S. Lake Tahoe CA.

2Savages · 04-06-2016, 12:19 PM

In a couple weeks, I will take ownership of a 38 Ft. Montana with a 2015 Chewy Diesel. As a new driver to this setup, I have a planned trip to Lake Tahoe in September. I will take I-5 from Washington to Sacramento and I'm looking at taking Highway 50. The other options of I-80 to Truckee or Reno provide extreme hazards for a novice such as Rock Tunnel clearance of 12' 3" for a 13 Ft trailer. I would appreciate some advice on negotiating the conditions of Hiway 50 with this new 5th wheel. I'm assuming the large Semi's use this highway and the road should be adequately wide enough to the summits.

**chuckster57** · 04-06-2016, 05:53 PM

Saw this earlier but I was on my phone, too hard to type a long response.

I-80 is a MUCH better highway to use than Highway 50. The main trucking route over the Sierra's is 80 not 50. Would I pull a 38' trailer up 50? Not if I had a choice. 50 is two lanes each way, but subject to delays from accidents and rock slides. IMO your best bet is come down I-5 and when you get into Sac, you can just merge onto 80 and be done with it. Only issue is commute hours in Sac can slow things down on every highway, so choose your tome of you can. Other than that, enjoy Tahoe. Hopefully since we've had a fairly wet winter it wont be all dried up. Five years of drought has taken it's toll.

2Savages · 04-06-2016, 06:09 PM

The route into Tahoe is still my issue. I have been down the West Cal side Truckee and the switchback road near S Tahoe is too windy for my liking and the Reno to E Tahoe has the tunnel that I cant clear for height and understand the bypass is quite away out of the norm.

**chuckster57** · 04-06-2016, 06:25 PM

Well then 50 out of Sac may be your best option. Just go in knowing that it isn't as nice as 80. You can still come down 5 and find connectors to 50, and once again, 50 is a commute route so choose your time if you can.

Desert185 · 04-06-2016, 08:13 PM

Semi's with trailers and pickups with fifth wheels (including me) tow on Hwy 50 from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe all the time. The part of Hwy 50 you don't want to drive is the north-south Hwy 50 on the east side of the lake. That tunnel is a game stopper.

Hwy 80 is rougher than heck in the right lane from the chained trucks driving the road during the winter. Remember, while in California you have to stay in the two right lanes when towing.

So, if South Lake Tahoe is your destination, take Hwy 50. Remember, too, that eastbound on 50 to Tahoe on Friday night is stop and go when it goes to one lane after Sly Park. Westbound, from Tahoe to just east of Placerville at Sly Park where it turns into four lanes, is stop and go on Sunday. Plan accordingly, unless you're a glutton for punishment.

**JRTJH** · 04-07-2016, 04:37 AM

Since the topic of this thread is "how to get there" rather than "about the fifth wheel", I've moved it from the "Fifth Wheels" to the "Freeways & Byways" section of the forum.

old timer · 04-07-2016, 05:19 AM

Interstate 5 is a ruff road. Maybe better to go 99 north. It ends up in Sacramento like 5 does.

**chuckster57** · 04-07-2016, 05:24 AM

He's coming down from Washington. I-5 is the best IMO to get to Sac.

dfb · 04-07-2016, 08:14 AM

I lived at south Lake Tahoe since 1972. Take hwy 50. It is not freeway but we drive it all the time in a Montana 39 footer in tow. The worst part is the road from echo summit Down to Tahoe. Tahoe valley campground is on the right before the "Y" . 80 is wider but heavily rutted and LOUD! I would not worry about the tunnel thru CAVE ROCK.. no biggie...like I said, I'd go 50....

2Savages · 04-07-2016, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfb

I lived at south Lake Tahoe since 1972. Take hwy 50. It is not freeway but we drive it all the time in a Montana 39 footer in tow. The worst part is the road from echo summit Down to Tahoe. Tahoe valley campground is on the right before the "Y" . 80 is wider but heavily rutted and LOUD! I would not worry about the tunnel thru CAVE ROCK.. no biggie...like I said, I'd go 50....

Thank You on the Hiway 50 part. I also found video on the Cave Rock and they have center clearances of 18 and 21 Ft, so I would just need to hug the center line going through. Haven't quite determined which route yet.

old timer · 04-08-2016, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

He's coming down from Washington. I-5 is the best IMO to get to Sac.

Missed that part. LOL
For some reason I thought LA

dfb · 04-08-2016, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Savages

Thank You on the Hiway 50 part. I also found video on the Cave Rock and they have center clearances of 18 and 21 Ft, so I would just need to hug the center line going through. Haven't quite determined which route yet.

If you're coming down from Washington state, cut over from 5 to Shasta, then to lassen, susanville, to Reno, Carson city. Take 50 west up spooner summit to SLT....JUST over 7 hours from Grants Pass Oregon...

Desert185 · 04-12-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfb

If you're coming down from Washington state, cut over from 5 to Shasta, then to lassen, susanville, to Reno, Carson city. Take 50 west up spooner summit to SLT....JUST over 7 hours from Grants Pass Oregon...

That would certainly be more scenic than the I5 freeway grind. Still not sure about about the lane split going through the tunnel, especially with summer traffic distracted by the scenery.

dfb · 04-23-2016, 10:08 PM

The tunnel is fine. Big trucks use it...

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