Today I had an experience like no other. We decided to take a quick RV trip from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs for a couple of nights. The motorhome is going into winter storage for a couple of months over the holidays so I wanted to go for one last road trip.For those of you that know the area going east on the 86 by the Salton Sea, you make a right on S22 to go Borrego Springs. BE VERY CAREFUL on that road. I knew from the past that it was like a ribbon but boy has it gotten worse.I was going a little faster than I should for the roughness of the road. We came up to a dip that I didn't catch in time and let me tell you, I never porpoised so much in the 65,000 miles I've driven the coach. When we hit that dip, I swear to you that I think the front wheels came off of the ground. I can only imagine how it would have been if we didn't have a tag axle. I was following another class A coach although he was a good bit ahead of me and we ended up at the same park. As we were exiting our vehicles, I asked the guy how did you like those dips a while back. He said he was looking in the mirror for extra parts that might have fallen off. He must have hit it hard too.I will certainly be more aware of the dips on the way out on Tuesday! LOL!MM.

Mr Mark, We have been on that section of S-22 several times. That by far, is the worst section of road, in So Cal. And, what's amazing, it's a well traveled road. It's not something that's only used say, once a month or less. That road, is traveled, during the "desert" season, by thousands and thousands coming from points north of S-22 and even south and west of that intersection. We used to access "Truckhaven" area of Jeeping via that road, then hit 86 north to North Marina and then turn west again. And yes, I almost have no doubt that your front wheels left earth. Ours did, more than once. I've seen many front wheels on motorhomes depart earth on that section. I'm really surprised that CAL TRANS has not been sued for damage to multiple vehicles and has not repaired it. Anyway, you now know where it is, and what kind of conditions are presented when you traverse it. I now slow way, way down, when I approach it, from both directions. Good thing you did no damage. Scott

Whats Orange and sleeps six? A Caltrans truck!

Just traveled the OP's route a couple of days ago. I know of what he speaks. I did okay on the way in to Borrego Springs as I really wasn't up to speed when I came to the "motocross" section.Got me pretty good on the way out as I was at highway speed and did catch the "track entrance" in time. :Z If you have never been on the route and are planning to travel there, take heed.The rest of the road isn't that bad. I don't know what the deal is with that first section. Perhaps there is excessive ground movement in that area? Anybody?RobertHuntington Beach, California

100ton wrote:Just traveled the OP's route a couple of days ago. I know of what he speaks. I did okay on the way in to Borrego Springs as I really wasn't up to speed when I came to the "motocross" section.Got me pretty good on the way out as I was at highway speed and did catch the "track entrance" in time. :Z If you have never been on the route and are planning to travel there, take heed.The rest of the road isn't that bad. I don't know what the deal is with that first section. Perhaps there is excessive ground movement in that area? Anybody?RobertHuntington Beach, CaliforniaRobert, To say the least, it is a bazaar section of roadway. It's been like that for years and years. We started Jeeping in the Truckhaven area, which is just north of that bad road, over 25 years ago and it was that bad, way back then. Over the years, it's remained in the same shape and, to the best of my knowledge, it hasn't worsened. So, your suggestion of "Excessive ground movement", while a good thought, most likely is not the case because, it's only the actual road. There are residences on both sides, not that far off the road that have better and more even terrain between the homes and the pavement. Apparently there may not be enough complaints to CAL Trans or, whatever governing body is in control of that section, to get it repaired. But, as has been stated, to anyone traveling that section, California S-22, just a mile or so, west of California's 86, is really wavy for about a mile. While the speed limit in the area is, I think around 50 or so, in all reality, no motor home should exceed about probably 20-25 and that might be pushing it. Scott

Scott, absolutely right about 25 mph..... I just can not believe the dips in that road for the first mile or so. Thank goodness it levels out so you can go a decent speed. If my air bags and/or shocks were going to break, that would have been the time. Just thinking of the pressure I put on the front tires when I came back down on the pavement would have blown an old tire I'm sure. I still can't believe I didn't have some type of damage.Oh, and by the way, remember way back when I was having the tail light attached to my Honda? Well, we talked about connecting the high mounted stop light on the Honda. I thought it wasn't connected and found out today it was. The techs must have included the part that turns on the high mounted stop light. On the new 2013 Honda CR-V's, the high mounted stop light is very 'white' so I guess I didn't notice it.Safe travels and less porpoising.Mark

Porpoising | Good Sam Community

Executive45
Explorer III
Nov 04, 2013
Why is it called porpoising and not dolphining...:h.

