Wanaroo Report post Posted June 22, 2015 We have a 38ft Holiday Rambler towing a Chevy pickup. What would be the safest route from Jackson Northern California to South Lake Tahoe then onto Carson City and Reno. Is Highway 88 a safe route? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 obedb Report post Posted June 22, 2015 Diesel I assume? With an exhaust brake? I have run that route a number of times in a tractor trailer. I wouldn't hesitate to take our 40 Phaeton that way. It is a pretty ride. Kinda busy down low on the California side. I have traveled that way a time or two in the winter when things weren't bad. It sure will get you to South Lake Tahoe. If you are uncomfortable with mountains you will be worn out when you get there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 wolfe10 Report post Posted June 22, 2015 Yup, two very "unrelated" issues here: Mechanical considerations. Driver considerations. Irrespective of how good a coach is mechanically, if this is your first experience with mountain driving, this is not the "beginner slope". As posted before, there are TWO aspects to whether a particular road is "OK". One is coach. The other (and more important) is the DRIVER. If this is your first heavy vehicle/mountain driving and you are not already comfortable with driving your vehicle in real mountains, seek an alternate route. If you have "been there, done that" go for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 tbutler Report post Posted June 23, 2015 We drive from Valley Springs, CA through Hwy 88 to Nevada one or both ways each year. As ObedB says, it is a safe route but as Brett says, it is a test of your mountain driving skills. You will have two ascents and two descents of considerable length to get through the mountains. There are a few passing lanes and some slow vehicle pull-outs along the way to let traffic pass. On weekends or holidays traffic can be pretty steady. There are several viewpoints and parking lots along the way for rest stops. There are steep grades in both directions, up and down, and many limited speed curves. You will have to watch your speed carefully on descents in order to slow for sharp curves. Use the recommended speed for each curve and be at or below that speed before entering the curve. If you or your passengers are uncomfortable with the dramatic vistas of mountain roads you will not want to take this road. While not the most dramatic over-the-edge views I've seen, these are unsettling to some travelers. There is always some kind of shoulder but not necessarily a guard rail in all places. If you are uncomfortable with the above, US 50 is an alternate. US 50 is divided highway to South Lake Tahoe and the grades are not as steep, curves not as tight. Traffic however is much heavier on US 50 and there are a few stop lights on the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 obedb Report post Posted June 23, 2015 Well!!! So much for subtlety . I kinda thought that I was getting the message across, by sayin that you will be "worn out" if you don't like mountain driving. But the big guns have spoken. I am just a rookie. I do remember quite a bit of two lane on US50. My 2015 altlas still shows it, but Rand McNally can be wrong. The two lane is not difficult though, if it is still there. CA 88 is still a beautiful ride for the experienced driver.As an unimportant aside, thirty years ago I ran with a trucker hauling a special permit load southbound on US95 in Nevada. Just happened on him on my way to Louisiana from Sparks. CDOT had routed him from I-5 to eventually wind up on CA88 over the Sierra to Nevada with a pilot car and a CHP escort. When he entered Nevada he ran by himself. Go figure. He had a special low riding multi axle trailer with a really large and heavy transformer for a load. He was grossing a little over 130,000 pounds. Interesting guy to talk to. I never forgot it and when I decided to run 88 with a normal rig, I never gave it a second thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 obedb Report post Posted June 24, 2015 I tried to place a smiley face after subtle. It was there when typing the post but it didn' make it . I meant the remarks to be tongue in cheek. I have never used emoticons. Guess I better learn how. No offense intended. Sorry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 kaypsmith Report post Posted June 24, 2015 The general rule of thumb on mountain driving back when I was learning, is to descend in the same gear that you would ascend the same slope. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
We have a 38ft Holiday Rambler towing a Chevy pickup.
What would be the safest route from Jackson Northern California to South Lake Tahoe then onto Carson City and Reno.
Is Highway 88 a safe route?
Thanks
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