US-395 from Los Angeles to Tahoe

[So Cal CPA]

Has anyone made this trip? Never been up the east side of the Sierra's but have been wanting to go for a couple of years.

Taking route 50 in and out of Tahoe if we end up going.

Main question is whether there are any extreme steep grades where I might have problems with towing our 28RBS which comes in around 6-7k pounds with our hemi and 3.92 rear end.

I've gone up as high as Shaver Lake CA up to approx 6,000 feet which includes going up a fairly steep grade at the foot of the mountain and up an over the grapevine (I-5) both directions and never felt I was close to putting too much on the engine and tranny up and down the mountains and passes.

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

[homer3]

I don't know dude. I also know a guy who is thinking of a similar trip and his wife thinks he is nuts. Been that way a few times but without TT. Also the weather was not the best of conditions. Good Luck...

[Desert185]

Has anyone made this trip? Never been up the east side of the Sierra's but have been wanting to go for a couple of years.

Taking route 50 in and out of Tahoe if we end up going.

Main question is whether there are any extreme steep grades where I might have problems with towing our 28RBS which comes in around 6-7k pounds with our hemi and 3.92 rear end.

I've gone up as high as Shaver Lake CA up to approx 6,000 feet which includes going up a fairly steep grade at the foot of the mountain and up an over the grapevine (I-5) both directions and never felt I was close to putting too much on the engine and tranny up and down the mountains and passes.

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

That's my neighborhood. When are you planning on taking the trip?

[So Cal CPA]

Don't know.

Maybe in mid-late June.

[Desert185]

OK, so that eliminates the threat of inclement weather (snow).

Even though some of the roads appear to have tight curves, they're nothing you can't do with your rig.

Conway Summit, just north of Lee Vining and Mono Lake on Hwy 395 is at 8100'.

Getting into Tahoe involves summit climbs, too. There's Hwy 88/89 to Meyers on the south end via 7300' Luther Pass.

Kingsbury Grade on SR 207 out of Minden is 7300' and Spooner Summit on Hwy 50 from southern Carson City is about the same.

Hwy 395 from the Mojave north along the eastern Sierra to Tahoe is a scenic drive to make. I think you'll enjoy the trip.

If you need restaurant recommendations, let me know.

[So Cal CPA]

Desert185 - Thanks dude!

I'll let you know.

[Desert185]

You're welcome.

P.S. Don't plan on buying gas in Bridgeport, CA. Incredibly expensive. Minden/Gardnerville, NV gas will be the cheapest gas over the entire trip.

[Denver Transplant]

I've made that drive many times, however without a trailer. Significant grades are

- I-15 up the Cajon pass to Victorville
- US-395 out of Bishop to Tom's Place
- US-395 out of Lee Vining
- US-50 into Tahoe - I don't recommend the Kingsbury Grade or Mt Rose Hiway.

Lots of minor ups and downs along the way. Two lane most of the way except for I-15 and US-50 segments.

Highest you will see is 8,000-ish feet over Tom's Place.

None of these should be big problem for you, other than it might be slow going. Wind might be an issue in places so watch the weather reports.

We currently pull a 5,500-6,000 pound trailer with a Nissan Armada (basically a SUV version of Titan - 1500 class) over some pretty high Rocky Mountain passes (11,000 ft +) with no problems other than having to have patience.

[Desert185]

Where are you going, and from where?