2gypsies

Look like a nice RV for you! Looking at the bunks they would be very difficult to use sheets. You'll have to think about sleeping bags. Have fun!

Emigrant Gap on I-80 /Hwy 20 to Williams at I-5 via Hwy 20 is 101 miles Emigrant Gap on I-80 to I-5 and north to Williams is 127 miles On I-80 you'll have Donner Pass beginning about 27 mi. west of the CA/Nevada state line. Westbound you'll have 33 truck advisory signs along the descent so this is a biggie. There are two runaway truck ramps. It's a long downhill (40 miles) so use your gears to save your brakes.

I agree. Why bother to go through the motions. It's not going to mean a thing.

We like paper maps and route ourselves the way WE want to go!!

This is a beautiful drive and very doable with any size RV. As you head north on 101 you'll be seeing many huge redwoods. Enjoy the trip!!

You state this is your first trip with a new motorhome. You're correct in that you scheduled this trip with too many mountains/hills to navigate. How do you feel when you drive it on easier roads? Does it seem to sway? Perhaps you need some mechanical adjustments/additions made. Would you and your wife consider switching vehicle drivers? You take the car and she takes the motorhome on iffy roads? Many women drive and love it. Perhaps a RV driving course would help both of you. https://www.rvschool.com/ It would be a shame if you stayed out of the mountains completely. That's where the beauty is!!

I would think Lippert would store it for you. They know you're traveling and have no place to put it. Or... ask them what they suggest.

We always enjoyed Hwy 190 in Louisiana. We'd stop in Eunice for some fine Cajun music at the music store on Saturdays and have attended their radio show with wonderful Cajun music. Very friendly folks! We don't drive interstates unless there's no other way to get from A to B. You have to remember that Louisiana/eastern Texas is built on a swamp so the land shifts making roads difficult to maintain.

I'd also recommend the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. It gives an excellent description of the major passes and other issues. Even though it's in the directory it doesn't mean that a RV shouldn't be on that road. It just gives you a heads up on what to expect. We used it all the time even when repeating drives just to refresh us. We loved mountain driving. What is your RV? Perhaps that's the problem. Perhaps you have too much trailer for your SUV. A small Class C might work better for you because you'd be IN the RV; not pulling it. You might feel more in control if not pulling something behind. Hope you can conquer your problem. Lots of beauty on those highways.... if you can look occasionally. 😳

Here is some talk on Gulf Stream: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f110/

Tiny homes aren't as popular anymore. They aren't meant for traveling because they don't have holding tanks. Some RV parks have height restrictions. They were billed as a 'cute' little house and the youngsters were drawn to them. I know of two 'subdivisions' geared for them that have folded.

Don't feel bad about leaving. You did a lot more than some would do. The next one will definitely be better!! Stay safe.

I saw where 3 crashed in Wyoming just outside of Jackson.

Same here. Try going to the Medicare site and plugging in your address.

Santa Fe Skies is very nice but I didn't mention it because I thought you wanted something inbetween the two cities and something inexpensive.

If looking for a used... try Alfa motorhomes. They have attics (high cabinets/ceilings)

Cochiti Corp of Engineers is excellent right between the two cities. In your free time you can explore .... within a few miles of the park .... Kasha-Katuwe National Monument (Tent Rocks) - very unique formations. https://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/nm/cochiti-recreation-area/ I see that the tentative opening date due to the virus was August 1 so check it out. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233461 Stagecoach Stop RV is just N of Albuquerque. RV parks in that area are pricey. http://www.stagecoachstoprv.com/our-rates.html

I heard the Coleen Sykora died of a massive heart attack. She gave some good information on her 'Workers on Wheels' site. RIP

Welcome! First, your post is extremely difficult to read with the black highlighting. With two small children you definitely want bunks and a table.... no tv trays. Having to make up the bed on a sofa every day is a pain and then you have to store the bedding daily. Bunks are great for kids. They have their own space and can read/play in them. If you know the trees are so low over the road that the RV will touch them, I'd seriously look at a used trailer rather than putting addt'l money into new and have it ruined right away. Fiberglass is more difficult to repair. However, the real issue is the roof. Having a tree put rips in it will lead to leaks and that you don't want. Personally, I wouldn't be using that road... ever. There's no way around not getting damage.

We purchased 3 new as the most recent in our most recent 25 yr. of RVing. Previous to that were used travel trailers and pop-ups. Tents previous to that. Never used a dealer. No mechanical issues. Truthfully, with the three new ones we never had warranty issues or repair issues. We just had to do regular maintenance. We really lucked out! A 27' travel trailer was a Fleetwood product - bought off a dealer's lot. No slides and a very basic entry model trailer. The 5th wheel was a Travel Supreme - a very small company known for quality RVs. We were then full-timers and wanted quality. We ordered directly through the manufacturer and were able to watch it being built. Being small they didn't last through the 2008 financial hits and many of the heads and workers went across town to Newmar. Our diesel motorhome was from Newmar - another quality manufacturer. We were able to customize it - a big plus for us. We bought from a dealer but were in constant touch with Newmar during the build and customization. They sent us constant photos of the build. When we picked it up from the dealer that was the last time we saw the dealer. Being full-time going back to a dealer typically isn't done because full-timers travel. After we left the lot we had a handful of very minor cosmetic issues we wanted done under warranty so we made an appt. at a Newmar dealer in the direction we were headed and it was a good experience - all completed within two hours. We never had a reason to return to a dealer afterward. Never bought an extended warranty on anything. We always felt if something goes bad it will do so during the initial warranty. Thereafter, we saved for future repairs although never had them.

Ah... got it & it is good. I was trying to find a town named 'Echo'. Thanks!

Canada has done a good job with keeping the virus in check. Good for them! It's an awesome place to tour, including Yukon and up to Alaska but plan for another year.

I'm confused by I-84. She's not driving from the north. She's coming across on I-80. Where is Echo?

It's an easy drive (if you can stand all the semis you'll encounter). The first 'issue' will be Parley's Summit on I-80 east of Salt Lake City, UT at MP 140. Westbound descent has brake check sign "3-6% grades next 10 miles; truck escape ramp left lane 3.5 mi.". The first 6 mi. are steady 6% grade then 3 mi. of 6% after the escape ramp. Get into lower gear before going down any 'hill' and you won't have to use your brakes as much. In Nevada you'll have Emigrant Summit about 9 mi. west of Carlin at MP 271. Westbound is 3 mi. of 3-5% grade. Then you'll have Donner Pass, CA; 27 mi. west of the Calif/Nevada state line. Westbound: A sign stating "40 miles of downgrade"... yes, 40!! ... ending around Auburn, CA. There are 33 truck advisory signs; 2 runaway truck ramps; the grade is 5%. This is where you'll definitely need to be in low gear and pull over to cool your brakes and take a breather. I got these stats from the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers & RVers' - highly recommend!! Have a good visit!!!

Who, in particular, is giving you problems? We never did with the Rainbow address.