Should I be Concerned? Never had the bus in the Mountains.Headed to Yellowstone

[Michael Mc]

Okay guys, tell me if I'm being an idiot here.  I have a MCI 5B which originally had a DD 8v71 with a standard trans.  Now it has a 6V92 Turbo with an auto. trans.  I don't think the rads have ever been changed.  I'm headed to Montana in just over a week.  Being a flatlander, I really don't know what to expect from the bus in the hills.  The motor is strong, so I'm more worried about overheating.  To some of you guys who are more familiar with the route, are there any roads on my route that I should be concerned about?  I am coming out of Northeast Louisiana (West Monroe).  I'll head west on I 20 to Dallas, TX and head northwest to Amarillo, TX.  From there, I'll be heading north on Co-69 to US-50 into Grand Junction, CO.  From there,  I'll find US-191 north  thru Grand Teton Natl park. and on into West Yellowstone.  We will do Yellowstone for a few days (first time - Really excited) and then head North on US-287 to I-90 to MT-82 into Kalispell, MT and hang out in Glacier Natl park for a few days before heading south again.  I know these directions are pretty rough, but hopefully the more familiar people will get the idea.  I just don't want to get into a situation that I will regret.  What do you guys think?

Mike

[kyle4501]

If going up hill & temp is climbing - drop a gear & get the engine speed up - the slower you go up the hill, the more time the engine has to dump the excess heat.

If going down hill & in doubt - slow down! Again, the slower you go, the more time to dissipate the heat generated by the brakes. (slow steady is better than coasting then braking then coasting then braking. Slower is better since the energy goes up exponentially with speed.

Now that that is covered from the mechanical side,

SLOW DOWN ! ! ! There is a bunch of wonderful things to see out there & you don't want to miss any of it.
My parents took the family vacation on this basic route & is what planted the seed for me to get in to this hobby!

If you can, The Buffalo Bill Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming is a great experience!
http://www.richgros.com/Cody/BB_museum.html

Enjoy your trip!

[Michael Mc]

Thanks  kyle4501,  I really appreciate any advice.  Also, thanks for the link.  We will try to make it into Cody and check it out!

[rusty]

Mike, The route you are taking through Colorado will have very nice scenery. You will have to go over Monarch Pass (13000 ft). If your bus is in good    shape that should be no probblem. Make sure you go down the pass in control at all times your brakes will heat up very fast if you use them more than a lite tap now and then. If you are not comfortable with the pass you can go north through eastern Colorado and go across southern Wyoming. The sights are not as interesting as the way you have planned. If you need other road information I will glad to help.

Good Luck Wayne       

[robertglines1]

Be patient and watch your temps don"t let anyone rush you..shouldn't have any problems---if you have the time go north into canada and visit the canadian side of Glacier ---Waterton international peace park..couple of hrs if that..also drive across going to sun road to other side )in Car) and take hot dogs and have picnic along stream..some great memories there.

[RJ]

Mike -

As a follow-up to Kyle's comments, read this, especially near the bottom:

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/12262/16204.html?1167073154


If you have a tach, remember that the two-cycle pulls well w/o overheating on a partial throttle between 1700 - 1900 rpm.  Pull any grades using this guideline and you shouldn't have any problems.  If you start seeing black smoke, back off a little.  If it clears up and you still maintain your speed, you're ok.  If you back off and start losing speed, it's time to downshift.

On the narrower roads in/around the parks, keep the left wheels/tires about 1 foot off the lane marker (i.e. closer to the left than usual), and watch oncoming traffic like a hawk.  STOP if it gets chancy, don't want you kissing sumpin' other than Mama!

Pay attention to signs regarding vehicle length restrictions on some of the park roads.  Even tho you've basically got a giant mini-van (what an oxymoron!!), you can still get yourself into places you don't want to be.

Remember the children's fable of The Tortoise and The Hare?  Think of yourself as the Tortoise, drive appropriately, and you'll have a GREAT time.  Drive like the Hare, and you'll frustrate yourself to no end, quite possibly damaging the coach in the process.

