Middle GA to Denver Colorado - Montana Owners Club

Annaoinga · 03-09-2015, 12:35 PM

I'm going to start planning our first big trip for early next year. My husband picked Denver CO. Is there a software pkg you guys use to map out the trip or do you just pull up AllStays and plan it that way? Someone recommended planning on about 300 miles per day???

I'm excited and up for the challenge. All suggestions welcome for this newbie!!

Thank you!

padredw · 03-09-2015, 03:23 PM

Unfortunately there is no good replacement for the 2010 edition of the Trailer Life Directory Navigation CD. I still use that older version and find it still helpful, even though the campground information is obviously several years old.

This is not comparable to navigation instruments and GPS that are used on the road. This is for planning at my comfortable desktop computer. It is sad that Good Sam (Trailer Life) ended their cooperation with Undertow Software who produced this program.

I do have the Garmin programs, but do not find them to be a true replacement for the excellent mapping and trip layout in the Trailer Life program. Perhaps just my personal experience.

I wish I knew of something truly comparable to suggest. In fact, I wish I knew of something truly comparable to use myself.

I enjoy the trip planning itself. There are trips that I have planned in detail that we never took, but we have enjoyed some truly memorable trips which I did enjoy planning.

tweber502 · 03-09-2015, 03:59 PM

If you happen to be a Good Sam member there is a really good trip planner on their website. I have used it for several trips. It will also display campgrounds along your route, estimated fuel cost, rest areas and Pilot/Flying J's, etc. Tim

Recumbent · 03-09-2015, 04:30 PM

We use Goggle Maps to look at possible routes, then calculate possible miles per day etc. We also use our GPS Rand McNally 7735 to do the same and much more. Then plot a course after searching RV Park Reviews to find acceptable campgrounds, and select the best ones that are Passport America, Good Sam, and if all else fails KOA(expensive). Occasionally stay in state parks and private parks with no discounts if they have good reviews and the location and situation fits our wants. We try to make the journey as much fun as the destination, have fun

Devildog · 03-10-2015, 12:41 AM

Break out the maps and let your imagination loose. We set no more than 400 to 450 per day. And then every third day we let our hair down for a day.
Made your trip in oct 2013 for two weeks. We went to colorado springs for that time period.

c214dick · 03-10-2015, 05:05 PM

If you do nothing else, plan on staying at Chatfield State park in Denver. It fills up fast so you need to make reservations early. We also limit our selves to about 300/day.

Annaoinga · 03-14-2015, 04:36 AM

Wonderful info - thank you all!!!! I love this site! You guys always have great info and share it which is so helpful to us newbies!!!

We made it to Cherokee yesterday on our maiden trip. It was slow going up one mountain but we made it. Hope they get better my mom told us this morning she had a panic attack during it. ( guess it wasn't a bad one since we didn't notice.. )

Might need a mod to our F250 before we tackle Denver CO. The only grade sign I saw yesterday was one for 7% going downhill and Denver would laugh at that....
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thanks again!!

scattershot · 03-14-2015, 07:47 AM

Denver is actually on the plains, just at the foothills. If you,plan to go west of here, then you're talking some serious vertical real estate. Let us know where you plan to go, and maybe we can help. There are a few of us here in the Denver metro area.

rames14 · 03-15-2015, 03:28 PM

Microsoft Streets and Trips and Delorme Street Atlas USA are two that I have used in the past. I am now using Delorme Topo USA because I can also print maps for hiking. As mentioned, Denver sits at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We live about an hour and a half NW of Denver. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Annaoinga · 03-26-2015, 04:48 AM

Thanks you guys! I'm sure if we do go into the mountains we will leave the Montana. We did a 7% grade going to Cherokee NC recently and it dropped us down to about 45 mph. It could probably make it but we were all holding our breath.... Our first mountain. The 12% I saw on the map is daunting!

pineranch · 03-26-2015, 07:20 AM

I pulled with a 250 all the way thru Montana and back. If you stick to interstates, no problem.
Mike

scattershot · 03-26-2015, 07:24 AM

Where was that 12% grade?

twindman · 03-26-2015, 11:13 AM

Another very nice state park is Cherry Creek - right beside the interstate in Aurora. Well, not RIGHT beside the interstate. It is quiet and very large sites with free wifi. But book it at lest 3 months in advance. I just booked for 2 months out, and couldn't not get in for a 3 day weekend. Got Thu/Fri and Sun was okay, but not Sat. There is a lake with fishing and a beach for swimming.

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