Forum Discussion

Lexx's avatar
Lexx
Explorer
Nov 25, 2017

California, UT, Alberta, B.C., WA, OR, back to California

I'm starting to plan out our inaugural summer RV trip. We're either going to be towing a 36 - 39 ft Toy Hauler or a 40' Class A MH will be towing a Jeep Wrangler.

Our plan is to head on over the Sierras on I-80 to Salt Lake City. Spend a few days there exploring. Then Hwy 15 to Yellowstone, where we'd spend a week providing we can find a place to stay.

Next we take Hwy 191 from Yellowstone to Bozeman and then Hwy 89 to Great Falls. Spend 2 nights here.

We then take Hwy 15 to the border and cross over into Canada, taking Hwy 4 and 2 on up to Calgary. We'd stay there for a few days and then head on up to Edmonton for 4 or 5 days, since my wife has family there.

We leave Edmonton for Jasper/Banff area via Hwya 2 and 12, with 93 being the route up and down from Jasper to Banff. It seems finding a place in this area June 23 - July 5 is going to be tough since it covers both Canada Day and July 4th. We'd like to spend about 10 days in the area.

Then its west to Glacier National Park for a couple of days on Canada Hwy 1. From there it's a straight shot on Hwy 1 to Vancouver, where we'll spend 3 weeks since this is home for my wife.

Then it's back down into the States on good ol I-5.

Are any of these roads problematic for a F450 with a 36 - 39' Toy Hauler or a 40' MH with a 4 door Jeep?

Any suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!
  • Lexx wrote:
    azdryheat wrote:
    Get yourself a Motor Carrier's Atlas and check your route. Generally, if an 18 wheeler can use the road so can an RV.


    I actually plan on getting the Garmin for RVs.


    Great choice on a Garmin! I used my RV-660 for my trip this last Fall with great results. One quirk though - Commercial traffic (semi's) is not allowed on the Icefield Parkway so the Garmin will try to route you around that road when the GPS is set for RV mode. Driving that road with an RV is OK but you need to reset the Garmin to automobile mode to get that routing. The Icefield Parkway is worth the drive if you're in the area.
  • azdryheat wrote:
    Get yourself a Motor Carrier's Atlas and check your route. Generally, if an 18 wheeler can use the road so can an RV.


    I actually plan on getting the Garmin for RVs.
  • Get yourself a Motor Carrier's Atlas and check your route. Generally, if an 18 wheeler can use the road so can an RV.
  • mockturtle wrote:
    We leave Edmonton for Jasper/Banff area via Hwya 2 and 12, with 93 being the route up and down from Jasper to Banff. It seems finding a place in this area June 23 - July 5 is going to be tough since it covers both Canada Day and July 4th. We'd like to spend about 10 days in the area.


    There is a visitor's center near Jasper on the Icefield Parkway that allows dry camping (used to be $12) and the views are gorgeous. Worth a stop if it's not full up.



    WOW

    That would be a "terrible" place to boondock.

    The last time my wife and I were at the Columbia Icefields, it was close to the 1st of July and it was snowing. We were on the Harley and snow was sticking to the sides of the road and the windshield. The electric hand dryers in the bathroom at the visitor center were our best friend.

    Seattle traffic is horrid traveling I-5. 97 through WA and OR is better is you are not in a hurry.
  • That is a very ambitious trip but definitely doable with either rig.I would suggest 22 north to Calgary, it is a little slower pace, much more scenic and you don't have to deal with nearly as much traffic.
    "We leave Edmonton for Jasper/Banff area via Hwya 2 and 12". I am a little puzzled by your route here, highway 16 takes you to Jasper.
  • We leave Edmonton for Jasper/Banff area via Hwya 2 and 12, with 93 being the route up and down from Jasper to Banff. It seems finding a place in this area June 23 - July 5 is going to be tough since it covers both Canada Day and July 4th. We'd like to spend about 10 days in the area.


    There is a visitor's center near Jasper on the Icefield Parkway that allows dry camping (used to be $12) and the views are gorgeous. Worth a stop if it's not full up.