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Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Yahoo Message Number: 67262
We are planning a trip this spring along the Ca. coast and I would like to know if Hwy 1 from Monterey, Ca. to San Luis Obispo, Ca. is an ok route for a long rig (42' + toad). Thanks to all.
John, Magna-6456

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67267
John,

I traveled this Hwy with a previous 34 foot without a tow. I have not gone back. It is beautiful but you have some hairpin turns that I am not sure a 42 with a tow would safely maneuver. I would check with the Calif. Hwy Patrol and see if you are even able to travel on Hwy One with your outfit.

Stan Inspire 2005

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67269
OOPS! That should be item 6 vice 7.

Chuck Penque

03 Intrigue 11673

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67273
The Monterey cliffs between Monterey and Carmel can be ugly...I would advise you DO NOT take your coach between Carmel and Monterey....the cliff road is narrow with sharp curves and very long drops into the rocks and the Pacific Ocean below.

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67275
I travelled from Monterey to Big Sur last year and was intending to venture further south from there. We went into Big Sur RV park for the night. The owner of the resort has a Country Coach (42' Intrigue, I think) and he told us the story of meeting a large truck on the route south from there - he said it cost him $16,000 to repair the damage to the roof after a too-close encounter with some rock overhangs trying to avoid the truck.
The trip can be done, although the DOT site states not over 40 ft.
We decided that we didn't need that much excitement so we went back and down 101.
Spectacular vistas, however, even in getting to Big Sur.

Richard Owen '05 Inspire 51442

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67276
I can vouch for that. I made the mistake of taking route 1 all the way down in our 40 foot Intrigue. Big mistake, you must get into the oncoming lane on several sharp curves to avoid the overhanging rocks. I was very lucky that no one was coming in the opposite direction. Beautiful drive but best done in a 4 wheel vehicle, definitely not a big vehicle.

Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67277
John

We have taken that route many times in our 38' coach with Caravan toad. It is my wife's favorite area. Some people believe it is easier from San Louis Obispo to Carmel, because the cliff is not right next to your wife's window. We have done it both directions. There are a number of hairpin turns where you wonder if your coach is going to rear end your toad, but in more than 50 years traveling that road we have never had an incident. Just take it SLOW. We use our pak brake, and sometime shift to first gear and 10MPH or less on the down holl curves. Enjoy the scenery and pull over in all the turnouts to let the traffic pass you buy. You will not want to keep of with the Porsche or Vet.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67285
This statement puts me in orbit: "Just take it SLOW.
We use our pak brake, and sometime shift to first gear and 10MPH or less on the down holl curves."
Bob, that is the very reason so many people hate motorhomers and do whatever it takes to get in front of us, sometimes unsafely. All the cars you are holding up behind you while you crawl down the cliffs in a huge oversize box, crossing into the oncoming lane to make the corners, is generating untold levels of anger and discontent behind you. That is not the advertising the majority of us want.
What about all the other folks on the road who come to this incredible area properly in vehicles that are appropriate? I suggest you leave your rig in Monterey or wherever and the visit the tough part of Hwy 1 in your toad. Then backtrack and use Hwy 101 to continue your trip. Or at least post a warning to us on this site as to when you will be along the coast on Hwy 1.

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67287
I agree 100% with this thought... please do not visit Big Sur in your Class A.
We have been guided (by our GPS) to streets and roads that we should have never driven on. Windy, twisty and not suitable for our 40 ft coach and toad..
When we found a turn out that was sufficient to let traffic pass, the traffic that built up behind us 'roared' by and we sadly saw many a single finger solute.
Out of respect for the 4 wheelers that share the road with us.. please do not go down highway 1.. there are very few turn outs (that can support your weight). We have lived close to the Big Sur area most of our life....

Russ and Jean
05 Intrigue
11883

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67299
Interesting reading. I agree that it seems preferable to avoid the roads where we may add a hazard to others. We have several GPS units, all Garmin. A GVN53 is mounted in the MH and displays over the dash mounted screen and also the televisions if we wish. Usually I'll also bring one of the portable Garmins along and set on the dash ( don't ask me why ) but use it mainly in the toad.
In setting up the Garmins there is an option for bus or truck versus automobile. Has anyone else found the GPS, when programmed as bus or truck, will keep you away from the hazardous areas being discussed? Gerry Brown
07 Allure 31447

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67304
Thanks to all for the info on traveling along Ca. Hwy 1. we will definitely travel on 101. Appreciate the responses, John, 05 Magna 6456

Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67305
As long as we are on this . . . we're trying to get to Medocino, CA along Rt 1 by exiting 101 by Legett and Rt 1 to Medocino. Is that possible? I take your cautions by Big Sur very seriously . . . curious if it is that bad up North.

Lon

Inspire 51800

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67307
I have lived in the Mendo area 40 years. On this route, HWY 1, you will SMOKE your brakes and maybe even burn them up. You will not be able to stay in your own lane either> Take HWY 20 at Wilits, you will still have an 8 and 10 percent grade to deal with, but not very long.

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67308
Previous link to the CA DOT didn't work for me; so, I'm reposting one that might do better: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/
This link is better for folks not familiar with CA over 40" RV and truck limitations: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/bus-mh/45-bus-map.htm and by clicking on the "5" on the map for the Coastal Highway, it's evident that there's a restriction for over 40 footers for Hwy 1 for obvious reasons mentioned with hairpin turns and rock overhangs. I'm still looking to try that route either north or southbound in our 36' and toad one of these days soon!! If you've never driven it before, it'd be worth a camp at either end and drive the Hwy and sights along the way on day trips. The views are truly outstanding with Monterrey, San Simeon, and Pismo Beach offering lots to see and do.

v/r

Kevin

'92 36' Concept #4917
 

Re: Trip along US Hwy 1 in California

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67317
Garmin has a couple of new models on their web site that haven't shipped yet. They are specifically for "trucking" - called dezl models.