We are looking at our options as far as travelling down Hwy 101 from Canon Beach,OR to the start of Hwy 1 in California. From there I understand that driving a RV from the start of Hwy 1 to San Fran is slow going, narrow and very windy. I don't mind driving in situations like this as I spend a lot of time on roads that are not fun to drive. (Logging and oilfield roads Northern Canada). I see that we can just stay on Hwy 101 in California and tike side trips over to Hwy 1. From south of San Fran I have read that it is not so bad and definately worth it as long as I have patience.So my options are truck and 36" Fiver and staying on 101 from Canon Beach down to San Fran and then Hwy 1 to LA.Or wifes SUV and a tent. And doing 101 to the start of Hwy 1 and then following it all the way down to LA. I have a feeling the tent though will just be for decoration on most nights and hotels.com might be my best friend:WHas anyone done Hwy 1 in a larger fiver or travel trailer? I have already read some MH and toad stories which were not to fun.

Ooops...a 36" Fiver? No wait, its a 36' Fiver.

I wouldn't drive most sections of the PCH in an RV. There are signs advising against it for good reason. If you do so, make sure you make good use of the pull offs to allow others to pass you safely.

You can do the majority of CA 1, however the potion between Legget and Fort Bragg was restricted to a length. South of San Francisco the road is crooked and driver needs help from navigator to watch for on coming traffic.US 101 doesn't have any problems except traffic.

We drove that section with our shorter 5er. The issue for me was the thick fog, and not the alignment.

From there I understand that driving a RV from the start of Hwy 1 to San Fran is slow going, narrow and very windy. I don't mind driving in situations like this as I spend a lot of time on roads that are not fun to drive. (Logging and oilfield roads Northern Canada). If you are comfortable driving narrow and windy roads where you live, you should be comfortable driving narrow and windy roads in California. Many do it with long travel trailers or fifth wheels. It is all about the experience of the driver. Logging trucks drive the segment between Legget and Fort Bragg many times a day. California highway 1, the PCH, is arguably the most scenic road in all of America. Don't miss out on the coast just because you have a fifth wheel.

Hwy 101 and Hwy 1 (PCH) Can it be done in a larger Fiver?

Johndeere4955
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Ooops...a 36" Fiver? No wait, its a 36' Fiver.
Robert78121
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
I wouldn't drive most sections of the PCH in an RV. There are signs advising against it for good reason. If you do so, make sure you make good use of the pull offs to allow others to pass you safely.
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 17, 2014
You can do the majority of CA 1, however the potion between Legget and Fort Bragg was restricted to a length. South of San Francisco the road is crooked and driver needs help from navigator to watch for on coming traffic.
US 101 doesn't have any problems except traffic.
korbe
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
We drove that section with our shorter 5er. The issue for me was the thick fog, and not the alignment.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2014
From there I understand that driving a RV from the start of Hwy 1 to San Fran is slow going, narrow and very windy. I don't mind driving in situations like this as I spend a lot of time on roads that are not fun to drive. (Logging and oilfield roads Northern Canada).

If you are comfortable driving narrow and windy roads where you live, you should be comfortable driving narrow and windy roads in California. Many do it with long travel trailers or fifth wheels. It is all about the experience of the driver. Logging trucks drive the segment between Legget and Fort Bragg many times a day. California highway 1, the PCH, is arguably the most scenic road in all of America. Don't miss out on the coast just because you have a fifth wheel.
DougE
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Oh gee, it's already time for our monthly big rig, highway 1 question?
jmtandem
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2014
Oh gee, it's already time for our monthly big rig, highway 1 question?

Yup........and living in Texas this must be priority exciting information for you!
Supercharged
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Johndeere4955 wrote:
We are looking at our options as far as travelling down Hwy 101 from Canon Beach,OR to the start of Hwy 1 in California. From there I understand that driving a RV from the start of Hwy 1 to San Fran is slow going, narrow and very windy. I don't mind driving in situations like this as I spend a lot of time on roads that are not fun to drive. (Logging and oilfield roads Northern Canada). I see that we can just stay on Hwy 101 in California and tike side trips over to Hwy 1. From south of San Fran I have read that it is not so bad and definately worth it as long as I have patience.

So my options are truck and 36" Fiver and staying on 101 from Canon Beach down to San Fran and then Hwy 1 to LA.

Or wifes SUV and a tent. And doing 101 to the start of Hwy 1 and then following it all the way down to LA. I have a feeling the tent though will just be for decoration on most nights and hotels.com might be my best friend:W

Has anyone done Hwy 1 in a larger fiver or travel trailer? I have already read some MH and toad stories which were not to fun.
Remember you have the big diesel, nothing can stop a big diesel. I would get on the road a go for it.
pawatt
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
101 thru all of Oregon is easy, Don't know about #1 in CA.
Two_Hands
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
There is a fairly short section of SR1 (Pacific Coast Highway) immediately north of the Golden Gate Bridge that I would not recommend for even a small class C. From about Carmel south to a point just north of San Simeon is another section that is definitely not recommended for larger rvs.