Taking Fiver up Hwy 1 to Big Sur from Southern California

A Real Question:

What is so bad about Rt1 here??

We plan to run the PCH from San Diego to Port Washington next spring. We will be driving a 23' Class A without towed.

We have driven other tight places like the Curso Road (US 276) when we had to get off the Blue Ridge. (W35°22.400 N082°47.450) And that was 4.2 miles of road in 2.2 miles of map and 1800+' drop.

DW wants to drive south to north so we are on the inside.

Matt

Desert Captain wrote:
"I agree - some are just wimps and don't know how to drive or something. Quit being a wuss everyone. Man up already. I have driven the entire 1 from top to bottom with my last 32ft class C pulling my car on a dolly as well as taking my 35ft bumper pull travel trailer up that road multiple times. It's just a road people. Don't be afraid."


I knew this thread would generate a response like this... sigh. Chest thumping and name calling aside the fact is you were neither legal nor safe. I guess that 40' max rule/law just does not apply to you. I believe you've done it and I know you were over the double yellow more times than anyone could count. So what gives you the right to endanger others?

The OP ask for opinions and got quite a few but I'm sure most folks can sort out the good ones from the nonsense.

Ah, some people are awake on this forum. As you can see above, it is legal and I have seen plenty of highway patrol on that road and not once did they even bat an eye at me. I had to pass people on that road after it gets straight before carmel with my class C and towing. Taking the 1 topic has been beat to death already - take it if you know how to drive, don't if your don't. Simple as that.

CA truck map 65' pin to rear axle is OK
30' pin to rear axle advised

CA bus motorhome map says 40' max
OP is not driving a MH

I just took my 24' trailer from Santa Barbara to San Francisco this past August with absolutely no problems. I was cautious and observant on the curves. It is narrow but not death defying or terrifying. Don't worry too much about traffic backing up behind you, no one drives that fast on that road.
RichH

I knew this thread would generate a response like this... sigh. Chest thumping and name calling aside the fact is you were neither legal nor safe. I guess that 40' max rule/law just does not apply to you. I believe you've done it and I know you were over the double yellow more times than anyone could count. So what gives you the right to endanger others?

The OP ask for opinions and got quite a few but I'm sure most folks can sort out the good ones from the nonsense.

You are correct, folks can sort out the nonsense from facts. And the facts are that 40 feet has been forever the max length of a single vehicle in California until 1991 when federal laws allowed up to 45 feet for buses and motorhomes on Interstate and some US highways. California's legislature amended the revised statutes to allow up to 45 feet motorhomes on certain roads that would be in compliance with national laws. This has nothing to do with trailers, fifth wheels or goose neck trailers being towed that can be up to 65 feet long and that is what the OP is asking about. And on the PCH between San Simeon and Carmel the max length is 65 feet as determined by the California Dept. of Transportation. So, it is legal to tow a fifth on this road. If it was not safe nor legal max lengths probably would be less. Drive the highway..... there are no RV's, motorcycles or bicycles littering the side of the road from folks that did not make it. Nobody is saying that paying attention and being careful is not warranted on this road, but then it is warranted on all roads. Nobody is saying you don't need to know where you wheels are going around a curve, but then any driver should know that on any road with curves. Lastly, the OP's fifth is 33 feet long, a 30 foot kingpin to rear axle advisory would be a longer distance than the OP's fifth pin to rear axle.

"I agree - some are just wimps and don't know how to drive or something. Quit being a wuss everyone. Man up already. I have driven the entire 1 from top to bottom with my last 32ft class C pulling my car on a dolly as well as taking my 35ft bumper pull travel trailer up that road multiple times. It's just a road people. Don't be afraid."


I knew this thread would generate a response like this... sigh. Chest thumping and name calling aside the fact is you were neither legal nor safe. I guess that 40' max rule/law just does not apply to you. I believe you've done it and I know you were over the double yellow more times than anyone could count. So what gives you the right to endanger others?

The OP ask for opinions and got quite a few but I'm sure most folks can sort out the good ones from the nonsense.

Terryallan wrote:
Went down HWY 1 in a 18 wheeler once. From San Jose to San Diego. NEVER again. Dragging the mountain with the trailer, and hanging the cab off the cliff at the same time. Not fun at all, and not being from there. Couldn't find a way off.
Do what you want

Pin to rear axle on most semi-trailers is far more than on 33' fifth wheel.
Shorter pin to axle will track better.

jmtandem wrote:

It's either me or be stuck behind a Prius or Subaru at the same speed with those folks refusing to pull over for hours lol. I know it's a tall order. Thanks for the motivation ha

For some people the slightest curve or hill discourages them from taking an RV places including PCH Ragged Point through Big Sur. For others they just do it. Ninety- nine percent of bicyclists are going north to south to avail themselves of the prevailing wind, they will be no issue for you going north. And virtually all motorcycles will not be any factor for you, either, as they simply want to get on up the road and are not a hindrance to anybody. Believe the naysayers if you want or just go do it. My only suggestion is to be sure you know where your wheels are around corners especially the front truck wheels to give you the most room in the lane for cornering with the fifth. Other than that -- go for it. If you want to worry about it, Caltrans has a website with max lengths allowed on state highways. You might check into this segment. Google 'Caltrans maximum vehicle lengths on state highways'. If I recall trucks are limited to 65 feet long between Carmel and San Simeon. But, check it out the map and corresponding color coded descriptions are interesting.

I agree - some are just wimps and don't know how to drive or something. Quit being a wuss everyone. Man up already. I have driven the entire 1 from top to bottom with my last 32ft class C pulling my car on a dolly as well as taking my 35ft bumper pull travel trailer up that road multiple times. It's just a road people. Don't be afraid.

Went down HWY 1 in a 18 wheeler once. From San Jose to San Diego. NEVER again. Dragging the mountain with the trailer, and hanging the cab off the cliff at the same time. Not fun at all, and not being from there. Couldn't find a way off.
Do what you want

I wouldn't take my trailer on that road.