Hwy 1 in Ca

Did this route in 24-25 foot Class C, but I likely wouldn't in the current 37 footer with toad. Just not what I would want to do as I don't think I would enjoy the traveling and views without the concerns of driving. Of course, this is just what I would and would not do. It is a beautiful drive, but I would rather do it in something much smaller.

Fact: Buses and motorhomes over 40 feet are prohibited just north of hearst castle to just shy of Carmel.

Opinions: Everything else on this thread.

:-)

jmtandem wrote:

just as a point of interest, both of the routes you mention, Ebbets pass and Sonora pass, are both red routes and 40 ft MH are prohibited. Just in case someone tries to navigate them. DON'T

Ebbets and Sonora make the PCH look like an interstate highway. Everything is relative. Just like the previous poster mentioned that Californians are far more comfortable driving the coast highway than some folks from other parts of the nation that are comfortable with the geometrics and alignment of roads in their areas. It is not about legality. It is about perception. Being 39 and a half feet long or 40 feet and six inches is really not that big a difference for driving any road. Caltrans had to make a decision and settled on 40 feet. It doesn't change the road or make it any easier or harder to travel on.

My comment was not so much about legality but perception. North of Fort Bragg where the road gets really windy with no shoulders logging truck drivers travel the road several times a day with no issues as they are comfortable with the environment. Some folks driving a Prius would advise others to stay as far away from the road as possible. All I was doing was agreeing with the previous poster regarding people's perceptions based on what they are comfortable driving and then reporting that here.

I've been over both Ebbets and Sonora Passes in a car. And I'd drive Highway 1 in a heartbeat before I'd take my 35 footer over either of those. I did take a 28' rental class C over Sonora pass many years ago, but I wouldn't do it again. Sonora pass has been widened since that time so it is probably doable in a motorhome under 40', but I wouldn't do it. No way would I try Ebbets as it's still one lane in many places. What happens when two motorhomes with four down toads meet head on? Somebody is unhooking the toad and backing up.

just as a point of interest, both of the routes you mention, Ebbets pass and Sonora pass, are both red routes and 40 ft MH are prohibited. Just in case someone tries to navigate them. DON'T

Ebbets and Sonora make the PCH look like an interstate highway. Everything is relative. Just like the previous poster mentioned that Californians are far more comfortable driving the coast highway than some folks from other parts of the nation that are comfortable with the geometrics and alignment of roads in their areas. It is not about legality. It is about perception. Being 39 and a half feet long or 40 feet and six inches is really not that big a difference for driving any road. Caltrans had to make a decision and settled on 40 feet. It doesn't change the road or make it any easier or harder to travel on.

My comment was not so much about legality but perception. North of Fort Bragg where the road gets really windy with no shoulders logging truck drivers travel the road several times a day with no issues as they are comfortable with the environment. Some folks driving a Prius would advise others to stay as far away from the road as possible. All I was doing was agreeing with the previous poster regarding people's perceptions based on what they are comfortable driving and then reporting that here.

jmtandem wrote:

Then I took a cross country trip a while back and started noticing how flat everything is once you get passed the Rockies. That's when I figured out that the Highway 1 problem was mostly people from the flat lands. They just aren't used to driving on the side of cliffs.

Those that don't like the Pacific Coast Highway due to curves and cliffs should try Ebbetts Pass, California State Route 4. That would be an eye opener for sure. Or the top section of Sonora Pass.

just as a point of interest, both of the routes you mention, Ebbets pass and Sonora pass, are both red routes and 40 ft MH are prohibited. Just in case someone tries to navigate them. DON'T

othertonka wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

And I should point out here, I'm from California so steep windy roads on the edge of cliffs are no big deal to me. When you see people telling you to stay off Highway 1 in a motorhome check their profile and you'll see they are often from a flat state. I understand where they're coming from. If you're used to driving through soybeans and cornfields then Highway 1 can be a little scary. But if you don't have a fear of heights and you can handle your motorhome, it is a doable road in a 40 foot and under motorhome. I've seen semi-trucks with 40 foot trailers out on Highway 1 taking supplies in to the communities on the road.

Very good point!

