Heading West

[time2go]

We're planning a trip from Central Fl to San Clemente CA and are planning to travel I-10. When using mapquest they take us off I-10 and put us on I-8 in AZ going through Yuma instead of Phoenix. On the map it looks more direct than using I-10 into Ca but I read something about I-8 being very mountainous and am very skeptical. Is anyone familiar with this area? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

[Wayne M]

We just completed a trip from Texas to California using I-10, I-8. Yes, I-8 is very mountainous. I made the trip with a 40' and a Cummins 340hp diesel. I have the ability to monitor my engine temperature, and it climbed to 210 degrees at times. All I had to do was drop down a gear, keep the RPM's around 2000, and in a matter of a few seconds it would start dropping and get down to 199. I just downshifted accordingly. That was my first experience in the MH, being from flatland country, on steep mountains. I was concerned like you are, but after the ride, it made it so much easier for me to pull across the mountains from Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

The thing I watch out for now are winds. I never had to pull over and stop because of them, but I have heard others say they have. Should winds be sever enough to start moving me around a little, I will pull over, stop, and wait for them to subside. I have heard that I-10 out of Phoenix also can experience high winds.

Drive slow. Enjoy yourselves. If your coach is in good mechanical shape you will not have any problems negotiating the mountains.

[bigskymt]

Mapquest is probably taking you on 8 through San Diego area because it ends up closer to San Clemente.
An alternative is 10w to Beaumont, CA to 60w to 91w to 241 toll road to 133 toll road to 405s/5s into San C.
60w is a little hilly west of Beaumont but only a few miles.
San Diego traffic can be a nightmare.

[time2go]

Thanks for the replys... We leave in a couple weeks and still have not made a decision on the route, but will before we leave. Will post on how we make out. Still a little nervous about going through the mountains. This is our first big trip with the MH after owning 5ers for the last 15 years. Was never comfortable pulling the 5th wheel through the mountains with the truck...I love this forum!

[Al, Michigan]

We drove our MH, gas, from Yuma on I-8 over to I-10, then to Mesa. I do not recall any kind of bad driving, or the mountains, We drove along pretty good. We did get wind and a sand storm near Yuma. I would have no problem going that rt again. BUT, I will stay away from Calif. They don't want to support Az.
Al, Michigan 2003 mountain aire.