I'm taking kids to Yellowstone in July, and I have first leg planned only, Houston to Lake Murray Park in OK which looks pretty cool. will plan on spending a couple nights there and play. Figure about 400-500 miles a day max I'm guessing. I have not done long trips with TT / TV combo.
I"m thinking of leaving Hou on Wed arriving LMP, then and departing LMP Saturday, but not sure what route to take from there. I am off work for the moment so my schedule & kids is wide open except for have to be back before August 1.
I'm wondering do I go through Kansas, then 70 to Denver, which I've done when taking minivan to snowboard in UT, or go through NM / then try to hit Carson national forest area for boondocking, up through canyonlands UT, then north via 15 to SLC area and up to the 20 for hitting the West entrance. Obviously the Kansas route is pretty fast and flatter, but also sightseeing challenged until you get west a good bit.
Any good places to stop between LMP and yellowstone that folks recommend?
I have done some looking and the East entrance is supposed to be pretty steep roadway so I was thinking of just going west and then north to the West entrance. I do have a WDH now and brake controller, and the brakes on the '10 Tundra are good but worried about grunt going up hills as its only 4.6 half ton. It does pretty well here but we're flat. My TT is no-slide Jayflight 27 BH so its tows pretty well. Obviously I'd love a diesel but we're not in a hurry. I am part time mechanic and have driven in mountains when lived in different locations so no need to advise on driving, just what routes are advisable.
Further info - I bought a "america the beautiful" pass for the trip, and as having tented for majority of my life, we actually prefer National Forest sort of camp sites hookups or not.
We also have backpacks and hiking boots, would like to get out and do some day hikes along the way, get off the beaten path a little time permitting.
I've gotten some great info here adn hope y'all can help me. If I missed a thread on this subject sorry been searching stuff for days.
While I'm at asking questions - my goodyear radial tires that came on the TT look good, date good, and have worked great, plus I have a new spare tire, but wondering if maybe I should get a second spare given the crazy stories of tire failures and TT's even when owners minded the speed ratings, inflation and load.