Michigan to Reno trip

J

john r. lebetski

New member
Dec 20, 2006
4,659
1
0
We did 90 Chicago to Seatle in Oct and had snow/ice one morning. A few spinoffs in the ditches. I found I had to lighten the throttle crossing bridges
to a Neutral postion neither adding power or causing decel to maintain accurate steering. I had 6 new Cooper HT3s. I find 90 a much more relaxing
drive and scenic drive than 80 with less trucks and less franchise food joints. If it gets bad just wait a few hours as the sun is getting stronger
now and roads will clear. So if you could do 90 part of the way west it would be nicer. I don' t think the northern, middle, or southern route matters
much this time of year. What matters is the path the storm takes. I have 3.42/Qjet and used S on many long grades up and down. I would bring a grease
gun and spare fluids. I had planned to change oil out west but did not. I did like 10 mins maintanance each day for little things like spout oiler
for squeaky interor doors and bath fan and looking things over. I grease bogies at about 1000 miles in rest stops as only takes 60 seconds. Beware
that some camps are not open for season or are but no water yet.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Boy... can be a bad time of year to Make that trip. The weather in the mountains can be hit or miss. I think you are stuck with I -80.

I have traveled 90 many many times and the roads and weather can change in 24-36 hours from death trap to smooth sailing. But road conditions can
vary every mile too. 2 weeks ago we had a terrible blizzard on 90 by mitchell, sd. The next day I headed back east on wet roads with sun shining.
Hour later it was cloudy and black ice.

When I lives in oregon, the mountian passes were similar. Closed on a monday, easy drive by wednesday this time of year.

Just keep lots of weather apps going and look over the 511.org info. There are usually webcams as well you can pull up to see what a road looks
like.

Good tires are also key.

Good luck and report on the trip. The trip home 2 weeks later should be even easier.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
I have made that trip several times both directions in GMCs. I-80 is probably the shortest and not much on steep grades. I was headed westbound late
one night in Wyoming and talking to someone on the cell phone when I passed a sign that said highest point on I-80.
Because I was distracted by the phone call I never realized that I had been climbing. I think the highest point is around 8500 or 8600 feet. I did
get chased across Utah and Wyoming one time in October eastbound staying ahead of some snow fall.

If you go I-70 you have a long climb of about 6000 feet in 60 miles west of Denver up to 11,000 feet at the Eisenhower tunnel. I did it in the right
lane with a 403 and 3.07 final drive. Some of it required second gear. Had snow at the top but they keep the road clean so no big deal. If you go
I-70, it ends in Utah. From the end you have a choice. Use US-50 across Nevada to Reno or swing north and pick up I-80 to Reno. I have run both in
a GMC and a normal car. I prefer the US50 route. Not much out there on either route. The last time we through there we stayed over night at a
department type store lot near the intersection of US-50 and US-93 in Ely, Nevada. I asked and they said "sure, stay as long as you like. We are
closed at night and you will be the only one here". Verizon cell phone works well all the way across Nevada in US-50.

So I would choose the route depending on what I would like to see along the way and of course check the weather.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Richard,

We have never done this, but before Mary retired we often traveled in the early winter and late spring.
Did we get stopped weather?
Oh Yes..... Only once in the coach, but twice with kids in a minivan and no internet.
The coach proved the point. Head out with everything that should be full - full, and everything that should be empty - empty.
By ready to hunker down if the weather goes bad. Maintain provisions for three days. (Yes, once we were stopped for two days.)
Let the idiots that feel they have to be out there have their own accidents and go home.

See you Saturday? (Remember - the Super China Buffet on Telegraph.)

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Good advice. Thanks!

I did not know about 511.org info. I do have a number of iPad apps for weather, camping etc.

I have all BF Goodrich Commercial T/A tires less than 3 years old and tire pressure monitoring.

I always carry a grease gun, fluids, spares include: starter, complete distributor, EFI computer, ignition modules, fuses, relays, fuel pump and
suspension air compressor. Plus a pretty complete set of tools, 2 hydraulic jacks & jack hooks, electric impact wrench, etc. Wife complains there
isn't enough room for her stuff because of my tools and spares.

