Community Forums

Rivertree · 10-24-2020, 08:59 PM

How safe is it for a 24ft class C RV to drive through a shallow stream that is crossing a road? Anything to be concerned about if a SUV can comfortably make it through yet low clearance sedans are warned about?

**NLOVNIT** · 10-24-2020, 09:17 PM

I wouldn't. Streams don't cross roads unless there's a problem. Ever heard the phrase "Turn around, don't drown."? Water even ankle deep, which I would consider shallow, is treacherous. You don't know what's under that water.

Lori-

R.Wold · 10-24-2020, 09:18 PM

You could go where a low sedan can’t, but not much more. The minor caveat is that if crossing a flooded road and you can’t see the road surface you run the risk of hitting an open manhole or equivalent and getting stuck. Likewise in a stream when you can’t see the bottom. But if someone drives through successfully in front of you, no problem. If it’s more than axle deep, I’d stay out. Not worth the risk.

akeagle · 10-24-2020, 09:25 PM

I don't believe I'd "ford the stream" unless it was less than a foot deep and the water clear enough to see the road surface below.

All large sink holes start out as small ones. Same for culvert failures.

Rivertree · 10-24-2020, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the feedback. On Davison road on the way to Fern Canyon there's 2 small streams you need to cross. Cars cross them all day. You can see the bottom, there's small round rocks that you drive over. No man holes and I doubt sink holes since it's used often. They limit the road to 24ft RVs.

Anyone driven an RV through that road?

Roy-c · 10-25-2020, 05:58 AM

Rust can be an issue with an RV just like a car. Why would you subject your brakes, suspension parts and possibly part of your storage bays to the possibility of being submerged intentionally ? I would pass on that idea.

**Spdracr39** · 10-25-2020, 06:40 AM

I would be leary of dragging the rear overhang going through any type of depression in the road. I have seen videos of rigs getting stuck in potholes in parking lots. Granted they were excessive potholes but still whats under the water in that stream ?

sibe · 10-25-2020, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivertree

How safe is it for a 24ft class C RV to drive through a shallow stream that is crossing a road? Anything to be concerned about if a SUV can comfortably make it through yet low clearance sedans are warned about?

I would avoid, since the larger surface area of an RV will float it fast....

Now I have been on dirt roads and I have crossed some stuff when i had too, rain over flow,, that was 6-12 inches, hard base and 10-15 foot wide.. we had spotters etc, getting us out... otherwise stay on terra firma..

Ljwt330 · 10-25-2020, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivertree

Thanks for the feedback. On Davison road on the way to Fern Canyon there's 2 small streams you need to cross. Cars cross them all day. You can see the bottom, there's small round rocks that you drive over. No man holes and I doubt sink holes since it's used often. They limit the road to 24ft RVs.

Anyone driven an RV through that road?

This last post seems to cover all the concerns mentioned by others. The fact the road is regularly used, the streams are always present, the road base (rocks) are clearly seen, and cars pass through without incident, indicates that you should have no issue. Why the road is limited to 24 ft. rvs is probably due to other factors of the road such as width and the sharpness of curves, not the weight of the rv crossing the streams.

Goodspike · 10-25-2020, 09:39 AM

Given this is apparently a dirt road and not a regular road with flooding, my concern would be the approach angles. In my experience those are typically significant with streams that cross roads, and not an area where RVs excel.

Vongreg · 10-25-2020, 09:55 AM

If the road is such as you described go for it. The water won’t hurt your vehicle at all. The stream water is less harmful than what you receive in a rain shower going down the road. If sedans are going thru the RV should make it easily. Just be careful of the approaches and exits as another poster commented on.

Since I posted I looked on google maps. I am assuming you are thinking about going to Golds Bluff Campground in Northern Ca. Just south of Crescent. I looked at some Drone footage and I noted some small trailers and at least on Sprinter Chasis RV in the campground.

R.Wold · 10-25-2020, 10:01 AM

I agree - based on everything here, the overhang issue is the only thing to be concerned about. Getting hung up while crossing the stream would really ruin your day. But other than that, if that’s clearly not an issue, head to the beach. I’d like to go out to that campground, but probably not in the Ventana...

Goodspike · 10-25-2020, 10:13 AM

One other issue besides approach/departure. An area to turn around if you decide you can't go through due to approach/departure or the water being higher than normal. You don't want to have to back up 2 miles to be able to turn around.

You may be able to determine this by satellite view beforehand, but in this case probably not.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@4...24.0736503,15z