Alternative to the Grapevine LA to Central Valley

Off_we_go wrote:
Thanks for the advice - my husband was saying Cajon Pass and then north through Tehachapi but I was afraid that might be too steep as well. I'm a coward right now but I'll get used to it. Sure wish there was an app or book about routes and elevations, etc. We broke down on the Grapevine once and ever since then I have hated that route......

The wife and I broke down once on the grapvine too (broke a leaf spring on the trailer) and were delayed about 8 hours. I know where you're coming from, but I would not hesitate to take that route again. Understandable if you don't want to, but know that all the alternative routes take a lot of time. Good luck to you. BTW, Cajon pass, which is in my backyard, is as steep or steeper than the grapvine, just not as long.

What is now called the Grapevine is the Interstate that replaced the highway through the Grapevine. That was the highway got replaced, the name of the notoriously dangerous route stuck.

If you don't use the Interstate, you'll usually end up on something more like what the road was when it was really the Grapevine highway.

So if you live in Granada Hills, CA, just head up I-5 and then pick up 99 on North, as it is in better shape than I-5 in the central valley.

What is your tow vehicle?

Chris

Off_we_go wrote:
Thanks for the advice - my husband was saying Cajon Pass and then north through Tehachapi but I was afraid that might be too steep as well. I'm a coward right now but I'll get used to it. Sure wish there was an app or book about routes and elevations, etc. We broke down on the Grapevine once and ever since then I have hated that route......

It is not exactly the best, but google maps will show you elevations (and routes). Just zoom in using the map view (not satellite view). The font is really small and blends into the map colors, but it is there. I have not tried it on my phone.

samsontdog wrote:
I have towed a 34 ft TT over the grapevine several times a year for over 16 yrs and to me its a piece of cake !!! That's the way I would go if I was you

"The news media incorrectly refers to the entire Ridge Route as - The Grapevine".

Did same (as above) with RVs beginning in 1970 with "gassers".

Before that, towed "bumper pull" race car haulers - to
Famosa March Meet(s) in Bakersfield. Race car had tach - TV didn't.

First TV with a tach was an '85 Ferd diesel.

YIKES!
HOW did I manage without a tachometer?

It's no big deal..;)

As a poster stated, "The Grapevine" is an old, *OLD* term that "stuck" from the original road - a term for a *portion* of the Ridge Route & I-5.

The Ridge Route - and "The Grapevine"

No need for alternate routes, gear down to maintain a safe speed (for you and conditions).

If that gets to be too fast - brake & shift to the next lower gear - even if it seems *really* slow. No tach necessary..;)

If other traffic wants/needs to pass - they will.


~

As mentioned just gear down. If you find that your are starting to go to fast push on your brakes relatively hard until you are 5 to 10 miles under the speed limit them release them. DONOT ride your brakes they will heat up and you will loose all braking.

I just went down the I-5 grapevine 2 weeks ago with my 33' 1994 Holiday Rambler towing a 2005 Dodge Caravan/tow dolly with a motorcycle inside the Caravan. At the top I simply took it out of over-drive, shifted to a lower gear and off I went (YEEHAAA!). Whenever I felt uncomfortable with my speed I'd slow it down 5-10mph with the brakes. I had absolutely no problems. If I did have problems, about 3/4 of the way down there's a "runaway truck" ramp you can drive onto that'll stop you.
Steve
PS Before the trip I swapped out my 20 year old DOT 3 brake fluid for DOT 5.1 (not DOT 5) severe-duty hi-temperature brake fluid. That gave me a lot more confidence starting out.