2700 miles later and all is well

I finally got myself back to Chicago after leaving Reno a week ago Sunday. We pulled a 6x12 U-Haul trailer loaded to the brim. Everything went well except for one mountain pass where I had to stop and let it cool down three times. This pass was between WY and SD and started at 3000 feet and climbed to 9666 feet. It was a nice grade for a while but occasionally it became very steep and curvy. I was able to get the truck up to about 45mph on the straight slopes, but I had to slow down to 25-30 in the curves.

We went all through Yellowstone and the Tetons. Made a run up the pass from ID to Jackson Hole - a 10% grade. Sweet ride and lots of tight curves. Had a moose walk out in front of us one night and we almost hit it. It made it to the side of the road before we even saw it. All I saw was the road sign disappear where he walked in front of it. After that we saw him in the side lights. He had to go 1000 pounds and was a good 6 feet tall at the shoulders. Would have been a nasty mess if we hit him.

The Black Hills and Badlands were beautiful and if you have never been there, I highly recommend it. Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse are also nice places to visit.

Other than not being able to go over 65 due to the trailer swaying like crazy, the trip was good. I do not recommend U-Haul trailers for long distance. Spend the money and have everything shipped ahead and enjoy the drive instead. That is what we will do the next time, if there is one.