San Diego to Borrego Palm Canyon
Hello and thanks all in advance!! I am making my way to the desert next weekend and was wondering the best route? Driving in the mountains is a new area and would like the safest option.
Forum Discussion
Depending on the RV type and length and what type of engine power you have there is a way to go down on S-22 from Ranchita, be aware that there can be very strong wind gusts at Ranchita and down the hill.
Gas powered engine, as soon as the down grade starts slow down to 30 to 35 miles per hour and down shift to first gear you are going to use first gear all the way down to the bottom, you are not going to ride the brake at all, do not even put your foot on the pedal unless there is need to slow down even more, on the stretches that look flat you will maintain the speed and not up shift, since you will need to slow down at the next down part and speeding and slowing with the brakes will only heat the pads up and eventually lead to NO brakes, maintain the same speed until the bottom.
This also applies to Diesel units that do not have Jake brakes or engine retarders, use the same as a gas powered engine, do not pump the brakes at all,let the engine do the braking, pumping the brakes will eventually overheat the brakes.
For Diesel units with air brakes , Jake brake or engine retarder down shift and engage the Jake brake or engine retarder at the start of the grade and do not pump the air brakes unless absolutely needed, let the engine do the braking, pumping the brakes will eventually set the parking brake, and that is a rude stop.
Just take it slow and enjoy the view of the Salton Sea and of Borrego Springs, you might even get to see a Big Horn sheep on the slopes, there are look outs and pull troughs, do not mind the idiots that have "get there ittis", you probably will pass them at the next look out.
Used to go for the $50.00 dollar Buffalo hamburger at the airport in Borrego Springs, that is what the pilots used to say , of course mine was a lot cheaper.
Coming in to Borrego you make a 90 right turn on to the main drag, there is a gas station on the right side, it is advisable to fuel up before heading back up, the next fuel is Santa Isabela up the mountain, again going up, down shift and take it easy in order not to overheat the transmission by down shifting and up shifting, it is a long up hill grade.
navegator
Gas powered engine, as soon as the down grade starts slow down to 30 to 35 miles per hour and down shift to first gear you are going to use first gear all the way down to the bottom, you are not going to ride the brake at all, do not even put your foot on the pedal unless there is need to slow down even more, on the stretches that look flat you will maintain the speed and not up shift, since you will need to slow down at the next down part and speeding and slowing with the brakes will only heat the pads up and eventually lead to NO brakes, maintain the same speed until the bottom.
This also applies to Diesel units that do not have Jake brakes or engine retarders, use the same as a gas powered engine, do not pump the brakes at all,let the engine do the braking, pumping the brakes will eventually overheat the brakes.
For Diesel units with air brakes , Jake brake or engine retarder down shift and engage the Jake brake or engine retarder at the start of the grade and do not pump the air brakes unless absolutely needed, let the engine do the braking, pumping the brakes will eventually set the parking brake, and that is a rude stop.
Just take it slow and enjoy the view of the Salton Sea and of Borrego Springs, you might even get to see a Big Horn sheep on the slopes, there are look outs and pull troughs, do not mind the idiots that have "get there ittis", you probably will pass them at the next look out.
Used to go for the $50.00 dollar Buffalo hamburger at the airport in Borrego Springs, that is what the pilots used to say , of course mine was a lot cheaper.
Coming in to Borrego you make a 90 right turn on to the main drag, there is a gas station on the right side, it is advisable to fuel up before heading back up, the next fuel is Santa Isabela up the mountain, again going up, down shift and take it easy in order not to overheat the transmission by down shifting and up shifting, it is a long up hill grade.
navegator