I'm going to repack the rear wheel bearings and grease front Lenzi knuckles before departure.

I'll be at the Super China Buffet on Saturday

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
I live in Reno. We just got 12” of snow last night and its supposed to continue thru tomorrow with another 3”.
First major storm this year.

Gary Coaster / Reno, NV
1977 GMC Eleganza ll
GMC RV Day Night Shade Sales
GMCShades
www.GMCMotorhomemarketplace.com/GMC_Shades/

>
> We did 90 Chicago to Seatle in Oct and had snow/ice one morning. A few spinoffs in the ditches. I found I had to lighten the throttle crossing bridges
> to a Neutral postion neither adding power or causing decel to maintain accurate steering. I had 6 new Cooper HT3s. I find 90 a much more relaxing
> drive and scenic drive than 80 with less trucks and less franchise food joints. If it gets bad just wait a few hours as the sun is getting stronger
> now and roads will clear. So if you could do 90 part of the way west it would be nicer. I don' t think the northern, middle, or southern route matters
> much this time of year. What matters is the path the storm takes. I have 3.42/Qjet and used S on many long grades up and down. I would bring a grease
> gun and spare fluids. I had planned to change oil out west but did not. I did like 10 mins maintanance each day for little things like spout oiler
> for squeaky interor doors and bath fan and looking things over. I grease bogies at about 1000 miles in rest stops as only takes 60 seconds. Beware
> that some camps are not open for season or are but no water yet.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
If you go I-70 from Denver west you should be aware that there are chain laws this time of year.
Yesterday it was a high of 60 deg in Denver but there was 6 inches of snowfall in the mountains on I-70 in the ski areas.
I live here and would not recommend using I-70 this time of year in the mountains with a GMC. Weather can quickly change.

I carry chains in the winter but I haven’t used them since I had my GMC in Michigan 1981-1984 and one time in Shasta, CA at Thanksgiving time when I had to get up an icy grade.

I am taking the GMC to Tucson in a couple of weeks. If it were a month from now I would take I-70 west to Utah and then south. But right now I’ll be going I-25 south to Albuquerque and then I-40 west to Flagstaff,AZ and then South to Phoenix/Tucson. I lived in Santa Fe for 18 years and have have encountered snow storms on I-40 in April so I’ll watch the weather reports and if necessary I’ll continue down I-25 to Los Cruses and then West on I-10 and up to Tucson.

I have even encountered snow in April at Raton Pass where I-25 goes from Colorado into New Mexico. So if you are anywhere near the mountains from Sept through April you should be prepared to encounter snow and perhaps travel delays.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I have made that trip several times both directions in GMCs. I-80 is probably the shortest and not much on steep grades. I was headed westbound late
> one night in Wyoming and talking to someone on the cell phone when I passed a sign that said highest point on I-80.
> Because I was distracted by the phone call I never realized that I had been climbing. I think the highest point is around 8500 or 8600 feet. I did
> get chased across Utah and Wyoming one time in October eastbound staying ahead of some snow fall.
>
> If you go I-70 you have a long climb of about 6000 feet in 60 miles west of Denver up to 11,000 feet at the Eisenhower tunnel. I did it in the right
> lane with a 403 and 3.07 final drive. Some of it required second gear. Had snow at the top but they keep the road clean so no big deal. If you go
> I-70, it ends in Utah. From the end you have a choice. Use US-50 across Nevada to Reno or swing north and pick up I-80 to Reno. I have run both in
> a GMC and a normal car. I prefer the US50 route. Not much out there on either route. The last time we through there we stayed over night at a
> department type store lot near the intersection of US-50 and US-93 in Ely, Nevada. I asked and they said "sure, stay as long as you like. We are
> closed at night and you will be the only one here". Verizon cell phone works well all the way across Nevada in US-50.
>
> So I would choose the route depending on what I would like to see along the way and of course check the weather.
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> If you go I-70 from Denver west you should be aware that there are chain laws this time of year.
> Yesterday it was a high of 60 deg in Denver but there was 6 inches of snowfall in the mountains on I-70 in the ski areas.
> I live here and would not recommend using I-70 this time of year in the mountains with a GMC. Weather can quickly change.
>
> I carry chains in the winter but I haven't used them since I had my GMC in Michigan 1981-1984 and one time in Shasta, CA at Thanksgiving time when
> I had to get up an icy grade.
>
> I am taking the GMC to Tucson in a couple of weeks. If it were a month from now I would take I-70 west to Utah and then south. But right now I'll
> be going I-25 south to Albuquerque and then I-40 west to Flagstaff,AZ and then South to Phoenix/Tucson. I lived in Santa Fe for 18 years and have
> have encountered snow storms on I-40 in April so I'll watch the weather reports and if necessary I'll continue down I-25 to Los Cruses and then West
> on I-10 and up to Tucson.
>
> I have even encountered snow in April at Raton Pass where I-25 goes from Colorado into New Mexico. So if you are anywhere near the mountains from
> Sept through April you should be prepared to encounter snow and perhaps travel delays.
>
> Emery Stora

