Is CA 120 Lee Vining to Manteca Do-able?

[RussOnTheRoad]

I'm wondering about the feasibility of traveling west from Lee Vining, CA on CA 120 through Yosemite to Manteca pulling a 34' 5th wheel (37' if you count the bike rack on back) with my 6.7 liter diesel dually.

I've driven this route many times in passenger vehicles but it has been some time and I've not ever thought about what it would be like to tow a trailer. Nor do I remember if I'd seen rigs like mine making the journey.

My fifth wheel is about 15K, and the truck has made every ascent and descent I've asked of it before including several crossings of the Rockies.

The truck has an engine brake and typically I don't need to use the brake pedal until downhill grades exceed 8% or so.

I'm less concerned about the uphills than I am about the downhill west of Groveland and any of the curves I'd encounter along the way.

Has anyone traveled this route in this direction with a truck and trailer similar to mine, and if so, would I be OK or would it be best to plan another route?

[RussOnTheRoad]

Thanks everybody. We decided to travel California 58 to 99 N rather than 395 in part because many campgrounds along 395 are closed for the season. We also couldn't nail down boondocking locations in areas that matched the daily driving distances we needed along 395.

[Finally_Time]

Don't go on Highway 49 between 140 and 120. I did that with my then 21 foot trailer. For about half the distance I think I could read the trailer's license plate on some of those tight turns. I had to go as slow as 15 mph to stay in my lane one some of the blind curves. Also, straight down to the bottom of a canyon, no guard rails of course. Never again.

[Travelon]

We have drove this route twice, going up and coming down with our signature rig and tow with no problems. Your rig should handle it with no problems also.

Enjoy the ride,

Travelon

[RussOnTheRoad]

maddog348 wrote:
395 S. ~ 58 W.Bakersfield ~ north on 99.

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

Thanks. I know we can go via 58. But that's not what I'm asking about.

[maddog348]

395 S. ~ 58 W.Bakersfield ~ north on 99.

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

[RussOnTheRoad]

Is there a way out of Yosemite on the west side other than CA 120 perhaps some combination 140 and 49? We need to get to the west side of Yosemite.

[Lwiddis]

You could do that but not sure you’d find it enjoyable. My Minnie’s box is only 21 feet and it was okay.

[profdant139]

I've towed a small trailer on that route several times -- no problem. Frankly, I don't remember signs warning against longer vehicles, but I bet Second Chance knows what he is talking about.

I know for sure that on the Lee Vining side there are signs saying no commercial trucks are allowed on 120.

As you come into Groveland, try to find time to reward yourself with a pizza or calzone at Two Guys, just off the highway. Really, really delicious. (This is not off topic --after a tough stretch of road, a pizza is just the thing!) 😉

But don't try to eat the calzone when it is hot and you are the driver. Don't ask how I know this.

[Second_Chance]

Signs posted saying tractor-trailers over 30' from king pin not advised. Several places with 6 - 7% grades. We've done it in the car, but I wouldn't pull my 5th wheel on it if I didn't have to... though it probably could be done. We just did a similar thing in SoCal. It took a while and I was a bit tired when we finished.

Rob