Road help -new rv driver.

[Rvkim]

Our family is going to TUOLUMNE MEADOWS on the east side of Yosemite. We have never been to Yosemite and have never driven an rv before
We are driving from LA area. Should we take the 395 up to 120 or come from west?
The road looks windy from west but hard to tell.
Any recommendationa welcome!


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[Yosemite_Sam1]

Or you can also go to Chevy Tahoe forum to read reviews or ask questions on how it handles towing.

One truck that I've looked into thinking I need to get a bigger one to handle the RV is F-150. It got the modern features, light (good mpg), got a tow package for safe towing and easy backing of the trailer and a good higher horsepower to engine displacement (mpg) ratio.

Advance congratulations on the Airstream -- it's the best in class RV in my opinion.

[Lexx]

My recommendation is to look at the worse case scenario. What's the realistic pin weight of the trailer after you've got stuff loaded, NOT the published pin weight which is usually lower than real life.

How much instability will there be on windy days? When a big semi truck or bus blows by you, are you worried about being pushed half a lane over by the compression wave?

If that car in front of you short brakes all of a sudden, does your tow vehicle and trailer brakes have enough stopping power?

How's the turning radius when you have to maneuver into a tight spot?

Some vehicles are just better at towing.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

EastDriver wrote:
I am very early in my research for a tow vehicle and travel trailer. I plan to sell my home within 2-3 yrs and purchase a travel trailer. I have my heart set on an Air Stream, new, approx 20-22 ft, no bigger. I am a single female and will be traveling alone so I do not need any larger. I also plan to purchase a new tow vehicle. I am leaning towards a Chevy Tahoe but am open to hearing from experienced RV'rs what to look for in a tow vehicle. I have driven a Dodge Ram truck a few times, but it's rather large for me. Your input is greatly appreciated.

You are on the right track.

Just see how much gross weight you'll hit from the dry weight of the Airstream you are planning to get.

With that, you'll have to get the right truck or SUV with towing capability matching the RV's gross weight.

You are right, some truck will be too big with extra expense on gas, maintenance and handling. RV dealers normally will have the software that does this.

[EastDriver]

I am very early in my research for a tow vehicle and travel trailer. I plan to sell my home within 2-3 yrs and purchase a travel trailer. I have my heart set on an Air Stream, new, approx 20-22 ft, no bigger. I am a single female and will be traveling alone so I do not need any larger. I also plan to purchase a new tow vehicle. I am leaning towards a Chevy Tahoe but am open to hearing from experienced RV'rs what to look for in a tow vehicle. I have driven a Dodge Ram truck a few times, but it's rather large for me. Your input is greatly appreciated.

[F-TROUP]

Take 395 to 120 you will have steep climb, but it's not all that long and an easy down grade to Tuolumne.

[dedmiston]

Hi RVKim,

Welcome to the forum! 🙂

Do you know what kind of RV you will be renting (what type and what size)?

Personally, I'm partial to the drive up the Owens Valley (395). I think it's a beautiful drive and the roads are in better shape than I-5 and Hwy 99.

Either route has at least one long/steep grade. Going up 395 takes you up the Sherwin Grade just north of Bishop. It's pretty straightforward and scenic. Although when I was a teenager I had to spend the night on the roadside when the motorhome my dad had borrowed blew a transmission seal going up the grade and we had to wait until the next morning to get help.

Going up I-5 takes you through the Grapevine, which isn't very scenic and can be a real booger in this heat.

If it were me, I would go up 395 and leave very early in the morning (like 4:00 or 5:00) to get as far as you can before it gets too hot. It's pretty toasty on that valley floor until you get up to about Lone Pine.

One other thought is that the 395 has a lot of nice spots to stop and rest and/or get fuel and food for your family. The route on the western side of the Sierra foothills doesn't have the same kind of roadside services.

A couple of stops that I would recommend are a picnic lunch at the Lone Pine fish hatchery and a visit to the Manzanar camp near Independence. Manzanar was a WWII internment camp. It's a shameful piece of our American history and a valuable conversation with your family. George Takei was held there with his family during the war.

Another couple of nice stops are...

Schatt's Bakery in Bishop. Their sweets are great if you like them, and their shepherd bread is amazing if you like savory carbs. They have a jalapeno cheese bread that's great on vacations: pick up a couple of loaves and your family will work through them for days. It's on the west side of Main Street, but there should be RV parking nearby.

A pleasant place for a sit-down meal if you're driving through at breakfast or lunch time is the Ranch House Cafe in Olancha. It's an oasis in the middle of nowhere. The food and the people are wonderful.

Enjoy your trip. It should be gorgeous up there.

[1492]

Moved from FORUM POSTING HELP AND SUPPORT

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Let me know which route you are planning to take.

I can give you more tips on gas prices and newbie mistakes that I pray you do not have to make that will hopefully make for a safer trip for you and the family.

[hamrs_62]

2oldman wrote:
Read before posting here.

your right I didn't read it right the first time sorry

[2oldman]

Read before posting here.

[hamrs_62]

actually your not going to Yosemite, so 108 would be the best bet, it is not to bad going up to TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, there is some close turns but very doable,coming down from 395 is pretty harry, going over Sonora pass, come all the way down to modesto, then take 120-108 through oakdale then up 108 the rest, coming 120through the yosemite park also is not the way to go, very sharp sharp turn coming down priest grade

[Yosemite_Sam1]

How well can you handle long steep grades? Both have white knuckle long steep grades. Some 14 miles of it. 120 have more than 100 of those hairpin curves.

Least difficult approach from LA is via I-5, then 99 and through South Entrance via Fresno.

Fastest is 395 but steep grades over high elevation can make your tow vehicle strain a bit (or a lot, defending on your tow vehicle-to towed unit weight ratio plus the wind drag).

Have a safe trip. Watch for the trailer push going down steep hills particularly the Grapevine (if you are going that way). I kept my speed at 55mph and shifted down to 4th or 3rd with intermittent braking.

But Yosemite to Toulumne is always worth it.

[lhenry8113]

What kind and how long of an RV do you have. Makes a difference in driving particularly in Ca. where 55 MPH is speed limit for towing on Ca. highways.

[Sam_Spade]

I suggest that you take one or two overnight "practice trips" before you head out for a long haul.

Most people don't think that is important but, trust me, it REALLY IS.

Especially if you haven't driven a big rig before.

P.S. This sub-forum is for questions about the forum itself, software and such.