Coming into Jackson Hole from the south on 89/191, there is a really big Albertsons Sav-On market on your right at the intersection of  Wy-22, the Wilson cut-off (about a block past the Motel 6).  One of the cleanest grocery stores I've ever been in, with a surprisingly incredible selection.  An excellent place to stop and stock up the pantry - there was an RTS conversion in the parking lot doing the same the last time I was there.

Oh, and plan on having a meal at "Bubba's" while in Jackson Hole, WY.  Great local BBQ hangout.   On Broadway (Hiway 89 / US-191), almost next door to Wendy's.  Big overhead light signal clear across the street (as it's a five-way intersection), makes it easy to find. 

If not "Bubba's", try the "Cadillac" Restaurant on Cache, next door to the "Million Dollar Cowboy Bar" and across the street from the city park.  This is another local favorite.

Above all - have a good time!!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[luvrbus]

Mike, keep in mind what goes up comes down I've been over Monarch Pass 100's of time without problems on any long descend lock the auto in 3rd gear at least with the shifter and tap the brakes you leave the transmission in 4th after a certain speed the shifter will do you no good for help with braking it will stay in 4th no matter what gear you shift too so take your time coming down and going up. 
If you have Jakes use them but never put a 100% trust in Jakes they can quit when you need them the most enjoy the trip.  


good luck

[Lee Bradley]

If you are adventurous, try the Gun Barrel Steak and Game House.

http://www.gunbarrel.com/

[kyle4501]

. . . .  If you have Jakes use them but never put a 100% trust in Jakes they can quit when you need them the most. . . .   

That is the best advice you can get when it comes to Jakes.


This is going to be an awesome trip for you guys, don't rush thru it & you'll enjoy it more! 

(I'm still trying to talk the wife into taking 3 weeks off so we can take that trip & include Las Vegas, the dam, & southern Utah. . . . )

[gumpy]

Most everyone has hit the high points. I'll reiterate the Monarch Pass stuff, because that looks like the biggest issue you may face. I took the MC9 over it a couple years ago. I don't have jakes,
and really don't like getting my brakes hot, so I was in 1st gear coming down the other side. Nice easy ride. 18-21 mph with minimal use of the brakes. My brakes were cool when I got to the
bottom and I enjoyed the scenery. 

I recommend you consider taking a detour on the Black Canyon highway (92) just west of Gunnison. That will take  you along the Black Canyon (funny how that works) and into Crawford, Hotchkiss, and back over to meet up with 50 at Delta. Very nice drive. Just don't trust the one pullout up on the rim as you cannot make the turnaround and have to unhitch and back out. But there's plenty of area outside the pullout to park.

We'll be in Pueblo around the 26th. Looks like we may just miss you. I'd offer you a place to overnight there if our schedules lined up.

craig

[Chopper Scott]

The drive north out of Durango to Silverton is one of my alltime favorite rides (on a motorcycle). It does have some tight switchbacks and such but you'll be fine. If you like old trains they run from Durango to Silverton and back daily. You can see them leave or see them come into Silverton or even ride them if you have the time. Silverton and Ourway are nice stops along the way.

[Michael Mc]

You guys are the best!  That's all good stuff.  I appreciate the schooling.  Any help/advice is definetly appreciated.  From your input, sounds like a very fun trip.  I'm really excited now!
13000 ft huh?  This could be interesting.

Thanks again.  Keep it coming,

Mike

[belfert]

. . . .  If you have Jakes use them but never put a 100% trust in Jakes they can quit when you need them the most. . . .   

That is the best advice you can get when it comes to Jakes.

At least if the Jakes do quit you'll have nice cool brakes at that point.

[Busted Knuckle]

Mike,
Just keep in mind what an old hand told me years ago when I was a rookie truck driver and scared to death of coming off a mountain @ 80,000 lbs and no jake brakes! He told me "Son, just remember you can go down MANY mountains TOO SLOW, but ONLY ONE TOO FAST! If you always remember that you'll be around to take the next one too slow!"

It was great advice as I'm still here to pass it on!

Enjoy yer trip, some awesome country out there! (ranks right up there with TN as God's country!;))
  BK 

[Chopper Scott]

In all reality all Jakes do is get you down quicker. You can coast down in low or second just fine depending on the grade without the Jakes. You may get passed by turtles and guys on their bikes with tight shorts  (Colorado types) but they won't beat you to the bottom by more than a few minutes.