HUTCH45
NORCAL
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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Have any of you folks driven CA. Hwy.20 both ways betw. Willits and Ft. Bragg? Done it a thousand times in personal vehicle but have never towed any of my 5ers. on this particular stretch. Many sharp curves with 6-7% grade(s) in some spots.
Thanks folks, and MERRY CHRISTMAS....!
"HUTCH"
'07 SILVERADO 3500HD 'CLASSIC' DRW - CC - 4 X 4
'07 NEW HORIZONS 35' 5th.Wheel 'MotoMover'
'06 HONDA 106hp.VTX1800 w/'HANNIGAN' Sidecar
"PRIMO" The Boxer
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Quick trip
Cerritos, Ca.
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Joined: 12/23/2005
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I made this trip just this past summer from Ft. Bragg to Willits.
I have a 23' fiver and it was slow going with tight turns and many hills, also had to use turnouts as I am in no hurry.
Most of the people were flying by me any where they could get a chance!
It's not that hard, but the locals don't like slower vehicles in front of them.
I won't attempt to pull over at just any wide spot at the side of the road as there are tree limbs and very narrow areas to pull over.
When I get to a turn out, then I will pull over.
Some honk and others give the one finger salute! (Their just showing their intelligence!)
Good Luck & Drive Safe!
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campin'nut
Nevada
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Joined: 06/02/2006
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We were looking into going to Manchester KOA several years ago; I had remembered something on their independent web site that warned of a particular highway. In looking at it again, this is the directions to their park and what is suggested:
Do not take Mountain View Road between Boonville and Manchester in your rig. This is a windy, curvy, twisty, rough and steep road. This road is for cars only.
Do not take Hwy 1 out of Legget in a long rig. It is a nice ride on a motorcycle but too rough, steep and curvy in for long RV's. An alternate is to continue on to Willits and take Hwy 20 to Fort Bragg then South to Hwy 1.
Merry Christmas and safe travels to all. JW
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fulltimer5er
Central Vally
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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We've pulled our 36ft 5er over that road four times with no problems at all the road is good just slow down and let the idiots pass
2005 Dodge one ton duely quad cab navagation system don't want to get lost before were ready to
2005 Carriage carri lite 36 KIQ four slides {HOME}
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jerryspoolman
Corning CA
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Joined: 11/25/2003
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No problem done several times, 299 from Redding to Eureks is worse but not a problem. 36 from Red Bluff to Fortuna is the worst choice doable if you watch your brakes.
Just Jerry and Vangie
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BlackMax
California
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Joined: 10/03/2005
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It's a challenge. You need to be alert. Loaded logging trucks are frequent. It is windy, locals are greatful when you pull off to let them pass. Beautiful area worth the trip.
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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We were across it for Thanksgiving with our RV. Have been across it 100's of times in over 30 years. Lots of easy turn outs so choose a real one. There are some good enough but the excellent ones are marked well ahead of time. Yes there are some real slow curves but the drive is scenic. I run a lot of it in second gear. Getting through Willits can be a bit slow coming from the South. Make sure you keep to the left lane through town so you will be in the correct lane to make the left turn.
Are you familiar with the best route around Clear Lake ?
Added the following on edit.
Take Highway 20 West out of Williams. 37.1 miles.
Watch for Highway 53 as you drop down a hill after a fairly long climbbut easy climb and multiple lanes.
Turn what would be South (left)onto 53. You will go about 8 miles. Look for the sign to Highway 29 which leads to Kelseyville. This is a nice road and will become freeway in a few miles.Turn right on 29. Eventually you are back to two lane for a short distance and will come to a stop sign. You are back to Highway 20 again. This leg is about 30 miles. Turn left and enjoy the beautiful drive right to 101
This route will bypass the two lane twisting and winding on the North side of Clear lake. If you want a good view of the lake go ahead and stay on 20 all the way to 101.
