2,500 Mile Mountain Trip

[RoadTrip]

Just returned from a 2,500 round trip through Montana, Yellowstone, Wyoming and The Badlands. My SLT 5.3 6L80 performed flawlessly through at least four mountain passes rolling foothill roads and countless river valley floors.

I have had the engine tuned with AFM off and the power level warmed up, as well as the transmission tuned and the lower temperature thermostat. Even with this setup, my trans temp did hit 186* in the mountains going up and doing downshift engine braking descending.

The outside temps were between 87 and 94* most days, even in the mountains, which was very surprising.

However, the best news was averaging 22mpg on premium over most of the trip, even considering three adults and the back fully loaded. I had based my gas budget on 15mpg and was very pleased. Sorry about the fuzzy picture.

Although the roads through many of the mountain ranges would have been fun to drive in a low sports car, the average pace of traffic would have caused me to drive about the same as I did in my Yukon.

 

[Big Mama]

How long did it take you? My wife and I are planning that trip next summer. Got any cool pics to add?

 

[RoadTrip]

How long did it take you? My wife and I are planning that trip next summer. Got any cool pics to add?

Two full weeks, with stops for a couple days in four cities.

I’m still pulling the pictures off of my 4K dash cam, which I highly recommend so that you can enjoy the scenery rather than squint behind your phone camera the whole time.

I love the mountains in Montana, but saw so many beautiful mountain ranges in northern Wyoming than I ever knew existed.

I’ll post some pictures soon. You can always PM me for route info. I’ve definitely got favorites to recommend.

 

[RoadTrip]

How long did it take you? My wife and I are planning that trip next summer. Got any cool pics to add?

Here are some pictures from our phones, in no particular order:

 

[RoadTrip]

 

[Big Mama]

Nice! As a kid I lived in Harlowtown Montana and Gillett Wyoming but as a kid you don’t appreciate the beauty of it all. Thanks for sharing.

 

[RoadTrip]

 

[hilson]

Wow, that sounds like an amazing trip! I'm impressed with your Yukon’s performance, 22 mpg is fantastic for such a loaded vehicle! The scenery in those areas must have been breathtaking. I hope we will have a long trip this summer. I've already started preparing. Btw, has anyone faced any issues with tolls along the way? I decided to have fastrak phone number handy, just in case. Or maybe I worry too much But we are going to take kids, so I want to be ready for various scenarios.

 

[B-train]

Just returned from a 2,500 round trip through Montana, Yellowstone, Wyoming and The Badlands. My SLT 5.3 6L80 performed flawlessly through at least four mountain passes rolling foothill roads and countless river valley floors.

I have had the engine tuned with AFM off and the power level warmed up, as well as the transmission tuned and the lower temperature thermostat. Even with this setup, my trans temp did hit 186* in the mountains going up and doing downshift engine braking descending.

The outside temps were between 87 and 94* most days, even in the mountains, which was very surprising.

However, the best news was averaging 22mpg on premium over most of the trip, even considering three adults and the back fully loaded. I had based my gas budget on 15mpg and was very pleased. Sorry about the fuzzy picture.

Although the roads through many of the mountain ranges would have been fun to drive in a low sports car, the average pace of traffic would have caused me to drive about the same as I did in my Yukon.

View attachment 439602

What kind of tuning do you have done to the engine and trans?

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks for sharing! My wife and I are planning roughly the same trip.

 

[Big Mama]

Same here. We’re planning to go next summer. Haven’t decided if we’ll take the RV or not.

 

[RoadTrip]

Wow, that sounds like an amazing trip! I'm impressed with your Yukon’s performance, 22 mpg is fantastic for such a loaded vehicle! The scenery in those areas must have been breathtaking. I hope we will have a long trip this summer. I've already started preparing. Btw, has anyone faced any issues with tolls along the way? I decided to have fastrak phone number handy, just in case. Or maybe I worry too much But we are going to take kids, so I want to be ready for various scenarios.

There are no toll roads in MT or WY but you may encounter some leaving whatever state you live in. There are some toll passes that work in a few different states, but most new toll equipment just bills you by plate number. That way traffic keeps moving.

Since you’re bringing the kids, there are pull off areas throughout the Park and really, the whole drive where you can get out and burn off some energy while you’re getting an understand of the sheer magnitude of the mountains and valleys.

 

[RoadTrip]

What kind of tuning do you have done to the engine and trans?

I brought it to a city speed shop that specializes in tuning (and building) LS engines and transmissions. I asked for AFM to be tuned out.

Since I normally run E85 most of the time, I told them I wanted two (2) maps; E85 for maximum power and Gas for maximum mileage. I ran premium gas on the trip because not all stations had E85.

They changed the throttle tip-in too so it feels very lively. It’s easy to forget how heavy the truck is now.

I had them evaluate the health of the trans too and they could tell by the pressure readouts that the clutch was slipping only a tiny amount, within factory new specs. I asked them to turn off the lockup in the lower gears. They recommended 1-3 only, and it was the right call, since around town it’s usually in 4th. They firmed up the shift points too.

The tune was among the best money I spent on this vehicle.

 

[RoadTrip]

I need to post the dash cam panoramic pictures.

 

[adventurenali92]

Absolutely gorgeous! These big long wheel base rigs were made for road tripping! I love taking my old one on long trips. I go back and forth between Southern California and Utah a couple times a year now. Such beautiful country. I’d love to get out to Montana Wyoming and Idaho.

 

[ss4chad]

Awesome pics man!!

Chad

 

[RoadTrip]

Absolutely gorgeous! These big long wheel base rigs were made for road tripping! I love taking my old one on long trips. I go back and forth between Southern California and Utah a couple times a year now. Such beautiful country. I’d love to get out to Montana Wyoming and Idaho.

You’re right about the long wheelbase soaking up the miles in comfort.

Our first trip to Yellowstone was when the boys were young and we had a brand new Chevy conversion van. The long driveshaft made for good torque around town and up hills, but it really was born to smooth out long distance trips.

I had 6 captains chairs installed and the rear 4 swiveled so we could set up a game table in the back for lunch or family games. I do miss that van. Maybe I’ll get another one when we have grandkids.

 

[adventurenali92]

You’re right about the long wheelbase soaking up the miles in comfort.

Our first trip to Yellowstone was when the boys were young and we had a brand new Chevy conversion van. The long driveshaft made for good torque around town and up hills, but it really was born to smooth out long distance trips.

I had 6 captains chairs installed and the rear 4 swiveled so we could set up a game table in the back for lunch or family games. I do miss that van. Maybe I’ll get another one when we have grandkids.

Yeah that conversion can was killer I bet haha.

My XL rides so nice and comfy on the 15. I love to just set my cruise control, crank the tunes, sip on coffee and enjoy my seats while the truck just rolls lol.

 

[Rustylane7]

Great pics! What camera? The wife and I cannot wait to take our first decent road trip since picking up the tahoe.

 

[RoadTrip]

Great pics! What camera? The wife and I cannot wait to take our first decent road trip since picking up the tahoe.

Believe it or not, these were pictures from our iPhones.

Here are some of the unedited, but cropped photos from the 4K dashcam. It was so nice to be able to take in the scenery together in real time as opposed to the passenger having to try to "get the shot".

P.S. They are not in sequential order.