Here I thought you were going to stay at Slab City and visit Salvation Mountain...:B

IMHO, that section of road will never be upgraded. It's been that way ever since I can remember and we used to go out there back in the 70's. No reason to think it'll ever change. Maybe you can go back over it and videotape your experience..you know, picture is worth a thousand words....:B:B...J/K...Dennis
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Scott, absolutely right about 25 mph..... I just can not believe the dips in that road for the first mile or so. Thank goodness it levels out so you can go a decent speed. If my air bags and/or shocks were going to break, that would have been the time. Just thinking of the pressure I put on the front tires when I came back down on the pavement would have blown an old tire I'm sure. I still can't believe I didn't have some type of damage.

Oh, and by the way, remember way back when I was having the tail light attached to my Honda? Well, we talked about connecting the high mounted stop light on the Honda. I thought it wasn't connected and found out today it was. The techs must have included the part that turns on the high mounted stop light. On the new 2013 Honda CR-V's, the high mounted stop light is very 'white' so I guess I didn't notice it.

Safe travels and less porpoising.
Mark
FIRE_UP
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
100ton wrote:
Just traveled the OP's route a couple of days ago. I know of what he speaks. I did okay on the way in to Borrego Springs as I really wasn't up to speed when I came to the "motocross" section.

Got me pretty good on the way out as I was at highway speed and did catch the "track entrance" in time. :Z If you have never been on the route and are planning to travel there, take heed.

The rest of the road isn't that bad. I don't know what the deal is with that first section. Perhaps there is excessive ground movement in that area? Anybody?

Robert
Huntington Beach, California

Robert,
To say the least, it is a bazaar section of roadway. It's been like that for years and years. We started Jeeping in the Truckhaven area, which is just north of that bad road, over 25 years ago and it was that bad, way back then. Over the years, it's remained in the same shape and, to the best of my knowledge, it hasn't worsened. So, your suggestion of "Excessive ground movement", while a good thought, most likely is not the case because, it's only the actual road. There are residences on both sides, not that far off the road that have better and more even terrain between the homes and the pavement.

Apparently there may not be enough complaints to CAL Trans or, whatever governing body is in control of that section, to get it repaired. But, as has been stated, to anyone traveling that section, California S-22, just a mile or so, west of California's 86, is really wavy for about a mile. While the speed limit in the area is, I think around 50 or so, in all reality, no motor home should exceed about probably 20-25 and that might be pushing it.
Scott
100ton
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Just traveled the OP's route a couple of days ago. I know of what he speaks. I did okay on the way in to Borrego Springs as I really wasn't up to speed when I came to the "motocross" section.

Got me pretty good on the way out as I was at highway speed and did catch the "track entrance" in time. :Z If you have never been on the route and are planning to travel there, take heed.

The rest of the road isn't that bad. I don't know what the deal is with that first section. Perhaps there is excessive ground movement in that area? Anybody?

Robert
Huntington Beach, California
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Whats Orange and sleeps six? A Caltrans truck!
FIRE_UP
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Mr Mark,
We have been on that section of S-22 several times. That by far, is the worst section of road, in So Cal. And, what's amazing, it's a well traveled road. It's not something that's only used say, once a month or less. That road, is traveled, during the "desert" season, by thousands and thousands coming from points north of S-22 and even south and west of that intersection.

We used to access "Truckhaven" area of Jeeping via that road, then hit 86 north to North Marina and then turn west again. And yes, I almost have no doubt that your front wheels left earth. Ours did, more than once. I've seen many front wheels on motorhomes depart earth on that section.

I'm really surprised that CAL TRANS has not been sued for damage to multiple vehicles and has not repaired it.

Anyway, you now know where it is, and what kind of conditions are presented when you traverse it. I now slow way, way down, when I approach it, from both directions. Good thing you did no damage.
Scott

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