Today I had an experience like no other. We decided to take a quick RV trip from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs for a couple of nights. The motorhome is going into winter storage for a couple of months over the holidays so I wanted to go for one last road trip.For those of you that know the area going east on the 86 by the Salton Sea, you make a right on S22 to go Borrego Springs. BE VERY CAREFUL on that road. I knew from the past that it was like a ribbon but boy has it gotten worse.I was going a little faster than I should for the roughness of the road. We came up to a dip that I didn't catch in time and let me tell you, I never porpoised so much in the 65,000 miles I've driven the coach. When we hit that dip, I swear to you that I think the front wheels came off of the ground. I can only imagine how it would have been if we didn't have a tag axle. I was following another class A coach although he was a good bit ahead of me and we ended up at the same park. As we were exiting our vehicles, I asked the guy how did you like those dips a while back. He said he was looking in the mirror for extra parts that might have fallen off. He must have hit it hard too.I will certainly be more aware of the dips on the way out on Tuesday! LOL!MM.

Mr Mark, We have been on that section of S-22 several times. That by far, is the worst section of road, in So Cal. And, what's amazing, it's a well traveled road. It's not something that's only used say, once a month or less. That road, is traveled, during the "desert" season, by thousands and thousands coming from points north of S-22 and even south and west of that intersection. We used to access "Truckhaven" area of Jeeping via that road, then hit 86 north to North Marina and then turn west again. And yes, I almost have no doubt that your front wheels left earth. Ours did, more than once. I've seen many front wheels on motorhomes depart earth on that section. I'm really surprised that CAL TRANS has not been sued for damage to multiple vehicles and has not repaired it. Anyway, you now know where it is, and what kind of conditions are presented when you traverse it. I now slow way, way down, when I approach it, from both directions. Good thing you did no damage. Scott

Whats Orange and sleeps six? A Caltrans truck!

Just traveled the OP's route a couple of days ago. I know of what he speaks. I did okay on the way in to Borrego Springs as I really wasn't up to speed when I came to the "motocross" section.Got me pretty good on the way out as I was at highway speed and did catch the "track entrance" in time. :Z If you have never been on the route and are planning to travel there, take heed.The rest of the road isn't that bad. I don't know what the deal is with that first section. Perhaps there is excessive ground movement in that area? Anybody?RobertHuntington Beach, California

100ton wrote:Just traveled the OP's route a couple of days ago. I know of what he speaks. I did okay on the way in to Borrego Springs as I really wasn't up to speed when I came to the "motocross" section.Got me pretty good on the way out as I was at highway speed and did catch the "track entrance" in time. :Z If you have never been on the route and are planning to travel there, take heed.The rest of the road isn't that bad. I don't know what the deal is with that first section. Perhaps there is excessive ground movement in that area? Anybody?RobertHuntington Beach, CaliforniaRobert, To say the least, it is a bazaar section of roadway. It's been like that for years and years. We started Jeeping in the Truckhaven area, which is just north of that bad road, over 25 years ago and it was that bad, way back then. Over the years, it's remained in the same shape and, to the best of my knowledge, it hasn't worsened. So, your suggestion of "Excessive ground movement", while a good thought, most likely is not the case because, it's only the actual road. There are residences on both sides, not that far off the road that have better and more even terrain between the homes and the pavement. Apparently there may not be enough complaints to CAL Trans or, whatever governing body is in control of that section, to get it repaired. But, as has been stated, to anyone traveling that section, California S-22, just a mile or so, west of California's 86, is really wavy for about a mile. While the speed limit in the area is, I think around 50 or so, in all reality, no motor home should exceed about probably 20-25 and that might be pushing it. Scott

Scott, absolutely right about 25 mph..... I just can not believe the dips in that road for the first mile or so. Thank goodness it levels out so you can go a decent speed. If my air bags and/or shocks were going to break, that would have been the time. Just thinking of the pressure I put on the front tires when I came back down on the pavement would have blown an old tire I'm sure. I still can't believe I didn't have some type of damage.Oh, and by the way, remember way back when I was having the tail light attached to my Honda? Well, we talked about connecting the high mounted stop light on the Honda. I thought it wasn't connected and found out today it was. The techs must have included the part that turns on the high mounted stop light. On the new 2013 Honda CR-V's, the high mounted stop light is very 'white' so I guess I didn't notice it.Safe travels and less porpoising.Mark

Porpoising | Good Sam Community

tiffinboy
Explorer
Nov 08, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
Tiffinboy, well, we went the other way leaving Borrego Springs driving out Borrego Springs Rd, to Hwy 78 to the 86. And yes, it was about 20 miles further but the road was 100% better. Unless we are in a hurry, I think I'll stick to the longer way until S22 is fixed (if ever).

