Which way should I go with a trailer???

4Runner4TW said:
I just might have to take you up on that!


As far as cops go. I will be driving conservatively. I don't want to risk hurting the truck at all. They can pull me over if they want; I'm all legal.
I don't have the tundra swap but the brakes have less than 10K on them. Next time I need brakes I will do the swap; I didn't know about it prior. And the A/C works great! Even in these hot AZ summers the truck cools right down.
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If you're still running stock brakes, I cannot stress enough keeping that buffer between you and the vehicle in front of you. A few weeks ago I towed a tent trailer (Fleetwood E1, estimate 2,700lbs loaded) and my brakes were really having a tough time slowing that thing down. Luckily I only ever had to make a quick stop once, and I made it.

I have the S13WE (199's) and I would not trust pulling a trailer larger than 1,000lbs or so without them. The next time I tow a trailer, I will be investing in a trailer brake controller.

When are you making the trip?
 
Yeah the grapevine is not as bad as a lot of people make it out to be... It's not like your climbing 5000'. The only thing that makes it hard is the length of the climb and the heat... It's not a steep climb though.
 
Who says go thru LA? Go around using the 210 fwy. Plus it all depends on what time you'll be going. Just don't drive during peek rush hour 6-9am 4-7pm.

10 fwy to the 57 fwy to the 210 fwy to the 5 fwy. Saves you 20-30min going thru LA.

Grapevine isn't to bad, a little concern going up Mt Shasta into Medford, Oregon. That's a long upward grade twisting around the bends. Its going to be a 2 day trip, maybe 3 if you wanna site see. I did it last year on a road trip to Vancouver, BC. Gotta stop Columbia River Gorge to check out all the water falls.
 
We pick our trailer up Sept. 30th which is a Monday. I feel I can be on the road between 12-3 that day. I got the 6x12 trailer but definitely will not be able to fill it. Since I have the time I will probably do the by pass to get around Grapevine. I have never even heard of it. We do want to site see. Were looking into somewhere to stay in San Fran since I have never been. If anyone else has suggestions send them over! We are traveling with our little dog so we will be limited to what we can do. But I do have 6 days with the trailer and will probably use 4-5 of them.

As far as brakes, I don't remember it being too bad when I pulled the 5x8 trailer fully loaded with a fully loaded 4runner. That was before the brake job, suspension upgrade, well before I did anything to the runner. But, like I said, I do a lot of experience pulling trailers. I'm by no means a professional, but I do respect the road, my gear, and the people around me so I will be keeping it easy.
 
We pick our trailer up Sept. 30th which is a Monday. I feel I can be on the road between 12-3 that day. I got the 6x12 trailer but definitely will not be able to fill it. Since I have the time I will probably do the by pass to get around Grapevine. I have never even heard of it. We do want to site see. Were looking into somewhere to stay in San Fran since I have never been. If anyone else has suggestions send them over! We are traveling with our little dog so we will be limited to what we can do. But I do have 6 days with the trailer and will probably use 4-5 of them.

As far as brakes, I don't remember it being too bad when I pulled the 5x8 trailer fully loaded with a fully loaded 4runner. That was before the brake job, suspension upgrade, well before I did anything to the runner. But, like I said, I do a lot of experience pulling trailers. I'm by no means a professional, but I do respect the road, my gear, and the people around me so I will be keeping it easy.
 
4Runner4TW said:
We pick our trailer up Sept. 30th which is a Monday. I feel I can be on the road between 12-3 that day. I got the 6x12 trailer but definitely will not be able to fill it. Since I have the time I will probably do the by pass to get around Grapevine. I have never even heard of it. We do want to site see. Were looking into somewhere to stay in San Fran since I have never been. If anyone else has suggestions send them over! We are traveling with our little dog so we will be limited to what we can do. But I do have 6 days with the trailer and will probably use 4-5 of them.
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Frisco is a beautiful place, but its no place for a 6x12 trailer. Hard to find parking in the city and hotels $100 and up. We're talking motel 6 for $100, parking also cost money $20 or more a day in the city. Suggest find a place stay outside the city and drive in. See the bridge, downtown union square, embardero, the warf, the presidio, and lots more. Plus those people gonna yell at you pulling your trailer down Lombard. Southwest of the golden gate bride is a doggie beach, just be careful it's also a nude beach. If you want more, there's Chinatown, Alcatraz, mission district, and lots of places north of frisco. Always carry a sweater.
 
I drove my '02 4Runner from Oak Harbor, WA to San Diego last May and then back up at the end of June. He's some tips:


  • Drive around LA or hit it at night. It's not impossible during the day but it can take forever.
  • Drive around Portland by taking 205 toward Oregon City. It's a couple miles longer but normally takes less time and is a much nicer drive. It comes right back around to I-5.
  • Tacoma, WA normally takes a while make it through.
  • There are tons of rest stops along I-5. They are pretty well patrolled by HWY Patrol/State Police. I slept in the back of my 4Runner and cuddled with the bumper I picked up on Craigslist in SD.
  • There is a couple good climbs in Northern California and in Southern Oregon. About 1/5th of the way up Oregon you will stop having mountains and it will be pretty much flat all the way to Seattle.
  • The Grape Vine is not a bad as everyone says it is. Just don't be stupid and don't ride your brakes all the way down.
  • Don't try taking HWY 101 all the way up. While it is beautiful, the speed limit hits 35 MPH quite a few times in Oregon.

