Sonora Pass

Sonora Pass is the 108 and I was stationed at the Marine Base on same highway.
I was there for 3 1/2 years and that road is downright bad for anything bigger than a car.
We had to go up and down part of it with 6X trucks and we were in low and 4 wheel drive to slow them down more!
Go around as other posters suggested.
Good Luck & Drive Safe!

Is there any kind of book or map one can purchase with info on steep grades one may encounter while traveling? I have been surprised more than once and actually want to avoid them all...lol

moparmaga2 wrote:
I took Sonora Pass by mistake with my previous 37 foot gas class A with the Ford V10 and Toyota Corolla toad about 3 years ago.

We were originally set to go over Tioga Pass, but it was closed due to snow, so we found the next open pass so that we could get over the mountains, which happened to be Sonora Pass.

I have never ever been scared on a road before with an RV before, and if you have read any of my previous posts on this site, you will find that I think it is pretty asinine when posters buy any type of RV, and then are afraid to take it off the freeway.

However, even I met my match when going over Sonora Pass with my RV. I WILL NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!!NEVER EVER!!

There is a 26% grade on the pass, as well as many other grades above 15%. I had my foot all the way down to the firewall, the RV was in 1st gear, and I was not going fast enough at the top of the 26% grade for the speedometer needle to move off the rest between 0 and 5 mph. To say I was shaking is an understatement.

If the grade was 27%, I would have had to either turn around or have people get out and walk to lighten the load. I guess the ole 275 HP V10 had its limits.


I am not going to tell you that you can't take an RV up this pass, because thanks to the Good Lord Above, I made it, but if I were you, I would seek an alternate route.

I would second what this person said. Just last week I was telling people Highway 1 between Carmel and San Simeon is not as bad as people were making it out to be. I've done that stretch of 1 in my 35 foot dp with a toad several times. However, no way would I take my 35' DP over Sonora Pass. I did once take a 28' rental class C over Sonora pass and it was not a good drive. I had a lot of close calls with motorcycles coming in the opposite direction going to a rally in Bridgeport.

If you knew there would be no opposing traffic then you could probably do it in a Class A with a toad, but there will be other traffic up there. I would not do it. Both 88 and 120 are better routes. Don't take Highway 4 either as it's worse than 108.

I would never take any type of RV over Sonora Pass except a slide in camper.

I have driven hwy. 550 in Colorado between Durango and Ouray and compared to Sonora Pass it's like driving on an eight lane highway.

Don't do it.

moparmaga2 wrote:


However, even I met my match when going over Sonora Pass with my RV. I WILL NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!!NEVER EVER!!

There is a 26% grade on the pass, as well as many other grades above 15%. I had my foot all the way down to the firewall, the RV was in 1st gear, and I was not going fast enough at the top of the 26% grade for the speedometer needle to move off the rest between 0 and 5 mph. To say I was shaking is an understatement.

Yep that was me as well, my RV was floored at would not go over 20 mph with my jeep in tow, if my wife would have been with me I could have unhooked Jeep but I was alone, I also did it at night so there was no other traffic but it was a experience I will never do again in any RV..

I took Sonora Pass by mistake with my previous 37 foot gas class A with the Ford V10 and Toyota Corolla toad about 3 years ago.

We were originally set to go over Tioga Pass, but it was closed due to snow, so we found the next open pass so that we could get over the mountains, which happened to be Sonora Pass.

I have never ever been scared on a road before with an RV before, and if you have read any of my previous posts on this site, you will find that I think it is pretty asinine when posters buy any type of RV, and then are afraid to take it off the freeway.

However, even I met my match when going over Sonora Pass with my RV. I WILL NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!!NEVER EVER!!

There is a 26% grade on the pass, as well as many other grades above 15%. I had my foot all the way down to the firewall, the RV was in 1st gear, and I was not going fast enough at the top of the 26% grade for the speedometer needle to move off the rest between 0 and 5 mph. To say I was shaking is an understatement.

If the grade was 27%, I would have had to either turn around or have people get out and walk to lighten the load. I guess the ole 275 HP V10 had its limits.


I am not going to tell you that you can't take an RV up this pass, because thanks to the Good Lord Above, I made it, but if I were you, I would seek an alternate route.

You are correct. California SR 88 is a much better RV road for getting to where you want to go than SR 108.

Do not take the Sonora pass in a large class A motorhome, I did it in my 26ft class A towing a Jeep and it took 5 years off my life and smoked my front brakes.

Do Not Do This Pass....

I saw a 40ft Dp going over it one day.......but I wouldn't recommend it, especially towing a vehicle......to many hairpin, blind corners. I was raised in the area. I remember an 18 wheeler took the route by mistake. The driver thought he was going to die. Also helped out a pickup towing a trailer that was 1/4 mile from the summit on the east side and was spinning his tires. We managed to use a couple of other vehicles chained together and helped tow him up over the top. There's warning signs about the 26% grade. I'd take 88, much easier and safer drive. Sonora Pass is beautiful, but in the right vehicle.
Brian

Great motorcycle road but I wouldn't do what you are considering.