Hwy 168 to Shaver Lake in California recommendations

Kudos to you for doing your homework like this. And hats off to you for trying to find fun (and safe) places to camp with your daughter.

I've had good luck finding scales from the CAT locator: https://catscale.com/cat-scale-locator/

You can probably google "truck scales" and your zip code or city to find other companies with scales too.

What you want is a scale at a commercial location like a truck stop. You don't want a roadside DMV/CHP scale though.

There's an art to weighing, so you should search through the Towing forum here or start a new thread there in Towing for advice on checking your weights.

When you weigh your rig, pack it like you'd pack for a trip: full water (if you tow with water), fridge, dishes, clothes, propane, firewood, passengers, gas, and whatever else you bring with you.

Steel yourself for some blunt responses from the weight police. They aren't always kind and sometimes not even right.

The moderators in Towing are super nice guys and hopefully won't let the trolls give you a hard time. (Just like I've deleted some of the unkind responses in this thread.)

This is all supposed to be fun. Once you've done your homework about the safety and made any necessary adjustments to your setup, you'll be all set. You'll hopefully make checklists for packing, and the safety issues will be part of the routine (check tire pressure, check lug nuts, etc.).

And as far as the friends go, that's kind of up to you. Meeting strangers on the internet is dicey, but I camped with a huge group of people I met here in the Toy Hauler forum in 2004 (including single moms) and I've been life-long friends with most of them ever since. Most of my camping pals are people from other cities and states, and we never see each other outside of camp. We've been through thick and thin as a group, experiencing joys and tragedies as a camping family. And yes, I've hauled other people's trailers for them when they needed it. It's a small gesture that comes from all of us relying so much on each other.

Good luck and keep asking questions.

I have wanted to take it to the scales to weigh it but have no idea where or how to find one. Do you have any suggestions? It is my daughter and myself camping we have yet to find other people or a group to camp with.

anita30again wrote:
Thank you all for the advice, it doesn't sound like something I want to do with my current tow vehicle.

If you're close friends with people in your group, maybe you can tow from home to the base of the foothills, and then one of your friends could tow you up the hill.

It's really nice up there, but you're right to decide against towing it yourself.

anita30again wrote:
My trailer is 4200 pounds dry and I do not fill the tanks when towing it.

A trip to the scales may surprise you.

Thank you all for the advice, it doesn't sound like something I want to do with my current tow vehicle.

My trailer is 4200 pounds dry and I do not fill the tanks when towing it.

Unfortunately you don't have a good truck to do that drive. It will be very slow going and you'll have to use your transmission hard coming down. I've been going to Shaver for 40 years with everything from a TT/Tundra to now a diesel/5th wheel. Diesel is so much more enjoyable and safe. What you have won't be. Consider borrowing a bigger truck; or renting. Good luck.

I live in Fresno and know that grade well. I would not want to be anywhere near you either coming up the hill and especially going down the hill. Many do it, but I would recommend getting a real tow vehicle first. JMO
Keep in mind what the temperature is going to be in Fresno and going up that hill in August. August is usually in the 100+ range.

That's a tough tow. We've done it and really love Shaver Lake, but it's not an easy tow at all. Last summer a friend in our group did it in his moho and hated it so much that he sold the moho when he got home and bought a new pickup and fifth wheel.

Getting up the hill is a lot of work, but pretty much everyone is going slow. Coming back down is hard work though. I have integrated engine braking and an amazing tow/haul mode in my transmission and it was still work.

The problem wasn't necessarily the steepness of the grades but the length of the steep grade. Going over the Conejo Pass in T.O. is pretty short and quick. No big deal.

If your brakes aren't heavy duty and your transmission doesn't have a good tow/haul mode, then I would think twice.

We have friends in our group who won't go to Shaver because of the grade.

It's do-able, but not fun.

Is your trailer 4,200 pounds dry or wet and loaded?