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papajim1's avatar
papajim1
Explorer
May 20, 2013

Driving certainvCalifornia Highways

We are getting ready for a month trip to Northern California and Southern Oregon. I mentioned to a friend that we were planning on taking Hwy 20 from Williams, CA (0ff Hwy 5)to Hwy 101 and ending up at Willits, CA. He said that is was bad or tough road for Class A. We have a Sea Breeze 32f. with a toad. Ford V10 engine. Anyone familar with that road? We are not going to Fort Bragg in the motor home, doing that by car.Thanks
  • We travel Hwy 20 between I-5 and Hwy 101 several times a year with our 40' DP and Ford Edge toad with no issues. We also go on to Fort Bragg on Hwy 20 without any problems. You just need to take it easy and stay alert.
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    CALTRANS has free map downloads that show restrictions for RV's and trucks . These also have grade and distance information .

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  • I am a native Californian. I have driven both Hwy 1 and 101. You will feel more comfortable to use your auto for Hwy 1 and MH on 101.
  • Thank you all for your responses. It is always nice to have help when going to a new area.
  • Most likely your friend was referring to the restrictions on many of the roads in that area, mainly Rte 1. California restricts Rte 1 and 20 to motorhomes less than 40' in length. You'll have no problems with your rig.....enjoy the trip...Dennis
  • Hwy 20 from Williams, I 5, to Hwy 101 is my preferred route and I drive a 32 ft MH towing a cRV. Sure it has some hills to climb but nothing that your RV can not handle. Have a good trip and you can fuel up at safeway in willits, right on hwy 101 and corner of hwy 20 in town.
  • We took that road from West to East last fall when we were exploring that area towing a 28 ft 8k TT and I don't recall anything negative other than the price of diesel.

    Should you be going between 101 and hwy 1 Manchester state park area do not even think about the mountain view rd. That one made for a white knuckle, way to big of rig and not nearly enough truck sort of day. 17 plus percent grade, with hitting the steering stops sort of switchbacks result in your having traction issues on dry pavement. On the downhill slopes zero to redline in first gear, even with the engine brake happened in about a tenth of a mile. It was very hard on the brakes.