***Traveling out west*** Need Suggestions

[Juliecece]

Hi-
We have plans to take a two-week trip from Cincinnati out to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone next summer. We have a 31' travel trailer, 4 kids, 2 adults, and a dog... and an extended cab 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. We're a little nervous about having enough space to pull in and out/set up at the national parks. I have been researching RV rentals, mostly for the ease during a long trip with four kids, but husband doesn't think an RV is practical in that way because you have to take it and park it on our excursions. Can someone share their experience with me? Is it a pain to pack up an RV and drive to do the sight seeing we want to see? What are we up against? Pros/cons of each? preference? something else I'm not thinking of?
Thanks in advance,
Julie

[dodge_guy]

SoundGuy wrote:

afidel wrote:
It's actually the fishing bridge that is being replaced, work starts this October and will last through at least 2019, possibly longer depending on weather conditions.

Although some may doubt it the fact is that not only is the bridge itself being rebuilt but facility improvements to Fishing Bridge RV Park will keep this campground closed throughout the 2019 season. :R

Interesting! I hope part of the improvements is going to be repaving? It can use it.

[SoundGuy]

afidel wrote:
It's actually the fishing bridge that is being replaced, work starts this October and will last through at least 2019, possibly longer depending on weather conditions.

Although some may doubt it the fact is that not only is the bridge itself being rebuilt but facility improvements to Fishing Bridge RV Park will keep this campground closed throughout the 2019 season. :R

[D_E_Bishop]

My wife was a Campfire Leader and learned early on that a lot of kids in her 1971 VW Type II required activities for the animals in the back. Snacks, comic books and the like were planned out in advanced and varied day to day when we started camping with our girls at 4 and 5 years old.

I kind of figure you've got that planned out as you already are RVers.

We have driven our type A, bought and towed a Sidekick with the A's, rented a car when we didn't have the Sidekick and flown and rented a Class C when transit time was long and overall time short. All four are great.

Camping is always doable, and there almost always seem to be sites big enough. Breaking camp every day is not bad but just hopping in your TV and taking off is better. The distances from West Yellowstone are not bad, I'm not familiar with other out of the park campgrounds.

For the most part, there is more than one route to a destination or POIs within parks as well as NPS buses so you can vary on a daily basis.

Are DGKs were raised as Free Range Kids, all within reason of course. We walk the campground roads in the morning with coffee in hand and evening with a cool one. We do this to try and see the kids that are out playing and TRY TO MEET PARENTS. We both enjoy making new friends as or DGKs call it. They carry FSRs and we're always in touch in case of the inevitable emergency. And yes we've had those. Never caused by interaction with other campers, always one of them did something stupid. We really miss those trip but one is a HS Senior and the other just graduated from HS and they have real lives and love interests.

We felt family camping was a release from the daily grind of school and chores, our kids and the DGKs got a lot of say regarding what we did and where we went. It was their vacation too, we just had limits and wanted the trip to be educational by osmosis. Ten or fifteen years out from camping with the girls, they learned the traveling we did with them gave them a background traveling that far exceeded the knowledge their friends had and still at 50 years out remember trips and activities we experienced.

Just keep doing it.

[afidel]

It's actually the fishing bridge that is being replaced, work starts this October and will last through at least 2019, possibly longer depending on weather conditions.

[dodge_guy]

SoundGuy wrote:

BizmarksMom wrote:
You can totally do this trip with the truck and trailer you already own. And I would definitely set the trailer up somewhere and day trip in the truck. West Yellowstone has several campgrounds that can accommodate you. You'll fit in a lot of forest service campgrounds, too, but with that many people you'll probably want hook-ups.

If I understand the OP's original post correctly she's talking about a 2019 summer trip, in which case Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone is where most would want to head with a large trailer & wanting services ... however, Fishing Bridge will be closed next year for the entire 2019 summer season. That's not to say they couldn't find a suitable dry site elsewhere in the park but if that doesn't work for them then they're going to have to reserve outside the park and drive in each day.

