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Hwy 395 Hwy 120 and 6.... are they good for a 42' 5th wheel

Mariamink
Explorer
Explorer
I will be traveling from Truckee California through Reno down I-580 onto 395 south till it reaches hwy 120 east to hwy 6 into Nevada, taking 95 the rest of the way to Las Vegas. Has anyone done this drive hauling a big rig? Is it curvy? Does it have many steep grades and abrupt edges? Is there plenty of stops for diesel that can accommodate a big rig?

Thank you, Maria
19 REPLIES 19

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
I've done 120 from 6 and back on a bicycle and it is a real workout but your rig doesn't tire like a cyclist. To bad you can't stop at Adobe Valley and check out the wild horses. The part of 395 through Walker Canyon is a little slow and you will probably have to pull over for the speed demons. Spooner is two lanes from the north side to the bottom on the south side. The Mono Lake Visitors Center is worth a stop.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

missourijan
Explorer
Explorer
X2 on what others said about it being a good route. We have gone that way more than once and it's fine. We pull a 37' 5'r and it's no problem at all. It's been a year since we've been on 395 and 1 1/2 years since we've been on 120 & 6, all in good shape for rv's.

coolbreeze01
Explorer
Explorer
If you are unsure of your driving or equipment, take I80 to 95 South. 395 isn't for all drivers or rigs. Watched the CHP pull over a long RV the other day south of Bridgeport. Driver couldn't keep it on his side of the road.
2008 Ram 3500 With a Really Strong Tractor Motor...........
LB, SRW, 4X4, 6-Speed Auto, 3.73, Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro........
2014 Sandsport 26FBSL

Mariamink
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks! Since we are 42' maybe it's a good idea to take 167. I truly appreciate everyone's input.

msmith1199
Explorer II
Explorer II
msmith1199 wrote:
I have done that very route in my 35' DP without problem. It's a nice scenic route and parts of 6 and 95 are so remote you don't see other vehicles for an hour at a time. It's all good roads, but there are curves and hills.

I just checked the Caltrans website and the section of 120 between 395 and 6 is restricted to 40' max vehicle length. So it's up to you if you want to chance it or not.


But if you take a left on 167 North of Mono Lake, it is not restricted and it will go over to 95 also.

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

msmith1199
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have done that very route in my 35' DP without problem. It's a nice scenic route and parts of 6 and 95 are so remote you don't see other vehicles for an hour at a time. It's all good roads, but there are curves and hills.

I just checked the Caltrans website and the section of 120 between 395 and 6 is restricted to 40' max vehicle length. So it's up to you if you want to chance it or not.

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

nevadanick
Explorer
Explorer
All the roads from 395 over to 95 are doable. I usually cut across before Topaz and go through Yerington to Shurz. That said i love the drive on 120 to 6, great scenery and last time we stayed at Benton Hot Springs, get your own hot tub at your camp spot.

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Explorer III
OP: You won't have any issues with 395. It's a stunning highway. We've taken Hwy 6 in Nevada to 95 with our 40' MH and loved the drive. Hwy 6 is curvy but not very long and not much traffic. We enjoyed it. Hwy 95 is no problem.
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ORbiker
Explorer
Explorer
http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/docs/truckmap-d09.pdf

30 ft *KPRA = kingpin-to-rear-axle distance

It is a nice drive. Some up, some down.
Backpacker and tent camper all my life. Motorcycle trips with a tent too 1978 to Present. 2016 Grand Design 380TH as of 10-29-2015. Now a New 2018 374TH-R Solitude as of 3-16-19. 10-19-18-traded truck for a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 Long Box.

Lauren
Explorer
Explorer
We are in OR on the Coast once again; done it several times from Tucson area. We do the 395 one, or sometimes both, ways each trip. Absolutely love it.

We take it from the OR border to Hwy 58 near Boron on the south or vice versa.
Barbara-DW 55 years
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06 Mobile Suites 32TK3
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20 yrs PT RVing - 190 RV parks; some many times


profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you have never taken 395, you are in for a treat! Beautiful.
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2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
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Mike_Taverniti
Explorer
Explorer
A few miles are like a roller coaster. You start going down with your truck before your trailer is all the way up the hill ! Measure from your fifth wheel hitch to your trailer axel. A beautiful drive, but check for this issue.

Mariamink
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for that tip Mike. Although I don't know what "pin to rear axle is" but I'll research it.

Mike_Taverniti
Explorer
Explorer
You need to double check 120 from 395 to 6. Your pin to rear axle may be too much. Can't quite remember but there is a restriction. If not this is a beautiful drive.