Advice towing into Yosemite

Towing up & down the New Priest Grade was OK for me. I pretty much used the same technique that Othertonka posted for being aware of the road ahead.

The only problem I did have, was getting stuck behind a Prius that had 4 adults for a couple of miles until they pulled over to let me by. :B

A little advice when going up New Preist grade have your co pilot look up hill and observe any traffic, especially trucks, that are coming down so you can time your assent and slow down or speed up so you don't meet them in a turn, or at least you can be on the look out for those trucks. You can see almost to the top of the grade and those trucks coming down the grade stand out pretty well.

kfcflores wrote:
Hi guys. Need some tips/pointers on towing into yosemite. My TV is a 2011 Tundra Crewmax 5.7 4wd, My TT is a 2007 Keystone Outback 27RSDS, length about 30ft, weight about 7k loaded. I just got this TV last week and have made one trip with it so far. OMG what a difference compared to my last TV (Chevy Tahoe).
This weekend is the big trip to yosemite. I will be coming from Sacramento Area and staying at an RV park called Yosemite Pines in Groveland near West Yosemite Entrance. I have read and heard the drive in via ca120 can be scary. Looking for any advice, tips, pointers. Thanks in advance.

Kevin

Been there, done that. Stayed at yosemite pines before. some folks seem to dread going up Priest Grade into Groveland. the old priest grade with a trailer is a NO NO, they don't allow trailers. The new priest grade route into Groveland is a pretty constant grade, probably about 6%, but the road is wide, turns wide and plenty of pullouts.

On the way down We took 50 to placerville then down 49 to Big oak flat and up to Groveland. On the way back we took 49 to 16 then I-5. No issues at all and we are 65' overall. Not being from around Sacramento, we wanted to go down 49 for the old towns etc. and really enjoyed it.

We'd rather travel on back roads than interstate.

Check the yosemite pines website. At one time they had recomended routes in/out. If you call yosemite pines they can probably give you advice on 120.

Easy drive, enjoy.

Priest Grade on 120, is a little daunting, but the new section is much easier than the old one.
most of the rest is fine.

entering on 140 is much easier but if you're staying in Groveland, then 120 still will be the way to enter.

you're not going to be driving into the Valley with the trailer, right? if not, then you'll have no worries driving from Groveland to the Valley.