dsr27
SF Bay area
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Joined: 10/26/2005
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we're headed to Kelseyville from Livermore in a few weeks. I used to go over that road every year with a pickup pulling a boat trailer. I remember it being tight in some areas close to Calistoga.
Does anyone here tow over it with a rig my size? Am I better off to come via Hwy 20 from Williams or Hwy 16 from Woodland?
and the same question for Hwy 175 from Middletown to Kelseyville...
thanks for the suggestions and observations
Gary
Those who know me have come to accept that I want it all, no matter how impossible it may obviously be. They've learned to wait patiently while I struggle to accept the inevitable.
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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Joined: 11/15/2003
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I have not been over those roads in a long time but the Cal Trans Motorhome map shows 175 as anything over 39 feet prohibited, and Highway 29 40ft and over prohibited. Take a look at this map, when it comes up, click on District 1 and notice the "Red" routes.
Cal Trans map
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS
2002 CRV Toad
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dsr27
SF Bay area
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thanks Tonka,
I had forgotten about the caltrans map. If I interpret it correctly, I'm at least legal to drag the toad over hwy 29 and even 175. I wish I could remember the switchbacks near Calistoga better. I just remember tight turns, but from the forgotten perspective of a teenager with a ski boat, not an old codger with mobile lodgings.
thanks
Gary
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wolfe10
Texas
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Another option if you have two drivers is to disconnect and drive that secion separately.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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dsr27
SF Bay area
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wolfe10 wrote:Another option if you have two drivers is to disconnect and drive that secion separately.
I am considering that. That way if I do have to back up to make it around a corner I can...
thanks
Gary
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Gary Franks
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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I drove SR-29 from Calistoga to Lower Lake in my 39' motorhome towing a Lincoln Town Car. I remember the curves and the climb. I was very glad to get to Lower Lake and finally pull over and stop. It was tuff but not unsafe. What I remember the most about that trip was that one of my air conditioners failed that day and it was a very, very hot Labor Day weekend.
The CalTrans length restriction does not refer to the overall length (in my case, about 63'), but refers to the length of the "king pin to rear axle". When you get there, that's what you'll read on the sign.
'05 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel 39Z | Datastorm F2 Satellite Internet | Toad1: '03 Lincoln Town Car | Toad2: '08 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 4WD
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Tyro2u
Lethbridge, Alberta
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Joined: 04/27/2003
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I took that road with a 40ft MH towing a car, I made it without tooo much problem but won't try it again, the next year I backtracked from Calistoga to get around it. There are signs warning big trucks are not recommended. Tight corners with not much shoulder on the downhill side. If you are comfortable driving your rig it is doable but I know i tend to cut the corners turning right.
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dsr27
SF Bay area
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Thanks Gary and Tyro - sounds like I'll be OK travelling my usual slow and ponderous rate through the twisty parts. I sort of recall that there are only 5-10 miles of tight stuff.
thanks
Gary
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dsr27
SF Bay area
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an update: we went up via Williams and Hwy 20 into Clearlake and came back via Calistoga and Hwy 29. The Calistoga route was about 1/2 hour faster, just as MapQuest predicted. By negotiating the turns slowly, no real stress. Travelling through the Napa valley is a different story - a bit stressful with all the weekend traffic trying to get across the Hwy. As for Hwy 29 between Middletown and Calistoga, that took about 30 minutes, travelling at 20-30 MPH in the twisty parts. I pulled off twice to let the line behind me around.
thanks again for the inputs
Gary
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joelbaker
South Bay SF area, CA, USA
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Last year I took my 40 footer with a minivan in tow over 29. I survived but it was a white knuckle ride. I wouldn't do it voluntarily but at least I could do it. I went on 128(???) in OR heading to Ashland and that was quite an event too.
Joel & Bonnie
3 teen boys and 3 dogs
2006 Monaco Diplomat 40PDQ w/4 slides, 40.5', Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2001 Town & Country, Falcon All-Terrain, Roadmaster EvenBrake.
Rallies Attended: 8;Gatherings Attended: 3
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