Curious what they are doing that requires closing of the entire campground? Repacking would be a weekend. So not sure.

[SoundGuy]

BizmarksMom wrote:
You can totally do this trip with the truck and trailer you already own. And I would definitely set the trailer up somewhere and day trip in the truck. West Yellowstone has several campgrounds that can accommodate you. You'll fit in a lot of forest service campgrounds, too, but with that many people you'll probably want hook-ups.

If I understand the OP's original post correctly she's talking about a 2019 summer trip, in which case Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone is where most would want to head with a large trailer & wanting services ... however, Fishing Bridge will be closed next year for the entire 2019 summer season. That's not to say they couldn't find a suitable dry site elsewhere in the park but if that doesn't work for them then they're going to have to reserve outside the park and drive in each day.

[BizmarksMom]

You can totally do this trip with the truck and trailer you already own. And I would definitely set the trailer up somewhere and day trip in the truck. West Yellowstone has several campgrounds that can accommodate you. You'll fit in a lot of forest service campgrounds, too, but with that many people you'll probably want hook-ups.

Do leave the dog at home for this trip. Dogs aren't allowed on trails at Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. And it's too hot to leave them in the car in the summer.

[dodge_guy]

I’m More concerned with 6 people and 2 dogs in a pickup truck. After the first day your gonna wish you were home!

I would trade it all and buy a Class A or C and buy a vehicle you can tow behind.

We have a 35ft TT. We were in Yellowstone, Tetons and Colorado Springs last year. 2 1/2 weeks. You won’t have an issue with size!

[westernrvparkow]

Johno02 wrote:
And remember that the loop road in Yellowstone is 142 miles around. And at 50 mph, that is over three hours driving time alone. No even considering curves, BIG hills and grades, and herds of elk, buffalo, tourists, and an occasional bear blocking the road for a good part of that. One single buffalo 100' from the road can back traffic up for miles and hours. One in the road can mess up most of a day. A restroom, and/or kitchen become a vital necessity, especially with kids and us older folks.

It will also be extremely expensive traveling at 50 MPH since the maximum speed limit is 45 with numerous stretches where the limit is lower.
The traffic congestion is actually over rated. Yes, there are a lot of vehicles and sometimes animal sightings block the road for a while, but traffic generally moves along. No, it isn't interstate fast, and no you won't have seclusion, but there is a big reason why Yellowstone has millions of visitors each year. It is fantastic and worth the inconveniences.
As for where to stay and what to stay in, I can only suggest that with 6 people the primary consideration should be bathroom facilities and hookups. You can surely save some dollars staying in Forest Service and Park campgrounds, but cycling 6 people thru the shower in the RV without water and sewer connections is going to be much more trouble than the value of the money you save. It is my contention that for anyone traveling to Yellowstone for the typical guest visitation of around a week, the RV Park you choose is the least of your concerns. You are there for Yellowstone, not the RV Park, and Yellowstone is 2 million acres. You won't see or experience much of it from any campground.

[GizmosMom]

We have a Class C and we do not tow. We rent a car when we are staying at places for more than three days. It's less expensive for us than paying for a new vehicle, insurance, tow bar, etc.

When our son was elementary school age we always stopped for the night at RV parks that had a pool. It was something that he looked forward to and gave him a chance to exercise after sitting all day. We also stopped every two hours to stretch our legs.

If you leave on a Saturday and take four days to get to the Tetons you could stay there for 4 days. That is driving from 9 to 5 every day. Then you could stay at Yellowstone for 5 days. Then four days to drive back.

Took this trip as a child from Michigan to Yellowstone. But in a car. We stopped at fun places along the way and I still remember those: Wall Drug, Badlands, Mitchel Corn Palace, and Harold Warp place in Kearney, NE.

I think you could do this trip in two weeks but that is just my humble opinion. Have the kids plan it with you and then they will also know what to expect.

Another thing that we used to do when we were working was to have everything packed up and we would leave on Friday evening and put some miles behind us. It was also an opportunity for me, a light sleeper, to not worry about what I didn't do or pack for the trip!