* This post was
edited 12/13/07 04:42pm by YC 1 *
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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Joined: 11/15/2003
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Just a note, there is a new Safeway with Gasoline in Willits on the SE corner of Hwy 101 and Hwy 20. Good prices and if you have a safeway card, you can get $.03 or $.10 a gallon discount depending on how much money you spend at Safeway. If you are going north on 101 coming into Willits, stay in the right lane to enter the station just before you reach Hwy 20. Then you can exit from the parking lot onto South St, the street that goes west and crosses hwy 101 at the traffic light and straight onto Hwy 20 toward Ft Bragg. Hwy 20 has its ups and downs and tight turns, but is doable, just use the Long, Flat Turnouts if you back up 5 or more cars, these turnouts are usually signed a 1/2 mile ahead of time. Stay away from the short little turnouts that are up hill and hard to get in and harder to get out. You should be fine.
* This post was
edited 12/13/07 04:31pm by othertonka *
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS
2002 CRV Toad
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jdog
Some Place
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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campin'nut wrote:We were looking into going to Manchester KOA several years ago; I had remembered something on their independent web site that warned of a particular highway. In looking at it again, this is the directions to their park and what is suggested:
Do not take Mountain View Road between Boonville and Manchester in your rig. This is a windy, curvy, twisty, rough and steep road. This road is for cars only.
Do not take Hwy 1 out of Legget in a long rig. It is a nice ride on a motorcycle but too rough, steep and curvy in for long RV's. An alternate is to continue on to Willits and take Hwy 20 to Fort Bragg then South to Hwy 1.
Merry Christmas and safe travels to all. JW You are talking about the turn-off on Hwy.128 at Boonville.It's a short-cut. The poster is asking about Hwy. 20 out of Willits which is further North of 128. By the way, they are right about Mountain view Road. Never ever try to pull a trailer up Mountain View Road. You will be sorry if you do, I've been there without a trailer.
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racefan1965
Redding, Ca.
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Joined: 02/25/2007
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It's funny reading all of the posts about a area I grew up in from others who only visit. Most are correct about mountain view road out of boonville to the coast. It's a twisty PIA in a regular car. A trailer would be a extreme pain although I have a friend who tows his race car trailer over it every other weekend during racing season. He lives in Gualala and says he cuts off a hour drive each way. I've camped at the Manchester KOA several times. Love the hay rides to the ocean. I recommend you bring a loved one to cuddle up to though. It can be a little chilly in the fall time. I grew up in Ukiah for 25+ years which is 30 minutes south of Willits and have gone to the coast 100's of times on 20 from willits. It's not a bad road. Just take your time and drive your rig your way. I now live in Redding and travel 299 to Eureka all the time. Both roads are about the same IMO. Highway 20 is a lot shorter of a ride though.
About avoiding clearlake, in order for me to travel back to Ukiah to see my family I have to travel over 20 around Clear Lake. Yes you can take hwy53 to hwy29 (the turn off for hwy29 is at the main intersection in Lower Lake, Ca. and winds around past Kellsyville and Lakeport and reconnects to hwy20 at Upper Lake, Ca.) I will tell you to expect a 10 to 20 minute increase in travel time that way though. I've gone both routes several times and have timed both. It's easier and faster to just stay on hwy20 and enjoy the lake view.
To the OP...as a former local..expect a bunch of idiots who seem to be in a hurry to get nowhere. Don't let them push you up or down the hills. Drive the speeds you feel comfortable at and take the turns slowly. None are too tuff. Highway 20 from willits to the coast and back is the road all the local high schools take when they need to go to the coast or inland for school activities like football or baseball. If they can handle a bus on that road you can handle your RV.
Rick
Rick, Shirley, Lacy, Misty and 2 dogs(Shasta & Baylee)
1999 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4X4
1984 Alpenlite24 5er
1988 Coleman pup
2006 Champion C46540 RV plug ready genset
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