Mark

yes the other way is a lot better for sure but the rough area on 22 is so short I don't worry about it
WillTy3
Explorer
Nov 08, 2013
Just went to Google maps, and traveled that road online, yes you can actually see a few dips!

Will
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
Tiffinboy, well, we went the other way leaving Borrego Springs driving out Borrego Springs Rd, to Hwy 78 to the 86. And yes, it was about 20 miles further but the road was 100% better. Unless we are in a hurry, I think I'll stick to the longer way until S22 is fixed (if ever).

Mark
tiffinboy
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
tiffinboy wrote:
Mr.Mark wrote:
Today I had an experience like no other. We decided to take a quick RV trip from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs for a couple of nights. The motorhome is going into winter storage for a couple of months over the holidays so I wanted to go for one last road trip.

For those of you that know the area going east on the 86 by the Salton Sea, you make a right on S22 to go Borrego Springs. BE VERY CAREFUL on that road. I knew from the past that it was like a ribbon but boy has it gotten worse.

I was going a little faster than I should for the roughness of the road. We came up to a dip that I didn't catch in time and let me tell you, I never porpoised so much in the 65,000 miles I've driven the coach. When we hit that dip, I swear to you that I think the front wheels came off of the ground. I can only imagine how it would have been if we didn't have a tag axle.

I was following another class A coach although he was a good bit ahead of me and we ended up at the same park. As we were exiting our vehicles, I asked the guy how did you like those dips a while back. He said he was looking in the mirror for extra parts that might have fallen off. He must have hit it hard too.

I will certainly be more aware of the dips on the way out on Tuesday! LOL!

MM.

I have drove that road a few times in my 40ft DP.Rough for the first 4-5 miles. Ok after that. Not anywhere near what you people are saying and or making it sound like.Its not like you can go 60MPH but I go 35-40 in the rough area and then normal 55+ after that

Tiffinboy, you need to check that road out again. It is the worst I've seen it in years. I was probably on that road 3 yrs. ago and drove fairly slow then. Now, you cannot go over 25 mph over those dips. It is awful! After a couple of miles, you can go 55 mph easy.

If fact, we are leaving tomorrow on a different hwy. We're taking hwy 78 out to the 86 and just skipping the S22. It's probably a couple of miles further but I just don't want to experience those dips again. It could be hwy 78 is not much better, so we'll find out tomorrow.

Mark

Like I said take it easy for 4-5 miles.Its certainly no big deal.I never experienced the front wheels trying to come off the ground like you said but you definitely need to take it easy in this area
The other way when I map quested it is 22 miles longer
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
tiffinboy wrote:
Mr.Mark wrote:
Today I had an experience like no other. We decided to take a quick RV trip from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs for a couple of nights. The motorhome is going into winter storage for a couple of months over the holidays so I wanted to go for one last road trip.

For those of you that know the area going east on the 86 by the Salton Sea, you make a right on S22 to go Borrego Springs. BE VERY CAREFUL on that road. I knew from the past that it was like a ribbon but boy has it gotten worse.

I was going a little faster than I should for the roughness of the road. We came up to a dip that I didn't catch in time and let me tell you, I never porpoised so much in the 65,000 miles I've driven the coach. When we hit that dip, I swear to you that I think the front wheels came off of the ground. I can only imagine how it would have been if we didn't have a tag axle.

I was following another class A coach although he was a good bit ahead of me and we ended up at the same park. As we were exiting our vehicles, I asked the guy how did you like those dips a while back. He said he was looking in the mirror for extra parts that might have fallen off. He must have hit it hard too.

I will certainly be more aware of the dips on the way out on Tuesday! LOL!

MM.