[SoundGuy]

Juliecece wrote:
We have plans to take a two-week trip from Cincinnati out to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone next summer. We have a 31' travel trailer, 4 kids, 2 adults, and a dog... and an extended cab 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. We're a little nervous about having enough space to pull in and out/set up at the national parks. I have been researching RV rentals, mostly for the ease during a long trip with four kids, but husband doesn't think an RV is practical in that way because you have to take it and park it on our excursions.

Thinking outside the box here ... 😉

You haven't provided any details as to just which trailer you have, it's age, it's layout, nor have you provided any details about the kids' ages, gender, and how you currently accommodate all 6 of you for sleeping. If this is a one time trip then perhaps renting a Class C could be the best way to go but keep in mind it won't be inexpensive and every $ you spend will be gone the instant you rent. 😞 With these points in mind, and if you think you might be repeating this type of adventure for several years to come, perhaps this might be the time to consider changing your trailer to one more suitable for the task you have in mind - i.e. comfortably sleeping a large family of six but short enough to not be an issue anywhere you may choose to go, whether locally or on long, multi week trips. Those owning 30'+ trailers will always say "no problem" but the fact is the shorter the trailer the easier it will be, whether it's accessing campsites or just getting in/out of gas stations, parking lots, whatever.

These days, in the travel trailer segment, many manufacturers now offer sub 30' models with double bunk beds, the Coachmen Freedom Express 257BHS being one such example.





Although I've previously owned and as a result am not a fan of hybrid trailers it can't be denied that hybrids excel in maximum interior space with minimum exterior length. An example that would suit a family of 6 quite nicely would be the Coachmen Freedom Express 23TQS.





No doubt there are examples in the used market as well, and from other manufacturers, so if summer 2019 is when you're intending to go on this trip you certainly have the time between now and then to consider all options. Hope this helps. 🙂

[jmign]

It can be done. I'm from around Cincinnati and two years ago took a very similar trip. We had 19 days but also adding traveling to the grand canyon and a stop to see relatives in Colorado coming back home. We have 3 kids who at the time were 5,4, & not quite 2. Best vacation we've ever taken.

We moved a lot and spent a lot of time driving, but quite a bit of the travel is beautiful scenery and didn't bother us in the least. My truck is equipped with a dvd player which helped keep the kids entertained, but honestly they were even better travelers than we were. This kind of trip wouldn't be for everybody but you know your family and if they can handle it.

To answer your question I wouldn't want the rv personally because I wouldn't want to break camp every time to go somewhere, you're going to be doing that enough. If you're comfortable with your vehicles reliability and stability that would be my vote. Just keep in mind obviously you'll be going over some serious mountain grades.

[Bionic_Man]

We did Yellowstone and Tetons last year the 2nd week of June. And we won’t go again in the summer. Just way too busy for our tastes.

But if that is the only time you can go, and you decide to rent a MH, I would rent a car. More than once we had trouble finding a place to park my DRW truck. Parking a MH at the attractions would have been worse.

[sgip2000]

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
Well, consider your looking at about 1600 miles each way, 2 adults, 4 kids, 2 dogs, so a minimum of 3 driving days each direction, more likely 4. Can all of you happily spend that much time within the confines of the truck cab just to get there and back?
Touring in the truck once you reach Montana/Wyoming likely wouldn't be as bad because your going to be getting in and out at the various things you wish to see, but those days travelling would wear on many.
If there is something you have an interest in that you could break the travel up, you would probably do better. Kids can take a long day, and most can stretch it to two, but that third and fourth are a strain.

I pull my 30' toy haler just fine with my 23 year old truck. Age is not as important as reliability.

[mordecai81]

We did your trip from the Minneapolis area last year. For our Yellowstone time we stayed at a Forest Service CG north of the park and drove in everyday. The FS CGs tend to have more space(pad length and privacy) than the CGs we drove through in the park. Do the drive with your own rig. There's nothing like sleeping on your own pillows!