Emery,

I was afraid of the area west of Denver and now you confirmed why I should avoid it for this trip. I was thinking that if I had to go I70 because of
better weather, at Denver, I could take I25 North to hookup with I80 westbound. I do have chains, but have never carried them because I don't
typically drive my GMC in the winter because of salt. I suppose it would not hurt to have them on-board just in case. But would rather hole up
somewhere and wait it out if things got bad.

The other option would be to forget the GMC and fly there, but how much fun would that be?

12" of snow and more expected in Reno?
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
The problem with going MI to Reno is any route you choose you have to turn back north again to get to Reno. So you almost have to plan 3 different
routes and choose the one to take based on the weather as you are traveling. I hate driving a GMC in snow and would sit out a storm or choose an
alternate with no snow.

An alternate idea is to stay on route near the Amtrak route. (Denver, Grand Junction, Green River, Provo, Salt lake, Elko(Wendover), Sparks, and
Reno). Then park and ride the train if the weather gets too bad and you have to get there. The Amtrak stops in downtown Reno once a day each way. I
have taken the train several times to and from Reno. It stops 3 blocks from my grandfather's house. If necessary, you can rent a Hertz car at the
Silver Legacy a few blocks from the train station. In the past If I reserved a small car, I always got a ski rack SUV for the same price because that
is all they kept there.

This is just another thought if staying on schedule is important.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Emery,

Unless you specifically want to go I-40 to Flagstaff for some reason, it is a more direct route to stay on I-25 to Hatch and then take the cutoff to
Deming and take I-10 into Tucson.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Yes, Carl
I have taken that exact route many many times when we lived in Santa Fe. I said Los Cruses because I just didn’t want to type all that detail.

This trip we want to go to Mesa before the Tucson rally so we’ll go by way of Flagstaff and back by way of Deming.

We really enjoy stopping at a small Mexican restaurant in Deming. I’ll have to look up the name for our return trip.

Emery Stora

>
> Emery,
>
> Unless you specifically want to go I-40 to Flagstaff for some reason, it is a more direct route to stay on I-25 to Hatch and then take the cutoff to
> Deming and take I-10 into Tucson.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Thanks Emery,

Deming is usually a good lunch or dinner stop depending on when we leave home, if we are headed that way. See you in a couple of weeks.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
When we are on Interstate 80, we like to stop at The Pig BBQ & Pub in Winnemucca, NV. Good chili.
You can get it to go if you're just passing through. There's a tiny campground across the street associated with the Model T Casino/Hotel
(so named because it was a model T dealership); OK for overnight. There's also a KOA and a couple of others such as the New Frontier campground
east of town, which is large and recently built.

Sometimes we'll stop at the Rye Patch State Recreation Area campground west of Winnemucca; it's at a dam site with a small lake;
dry camping, but pleasant for being in the middle of stinking desert and usually very quiet.

