pulling a tent trailer in utah

Old Apr 4th, 2011, 04:49 PM
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pulling a tent trailer in utah

My husband and I will be travelling in Utah in June. We plan on staying in Moab for 5 nights and see the parks around there, then driving to Zion where we have a reservation at the Watchman Campground for 3 nights. Plan on stopping somewhere for one night on the way to Zion. Since we will be pulling a tent trailer we have concerns about some of the roads. Which route would you suggest that we go. Considering either highway 70 and 15 or going down hwy 89. What is hwy 89 like for pulling a trailer. Would appreciate any advice. Really want to travel hwy 12 but think we will do this without the trailer.
Thanks for the help
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Old Apr 4th, 2011, 04:54 PM
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sueger,

If you are only taking a small tent trailer, you can still go on Hwy 12. Even small (short) motorhomes will be on that road. Not to say I would drive a motorhome, but we have driven it with a 20 foot travel trailer attached to a long Ford Econoline van many years ago when it was first paved.

We took the road just days after it was paved. What a fabulous and jaw dropping experience. Needless to say, I've been on it many times since.
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Old Apr 4th, 2011, 05:46 PM
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Arches Campground is really nice. I would for sure try to stay at Goblin Valley and perhaps Capitol Reef. All those campgrounds are really neat campgrounds. Dead Horse Point would be nice, but I think it might get pretty windy there.
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Old Apr 4th, 2011, 06:07 PM
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Hi sueger,

If your vehicle is rated to tow the tent trailer then you shouldn't have a problem going over Boulder Mountain on Hwy 12. We have towed a pretty large tent trailer over it and we have towed our Jeep in the 30 foot motor home. It's not the fastest route but it is by far the most scenic route!

From my Mountain Directory for RV's it says this about Hwy 12: There are many steep grades along this 130 mile stretch of road. Most of these grades are fairly short but can be in the 8 to 12% range.

If you don't want to drive over Boulder Mountain (it is a curvy road) then I'd suggest taking I-70 to Hwy 24 to Capitol Reef. You can't make reservations at Capitol Reef National Park but if you get up early in the morning you should be able to get one of the first come, first serve campsites. There are a lot of great shady campsites in the Fruita Campground. If the are full, you can always stay at a private place in Torrey 11 miles west of the park. The next day continue on Hwy 24 till you reach Hwy 62 and go south and then pick up Hwy 89 to Hwy 9 and enter Zion thought through the Zion Tunnel.

If you won't want to go though the Tunnel then before you get to Hwy 9 take Hwy 20 over to I-15.

The fastest route will be I-70 and the San Rafael Swell section after Green River is scenic but I-15 isn't as special as Hwy 12. I really can't recommend a nice place to camp along this route.

Utahtea
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Old Apr 4th, 2011, 06:12 PM
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Oh..forgot to mention that Hwys 24, 62 and 89 are really easy driving roads. Hwy 9 which leads into the park has some curves and grades after the tunnel. We have done all these roads in our van and tent trailer, Expedition towing a 24 foot travel trailer,30 foot motor home towing a Jeep.

If you stay on I-70 there is a good pull after you pass Green River. Entering Zion from the west, there is a good size grade right out of Hurricane.

Utahtea
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Old Apr 5th, 2011, 03:50 AM
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Thanks so much for all the suggestions. We are pulling a new tent trailer with our chrysler minivan.It's heavier than our last trailer so we're a bit concerned about the steep grades. Have added an extra coolant for the transmission. Guess we'll see how things are going before trying Highway 12, but it sure is tempting. How steep is the grade after the tunnel? Capitol Reef sounds like a good plan. Again, Thanks.
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Old Apr 6th, 2011, 12:39 AM
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Hi sueger,

Here is what the book says about the tunnel and after. The downgrade through the tunnel is about 5% and the speed limit is 15 mph. After leaving the tunnel there is about 3 miles of 5 - 6% grade with 15 and 20 mph curves.

I don't know where you are coming from or going after, but you do a lot of driving in the west you might consider getting the Mountain Directory West. It give a pretty detailed description of the mountain passes and steep grades in the eleven Western States. There is an Eastern State version too. http://mountaindirectory.com/

Have fun!

Utahtea
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Old Apr 8th, 2011, 06:19 PM
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Utahtea,

It's so good to see you here again! Seems like a LONG time. Hope you are well and RVing.

Dayle
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Old Apr 9th, 2011, 12:36 AM
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Hi Dayle,

It's good to be back and have the time to post on the Fodor's Forums. I missed it! We were suppose to pack today for a trip to Zion but between the government and a glitch with a health issue, we decided to postpone it for a few weeks. Now I have to keep checking for camping cancellations at Recreational.gov!

How have you been?

Utahtea
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Old Apr 9th, 2011, 08:00 AM
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utahtea,

Good for the most part, aside from the difficult work climate these days.

It might be best to postpone your Zion trip anyway. The way it's going, the river may be flooding this spring!
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 11:27 AM
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Utahtea is right, as usual

IF you are going through the tunnel in Zion, you will need to be escorted as a RV.
From east to west it is down hill
Obviously the other direction up hill
About a 5% grade - guess
There are curves, but I've seen Class A with no problem

All the infor you need
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvis...mel-tunnel.htm

Fear is the devil - just do it and worry later!

Note: Camping at Capitol Reef:
About 5 miles west of CR, it is BLM free camping land. Look to the right (north) and you will see where many people are dry-camping.

Ditto at Red Canyon west of Bryce.
Vaga
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 11:39 AM
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There is a campground at Goblin Valley SP.
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Old May 3rd, 2016, 05:54 PM
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The Capitol Reef camp ground is much, much better than Goblin Valley. Lovely trees etc plus you can get pie!!
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Old May 3rd, 2016, 05:58 PM
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>>Utahtea is right, as usual2011 (this is an OLD thread)

>>IF you are going through the tunnel in Zion, you will need to be escorted as a RV.
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