I have drove that road a few times in my 40ft DP.Rough for the first 4-5 miles. Ok after that. Not anywhere near what you people are saying and or making it sound like.Its not like you can go 60MPH but I go 35-40 in the rough area and then normal 55+ after that

Tiffinboy, you need to check that road out again. It is the worst I've seen it in years. I was probably on that road 3 yrs. ago and drove fairly slow then. Now, you cannot go over 25 mph over those dips. It is awful! After a couple of miles, you can go 55 mph easy.

If fact, we are leaving tomorrow on a different hwy. We're taking hwy 78 out to the 86 and just skipping the S22. It's probably a couple of miles further but I just don't want to experience those dips again. It could be hwy 78 is not much better, so we'll find out tomorrow.

Mark
tiffinboy
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
Executive wrote:
Why is it called porpoising and not dolphining...:h.

Here I thought you were going to stay at Slab City and visit Salvation Mountain...:B

IMHO, that section of road will never be upgraded. It's been that way ever since I can remember and we used to go out there back in the 70's. No reason to think it'll ever change. Maybe you can go back over it and videotape your experience..you know, picture is worth a thousand words....:B:B...J/K...Dennis

I've never been to Slab City but have read a lot about it. I have friends who stopped by to check it out and it's really scary or surreal... whichever word you want to use. LOL!

Seems like I read something about the government going in there and cleaning it out but haven't heard anything new. I think it might be a little too earthy for me.

I wish I had a dash cam when driving over those dips on S22.... I just couldn't try and repeat that for a picture. I can't believe I didn't damage something.

Mark

haha it certainly far far from scarey but its certainly a little different and kinda like going back to the past 60s hippy days for sure,.Some real goofballs in there for sure
tiffinboy
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
Today I had an experience like no other. We decided to take a quick RV trip from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs for a couple of nights. The motorhome is going into winter storage for a couple of months over the holidays so I wanted to go for one last road trip.

For those of you that know the area going east on the 86 by the Salton Sea, you make a right on S22 to go Borrego Springs. BE VERY CAREFUL on that road. I knew from the past that it was like a ribbon but boy has it gotten worse.

I was going a little faster than I should for the roughness of the road. We came up to a dip that I didn't catch in time and let me tell you, I never porpoised so much in the 65,000 miles I've driven the coach. When we hit that dip, I swear to you that I think the front wheels came off of the ground. I can only imagine how it would have been if we didn't have a tag axle.

I was following another class A coach although he was a good bit ahead of me and we ended up at the same park. As we were exiting our vehicles, I asked the guy how did you like those dips a while back. He said he was looking in the mirror for extra parts that might have fallen off. He must have hit it hard too.

I will certainly be more aware of the dips on the way out on Tuesday! LOL!

MM.

I have drove that road a few times in my 40ft DP.Rough for the first 4-5 miles. Ok after that. Not anywhere near what you people are saying and or making it sound like.Its not like you can go 60MPH but I go 35-40 in the rough area and then normal 55+ after that
tahiti16
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
B's Bunch wrote:
Passin Thru wrote:
Whats Orange and sleeps six? A Caltrans truck!
:B How tru in most states Larry

Sorry Larry that would require 6 trucks as Caltrans people are not allowed to ride together!:B How would the state burn it's share of diesel if they all rode together!
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Executive wrote:
Why is it called porpoising and not dolphining...:h.

Here I thought you were going to stay at Slab City and visit Salvation Mountain...:B

IMHO, that section of road will never be upgraded. It's been that way ever since I can remember and we used to go out there back in the 70's. No reason to think it'll ever change. Maybe you can go back over it and videotape your experience..you know, picture is worth a thousand words....:B:B...J/K...Dennis

I've never been to Slab City but have read a lot about it. I have friends who stopped by to check it out and it's really scary or surreal... whichever word you want to use. LOL!

Seems like I read something about the government going in there and cleaning it out but haven't heard anything new. I think it might be a little too earthy for me.

I wish I had a dash cam when driving over those dips on S22.... I just couldn't try and repeat that for a picture. I can't believe I didn't damage something.

Mark
B_s_Bunch
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Passin Thru wrote:
Whats Orange and sleeps six? A Caltrans truck!
:B How tru in most states Larry

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