I use this site a lot when planning routes in mountainous areas:
https://www.flattestroute.com/

Highway 70 is a monster climb (and descent!), much easier going west than east imo, but really pretty. I like it in a car,
not so much in a GMC. I-80 through Colorado is on the plains and can get really windy and is sometimes closed in winter due to snow;
there are tons of snow drift fences which gives you some idea of how serious it gets. When the weather is good, it's a
good route with manageable hills. Really changeable weather though, and hard to predict.

We've never tried highway 50; will have to give it a try sometime.

Karen
1975 26'
 
Or you could fly to the wedding and then on to Tuscon for a few days... The rally isn't until April 6th.
This is the first time we'll have flown to a rally, but just don't have time for the drive right now.
Not as fun as taking the GMC, but better than missing it altogether.

Karen
1975 26'
 
Sorry Karen but I-80 doek go through Colorado. I think you meant to say Wyoming.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> When we are on Interstate 80, we like to stop at The Pig BBQ & Pub in Winnemucca, NV. Good chili.
> You can get it to go if you're just passing through. There's a tiny campground across the street associated with the Model T Casino/Hotel
> (so named because it was a model T dealership); OK for overnight. There's also a KOA and a couple of others such as the New Frontier campground
> east of town, which is large and recently built.
>
> Sometimes we'll stop at the Rye Patch State Recreation Area campground west of Winnemucca; it's at a dam site with a small lake;
> dry camping, but pleasant for being in the middle of stinking desert and usually very quiet.
>
> I use this site a lot when planning routes in mountainous areas:
> https://www.flattestroute.com/
>
> Highway 70 is a monster climb (and descent!), much easier going west than east imo, but really pretty. I like it in a car,
> not so much in a GMC. I-80 through Colorado is on the plains and can get really windy and is sometimes closed in winter due to snow;
> there are tons of snow drift fences which gives you some idea of how serious it gets. When the weather is good, it's a
> good route with manageable hills. Really changeable weather though, and hard to predict.
>
> We've never tried highway 50; will have to give it a try sometime.
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> Thanks Emery,
>
> Deming is usually a good lunch or dinner stop depending on when we leave home, if we are headed that way. See you in a couple of weeks.

Anyone going through Deming on their way to Tucson and need to stay the night, stay at Deming Roadrunner RV Park. The guy that runs the place, Jim
Hoag, knows the GMC quite well. His Dad, James Hoag, was an engineer in new product development and worked on the GMC Motorhome as his first project.
We stayed at the RV Park on our way through in January and had a nice conversation with him.

He was going to try to see if his Dad could come down so they could attend the convention in Tucson. Not sure that is going to happen but it would be
fun.
--
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
 
> If you go I-70 from Denver west you should be aware that there are chain laws this time of year.
> Yesterday it was a high of 60 deg in Denver but there was 6 inches of snowfall in the mountains on I-70 in the ski areas.
> I live here and would not recommend using I-70 this time of year in the mountains with a GMC. Weather can quickly change.
>
> I carry chains in the winter but I haven't used them since I had my GMC in Michigan 1981-1984 and one time in Shasta, CA at Thanksgiving time when
> I had to get up an icy grade.
>
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick, CO

Richard,

If you want to add chains to the list of stuff you carry, call Dale Frahm. When we talked once, he had a set that he was trying to sell.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I go from Midland, MI to Tucson and back twice a year, 14 trip so far. It
is 2163 miles each way and take me 5 1/2 days as I only do 348 to 427 miles
a day.

First leg is from Midland to Niles where stay at our GMC friends which is a
200 miles ( 4.5 hours). Second leg is from Niles to just west of St Louis
where we stay at the St Louis West KOA which is on route 66. I94 to I80 to
I57 to I70 to I44 total leg is408 miles to the KOA near 6 flags exit.

Second leg is from St Louis to Just east of Tulsa at Claremore, OK 350
miles I44 also the way on to the exit.

Third leg is from Tulsa(Claremore) to Amarillo, TX at 391 miles I44 to I 40

The 4th leg it Amarillo to Las Cruces NM. I27 to texas 60 to Clovis, NM
then 70 to Roswell then a small climb up to Ruidos and down the hill to
Alamagordo then 70 across White Sands and over the pass to Las Cruces. The
climb from white sands to Las Cruces is not that bad with only the last
mile or so to be a taller grade. All in all a much easier trip than going
up and across thru Colorado.

