We'd like to visit Dinosaur National Monument after Salt Lake City via US 40 then take US 191 north toward Dutch John and eventually getting to I-80. According to Mountain Directory West US 40 looks doable but 191N around the WY border looks problematic.We will probably make the trip in our G'town gasser towing a Jeep Wrangler unless a DP materializes in our drive. An alternative plan after Dinosaur N.M. would be to go back to Duchesne then take 191 south to where ever we decide to go next.To those that have traveled the Vernal/Dutch John area, what are your thoughts about 191N?Thanks!

We drove route 191 in our Class C (not towing) from Vernal all the way to Jackson WY back in 2012. There were some ups and downs and pretty sure we used 2nd gear on occasion, but not a drive I would avoid doing again. Actually, we plan to go back to Dinosaur again this year for more exploring and may afterward use 191 north again.There were many good scenic views on that route and the tour of the Flaming Gorge dam was enjoyable.

We spent last summer in the area, and towed our FW around it. Like CloudDriver states, there are some grades, but I think most any rig could handle it. And we took the dam tour too. I'd recommend it. Also, if you have a day or two, you can dry camp around Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The trout fishing is spectacular. We did catch and release and most of the trout were in the 15-19" range.

Take 40 to craig then 13 through baggs

191N out of Vernal is a bit of a climb but well worth it!Flaming Gorge from Sheepcreek Overlook....Dutch John

hmmm..looks like we'll be traveling through Dutch John! Now, I need campground suggestions for the Flaming Gorge area. Thanks!

Route Advice Needed for Vernal, Utah Area | Good Sam Community

trailertraveler
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
KarenS144 wrote:
An alternative plan after Dinosaur N.M. would be to go back to Duchesne then take 191 south to where ever we decide to go next.
There is a 9,100' summit about 30 miles South of Duchesne with 8% grades. The road goes through a canyon and has narrow shoulders as you descend into Helper. So, you won't avoid all the mountain driving by taking that route.

Forgot to mention that the Utah Field House of Natural History is located in Vernal.
trailertraveler
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
We have traveled US-191 between I-70 & I-80 several times. The grades and 10 switchbacks in 9 miles on the section between Flaming Gorge and Vernal are, in my opinion, more of an issue going Southbound(downhill). You may want to talk to the the locals about whether the East or West route around Flaming Gorge is better road surface. We've done both and depending on when the last repairs were made there can be a difference.

The park service campground at Dinosaur is nice. Located right along the river.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
9% is brutal, don't they know how to build 6% highway grades in Utah?
PEIwoman
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
PEIwoman wrote:
NinerBikes wrote:
North out of Vernal on 191 with a 4000# 21 foot travel trailer towed by 240HP and 406 ft lbs of diesel a problem, or doable? Tow rig is a VW Touareg TDI diesel.

Do-able. Just don't do it at Noon in July!

I used to tow a 10,400lbs TT up from the Wyoming side (through Manila) so I installed a Double-Deep Tranny pan on my truck.

Watch your EGT's and Transmission Temps. I have seen SOOO MANY trucks cooked going up both sides of that hill to Dutch John. Just don't push your truck too hard, keep your revs constant, don't go too slow so you've got some cooling going on.

Have fun!

Dual electrical fans will pull air through the radiator, regardless of forward speed on a VW TDI. I'm good.

What % grade are we talking? the one out of wyoming snake river over past Bear Lake to Logan was a doozy one night last June.

Sorry, I thought you were in a truck with a camper, or trailer. The grades are 8-9%
NinerBikes
Explorer
May 29, 2014
PEIwoman wrote:
NinerBikes wrote:
North out of Vernal on 191 with a 4000# 21 foot travel trailer towed by 240HP and 406 ft lbs of diesel a problem, or doable? Tow rig is a VW Touareg TDI diesel.

Do-able. Just don't do it at Noon in July!

I used to tow a 10,400lbs TT up from the Wyoming side (through Manila) so I installed a Double-Deep Tranny pan on my truck.

Watch your EGT's and Transmission Temps. I have seen SOOO MANY trucks cooked going up both sides of that hill to Dutch John. Just don't push your truck too hard, keep your revs constant, don't go too slow so you've got some cooling going on.

Have fun!

Dual electrical fans will pull air through the radiator, regardless of forward speed on a VW TDI. I'm good.

What % grade are we talking? the one out of wyoming snake river over past Bear Lake to Logan was a doozy one night last June.
PEIwoman
Explorer
May 29, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
North out of Vernal on 191 with a 4000# 21 foot travel trailer towed by 240HP and 406 ft lbs of diesel a problem, or doable? Tow rig is a VW Touareg TDI diesel.

Do-able. Just don't do it at Noon in July!

I used to tow a 10,400lbs TT up from the Wyoming side (through Manila) so I installed a Double-Deep Tranny pan on my truck.

Watch your EGT's and Transmission Temps. I have seen SOOO MANY trucks cooked going up both sides of that hill to Dutch John. Just don't push your truck too hard, keep your revs constant, don't go too slow so you've got some cooling going on.

Have fun!
NinerBikes
Explorer
May 29, 2014
North out of Vernal on 191 with a 4000# 21 foot travel trailer towed by 240HP and 406 ft lbs of diesel a problem, or doable? Tow rig is a VW Touareg TDI diesel.
PEIwoman
Explorer
May 29, 2014
2gypsies wrote:
4huskers wrote:
Firefighters Memorial campground is beautiful.

That's where we stay. 191 north is done by many RVers and you can go by what the Mtn. Directory states. We've done it both directions.

We are planning to stay here at Firefighter's Memorial in a few weeks.

Which campsites do you recommend for shade, and reduced highway noise?

Thank you very much,
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 02, 2014
4huskers wrote:
Firefighters Memorial campground is beautiful.

That's where we stay. 191 north is done by many RVers and you can go by what the Mtn. Directory states. We've done it both directions.

Also to DickB: if you never drive scenic routes with your RV you're missing out on a lot and probably putting on a lot of extra miles backtracking with your toad to be able to drive them. We seek out the scenic routes when we travel for A to B.
padredw
Nomad
Mar 02, 2014
That's the way we towed our 34' fifth-wheel all the way from Vernal to Jackson (US 191) a couple of years ago. Never thought of it as difficult at all--a scenic drive into Jackson.

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