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

[TomC]

This from a trucker that drove for 21 years and 1.3 million miles-if you're coming west of interstate 25, you're crazy to rely only on your service brakes coming down some of the grades we have in the Rocky and Sierra Nevadas.  Spend the money and have Jake brakes installed-waiting to have a near crash or worse is to late.  Not trying to scare you, I just know how the mountainous grades are like out here.  Good Luck, TomC

[buswarrior]

I don't think anyone mentioned that you want to be sure your brakes are in good adjustment, but then, that should be a standard condition for heading out on the street, whether for the mountains or for milk...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Michael Mc]

"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!"

That is some memorable advice for sure.  Sounds like slow and easy is the way to go.

I am so glad that I asked for tips.  I learned a few things I didn't know.  Like the fact that the trans. won't shift down from fourth gear over a certain speed.  That alone could be a lifesaver.  The shifting lessons were pretty cool too.  The recommended "must see sights" will be appreciated as well.

I changed the oil and oil filter and the fuel filters today.  I had to destroy all of them to get them off.  I actually had to remove the secondary fuel filter housing at the mount and put it in a vice and used a huge pair of channel locks to remove the top ring (that was all that was left by the time I was done trying to remove it).  I don't understand why some people feel in necessary to put those on so tight.  That would definitely have been a huge hassle on the side of the road.  But it's done now.  Pretty much ready go to.  A week from tomorrow and we'll be headed out.

I do have jakes.  That is a big plus for sure.  I have checked the brakes. Got new tires.  Wired the toad lights thru relays.  Bought Euro lights (still to be installed - might not happen before the Trip)  All because you guys were here to help.  Thanks so much for the help and relieving my stress with your driving advice.

Mike

[robertglines1]

Road Tripp!!!! Expect reports and pictures.....Have a crazy good time----forgot take kids on horseback ride at roosevelt lodge in yellowstone......You need to ck to see if Fishing Bridge Campgriund is open(full hook up campground in Yellowstone) they were redoing it...

[Michael Mc]

Horseback riding sounds fun, but it's just us big kids on this trip.   Thanks for the tip, but Fishing Bridge still doesn't have electricity.  We found a spot in West Yellowstone to camp and will take the Jeep into the park.

[Barn Owl]

You will have a great time. Overheating should not be an issue if you are not in a hurry. Remember that your radiators shed X amount of heat in a given time, and that your engine will generate a given amount of heat to climb elevation point A to B (In theory it takes the same amount of energy to raise a weight a given height regardless of how fast you do it.). What you do is spread out the heat generated over time during the climb, by slowing down to the point your radiators are shedding heat at the same rate your engine is producing it. I hope it makes sense.

The advice I like to give is to stay off the Interstate as much as possible, especially through the Rockies. Some of your best moments and scenery will be the unexpected ones developed getting there and the Interstates are boring. I don't like gaining efficiency and trade for boring. You are traveling near or parallel to some of the most scenic and beautiful highways in America. If you modified your plan just a little you would not be disappointed. San Juan Skyway, Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, Beartooth Highway. If Wheezy Bus can make it, then just about any bus can.

[Barn Owl]

I'll throw up a few photos.

Wheezy Bus at the first of what was to be many >10,000ft passes and many >8% grades:

[Barn Owl]

Wheezy Bus marveling at the Grand Tetons:

[Barn Owl]

Wheezy Bus resting at Yellowstone Lodge:

[Barn Owl]

Wheezy Bus waiting for Old Faithful:

[Barn Owl]

Wheezy Bus saw many sexy yellow MC5s at Yellowstone. I said NO!

[Barn Owl]

Wheezy Bus says don't miss this shot at Yellowstone. Wheezy Bus took a photo of it's owners.

[Barn Owl]

Wheezy Bus enjoys a snow storm in June on Beartooth highway. There is a Spring/Summer ski area up there that has to close Fall/Winter from too much snow!

[RickB]

Don't let your concerns make you a nervous wreck on the trip. I spent way too much time thinking about how the mountains were "gonna be" before we left and to be honest they are not the engine wreckers I thought they were use your jakes, downshift if you're smoking alot and be prepared to do 20 mph with your flashers on and cars zipping by on their way to slow down for vacation!
My 8v71 performed like a champ, I lost the jakes on the return trip and it was no big deal. You are gonna have a ball and Glacier is blow your mind beautiful. Personally, I would avoid Yellowstone at this time of year we were there two weeks ago at bridge bay and the campgrounds were filled like a huge tailgate party, not exactly getting away from it all. Take some back roads and stay at some small state and federal parks if you get a chance you won't regret it.

Have a safe and memorable trip.

Rick

[niles500]

Michael - I just came over Red Mountain pass yesterday - 3 days earlier I was southbound to Silverton - just north of RM Pass above the 10 MPH corkscrews right after the sign "pavement narrows" and around a 120 degree blind curve I noticed that the northbound (outside) lane was missing about a foot of (new) pavement (including the white line) for about 60 feet - in my lane the rock face extends out over the pavement at about 10 feet high at that point - As I headed back yesterday I was concerned about passing another oversized vehicle at that point knowing it would be impossible to pass with out loosing at least a mirror - When I approached that point on the return trip, DOT had merely painted a new white stripe    Well I got past just in time - when I got to the first corkscrew I passed a KW with a 53' trailer - Never could of come out of that unscathed had I been a minute or so later - Between the heavy commercial traffic, inexperienced GIANT RV owners, and the double bottom 5th wheel RV's hauling all types of menageries (by the time the last of what they are trailering goes around a turn it has to encroach on your lane) I'm thinking Million Dollar will only be a southbound trip for me until they make some major improvements - FWIW

P.S. - Monarch Pass is just over 11,000 ft, Independence Pass is the highest in US at just above 12,000 ft, highest paved road is Mt. Evans over 14,000 feet