The last leg is 271miles and will put you at the KOA about 2 to 3 PM.

We stay at KOA because we know what we are getting in facilities.

This is how we do it, enjoy your trip. El Paso I10 can be trouble and high
traffic area and dangerous.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 30' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)

> > If you go I-70 from Denver west you should be aware that there are chain
> laws this time of year.
> > Yesterday it was a high of 60 deg in Denver but there was 6 inches of
> snowfall in the mountains on I-70 in the ski areas.
> > I live here and would not recommend using I-70 this time of year in the
> mountains with a GMC. Weather can quickly change.
> >
> > I carry chains in the winter but I haven't used them since I had my GMC
> in Michigan 1981-1984 and one time in Shasta, CA at Thanksgiving time when
> > I had to get up an icy grade.
> >
> >
> > Emery Stora
> > 77 Kingsley
> > Frederick, CO
>
> Richard,
>
> If you want to add chains to the list of stuff you carry, call Dale
> Frahm. When we talked once, he had a set that he was trying to sell.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
John, please tell us why I10 El Paso can be trouble, high traffic and
dangerous. We plan to go through El Paso on I10.

Sandra Price

> I go from Midland, MI to Tucson and back twice a year, 14 trip so far. It
> is 2163 miles each way and take me 5 1/2 days as I only do 348 to 427 miles
> a day.
>
> First leg is from Midland to Niles where stay at our GMC friends which is a
> 200 miles ( 4.5 hours). Second leg is from Niles to just west of St Louis
> where we stay at the St Louis West KOA which is on route 66. I94 to I80 to
> I57 to I70 to I44 total leg is408 miles to the KOA near 6 flags exit.
>
> Second leg is from St Louis to Just east of Tulsa at Claremore, OK 350
> miles I44 also the way on to the exit.
>
> Third leg is from Tulsa(Claremore) to Amarillo, TX at 391 miles I44 to I 40
>
> The 4th leg it Amarillo to Las Cruces NM. I27 to texas 60 to Clovis, NM
> then 70 to Roswell then a small climb up to Ruidos and down the hill to
> Alamagordo then 70 across White Sands and over the pass to Las Cruces. The
> climb from white sands to Las Cruces is not that bad with only the last
> mile or so to be a taller grade. All in all a much easier trip than going
> up and across thru Colorado.
>
> The last leg is 271miles and will put you at the KOA about 2 to 3 PM.
>
> We stay at KOA because we know what we are getting in facilities.
>
> This is how we do it, enjoy your trip. El Paso I10 can be trouble and high
> traffic area and dangerous.
>
> J.R. Wright
> GMC Great Laker
> GMC Eastern States
> GMCMHI
> TZE Zone Restorations
> 78 Buskirk Custom 30' Stretch
> 75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
>
>

>

> > > If you go I-70 from Denver west you should be aware that there are
> chain
> > laws this time of year.
> > > Yesterday it was a high of 60 deg in Denver but there was 6 inches of
> > snowfall in the mountains on I-70 in the ski areas.
> > > I live here and would not recommend using I-70 this time of year in the
> > mountains with a GMC. Weather can quickly change.
> > >
> > > I carry chains in the winter but I haven't used them since I had my GMC
> > in Michigan 1981-1984 and one time in Shasta, CA at Thanksgiving time
> when
> > > I had to get up an icy grade.
> > >
> > >
> > > Emery Stora
> > > 77 Kingsley
> > > Frederick, CO
> >
> > Richard,
> >
> > If you want to add chains to the list of stuff you carry, call Dale
> > Frahm. When we talked once, he had a set that he was trying to sell.
> >
> > Matt
> > --
> > Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> > Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> > OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> > SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> Sorry Karen but I-80 doek go through Colorado. I think you meant to say Wyoming.

Yup, you're right. Since we only pass through on our way to/from Denver and it runs just north of the CO/WY border, it seems like CO to me.
But yes, it's Wyoming, not Colorado.

Karen
1975 26'
 
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