Towing in California

[mikedee]

I live in Modesto CA and have seen more CHP giving expensive tickets in the last 3 months than ever before. I use to tell people that you had to buy a speeding ticket in my area they just did not pass them out, can't use that sorry line anymore.

We have a Montana LLC bus and a CA Hummer and have been quizzed at the bug station on I-15 several times. Nothing has ever happened. My guess like the other posts "you need to give them a reason".

The roads suck, schools are third world, taxes would make the Mafia blush, crime is rising, unemployment is over 11%, tax base is dropping and I purchased a condo in Vegas. The state will be run by Washington before this time next year, Vegas Baby here we come.

Really hate to leave, California was the envy of the world for many years.

[truk4u]

Mike - And then there's Nancy!

[jello_jeep]

Mike - And then there's Nancy!

Thanks Truk, you had to go and bring her up... And I was having a peaceful Sunday.

In regards to tickets and the CHP at the moment, a trucker buddy of mine told me he was going through the scales around 1130 PM the other night. Apparently a whopping 500 lbs over on an axel so the waved him in for a full inspection.

He wasn't worried as he keeps his stuff ship shape. The officer asked for his log book, and queried him as to his activity the past seven days, and he told him he had been off work the last week, just coming back on, and it was his first run (all within CA)

He cited him for a log violation, as he should have had seven blank pages, reflecting he was off... Apparently this logbook violation is attached to your CA numbers for a few years and messes with your insurance etc.

My buddy said he thought it was chicken s**t, but technically correct, so he agreed.

The officer then told him he was going to cite him a second time for a logbook violation, as he didn't have a log sheet for the current day. Calculated because it was now 12:15 AM (because he had been delayed in the inspection for 45 minutes). His reply to this was, "you have got to be kidding me". Officer friendly asked him what day it was, and did he have a log sheet going, yes or no.

So he got a second ticket.

Now I have been on both sides of the ticket game and being as I wasn't present I would officially withhold comment... But if that is what happened, I would be the first to say that it is outside the spirit of the law, even if it is within the letter of the law. (Chicken S**t with cluster).

The CHP is largely funded via those revenues and registration in particular, so earlier comments by others linking the two could be correct.

There you have it... The rest of the story.....

Speaking of which RIP Paul Harvey, what a class act he was.. I miss listening to him, a common sense American!

I will shut up now.

[dmark1]

My family is planning to drive to CA this summer and tour the state from south to north. Wondering if anyone here has tried going up HWY 1 - PCH - with a Prevost and a toad? (I tow a PT Cruiser behind her). Is there a limitation on doing this and if so what would be a good option going south to north so as to get by San Simeon for a tour?

As an aside, last year we took the bus on a 3700 mile western tour with a Mini Cooper in tow (manual trannie) and had no problems whatsover...

Any California peeps here that could give me a good route from LA to San Fran with this set up please let me know!

Thanks again

Mark

[gmcbuffalo]

Mark
I went to Sam Simeon with my bus and at the time it was a 35 footer. I would say don't go pass San Simeon with you bus, I did and on many curves the center of the bus was crossing the center line even though my wheels were in the right lane. You will be going very slow and traffic will build up behind you and there is no where to pull over. At least that is how it was 8 years ago. After San Sineon turn south and take one of the bigger roads north. 101 north of SF is great tour, beside I-5 in CA is a poorly maintained HWY. Californian's jump in here if I am off base.
GregM

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Many moons ago we went from San Francisco up through the Redwoods on 101. I have no knowledge of taking the Pacific Coast highway from SF up, but I can say 101 was a ride we enjoyed.

In parts traffic was slow on curvy roads through the Redwoods, but we were enjoying seeing things we New Yorkers (at the time) never see in our travels in the east.

[Steve Bennett]

We have been up & down the full length of Hwy 1 in our 40' XL towing a Land Rover. It is possable, but there are some very tight spots particularly North of Fort Bragg. I would recommend against it, especially North bound as you are up against the rocks, and there are many blind turns where you will have to encroach into the other lane. If you really want to do it, I would recommend the section from Morro Bay up to San Francisco. It is not to bad, but you will need to take it easy. Hwy 101 gives you similar spectacular views up in Oregon, it is tight just North of Gold Beach but much wider than Hwy 1.

[Steve Bennett]

A good alternative would be Hwy 1 from Morrow Bay North to San Simeon, than back track to Hwy 46 just South of Cambria. It is a beautiful drive East on 46 over to Hwy 101 North. If your bus is a 45' you are not to be on Hwy 1 North of San Simeon. There are some great campgrounds along Hwy 101, if you would like please give me a call, and I can tell you the places we have stayed along that route. (800) 460-7989

[flyu2there]

We have been up & down the full length of Hwy 1 in our 40' XL towing a Land Rover. It is possable, but there are some very tight spots particularly North of Fort Bragg. I would recommend against it, especially North bound as you are up against the rocks, and there are many blind turns where you will have to encroach into the other lane. If you really want to do it, I would recommend the section from Morro Bay up to San Francisco. It is not to bad, but you will need to take it easy. Hwy 101 gives you similar spectacular views up in Oregon, it is tight just North of Gold Beach but much wider than Hwy 1.

Steve,

My experience is that the 1 North of Jenner thru Ft. Bragg is only for those with nerves of steel, even with a 40' coach............like North of Cambria, I do believe that 45's are not permitted although it is easy to get sucked in if one is not paying close attention. A whole new appreciation of hair pen curves is gained on this route, not to mention narrow two lane roads that are perched along cliffs sans guard rails, steep climbs and even steeper decents. The road gets better past Timber Cove however by that time ones nerves are already shattered! Its tough in a sports car, much tougher in a bus..........

Tailwinds,

John

[GDeen]

We enjoyed a night stay in Big Sur this spring on a car trip. Could you get in there from the north with a bus reasonably? Any decent place to stay once there?