Safe travels 
and enjoy Cooperstown
and enjoy Cooperstown
cross country travel.
It’s been kind of dead in here, figure I’d update everyone on my upcoming trip. Leaving on Sunday for Cooperstown New York. Got my truck back From Inspection, needed front rotors, front and back breaks. I added an oil change for good measure. In total it was $1,300 with labor. I also decided to add the tire minder tpms to my 5th wheel. Everything in the trailer is working great. Time to hit the road soon!!!
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Save travels!
We're near West Yellowstone today wandering around in some pretty neat looking country.
Oh, my truck? 100% A-OK Skookum man! My only problem is the 9.5 mpg towing Moby Dick (the 5th wheel) up over near 10,000 foot passes! I'm at about 31000 miles. Love this Cummins power. I don't worry about this truck at all ever, it's been flawless.
We're heading to my brothers 5 acres in Olympia, Washington, and get out of the way of the Memorial Day mob. So far, camping has been pretty easy to find spots. We love the forest service camp grounds for the $5 or sometimes free (off season). That helps offset the $92 we paid last night for hookups. If you think that's bad, the West Yellowstone KOA up the road wanted $150, go pound sand buddy. In Osceola, Missouri it was $102 for a week, full hookups! In the end it all evens out in the wash.
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We're near West Yellowstone today wandering around in some pretty neat looking country.
Oh, my truck? 100% A-OK Skookum man! My only problem is the 9.5 mpg towing Moby Dick (the 5th wheel) up over near 10,000 foot passes! I'm at about 31000 miles. Love this Cummins power. I don't worry about this truck at all ever, it's been flawless.
We're heading to my brothers 5 acres in Olympia, Washington, and get out of the way of the Memorial Day mob. So far, camping has been pretty easy to find spots. We love the forest service camp grounds for the $5 or sometimes free (off season). That helps offset the $92 we paid last night for hookups. If you think that's bad, the West Yellowstone KOA up the road wanted $150, go pound sand buddy. In Osceola, Missouri it was $102 for a week, full hookups! In the end it all evens out in the wash.
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Safe travels to you as well!!! $5 a night is a steal!! We are staying at grizzly Rv right outside of Yellowstone. $150 a night. What is the highest peak to climb? Is there many switchback? Also do you tow in 6th gear or limit it to 5th?Save travels!
We're near West Yellowstone today wandering around in some pretty neat looking country.
Oh, my truck? 100% A-OK Skookum man! My only problem is the 9.5 mpg towing Moby Dick (the 5th wheel) up over near 10,000 foot passes! I'm at about 31000 miles. Love this Cummins power. I don't worry about this truck at all ever, it's been flawless.
We're heading to my brothers 5 acres in Olympia, Washington, and get out of the way of the Memorial Day mob. So far, camping has been pretty easy to find spots. We love the forest service camp grounds for the $5 or sometimes free (off season). That helps offset the $92 we paid last night for hookups. If you think that's bad, the West Yellowstone KOA up the road wanted $150, go pound sand buddy. In Osceola, Missouri it was $102 for a week, full hookups! In the end it all evens out in the wash.
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Mostly I leave it in Drive, but on the windier slower roads I will notch it down to 5th in Tow/Haul and full time engine brake, and let it roll. All of Yellowstone is way up there at around 8000 feet, with higher passes. At a 45 mph speed limit in the park 6th gear is unneeded.Safe travels to you as well!!! $5 a night is a steal!! We are staying at grizzly Rv right outside of Yellowstone. $150 a night. What is the highest peak to climb? Is there many switchback? Also do you tow in 6th gear or limit it to 5th?
There is a tall pass in the Bighorns that was 9666 feet high, my truck did not care. Switchbacks are common, slow down.
Just some marvelous scenery to see. I keep the speed to around 58 mph, comfortable, and easy to look around.