This is something I noticed a while back. Every time the subject of Highway 1 comes up there's always a group of people who come on here and tell everybody to don't go anywhere near it and they talk about how scared they were and how they almost fell into the ocean three times driving on the road. I never could understand why people were so afraid of it, especially the part south of Monterey. North of San Francisco is a little more tricky, but the road south of Monterey is just fine.

Then I took a cross country trip a while back and started noticing how flat everything is once you get passed the Rockies. That's when I figured out that the Highway 1 problem was mostly people from the flat lands. They just aren't used to driving on the side of cliffs.

But you are forgetting the OP is driving a 43 ft MH and that vehicle is prohibited by law on this highway. Are you suggesting he should break the law?

Read my very first post to the OP. The subject changed from the OP's question to don't take motorhomes on Highway 1.

Then I took a cross country trip a while back and started noticing how flat everything is once you get passed the Rockies. That's when I figured out that the Highway 1 problem was mostly people from the flat lands. They just aren't used to driving on the side of cliffs.

Those that don't like the Pacific Coast Highway due to curves and cliffs should try Ebbetts Pass, California State Route 4. That would be an eye opener for sure. Or the top section of Sonora Pass.

msmith1199 wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

And I should point out here, I'm from California so steep windy roads on the edge of cliffs are no big deal to me. When you see people telling you to stay off Highway 1 in a motorhome check their profile and you'll see they are often from a flat state. I understand where they're coming from. If you're used to driving through soybeans and cornfields then Highway 1 can be a little scary. But if you don't have a fear of heights and you can handle your motorhome, it is a doable road in a 40 foot and under motorhome. I've seen semi-trucks with 40 foot trailers out on Highway 1 taking supplies in to the communities on the road.

Very good point!

This is something I noticed a while back. Every time the subject of Highway 1 comes up there's always a group of people who come on here and tell everybody to don't go anywhere near it and they talk about how scared they were and how they almost fell into the ocean three times driving on the road. I never could understand why people were so afraid of it, especially the part south of Monterey. North of San Francisco is a little more tricky, but the road south of Monterey is just fine.

Then I took a cross country trip a while back and started noticing how flat everything is once you get passed the Rockies. That's when I figured out that the Highway 1 problem was mostly people from the flat lands. They just aren't used to driving on the side of cliffs.

But you are forgetting the OP is driving a 43 ft MH and that vehicle is prohibited by law on this highway. Are you suggesting he should break the law?

You can do it, but remember you are doing it illegally because of your length. I go up to a lake every year with a length restriction, and I am over by almost 2'. I know I am over, but I do not have a tag, which is what they look for. I was stopped 2 years ago for length by a regular CHP Officer, he saw the 40E model number on the side and did not measure, thought 40E meant it was 40'. Had it been a Commercial guy, or if I had a tag I would probably would have been cited, and depending on the Officer's mood, they can make you park it where it is stopped and get a special permit to drive out from CalTrans, which is pricey. If you are in an accident, even if it is not your fault, expect some fallout for length. Also the trucks you see that are over length, they restricted to local deliveries, and certain sections.

jmtandem wrote:

And I should point out here, I'm from California so steep windy roads on the edge of cliffs are no big deal to me. When you see people telling you to stay off Highway 1 in a motorhome check their profile and you'll see they are often from a flat state. I understand where they're coming from. If you're used to driving through soybeans and cornfields then Highway 1 can be a little scary. But if you don't have a fear of heights and you can handle your motorhome, it is a doable road in a 40 foot and under motorhome. I've seen semi-trucks with 40 foot trailers out on Highway 1 taking supplies in to the communities on the road.

Very good point!

This is something I noticed a while back. Every time the subject of Highway 1 comes up there's always a group of people who come on here and tell everybody to don't go anywhere near it and they talk about how scared they were and how they almost fell into the ocean three times driving on the road. I never could understand why people were so afraid of it, especially the part south of Monterey. North of San Francisco is a little more tricky, but the road south of Monterey is just fine.

Then I took a cross country trip a while back and started noticing how flat everything is once you get passed the Rockies. That's when I figured out that the Highway 1 problem was mostly people from the flat lands. They just aren't used to driving on the side of cliffs.