Going to the Sun Road - Montana Owners Club

TWC84 · 05-31-2021, 08:43 AM

Planning to be in Glacier National Park in August. It appears that my 2017 GMC 3500 long bed DRW exceeds the official 'size' of vehicle allowed on the Going to the Sun Road. I'm a foot long and right at the maximum width. Are they really that strict? Has anyone driven it in a similar truck? Thought about renting a smaller car, but it seems that rent cars are scarce due to the pandemic. Would appreciate any inputs based on your experiences.

Raven17 · 05-31-2021, 09:16 AM

I drove it in 2007 in an F350 dully. No problems. Things may have changed since then. I had to watch close in some areas. Good luck.

**Carl n Susan** · 05-31-2021, 10:01 AM

DRWs are a dime a dozen on that road. You are at the max but they will wave you right through.

Remember to get your "Going-to-the-Sun Road Entry Ticket" beforehand.

jimcol · 05-31-2021, 12:08 PM

Have driven it a few times in the past but with a 2500 SB. As Carl said you will be waved through. My experience has been if you are the driver, and I always was, you won't/can't enjoy the scenery. Eyes on the road all the time is required. If I were going again I would look in to taking one of the tour vans. This link might help: https://www.glaciersuntours.com/

mlh · 05-31-2021, 12:25 PM

I don’t think you will have any trouble. It’s a fabulous road. You will love it. We always stay at the StMarys camp ground on the east side.
Lynwood

prndl · 05-31-2021, 01:35 PM

If you're planning on going to Logan Pass and trying for a parking space you had better plan on getting to the lot at no later than 7:30AM. I'm just sayin.

If I was going again this year I would take the classic busses they run. You're not going to get up there any faster than they go as there is no passing on the GTTS road. Relax and enjoy the scenery.

Was there in 2017 and my mighty RAM drivers side mirror hit a F350 drivers mirror going in the opposite direction. Took that F350 mirror clean off and dumped it in the street. Mine only slammed back and I just pushed it back. Need I say some spots are a little tight and narrow for trucks with tow mirrors.

WeBeFulltime · 05-31-2021, 04:13 PM

If we were going back we would also take a bus tour instead of drive ourselves. Although we always felt safe the driver doesn't get to see too much.

timandsusan · 06-03-2021, 08:37 AM

We took the Red Roadster tour with the driver WATCHING the road while we watched the scenery. Highly recommend it if the Red Roadsters with open tops are running.

77cruiser · 06-03-2021, 09:48 AM

One thing you have to watch for is the small cars, they seem to think they have to drive in the center of the road. My observation from 2019.

RKassl · 06-03-2021, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime

If we were going back we would also take a bus tour instead of drive ourselves. Although we always felt safe the driver doesn't get to see too much.

You are right, the little Red Bus Tours are the only way to go when at Glacier National Park.

jsmitfl · 06-03-2021, 12:30 PM

Friends are heading there now.. said you have to get a pass through some type of lottery to use the sun road. They were able to get the pass one day they are there. With that being said I think I would do the red bus. Check it out before you go.

mlh · 06-03-2021, 12:51 PM

Some have said they would talk the red busses I wouldn’t. I like to go at my speed and stop when I like. The busses are nice but not for me. The road isn’t dangerous. There is a two foot wall two feet thick most of the road.
Lynwood

**Carl n Susan** · 06-03-2021, 12:59 PM

The buses didn't run last year and there is no announced schedule for them this year. They may be waiting until the road is open again.

RKassl · 06-03-2021, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmitfl

Friends are heading there now.. said you have to get a pass through some type of lottery to use the sun road. They were able to get the pass one day they are there. With that being said I think I would do the red bus. Check it out before you go.

That maybe true but there is nothing like taking the complete Red Bus ride thru the hold park with NO driving! The drivers give you a perspective that only they can do.

mlh · 06-03-2021, 03:23 PM

I would suggest downloading the ‘ NPS.GOV’ app then looking up Glacier NP. It’s a great app. You may already have it but if you don’t it has a lot of info about all of our National Parks with well over a hundred web cams.
Lynwood

TWC84 · 06-03-2021, 03:30 PM

Thanks for all of the inputs!

Montana Man · 06-03-2021, 08:25 PM

We did it in a ram truck with another couple. My buddy drew the short straw so he drove. When we got to the top he asked how was the scenery? The only reason we made the trip with mirrors in tact was because they were pulled in. There was no need to have a vehicle once up there so we decided to ride the red bus next time. BTW, the west side KOA was excellent.

Retired Pyrate · 06-06-2021, 01:10 PM

Also did it in my F-350 DRW long bed with no problems. We went after about 4 pm so traffic was pretty light. I did pull in my mirror on the driver side a couple times. Of course with the ticketed entry now, that may help traffic during what would be normal peak hours.

vipermanden · 06-06-2021, 01:14 PM

Sheesh, this is a no brainer. Take the tour ride! I did the white knuckle drive in my long bed dually, and came upon many other duallys in the opposite direction, and there is only a couple of inches to spare, so you are "NOT" going to enjoy the ride. I thought they outlawed dually's. Someone told me that, because we were there a few years ago?

Dually · 06-06-2021, 01:29 PM

I have the exact same pickup as you except a 2016. I took that road last summer with no problem. A little close at times but it was nothing to worry about

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