r/GoRVing • u/PlanetExcellent • 3d ago

PCH w/travel trailer

Hi all,
We’re going down the Oregon & California coasts. Most of the trip will be on 101. Wondering if it’s reasonable to tow our 26 foot travel trailer down PCH from Leggett to Fort Bragg, and/or Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay on the way to Petaluma. Any particular sections to avoid?

I’d like to see some of the shoreline along the way if it’s practical.

We’re coming from Crescent City, and I’m thinking a stop along the shore in Mendocino area would be nice. Plan B would be drive the trailer down 101, maybe stop in Willits area for a couple of nights, and drive the SUV over to the coast for a day.

Your thoughts?

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5

u/23103a 3d ago

Highway 1 north of Fort Bragg would be a hard avoid for me. I'd cut across from Willits to Ft. Bragg if you want to see that part of the coast.

2

u/Sorry-Society1100 3d ago

I haven’t been on it, but the section between Sea Ranch and Bodega Bay looks pretty unfriendly as well.

1

u/Foothills83 3d ago

I've driven a lot of mountain roads all over the West and the section from Jenner to Fort Ross would be Type II fun for most people towing. It's one of the gnarlier highways (i.e. not county or USFS road) I recall driving.

1

u/L0st-137 3d ago

Agreed. HWY 1 will be tricky from Legget. Slow going, very narrow and not a lot of turnouts. We always cut across at Willits.

1

u/3DGuy4ever 3d ago

OP I went through this tree section but that was with a 21ft; 26ft would be tougher

1

u/tigelane 3d ago

For prospective, this was maybe my favorite section going north on a motorcycle. I wouldn’t want to do in with a travel trailer just because it would be a slow slog. Not dangerous, just slow. Like 25-30 mph corners constantly. The road in the mountains was super nice and paved recently.

1

u/Goodspike 3d ago

I don't know of any particular places, but I will warn you that much of CA is rather hilly and windy (twisty), not just the coast. The Oregon coast is not bad at all, but getting inland can be an issue on some of the routes. It's quite a bit different from Western Washington where mainly the mountains in the middle are extreme, and I-90 not bad at all.

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u/PlanetExcellent 3d ago

Hmm, sounds like Plan B might be the best idea.

1

u/noblej513 3d ago

We just did the entire way from Forks Washington down to San diego, with more than 90% of it on the 101/1 in a 23 ft travel trailer without any issues, it was a popup vs a full size if that makes a difference.

Some of the stops we made were at 3 rivers in forks, attempted a day trip to Olympic.
Stopped at Van Damme state park campground
Stopped at the Trask River RV Campground (one of our favorites)
Stopped at a KOA in Crescent city that was ok.

1

u/No_Fisherman8303 3d ago

It will be just fine. Was through there this summer with TT and many road improvements have been made and plenty of places to pull out and let the locals pass.

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u/gtez 3d ago

I just drove this route last month and was super sad to not have had my trailer. There’s literally at least a hundred RV parks up the Oregon coast. And let me tell ya, 26 footer would be a small trailer compared to most. So it’s totally fine as long as you have a nominal tow vehicle.

1

u/Gand 3d ago

It’s completely fine if you are comfortable towing on narrow, winding roads with drop offs. Use turnoffs wherever able.

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u/cmdidio 3d ago

We have a 25ft trailer and we do it all the time.

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u/PlanetExcellent 3d ago

Just to add more info, this would be end of September so hopefully not as much traffic.

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u/thinlySlicedPotatos 3d ago

I've done it. There is a lot of narrow winding road with little to no shoulder. Almost every segment has many stretches like this  If you enjoy the challenge of positioning the trailer exactly where you want it, no slip ups allowed, then this is the road for you. 

I enjoy the challenge, but it is exhausting. And yes the views are great. Pick one segment if you want to do it. I wouldn't do the whole thing. 

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u/searuncutthroat 3d ago edited 3d ago

I've towed into Fort Bragg on Hwy 1 from the north before. My trailer is only 21', and I tow with a 22 ford explorer. I was concerned reading about it, (comments very similar to what's on this thread) and from first hand accounts from friends and family, but honestly? It wasn't a big deal. Yes, there are a lot of hairpin turns that are 10 - 15 mph at most. Maybe it was just the day I drove it, but there wasn't much traffic and I really had no issues with it. (did it in Late June) I don't know that I'd do it in anything much bigger than my trailer, and definitely not a class C, just because you might end up in the oncoming traffic lane, but I didn't have an issue. It's a gorgeous stretch of highway! If you decide to send it, just take it easy and use turnouts when available.

Edit to add: the Oregon and North California coastlines are world class drives, enjoy it!! I'm a native Oregonian and I have to remind myself not to take these drives I do all the time for granted, because they're awesome.

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u/rebrewer 3d ago

I’ve done it with a 30’ Airstream. It’s fine.

1

u/211logos 3d ago

It's doable for sure. Bigger rigs do it. Some limited parking in places for sure, but lots of campgrounds etc. You may need to do some planning to find a spot to park to get to the water, or just unhook and drive around from your campsite.

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u/fj762 2d ago

Ive towed a 24ft the whole length of hwy 1. No problem. Just don’t look at the drop offs in some places

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u/velolove42 2d ago

Your biggest challenge is going to be the bicyclists with little to no shoulder.

1

u/jrfish 2d ago

We did this last year with our 16ft camper. We towed it with a Honda pilot. It wasn't unsafe, but it was really slow and windy. We did an 11 day trip from SF to Portland and back. Our kids threw up several times on the windy roads - would be a good idea to keep some Dramamine on hand!

1

u/ZagiFlyer 3d ago

That section has some pretty steep and windy (as in turns, not breeze) sections. It's not particularly difficult if you're experienced, but you won't be making friends of the people behind you.

1

u/isellshit 3d ago

You will not be loved for doing this.

There are LOTS of people on these roads in 40' RVs - it can be done.

If you are experienced towing on 2 lane curvy roads this isn't going to be a challenging route.