Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Community Forums > Freeways & Byways
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-14-2016, 04:45 PM   #1
So Cal CPA
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camarillo
Posts: 92
US-395 from Los Angeles to Tahoe

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.
__________________
2013 Cougar 28RBS
2013 Ram 1500 Hemi 3.92 axle
So Cal CPA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 06:06 PM   #2
homer3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: oxnard ca
Posts: 182
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...
__________________


John
Now Retired (At Last) Long Time Coming
Soon to be retired after 41 years with DOD
2006 Duramax Silverado 2500HD
2013 327 RES Cougar
homer3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 06:39 PM   #3
Desert185
Senior Member
 
Desert185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
Quote:
Originally Posted by So Cal CPA View Post
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?
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
Desert185 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 06:59 PM   #4
So Cal CPA
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camarillo
Posts: 92
Don't know.

Maybe in mid-late June.
__________________
2013 Cougar 28RBS
2013 Ram 1500 Hemi 3.92 axle
So Cal CPA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 07:12 PM   #5
Desert185
Senior Member
 
Desert185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
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.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
Desert185 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 07:20 PM   #6
So Cal CPA
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camarillo
Posts: 92
Desert185 - Thanks dude!

I'll let you know.
__________________
2013 Cougar 28RBS
2013 Ram 1500 Hemi 3.92 axle
So Cal CPA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 07:37 PM   #7
Desert185
Senior Member
 
Desert185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
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.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
Desert185 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 09:20 AM   #8
Denver Transplant
Junior Member
 
Denver Transplant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 9
Us-395 From Los Angeles to Tahoe

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.
Denver Transplant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2016, 07:45 PM   #9
Desert185
Senior Member
 
Desert185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
Where are you going, and from where?
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
Desert185 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.