kermitlong Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 We are traveling from near Detroit Michigan in july august to Seattle Washington . Does anyone have the best route for pulling a 40 ft 5th wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 If you have the time, take I-75 north to St. Ignace, and pick up US Highway 2 and go clear across. That will put you in Evertt, WA just north of Seattle. And at Spokane, if your destination is to go to the south side of Seattle, you can pick up I-90 and scoot across the state. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermitlong Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Thanks - what about steep inclines or sharp turns. And Weather?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermitlong Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Actually - Timing going over bridge in UP Michigan is almost perfect. We Honeymooned at the state park there - 40 some years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Your going over the Rockies and the Cascades. There will be climbs, their will be turns. Get a copy of Mountain States Directory West for information on hills, or use the AllStays Camping App, which includes information on passes, etc. It really isn't a hard drive if you are familiar with your rig, etc. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 The above is the route I'd recommend, also. If you take Hwy 2 all the way your biggest 'hill' will be in Washington - Stevens Pass. You'll have 6.5 miles of 5-6% with 40 mph curves - downhill. The first 4.5 mi. are four-lone; then three-lane; then two-lane. It's at 4061' elevation - definitely not a biggie of the Rocky Mountains! Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermitlong Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 I have a 2017 3500 Duramax - so I will need to learn to use the engine brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, kermitlong said: I have a 2017 3500 Duramax - so I will need to learn to use the engine brake. Yes, and manually downshift when beginning the downgrade. The retard feature works well, but with the transmission in a lower gear(not in overdrive) the tow/haul feature is amplified. I drove this route with my 02 Duramax dually towing a 40' 15,500# 5er in 2005. Go slow downhill is key, at least until you learn how your truck acts/reacts. A side note, stop in Havre, MT and tour Havre underground. There is a quaint motel/RV park on the E side of Havre. Edited May 24, 2020 by Ray,IN Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Jay Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 I-80 West to Little America, hang a right over to I-15. North to I-84, West to Portland, Right turn to I-5 to Seattle. The grade is from Cheyenne, but not all that long or steep. The Downgrade is into Pendelton, OR. A bit steep and a lot of curves. Put it in Tow/Haul and turn on the Engine Brake. Stay out of Cruise. You will likely need to hit the accelerator pedal to keep a reasonable speed. Use the Tow/Haul and Brake around town to see what it does. Coming off a freeway ramp a light touch on the service brake will cause a series of downshifts and quickly slow you to 30mph or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 X2 on Tee Jays route and suggestions. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermitlong Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Thanks for all the tips. Tee Jay - 80 was our first thought, but the route 2 looks interesting also. We have friends that are in Utah and they are headed to Ohio. We may meet them on road as they head east and we head west. That may determine if we go North route or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 If you go US 2, keep a sharp eye in Dakota and Montana for the ascending and descending speed limits in and near towns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Its been a number of years, but we have taken the US 2 route from Montana to St. Ignace - The thing I remember most is a lot of small town "stop-and-go" driving thru Minnesota-Wisconsin into Michigan. I would X3 the Tee Jay route, with a possible modifier... I-80 to Omaha, cut North on I-29 to Sioux Falls, I-90 all the way to Montana Quote 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermitlong Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Jim and Alice, When I was plotting out stops on the us2 route - I was thinking it seemed to be a lot of jogs and small towns. I may have to really think of putting 80 back at the top of the list. I have 5 to 10 days to make the trip , just depends how much I want to drive in a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill w/bus Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 Are you retired? If yes then use US2 one way and the I roads the other. If not then learn to enjoy the I roads to 'make time'. To your list of places to see add: Medora ND. Glacier NP, Wall Drug, Yellowstone NP. Cody WY for the museum, Bailey Yard in North Platte NE, Scott's Bluff on the Oregon Trail, that's a few to get you started looking for the great places. Bill Quote Bill & Lynn Baxter MCI102A3 Conversion, Detroit Diesel S50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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