headed to Kennedy Meadows

Strabo wrote:
KM is hard decending 9 mile grade, ive lost the brakes on a 27' class c moho coming down, scarey stuff.......First gear for sure, i was in second.

On my 2005 Duramax, without exh. brake I came down in first and got a trans overheat warning. Had to stop at the bottom and let it cool down. Have not been back up there with the new trucks.

KM is hard decending 9 mile grade, ive lost the brakes on a 27' class c moho coming down, scarey stuff.......First gear for sure, i was in second.

nayther wrote:

BobWanderer wrote:


I understand about switchbacks, been on a few that I swear I could read the T H license plate :S

Thats one of the reasons I want a smaller 5er, places we go (Kennedy Meadows, etc) that I would not be comfortable taking a large T H. This coming from someone who had a Class "A" CDL for 25 years.

You two find a trailer yet?

Nope !!

Still fighting a bum hip/leg and can barely walk.

Have 2 rigs in mind, both have limitations, one has too low GVWR and the other not enough height under the rear bed. The Rhino is the issue, but no way I will get rid of it since it may be the only OHV I will be able use.
Getting old sucks !!

BobWanderer wrote:


I understand about switchbacks, been on a few that I swear I could read the T H license plate :S

Thats one of the reasons I want a smaller 5er, places we go (Kennedy Meadows, etc) that I would not be comfortable taking a large T H. This coming from someone who had a Class "A" CDL for 25 years.

You two find a trailer yet?

Eyetattoo wrote:
The problem with 108 isnt the grade its the very tight switchbacks. With my 26' TH I would be worried about making some of the turns, Im sure its do-able but you would need both lanes and some to make 2-4 of the turns.

I understand about switchbacks, been on a few that I swear I could read the T H license plate :S

Thats one of the reasons I want a smaller 5er, places we go (Kennedy Meadows, etc) that I would not be comfortable taking a large T H. This coming from someone who had a Class "A" CDL for 25 years.

The problem with 108 isnt the grade its the very tight switchbacks. With my 26' TH I would be worried about making some of the turns, Im sure its do-able but you would need both lanes and some to make 2-4 of the turns.

Steve76eb wrote:

BobWanderer wrote:

Steve76eb wrote:

Eyetattoo wrote:
Good thing your not going up today, they closed part of 108 due to a fire by Beardsley Lake. Going to be really smokey for a few days......

Different Kennedy Meadows than you are thinking of.

If someone was coming from Central Calif, they probably would use the 108 to get over to the 395. I would no want to pull over Tioga Pass and thru Yosemite.
I have a Brother who lives near Sonora and quite familiar with Hwy 120 and 108.

In a car or truck yes. Going over Sonora pass (108) with anything more than a pop up trailer or a smaller motorhome is a no no. Rv's and trailers not recommended. I would pull my 38' TH through Yosemite and over Tioga Pass in a heartbeat vs Sonora Pass.

On the west side of Sonora pass, before heading up the grade is a place called Kennedy Meadows that has camping and horseback riding. I am sure thats the spot he is thinking of especially if he is talking about the fire at Beardsley Lake.

NOT trying to start an argument, I was thinking more about traffic in Yosemite and the hill between the park entrance/exit and 395. Winding roads don't bother me too much, 9 mile canyon in Kennedy Meadows is quite steep and narrow, I don't hesitate to pull that road.

BobWanderer wrote:

Steve76eb wrote:

Eyetattoo wrote:
Good thing your not going up today, they closed part of 108 due to a fire by Beardsley Lake. Going to be really smokey for a few days......

Different Kennedy Meadows than you are thinking of.

If someone was coming from Central Calif, they probably would use the 108 to get over to the 395. I would no want to pull over Tioga Pass and thru Yosemite.
I have a Brother who lives near Sonora and quite familiar with Hwy 120 and 108.

In a car or truck yes. Going over Sonora pass (108) with anything more than a pop up trailer or a smaller motorhome is a no no. Rv's and trailers not recommended. I would pull my 38' TH through Yosemite and over Tioga Pass in a heartbeat vs Sonora Pass.

On the west side of Sonora pass, before heading up the grade is a place called Kennedy Meadows that has camping and horseback riding. I am sure thats the spot he is thinking of especially if he is talking about the fire at Beardsley Lake.

Steve76eb wrote:

Eyetattoo wrote:
Good thing your not going up today, they closed part of 108 due to a fire by Beardsley Lake. Going to be really smokey for a few days......

Different Kennedy Meadows than you are thinking of.

If someone was coming from Central Calif, they probably would use the 108 to get over to the 395. I would no want to pull over Tioga Pass and thru Yosemite.
I have a Brother who lives near Sonora and quite familiar with Hwy 120 and 108.

Eyetattoo wrote:
Good thing your not going up today, they closed part of 108 due to a fire by Beardsley Lake. Going to be really smokey for a few days......

Different Kennedy Meadows than you are thinking of.