Maine?!?!... You are a ways from home. Nothing to do up there except get hammered. I lived in the Ellsworth area for 7 years.
 
Last edited:
Kurtis said:
I drove my '02 4Runner from Oak Harbor, WA to San Diego last May and then back up at the end of June. He's some tips:


  • Drive around LA or hit it at night. It's not impossible during the day but it can take forever.
  • Drive around Portland by taking 205 toward Oregon City. It's a couple miles longer but normally takes less time and is a much nicer drive. It comes right back around to I-5.
  • Tacoma, WA normally takes a while make it through.
  • There are tons of rest stops along I-5. They are pretty well patrolled by HWY Patrol/State Police. I slept in the back of my 4Runner and cuddled with the bumper I picked up on Craigslist in SD.
  • There is a couple good climbs in Northern California and in Southern Oregon. About 1/5th of the way up Oregon you will stop having mountains and it will be pretty much flat all the way to Seattle.
  • The Grape Vine is not a bad as everyone says it is. Just don't be stupid and don't ride your brakes all the way down.
  • Don't try taking HWY 101 all the way up. While it is beautiful, the speed limit is 35 MPH most of the time.

Maine?!?!... You are a ways from home. Nothing to do up there except get hammered. I lived in the Ellsworth area for 7 years.
Click to expand...

Not to be harsh and I forgive you for not being from here. The 101 speed limit is 65. I believe you're referring to the 1 (PCH) Pacific Coast Hwy, and its only 35 in and around cities, outside speed limit is 55. If you got the time, take it, one of the most iconic routes ever.
 
OffRoadGuy said:
Not to be harsh and I forgive you for not being from here. The 101 speed limit is 65. I believe you're referring to the 1 (PCH) Pacific Coast Hwy, and its only 35 in and around cities, outside speed limit is 55. If you got the time, take it, one of the most iconic routes ever.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't live in Oregon for 14 years and wasn't born there either. The 101 runs from CA up to WA. And yes there is quite a few places along the 101 that hit 35 in Oregon and it can take a while to travel it. I'll edit my post to reflect more accurately.
 
If you've got the time, definitely go along the Oregon coast, lots to see along the way, taking I-5 through Oregon is really really boring.
 
downpour11 said:
I usually take I-40 over to bakersfield. No traffic. So if you take I-10 to Quartzite/Parker, go up to Havasu then jump on I-40. Just bypasses LA and riverside traffic. Then you can hop on I-5 through bakersfield. I've driven that way from tucson to oregon at least 10 times, much easier.
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J. B. said:
Avoidable with the suggested route of I-10 to I-40 Blythe to Needles then hit 58 from I-40 down to Bakersfield.

Avoids all of LA too!!
Click to expand...

OffRoadGuy said:
Who says go thru LA? Go around using the 210 fwy. Plus it all depends on what time you'll be going. Just don't drive during peek rush hour 6-9am 4-7pm.

10 fwy to the 57 fwy to the 210 fwy to the 5 fwy. Saves you 20-30min going thru LA.

Grapevine isn't to bad, a little concern going up Mt Shasta into Medford, Oregon. That's a long upward grade twisting around the bends. Its going to be a 2 day trip, maybe 3 if you wanna site see. I did it last year on a road trip to Vancouver, BC. Gotta stop Columbia River Gorge to check out all the water falls.
Click to expand...

Kurtis said:
I drove my '02 4Runner from Oak Harbor, WA to San Diego last May and then back up at the end of June. He's some tips:


  • Drive around LA or hit it at night. It's not impossible during the day but it can take forever.
  • Drive around Portland by taking 205 toward Oregon City. It's a couple miles longer but normally takes less time and is a much nicer drive. It comes right back around to I-5.
  • Tacoma, WA normally takes a while make it through.
  • There are tons of rest stops along I-5. They are pretty well patrolled by HWY Patrol/State Police. I slept in the back of my 4Runner and cuddled with the bumper I picked up on Craigslist in SD.
  • There is a couple good climbs in Northern California and in Southern Oregon. About 1/5th of the way up Oregon you will stop having mountains and it will be pretty much flat all the way to Seattle.
  • The Grape Vine is not a bad as everyone says it is. Just don't be stupid and don't ride your brakes all the way down.
  • Don't try taking HWY 101 all the way up. While it is beautiful, the speed limit hits 35 MPH quite a few times in Oregon.

Maine?!?!... You are a ways from home. Nothing to do up there except get hammered. I lived in the Ellsworth area for 7 years.
Click to expand...

Better listen to... The Californians.
The Californians | Video | Saturday Night Live | NBC
 
That was funny! Dang I don't even watch SNL anymore since all the OGs are gone. Goes to tell you people in LA do know where they go. "kalwanga blvd" gotta love it!
 
yeah that i205 thing to avoid portland is a good idea, i love this city, but holly monkeys we have the crappiest transportation system and infrastructure... portland needs to pull their head out of their poop hole. during rush hour, a 30min dive can become a hour and a half drive and thats without any crashes or construction. but you do miss seeing portland and the Willamette river running through the middle of the city by going 205. i also would not go 101 unless i had a ton of time to kill, you will spend all your time on 101 just driving and wont have anytime to stop and sight see.
 
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