Towing to Grand Canyon

[grekaki]

Heading out this September from the San Francisco bay area. Towing a Jayco J Flight 154hb Baja on a Honda Ridgeline 2008. Had the truck looked at and i am worried about the transmission. The truck has 180,000 miles on it. Any advice on the matter?

[Kim Gass]

Does it have the tow package?

Our 2012 Ridgeline does. We've been 50,000 miles all around the USA.. Florida from Maine twice
Arizona once ( including the Grand Canyon) and back to Maine

And to Alaska.

We tow a bigger unit than yours .. A 195RB

Our truck has 150,000 miles on it.

If you are not having transmission issues now you should have none on the way there despite the grades you will have to mount.. We can do 12 percent for a short distance without anything overheating

Just take it easy

[bdreinv]

Nice state park at the I40 exit to the Canyon Kaibab Lake!Williams is is pretty neat little town also, check out Bear Arizona. About 55 mile to the canyon from there. camp sites at the Canyon pretty small!

[WinnieView]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

Nice state park at the I40 exit to the Canyon Kaibab Lake!Williams is is pretty neat little town also, check out Bear Arizona. About 55 mile to the canyon from there. camp sites at the Canyon pretty small!

You might also consider one the many RV parks in the town of Tusayan with 'more amenities', which offers a free shuttle into GC Nat'l Park;

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvis...ute-purple.htm

Tusayan, AZ Campground Reviews - Best of Tusayan Camping - RV Park Reviews

[Kim Gass]

The OP unit will fit fine in Mather. We had room to spare. Nice to have the grocery store right there as well as laundry We even had a pull thru site at Mather.

[bleckb]

Sorry I have nothing to say about the truck, but I suggest the North Rim over the South Rim. It gets about 10 percent of the visitors compared to the South Rim.

[WinnieView]

Originally Posted by bleckb

Sorry I have nothing to say about the truck, but I suggest the North Rim over the South Rim. It gets about 10 percent of the visitors compared to the South Rim.

But you better hurry as it will be closed in about 2 months.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by 2008Seneca

But you better hurry as it will be closed in about 2 months.

The North rim closes about mid September typically.

[WinnieView]

Originally Posted by wags999

The North rim closes about mid September typically.

This year it's closer to Dec 1;

The last day of the 2018 North Rim season for most concessioner services and regularly scheduled ranger-led programs will be October 15. The National Park Service will continue its operations including the visitor center, bookstore, and Backcountry Information Office through October 31. November 1 through December 1 the North Rim will be open for day use only (no overnight parking) unless snow closes Arizona Highway 67 prior to that date.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/...018-season.htm

[grekaki]

Thanks everyone. Everything is booked for the trip and very excited

[vcbice]

I disagree with the North vs South rim. The South rim, while more crowded has quite a few different viewpoints that cover a much wider expanse of the canyon. The North rim, unless you hike quite a bit, has a much 'narrower' view of the canyon. On the South rim he park shuttles will get you to the many viewpoints and there are many more park rangers there to answer questions and conduct tours. All much better for the first time visitors.

The North rim area itself is much prettier, with all the pine trees and higher elevation. If you do like to hike and be on your own the North rim would be the better choice. Not even half as many people up there and not as many park personnel. Also not as many ammenities, just the hotel. I also like the hotel on the North rim better.