Redding CA to the coast

[2thdr]

We are planning a summer trip and I have a question about CA 36 from I-5 (south of Redding) to Fortuna CA. How is that road and should a newbie have any specific concerns? Ford F250 6.2L gasser, 4.3 gearing, towing a 31' Wolfpack toy hauler GVWR 9985#. Thanks.

[Capt Kidd]

You could do it but a better bet would be to take 299 west from Redding. 36 has a lot of tight turns on the east end and is only 1 and 1/2 lanes wide for about 10 miles with no center line.

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by Capt Kidd

You could do it but a better bet would be to take 299 west from Redding. 36 has a lot of tight turns on the east end and is only 1 and 1/2 lanes wide for about 10 miles with no center line.

Thanks! Exactly the kind of information I was looking for. We will probably do 36 on the bike after parking the trailer!

[rskeans]

Some years back I was pulling a 14,000 lb 5ver with a Ford V10 on that hwy. The turns forced me to slow down and I lost my RPM's. I could not get the RPM's up to get any torque. Good Luck.

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by rskeans

Some years back I was pulling a 14,000 lb 5ver with a Ford V10 on that hwy. The turns forced me to slow down and I lost my RPM's. I could not get the RPM's up to get any torque. Good Luck.

Are you speaking of 36 or 299?

[rskeans]

299

[Capt Kidd]

I go across 299 several times a year with my 15,000# 5er with no problems at all. My truck is a 2005 Dodge megacab with the 6.7 Cumings an 4.10 gears.

[rskeans]

Right. But the OP has a gasser. Huge difference at low rpm's.

[Capt Kidd]

That's what the trany is for, just gear down.

[rskeans]

In my case I was in 1st gear floored! Still not enough torque to get up on the torque curve.

[Capt Kidd]

wow you must be geared really high. Is your truck 4 wheel drive? If so you might try using low range.

[rskeans]

Not so Capt. The truck was a '99 Ford F350 CC LB 4.33 gearing with the new V10 gaser towing a 14,000 lb 5ver. Gasers need high RPM. No RPM, no torque. Since that time I've had all diesels and never looked back.

[rskeans]

Oh, and it did have 4wd and I did consider dropping down to Granny.

[bikendan]

299 is a better drive than CA 36, when towing.

[Jakieboy]

Recommend Route 299. Also very scenic, but well maintained, wide for a two-lane, and fairly easy grades. Recommend River Walk RV Park near Fortuna. Very nice and easy day drive into Ferndale, which you must see.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Capt Kidd

I go across 299 several times a year with my 15,000# 5er with no problems at all. My truck is a 2005 Dodge megacab with the 6.7 Cumings an 4.10 gears.

The difference is you have a diesel and he has a gasser.

Diesels get their max torque around 1600 RPM, gassers closer to 5000. At lower RPMS his engine does not create the torque yours does.

Why do you think all the big rigs are diesels?

[2thdr]

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like 299 will be fine. I'll travel with the tanks empty and only one ADV bike in the garage, so hopefully will be well under the Wolfpack GVWR.

[Capt Kidd]

There are a couple of long fairly steep pulls on 299 but you should be able to keep your speed up.

[aircommuter]

One must have equipment needed for the job. I don't think using low range 4WD on pavement is a good recommendation.

[Capt Kidd]

I would only use it if there were no other way unless I had locking hubs in the front then I would unlock them and it would not be a big deal because it would by like you were in two wheel drive.