Hi: sourdo... These days it doesn't take much to change my "Altitude". Matters little if I slow down or not... I reach the end of my rope to soon!!!Mostly I leave it in Drive, but on the windier slower roads I will notch it down to 5th in Tow/Haul and full time engine brake, and let it roll. All of Yellowstone is way up there at around 8000 feet, with higher passes. At a 45 mph speed limit in the park 6th gear is unneeded.
There is a tall pass in the Bighorns that was 9666 feet high, my truck did not care. Switchbacks are common, slow down.
Just some marvelous scenery to see. I keep the speed to around 58 mph, comfortable, and easy to look around.
Dieseldragon North shore of Lake Erie.
Thanks for the update. Not to worried about the roads. It’s the high climbs, and keeping the transmission cool. I’ve climbed and driven thru some nasty roads. If you get a chance look up “new priest road” near Yosemite. 2 lane roads cliff side. It was nerve wrecking. I also traveled thru Yosemite and climbed up the 12,000 ft elevation. Should I expect any snow or icy roads/high winds? We had an usual winter in CA. Not sure if the rest of the country experienced the same. I tend to stay away from the news these days. It’s all gloom and doomMostly I leave it in Drive, but on the windier slower roads I will notch it down to 5th in Tow/Haul and full time engine brake, and let it roll. All of Yellowstone is way up there at around 8000 feet, with higher passes. At a 45 mph speed limit in the park 6th gear is unneeded.
There is a tall pass in the Bighorns that was 9666 feet high, my truck did not care. Switchbacks are common, slow down.
Just some marvelous scenery to see. I keep the speed to around 58 mph, comfortable, and easy to look around.
It's "dead" because there is little trouble with the Cummins. That's the "trouble" when it comes to forums.It’s been kind of dead in here, figure I’d update everyone on my upcoming trip. Leaving on Sunday for Cooperstown New York. Got my truck back From Inspection, needed front rotors, front and back breaks. I added an oil change for good measure. In total it was $1,300 with labor. I also decided to add the tire minder tpms to my 5th wheel. Everything in the trailer is working great. Time to hit the road soon!!!
NEW rotors and brakes? That is a major surprise to me. My old cummins towed a lot and went 240,000 miles on original rotors with only a pad change around the 200,000 mark. How many miles do you have on your 2019?
Later on reading about +$100 RV campground spots per night has be dumbfounded. Maybe I'm just dumb but is sure seems to me dumb to pay even half of that price to park one night using your own facilities and just needing water, sewage and electricity.
Enjoy the ride.
I am at 59k miles. The previous owner of the truck towed everyday all day with the truck.It's "dead" because there is little trouble with the Cummins. That's the "trouble" when it comes to forums.
NEW rotors and brakes? That is a major surprise to me. My old cummins towed a lot and went 240,000 miles on original rotors with only a pad change around the 200,000 mark. How many miles do you have on your 2019?
Later on reading about +$100 RV campground spots per night has be dumbfounded. Maybe I'm just dumb but is sure seems to me dumb to pay even half of that price to park one night using your own facilities and just needing water, sewage and electricity.
Enjoy the ride.
I'm hauling a 5th wheel with a 13,000 lb maximum load, I haven't seen the tranny above 168 F. 208 was the highest engine temp.Thanks for the update. Not to worried about the roads. It’s the high climbs, and keeping the transmission cool. I’ve climbed and driven thru some nasty roads. If you get a chance look up “new priest road” near Yosemite. 2 lane roads cliff side. It was nerve wrecking. I also traveled thru Yosemite and climbed up the 12,000 ft elevation. Should I expect any snow or icy roads/high winds? We had an usual winter in CA. Not sure if the rest of the country experienced the same. I tend to stay away from the news these days. It’s all gloom and doom
I love this truck for it's ability to be abused.
Snow and ice are done, but it was frosty in the morn at Sitting Bull FS campground in the Bighorns. It does get cool. Speaking of....
You'll see some large swings in temperature, and tire pressure. My advice is to NOT fill your tires up to pressure on colder mornings, otherwise later on in the day, when it warms up 30 degrees or more, your tires will be very full of pressure. You can blow out tires this way.
