395 North Barstow to Tahoe under 460 V8 power

When I was traveling with three motorhomes up to Mammoth Mountain, the one with the 454 gas engine went ahead, and arrived at the campground about 5 minutes before the Country Coach I was driving, and the other diesel pusher behind me.

I can tell you I had full throttle, but the DP did not have the horsepower to weight ratio that the gas engine RV has.

I have a 460" Bounder, and it has 225 factory HP. By installing a Banks exhaust system, and a larger intake opening, the RV has plenty of power to take the grades, such as 395 from Victorville to Carson City (with some 9,000' passes, and grades up to 6% up and down the mountains.) and highway 50 from Carson City up to the 6,800' pass at Lake Tahoe. I keep up with most of the car traffic. Towing my Windstar van or Edge where no problem either.

My suggestion is that if you have not changed the transmission fluid in the past 10,000 miles, change it sometime before the trip, then it will be fresh.

Also consider changing out the brake fluid. It should be replaced every 6-7 years, because it absorbs moisture, and if the brakes get hot, that moisture can change to steam, - non-compressable, and you can loose the braking ability.

Fred.

Actually 395 doesn't go through Barstow. You will have to take 58 west out of Barstow over to Cramer Jct. (4-corners) and then north on 395.

There are two pretty steep grades you'll have to climb. One right out of Bishop (Sherwin's Grade) and the other just north of Mono Lake (can't remember the name). Sherwin's is about 5-6 miles long and probably at least 6%. Other is also about 6%, but not as long. Other than those two, should be fairly easy sailing for you.

However, not to be argumentative, but I've never know any gasser motorhome that has a larger than 5000 towing capacity and most only have a 3500 capacity. A Caravan and tow dolly has to be real close to or over 5000 lbs. Going up those long grades you might expect overheating problems as in September, the daytime temps will probably still be in the high 80's to low 90's. Sherwin's grade does have radiator water available in a couple of turn outs...just in case.

I agree tho, that this drive is one of the best in California; we go up/down it at least twice a year and each time marvel at its beauty. There is a fairly decent rv park in Lone Pine (Boulder Creek), two in Bishop, one (plus campgrounds) in Mammoth, Lee Vining and Gardnerville, so you shouldn't have any problems finding places to stay overnight if you want.

Good Luck

Ron

I worked Lone Pine resident post with CHP. You'll be driving one of the prettiest drives in the country from about Pearsonville north.

Bodie is worth a side trip as is Whitney Portal, but DO NOT TAKE THE RV UP THERE. Use the tow vehicle.

You'll be fine.

bsinmich wrote:
That is a very heavy load. I have had a Caravan and T&C and know their weight. Add the weight of the tow dolly and I am sure you are over weight. Do you have any brake system on the dolly?

Actually I looked up the weights of everything and I'm not overweight. As for the tow dolly I made sure to purchase one with electric brakes.

One of the good things about being stuck where I'm at with a rig that's not ready for travel yet, and it being too hot to work on the thing until the end of September, is it's giving me the chance to research everything and hopefully get as much as possible correct before I start out.

Steve

That is a very heavy load. I have had a Caravan and T&C and know their weight. Add the weight of the tow dolly and I am sure you are over weight. Do you have any brake system on the dolly?

If you are talking about going up 395 its a very nice drive I had no problems what so ever and was towing a full size pickup.