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Cody, WY to Rapid City, SD


StarlifterFE

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Friends want to make the run from Cody, WY to Rapid City via US 14, Hwy 30, US 16, Hwy 31 and then US 16 to Buffalo. They are pulling a 5th wheel, Keystone Cougar 324RLB. I have never been on that route so any advice would be great. I've been on the northern route to Sheridan.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Barry

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Yes, US16 is the preferred route over the Bighorn mtns in an RV, if you're going east.

Its still a climb and descent, but not as bad as the other options.

I've also used 14 all the way over to Sheridan and didn't have any problem in my MH, but it is steeper than 16 and has more sharp switch backs.

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Your friends have chosen what I would consider the preferred route over the Bighorn Mtns. I have traveled the route following US14 through Greybull & Shell Canyon over to Ranchester several times back when we towed a pop-up and the route is my favorite for scenic views but it is very steep and I avoid it when towing a heavy trailer, especially traveling west to east because of the 20+ mile climb from Greybull to the top of Battle Mtn. The route mentioned is also quite scenic and has several nice forestry campgrounds along it, or did last time I went that way. I would consider US14 to be the route for only the most experienced RV traveler who has maximum climbing power and nerves of steel! On the other hand, US16 is a mountain road with lots of scenery, yet can be handled by most RV travelers without the shattered nerves and is still a beautiful and scenic trip. The only way to avoid mountains completely would be to go south through Thermopolis and Casper which would be a lot farther and you still have to climb through Wind River Canyon.

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I pulled my Teton Homes over US14 with my previous diesel, a fairly new (then) 7.3 Lt Ford, and if I had to do it again, I wouldn't. I have also pulled a gradual 14 per cent grade in Utah and it was easier on the truck than US14! I had to drop down to 1st gear and the poor old Ford was belching seriously black smoke. It was the only time I can remember that if I could have turned around and gone down hill, I would have done that. Just sayin'.

Catfish

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