This morning it was 46 F, my tires were underinflated, but after driving a little bit, they warm up and were above the cold fill pressure, and good. Now if you have filled your tires up in California at 85 F, I would check on a nice 70 morning and refill as needed.
I carry a small pancake air compressor around, it's hard to make 80 psi as it is, let alone find a fuel station that even has a working air chuck. Those tiny air compressors for the trunk are good for nothing but beach balls.
No winds to speak of so far, it's been pretty nice overall. It is going into summer after all.
I also wondered about the brakes for a 2019. With the engine brake, my brakes will last a long time I think.It's "dead" because there is little trouble with the Cummins. That's the "trouble" when it comes to forums.
NEW rotors and brakes? That is a major surprise to me. My old cummins towed a lot and went 240,000 miles on original rotors with only a pad change around the 200,000 mark. How many miles do you have on your 2019?
Later on reading about +$100 RV campground spots per night has be dumbfounded. Maybe I'm just dumb but is sure seems to me dumb to pay even half of that price to park one night using your own facilities and just needing water, sewage and electricity.
Enjoy the ride.
As for expensive rv parks, sometimes you're going to pay. But we mitigate that nonsense, like where we are tonight, a little roadside dry campground, for free, its perfect for a one night stay. Zero, nada, no money. Many municipalities out here have places to park an RV too, most of them are donations or for a small fee.
It is a self contained RV, with solar, lithium battery, with TV and WIFI(runs on the battery) from the device that gleans internet from the cell towers, we dont' always need an RV Park disguised as a mini mobile home park. The Forest Service Campgrounds are another cheap option for dry camping. With some digging, there are very cheap options. A smart phone really helps here, aka, Google Maps. KOA is the most overrated and overpriced RV park around, they offer nothing more than anyone else, and charge you a premium plus. The last one I was at in Custer, SD the other day, the 30 amp receptable was worn out, loose, this causes heat, screws up your cord and plug. Chincy bastards. That was $80 for one night. Google Maps reviews are very telling of where to go, and where not to go.
But sometimes you need to dump and shower, wash clothes, so you will pay in places. Those high prices are the exception though, but not the norm. But we can average it out to our favor. Just stay away from National Parks!
I laughed in Yellowstone, people parked in the road, people running for their cameras, all going gaga over a sow grizzly and cub on a hillside about 500 yards away, you'd need a cannon lens for a camera to get a shot, sigh. I've walked pass griz from twenty feet, so it was sort of meh for me. But I can see if you're from the city on a vacation, it could be a wow thing. Actually I lied, I cannot fathom any of that. lol, no clue
I want to go back when the creeks are not so high, and do some trout fishing in the Bighorns.
Do you drive with the exhaust on all of the time?I also wondered about the brakes for a 2019. With the engine brake, my brakes will last a long time I think.
As for expensive rv parks, sometimes you're going to pay. But we mitigate that nonsense, like where we are tonight, a little roadside dry campground, for free, its perfect for a one night stay. Zero, nada, no money. Many municipalities out here have places to park an RV too, most of them are donations or for a small fee.
It is a self contained RV, with solar, lithium battery, with TV and WIFI(runs on the battery) from the device that gleans internet from the cell towers, we dont' always need an RV Park disguised as a mini mobile home park. The Forest Service Campgrounds are another cheap option for dry camping. With some digging, there are very cheap options. A smart phone really helps here, aka, Google Maps. KOA is the most overrated and overpriced RV park around, they offer nothing more than anyone else, and charge you a premium plus. The last one I was at in Custer, SD the other day, the 30 amp receptable was worn out, loose, this causes heat, screws up your cord and plug. Chincy bastards. That was $80 for one night. Google Maps reviews are very telling of where to go, and where not to go.
But sometimes you need to dump and shower, wash clothes, so you will pay in places. Those high prices are the exception though, but not the norm. But we can average it out to our favor. Just stay away from National Parks!
