Three months on the road and we are home. Our goal for this trip, (beside getting out of the cold) was to explore the National Parks in Southern Utah. Heading through that area six years ago we discovered the beauty and wanted to go back. Three years ago we tried in early April, but it was to early and the weather was poor.
We traveled the back roads of New Mexico and Arizona waiting for nice weather in Southern Utah. Near the end of April and for the next 4 weeks, we explored, hiked and eat great food in and around, Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Arches, Canyonland National Parks, and Dead House Point State Park by Moab, Utah. Friends have asked which we liked best, as I’ve told them each is unique and beautiful in it’s own way----simple put they are all great and we plan to go back.
We’ve RVed for a number of years but this is our first fiver. When we bought our Cardinal late last fall we only had one week-end to try it out before we had to put in into storage. We really had few problems, even for a new rig. I like the way the combination of our truck and fiver handed, though I’m still learning the fine points of backing up. The ride is not as smooth as a MH, but we found it somewhat easier to drive. Wind was not as big a problem as we’ve experienced in our HM’s.
The only problem we ran into was a drain pipe in the kitchen that was broken. A call to Cardinal and they set up a dealer to fix it on the road and we were off. I was a bit concerned about the Kenda tires after reading all the negative post. We decided to take this trip before replacing. I checked the tires for pressure and to see any defects both in the tires and the rims every time we moved. No problems, but I’m surprises how much the air pressure does very based on altitude and temperature.
The Numbers:
Total miles driven on truck: 6,840 miles
Estimate miles on the fiver 5,500 miles
Price of Diesel during trip: Lowest $3.55--Highest $4.75 in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Total gallons of diesel used: 605
Cost of diesel for this trip: $2,660; I estimate that we paid $675 extra for diesel for this trip.
Average mileage: 11.3 miles per gallon; the truck is new and I believe this will improve. We started traveling at 60 MPH and later moved to 55 MPH. I was a bit nervous about traveling slower, but we kept our lights on, moved out of the way when we could. Many are driving slower especially truckers.
Jim & Jane
2008 Cardinal 30TS
Trail Air Pin Box, Air Suspension, Smartair Air Spring Self Leveling, Reese Signature Series 18K hitch
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison Ext Cab Long box Use And Promote CB Channel 13
Wow !! Will you take me along next time?? I'll be nice and quiet, I promise
Super trip, and yeah Zion-Brice-7Falls-(that whole area) has been my favorite since I was 14 with my parents. Many, many, many years ago.
3 years ago I did almost that same type of trip,new 5er and dodge CTD but-we when coast to coast NJ to Ca..stopping off for 1month at Utah,Co,Mt and Wy checking out most of the NF and NP.....Now this summer a dodge dually (bought after that trip-weight was 23,000#'s) going back to Sd,Co,ut and Mt loved out there plus I have a Wedding in Aspen Labor day weekend...We love the 5th wheel from our TT,but thinking of either a A class or a C class in near future,just don't know if its the right choice for how we travel, few days here, pack up off to next CG..
Rich & Andrea
Dan (19)& Tom (17)
Phoenix - (7 yr old mix) "Queen of the family"
05 dodge 3500HD DRW quadcab,ctd610,auto,4:10,Tow pkg,Plow pkg,susp-airbags,Edge/Attitude module,ranch9000x shocks,gauges. Cedarcreek 5th Wheel 34RLTS,5K Gen,inverter,Sat.Dish
What a great trip. We did a similar one in 05 and viewed some of the most spectacular scenery. We complained back then because diesel was almost $3.00/gal. I would still do the same trip today with diesel approaching $5.00/gal.
Glad you had a great time.
WE GO WHERE WE ARE TOWED!
Ron and Conni
Greentown, In
Cedar Creek 29LRLBS
Ford F-250 6.0 Diesel
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