Edmonds-Kingston Ferry?

[nodine]

We have a 40 foot coach and tow a car and would like to use this ferry to travel from Port Angels to pick up North I-5. We have only had one other ferry experience with the motorhome and that was from Skagway to Hanies Alaska. We had to disconnect the car and drive down the ramp and then back the coach into the small bow door turning 90 degrees as we proceeded. That was not a fun experience and one we do not wish to repeat. The photos below will give you a little taste of that experience.

Has anyone used the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry with a 40 foot coach towing? Is it a drive on drive off ferry or must you disconnect the toad and back the coach onto the ferry?

Bob

[George Schweikle]

A few years back we took the ferry from Anacortes to Victoria island. It was straight on-straight off, and took 18 wheel trucks. Your intended route is probably also part of the BC ferry system (?).

Originally Posted by nodine

We have a 40 foot coach and tow a car and would like to use this ferry to travel from Port Angels to pick up North I-5. We have only had one other ferry experience with the motorhome and that was from Skagway to Hanies Alaska. We had to disconnect the car and drive down the ramp and then back the coach into the small bow door turning 90 degrees as we proceeded. That was not a fun experience and one we do not wish to repeat. The photos below will give you a little taste of that experience.

Has anyone used the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry with a 40 foot coach towing? Is it a drive on drive off ferry or must you disconnect the toad and back the coach onto the ferry?

Bob

[Hit_the_Rhod]

When we use the Anderson Island Ferry, and some of the ferries in the San Juans, the ferry's themselves weren't the problem. The problem comes from the loading ramps, especially if you are looking at a minus tide! You will high center for sure. Check the tide schedule, and go for boarding/departing during the highest tide you can find if in doubt.

[Unplanned Tourist]

We did the E-K ferry with the old rig (1994 34 ft. Airstream) pulling a tandem trailer with a Honda Goldwing and a Kawasaki Concours and had no problems. They run semis on and off all the time.
Happy Glamping.
ps. John Wayne Marina has a little RV area that is nice and quiet close to PA.

[lady puffin]

You might want to check the expense prior and also check on making a reservation which is advised since you Are in a big rig.

[Rambeau]

Originally Posted by lady puffin

You might want to check the expense prior and also check on making a reservation which is advised since you Are in a big rig.

Agree 100%...several years ago our PU and 32' 5th wheel was $85.00...I elected to go around thru Tacoma.

[cruzbill]

We used vancouver to swartz bay ferry (Vancouver Island) in our 40' w tag. No issues, we did drop the toad and pay seperate fare. The thing about BC ferries is that in the summer, they have a 'sale' on RVs. Every foot over 20' is charged at 1/2 normal rate. Saved us some bucks! Of course, you have to pick a route and time that is covered under the sale fare, but still convenient times. We've also taken our 21'TT and Grand Cherokee on a couple of Wa state ferries. Our length just made the 40' cutoff! (over 40' extra charges).

Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands are beautiful!

[nodine]

Thanks for the info so far but I must not have made myself clear. We are not taking the coach on any ferry going to British Columbia. The ferry we would use is the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry that crosses over from the Port Angels, WA area to the north Seattle area. Lynnwood to be precise. Here is a Google map showing the ferry location.

https://tinyurl.com/yd6mekfd

I have been to the ferry website and understand the cost and the need for a reservation and would make one well in advance. I was hoping to find someone who could tell me if the ferry was a drive on/drive off type as I have no desire to back into the bow of a ferry ever again. If that particular ferry transports 18 wheelers then it must be a drive on/drive off. Sounds like we should call the ferry company and find out if the tide level is a problem. We have never been any farther west with the coach than Montana so have no experience with the area including Oregon and California. That is the goal of this trip and we hope to visit California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We already have reservations for Salt Lake City, Reno, Yosemite, Sequoia, San Francisco, Avenue of the Giants, Oregon coast, Crater Lake and up to Portland. Working our way north with the planning. Will take a ferry to Victoria but only a day trip without the coach.

Bob

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by nodine

Thanks for the info so far but I must not have made myself clear. We are not taking the coach on any ferry going to British Columbia. The ferry we would use is the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry that crosses over from the Port Angels, WA area to the north Seattle area. Lynnwood to be precise. Here is a Google map showing the ferry location.

https://tinyurl.com/yd6mekfd

I have been to the ferry website and understand the cost and the need for a reservation and would make one well in advance. I was hoping to find someone who could tell me if the ferry was a drive on/drive off type as I have no desire to back into the bow of a ferry ever again. If that particular ferry transports 18 wheelers then it must be a drive on/drive off. Sounds like we should call the ferry company and find out if the tide level is a problem. We have never been any farther west with the coach than Montana so have no experience with the area including Oregon and California. That is the goal of this trip and we hope to visit California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We already have reservations for Salt Lake City, Reno, Yosemite, Sequoia, San Francisco, Avenue of the Giants, Oregon coast, Crater Lake and up to Portland. Working our way north with the planning. Will take a ferry to Victoria but only a day trip without the coach.

Bob

Simple answer is YES, the only Washington Ferry run that could require backing is in the San Juan’s. All others are drive on drive off both in a forward direction.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

Simple answer is YES, the only Washington Ferry run that could require backing is in the San Juan’s. All others are drive on drive off both in a forward direction.

Thanks Russ and Paula, I feel better now.

Bob

[edge68474]

You won't have any problem. All the ones I've been on, they put the trucks, semi's, down the middle lanes. I've made maybe a hundred trips over to Vashon, I worked there for about a year and a half and our trucks, King County Solid Waste, went there every day, 18 wheelers. I've been on the Bainbridge run, as well as Anacortes to Victoria. Have you considered the Port Townsend to Coupeville run?? I've been on that one also. Gets you further North of Seattle and all the traffic. All the boats are basically built the same, just different sizes I would call though in case something is weird for whatever reason. Backing up, never seen that unless someone in front of you is broke down. You will be ok.


https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/pdf/wsfroutemap.pdf

[JohnFreyja]

They are all drive on-drive off unless you are going to or from one of the smaller Islands that are infrequent travel destinations. Also, an option Port Townsend (directly West of Port Angeles) to Whidbey Island and drive North across Deception Pass to Anacortes and out to I-5. All of the major ferry ports can accommodate large vehicles. Sometimes you can save a little by disconnecting the toad if the combination with tow bar puts you into the next length rate.
We reside in Anacortes but are South for the remainder of the season.

[coupevilleDF]

I'll add the no problem on that run. I suggest you check the cost of disconnecting the toad and driving on separately versus staying hooked up. They charge in 10 foot increments over 30 feet, so it's worth doing the math.

[JFXG]

We've done the Edmonds - Kingston ferry many times, although not in the coach. But I can assure you all the traffic on said ferry is straight on and straight off, with several MHs or 18-wheelers a regular complement.

We did take our coach (towing) on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, and then on the Coupeville-Port Townsend. The latter is one where-- as someone mentioned-- you must stay aware of the state of the tide at boarding/disembarking time, as the ramps can get quite steep. We were blissfully ignorant at the time, but got lucky.