I laughed in Yellowstone, people parked in the road, people running for their cameras, all going gaga over a sow grizzly and cub on a hillside about 500 yards away, you'd need a cannon lens for a camera to get a shot, sigh. I've walked pass griz from twenty feet, so it was sort of meh for me. But I can see if you're from the city on a vacation, it could be a wow thing. Actually I lied, I cannot fathom any of that. lol, no clue
I want to go back when the creeks are not so high, and do some trout fishing in the Bighorns.
Exhaust brake is always on with T/H mode too when towing.Do you drive with the exhaust on all of the time?
Turn my exhaust brake on near each time I need to slow down. If towing, the exhaust brake is more aggressive in tow haul mode.
My plug-in air compressor, that I keep in the truck, will do a bit more than a beach ball. It's an old bugger and looks it. Do agree that when you get around 65 psi it does little after that.
I have an inverter on the tongue of my toy hauler. It is gas, quiet and does it all. Unfortunately I have to carry a gas container in the truck. Doing so is a PIA, especially when you see it blown out due to high heat under the closed cap.
RV travel has detriments and expenses many do not understand until they try to do it.
My plug-in air compressor, that I keep in the truck, will do a bit more than a beach ball. It's an old bugger and looks it. Do agree that when you get around 65 psi it does little after that.
I have an inverter on the tongue of my toy hauler. It is gas, quiet and does it all. Unfortunately I have to carry a gas container in the truck. Doing so is a PIA, especially when you see it blown out due to high heat under the closed cap.
RV travel has detriments and expenses many do not understand until they try to do it.
A few years ago, we were heading through the park after dark to where the trailer was parked. I was enjoying zipping through the curves, but someone was catching me up. I hate to slow people down when not towing, so I sped up a bit--until he lit me up. We were in the GF's 4Runner and it turned out she had expired registration AND insurance papers in the glove box. Fortunately, the Ranger was not in a bad mood and let us off with a warning.Mostly I leave it in Drive, but on the windier slower roads I will notch it down to 5th in Tow/Haul and full time engine brake, and let it roll. All of Yellowstone is way up there at around 8000 feet, with higher passes. At a 45 mph speed limit in the park 6th gear is unneeded.
There is a tall pass in the Bighorns that was 9666 feet high, my truck did not care. Switchbacks are common, slow down.
Just some marvelous scenery to see. I keep the speed to around 58 mph, comfortable, and easy to look around.
Is "pushing" you to go faster a form of entrapment?
Yup but you have to take it to court. My dad many years ago had an RCMP officer come up behind him in a snow storm with his high beams on. He was way too close and dad tied to get a little room between so as to dim the on-slot as it really not safe to pull over. Once he got the distance between the bugger lit him up. Don't remember the result but I remember that dad was pissed for the inexcusable act.
Has anyone’s 2500 started the infamous ticking sound? I’ve read non stop about this. Mine has it intermittently at very low sounds. I’ve seen some videos of some Rams ticking like a time bomb.
All diesels "tick" . . I have heard a few try to get you to hear it on YouTube. It always sounded normal to me. I got my first diesel truck in 1995. It was a GM 6.5. That was followed by a GM Duramax, then a Cummins, then Ecodiesel and now Cummins again. They all "tick".Has anyone’s 2500 started the infamous ticking sound? I’ve read non stop about this. Mine has it intermittently at very low sounds. I’ve seen some videos of some Rams ticking like a time bomb.
30 full years of diesel + tractors from the early 1980's and none have "ticked" me off.
I agree, diesels make a lot of noise. When my engine is in that low rpm slow driving with a light foot, it really "rattles", all normal to me.All diesels "tick" . . I have heard a few try to get you to hear it on YouTube. It always sounded normal to me. I got my first diesel truck in 1995. It was a GM 6.5. That was followed by a GM Duramax, then a Cummins, then Ecodiesel and now Cummins again. They all "tick".
30 full years of diesel + tractors from the early 1980's and none have "ticked" me off.
I never worry about this Cummins 6.7 L engine like I did with the Ecodiesel. It made a lot of "ticking" noise too.
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