jhalbert
Houston, TX
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Joined: 08/14/2006
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We are heading off to Rushmore and Yellowstone from Texas in a couple of weeks. My worry is driving with the various steep grades in that area. Being from Texas, this will be a new venture for me.
I have purchased the Mountain Directory book for the West that I am sure will help, but I am still a bit uneasy since I haven't experienced it yet.
For those experienced in this area, I would appreciate any other advice on driving in those conditions as well.
Thanks.
2006 Damon Challenger 38'
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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Slow & easy. Don't ride the brakes going downhill - brake hard to slow the MH, then let off the brake for a while; gear down. (The general recommendation is, go downhill in no higher a gear than you went up in.) Most of the routes aren't that scary; you may want to avoid the ones that are (Rtes 14 & 14A over the Bighorns, for example, and Beartooth Pass into the northeast entrance of Yellowstone). And don't let the driver get too caught up in the scenery! 
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ejforwood
Littleton (Denver) Colorado
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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Used to live in "The Black Hills" of SD.
Tallest mountain in the Black Hills is 7000 ft.
You will never be bothered by grades in the Black Hills!!
However don't try to take your RV on the Needles Hwy. There are very narrow and low tunnels you will have to go through. But don't miss seeing the beautiful rock formations.
You will cross the Continental Divide as you drive through Yellowstone and be on a few steep grades, but never a problem for most.
Best advise for either is to Park the RV and tour around in your toad.
Jerry, Dottie & Chan, "the little furry one"
98 Bounder 34V, 99 F-53 Ford V10 chassis
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jetjock46
Sandwich, IL
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The Black Hills is no problem at all. The easiest way into Yellowstone is from the south through the Tetons. The drive is easy that way. If you come in from the east, the best road to take from Buffalo Wyoming is 16. There is some steep grades, but not too bad. Farther north 14 is not recommended for motorhomes. West of Cody, the east entrance, there is a steep and narrow grade that leads into the park. It can be interesting, but if you take your time you can do it. It's fun out there, so enjoy it!!!
2002 Phaeton OH
Keep the Blue Side UP.........
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Rosher
Tyler, Texas
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For those who've said there are no steep grades in the Black Hills, I beg to differ. Going south from Deadwood on US 385 you'll encounter a 7%-8% grade for a couple of miles. In fact, there is a truck escape ramp going north into Deadwood on the northbound side.
We spent the summer in the area so I can tell you there have been MH's that wished they did not have to pull the grade.
Allegro 32 BA
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ejforwood
Littleton (Denver) Colorado
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Rosher wrote:For those who've said there are no steep grades in the Black Hills, I beg to differ. Going south from Deadwood on US 385 you'll encounter a 7%-8% grade for a couple of miles. In fact, there is a truck escape ramp going north into Deadwood on the northbound side.
We spent the summer in the area so I can tell you there have been MH's that wished they did not have to pull the grade.
Yeah, and there is a truck runaway ramp on Hwy 16 leading into Rapid City from the south. In all the time I Lived in The Black Hills, no one ever used either of the ramps except a couple of teenagers that thought they could blow into them with 4 wheel drives and just back out! They found out that you can't!
They are well marked. Use common sense and you will be fine!
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Scatback
Sun City West, Arizona
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We have been through Yellowstone, the Tetons and I-70 from Denver to Grand Junction. Having a commercial drivers license made me aware that one should go down the other side of a mountain no faster than one came up it. Simply gear down, slow down and keep the RPM's up for cooling while climbing. Going down, gear down, slow down and only use the brakes in short spurts to reduce your speed when necessary. Don't ride and overheat the brakes or they won't be there when you need them. An exhaust brake sure helps, but if you don't have one gear down and let the engine do the braking.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Quote:For those who've said there are no steep grades in the Black Hills, I beg to differ. Going south from Deadwood on US 385 you'll encounter a 7%-8% grade for a couple of miles. In fact, there is a truck escape ramp going north into Deadwood on the northbound side.
And the pull from Rapid City up into the hills can be a bit much for some vehicles. Our minivan (pulling a small, light PUP) had to stop about 3 times going up, in order to cool the engine down. That's not a super-steep grade, but I remember it as being very long.
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Rocket_Heart
Waterville, Ohio
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Joined: 03/05/2005
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jhalbert wrote:We are heading off to Rushmore and Yellowstone from Texas in a couple of weeks. My worry is driving with the various steep grades in that area. Being from Texas, this will be a new venture for me.
I have purchased the Mountain Directory book for the West that I am sure will help, but I am still a bit uneasy since I haven't experienced it yet.
For those experienced in this area, I would appreciate any other advice on driving in those conditions as well.
Thanks.
We'll be heading there too the 2nd week in July. Coming from Ohio though.
Gear down and slow down on downgrades.....best advise I ever had. Got an exciting ride over the rockies a few years back - learned very fast!!!
Thomas "Rocket Heart" Emahiser
Anna,DW
Matthew
Alaina
2007 Itasca Suncruiser 35L
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Workhorse W24 Chassis
2001 PT Cruiser (Toad)
Waterville, Ohio
"Go Bucks"
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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Stay out out of the BigHorn Mtns and you wont have any problem at all
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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