US 30 West from Longview to Astoria OR

[pmedic]

I understand there is a 7.0% 2 mile uphill grade soon after crossing the Longview bridge into OR. I have a Gasser Tiffin Allegro 34 TGA Ford V10 engine pulling a 4400lb CRV. Should I take Hwy 4 on the Washington side instead of Hwy 30 on the OR side? I am on a time schedule to get to Rockaway Beach so the shorter the route, if doable, the better. If 30 is not a problem, should I unhook the toad? Thanks in advance for the replies!

[mustang652]

On last trip from Texas I pulled several long 7% grades towing an '07 Focus. No problems.

[jsmart]

I would use Hwy 30, the Washington side is longer and narrower. The hills you have to pull are not going to be a problem. Have fun.

[Executive45]

pmedic wrote:
Thanks for all the replies! We will give it a go but will dc the toad for the main climb. Thanks again!

pmedic...after you cross the bridge and make the right hand turn, there is a huge pull off spot overlooking the bridge. If you decide to unhook, (which I think will be unnecessary) you can do so there. It's a great photo op also....Dennis

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...here's a couple thousand...D


From the pull out spot...

This is the pull out spot...

[pmedic]

Thanks for all the replies! We will give it a go but will dc the toad for the main climb. Thanks again!

[Executive45]

We did it with no problem....enjoy the trip..pull off just after the bridge for some awesome pictures.....Dennis

[gjwarneke]

We made that route in July coming off the Longview bridge going to Astoria, we just had our tranny beef up with a shaft kit, deep pan cooler and a three stage converter and wanted to see how it pulled hills, that was the only hill around the Portland/Vancouver area that would give it a good test, our 7.3 Ford pulling a 15,000 40fter 5er did better then I thought, maintained 45mph, but that torbo was howling!! and the one post was right, you can't get a run at it off that bridge. The other hills seem alot easier coming back from Astoria. Next test was going down that 7% grade to see if second gear would hold back that much weight, held it at 50 with a couple brake applications.
I know this doesn't have anything to do with the first post question, just had to say........next is Cabbage Patch Hill out of Pendleton Or.

[J-Rooster]

I recommend Hwy. #30 to Astoria it's faster then the Washington Side. Before I retired I would use this route going to the Port of Astoria from Seattle in my semi and, I've used it many times in my MH with toad, going to Seaside, Ore.

[capnqball]

Hundreds of RV's use Hwy 30 to Astoria. The grades you encounter are not that long to be a big problem. The Washington side is slower and longer. I live just off 30 and go to the coast numerous times a year.
Drive safe.

Ron
Scappoose OR

[enblethen]

US 30 is not the bad. It is a pretty easy climb. There is actual two climbs. One near Longview and another near Wauna.
One by Longview bridge is the harder one as you cannot get a running start.
The one by Wauna is easier as you can see it and get a little running start depending on traffic.

[amandasgramma]

We've done it with a gasser (30 ft) and a dp (36 ft) many many times. Family in Clatskanie. I do NOT recommend Hwy 4 - it's longer and narrower. Many people do it.....including semis. You can do it....go for it.

[sgip2000]

US 30 isn't that bad. Many trucks use that route. You could also use US26 to US101, but you'd have to climb either way.