Forum Discussion

rvlady581's avatar
rvlady581
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013

Mountains in WY & MT

I've only been RV'ing for 3 years, live in WI & want to go to Livingston, MT in 2014. I've trailered to Spearfish, SD, so I'm somewhat familiar with that far west. I tow a 2013 35' Travel Trailer with a 2011 Ford F150 EcoBoost. I'd like to get some feedback on how feasible it would be for me to go that far west with my setup. I just purchased my RV & truck in 2013 (had a 28' TT in the past), so I'm not planning on upgrading my truck. I really have my heart set on going to MT next year, but don't want to be sorry when I get there. I trailered down to Corbin, KY last month (Sept.) & didn't have any problems driving on the interstates. I'm planning to take I-90 all the way from WI to MT (with some side camping stops in MN & SD). Appreciate any feedback I can get.
Roads and Routes
  • rvlady581's avatar
    rvlady581
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their replies. I'm now looking forward to the trip. My copilot is my handicapped hubby, so I do all the driving, etc.
  • realter's avatar
    realter
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    When I was a kid we drove out to Seattle every summer. The roads were steep and curvy, and some scarry places. I recently took I90, you would hardly know you are in the mountains. The interstate highway system sure has changed travel out West. Go for it!
  • Supercharged's avatar
    Supercharged
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    MottissMT36RL wrote:
    The first Pass of any note is near Bozeman and it doesn't seem that going west it's much of a climb but you will short of that. We have done I-90 from The MN state line to the Little Big Horn Nat Mnt. and it was mostly rolling hills.
    My father rode a 1929 Harley 45 from Iowa to Yellowstone up to Boseman back to Black hills in 1931, all gravel at the time, you should be ok, with a/c, auto trans, power sterling, ele windows, ele. seats. 300 plus hp. enjoy yourself.
  • MottissMT36RL's avatar
    MottissMT36RL
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    The first Pass of any note is near Bozeman and it doesn't seem that going west it's much of a climb but you will short of that. We have done I-90 from The MN state line to the Little Big Horn Nat Mnt. and it was mostly rolling hills.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    As one who has towed 10 k through that kind of country on many occasions I can't see any issues that would cause any concern. I say that without knowing the details of your trailer or your truck but the ecoboost ifs very capable of towing up to it's rating quite easily and that turbo changed engine I'd made for high altitude towing.
  • john_bet's avatar
    john_bet
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2013
    If you have trailered to Spearfish, SD then you are familiar with I-90 and its some what imperceptible climb from Rapid City north to there. It is the same all the way to Billings. If you were happy with your rigs performance going uphill after crossing the Missouri river at Chamberlin and uphill after crossing the Cheyenne river then you will be fine.
  • lane_hog's avatar
    lane_hog
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2013
    A little more info will help...

    Which axle, bed, and cab option on the truck, and did you get the max trailer tow package on the truck?

    Is the 35' your trailer's tongue to bumper length, or just the trailer box?


    Staying on the interstate, you should be fine, but if you're looking at going down into Yellowstone with the trailer, you might be in for a few surprises.

    Many of the campgrounds there have a hard time taking a trailer over 30ft, and that sounds like an awful lot of weight to be pulling on some of the roads in & out of the park.
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    I90 goes around, not over the mountains in WY and MT. Should be no problem driving to Livingston MT. If you want to head down to Gardiner Mt at the north entrance of Yellowstone, route 89 is in the river valley of the Yellowstone River and is essentially flat.

    The Little Bighorn Battlefield is adjacent to I90 near Crow Agency MT and is an interesting stop.

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