended.



We generally stay in smaller RV areas (forest service campgrounds etc), so I had not been around the parking lot type campground too much. What sticks in my memory about the Fishing Bridge campground was how huge some of the rigs are, and how much junk some folks bring along when they camp. Also, if I recall correctly they had restrictions at that campground on the use of soft-sided campers (pop-ups etc) because of bears. Depending on trailer type this could be a factor for you.



We went into the park at the tail end of a big storm right about sundown, pretty much had the road to ourselves but it was an "interesting" drive as we were almost hit by trees being blown over into the road. Got some awesome double rainbow pics (see below).



When you get up and around and start driving around the park, like the guys said be prepared for traffic. The speed limits are low, and its usually 20 or 30 miles to wherever you want to go. The sheer number of people packed into the park is amazing, the parking lot near the main lodge and Old Faithful looks like what you see at Six Flags. Fortunately most of the people congregate in the same few "major attraction" spots, you can pull off at any of the roadside spots and walk 10 yards off the road and pretty much be all by yourself in pristine country. Awesome!



The drive south to Jackson Hole is nifty as well, gazing at the Grand Tetons over that lake is something you will never forget.



After our trip, I was very pleased with how the slide-in camper and truck worked out. About the only thing I could see working out better in Yellowstone would be a nice Class B motorhome, or (believe it or not) the standard issue hippy Volkswagen van. For a family, the traditional pop-up tent trailer and a minivan to pull it would be great too - easy to set up when you get there, then you have the minivan to negotiate the crowded parking lots. Sure the big 5th wheels, motor homes and travel trailers are more comfy and the trucks are more fun to drive, but in my doddering old age I have reached the point that I wonder if the tradeoffs in hassle are worth it. There's a lot to be said for a small rig that you can park easily and set up with minimal fuss and bother.

Wow, those are awesome pictures. I can't wait to go now.



I just bought a Travel trailer last night so I should be ready by August.

 

[Andersonville]

Don't Blow The Horn At The Mooses! It Just Pisses Them Off!

 

[Grizzly]

Don't Blow The Horn At The Mooses! It Just Pisses Them Off!

Don't make the bison mad either.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Don't make the bison mad either.

One of the things they give you going into the park is a little yellow piece of paper with a cartoon of a buffalo throwing a guy up in the air titled "WARNING - Many visitors have been gored by buffalo". When I got back to town I posted it by my desk at work as a warning to visitors, seemed appropriate :-laf :-laf



The buffs don't get in any hurry, here are a couple of pics from my previous trip when we came in on deserted highways after heavy storm. This buffalo was ambling down the center of the road, he wouldn't move so we passed him cautiously. Right afterwards we saw several of them lying around a picnic table by the roadside, this was fairly high up in the hills coming in from the Eastern side. I was surprised, thought the buffalo always stayed down in the grassy areas. They are mighty agile for such big beasts...

 

[Grizzly]

Nice pics Mike. My wife and I enjoy going to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glaciser, NP's.

 

[steved]

The standard 2" hitch on Dodges is a 10,000 pound rated hitch. The 2. 5" Reese is an over kill 15,000 hitch.

If the hitch is factory installed (not dealer installed) on his 3rd gen, it is a class IV, 1200/12000 hitch... as stated in the owner's manual.



steved

 

[jandtjil]

I just bought a Travel trailer last night so I should be ready by August.

Congrats JC ! Are you going to keep us in suspense? pictures are optional.



JJ

 

[PKozlowski]

Pictures are optional? NO they're NOT! LOL!!!

 

[JCasper]

Pictures are optional? NO they're NOT! LOL!!!

Here, They are in this thread.





https://www.turbodieselregister.com...v-forum/183063-tt-fifth-wheel-what-buy-6.html