The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

...Sonora Pass in good weather? I've made the trip many times without towing, but now we have a pretty big folding trailer I'd like to take to the East Side without going all the way around through Reno. I've seen some pretty big rigs going over the top, but I was wondering if anyone has some personal experience with it.

Thanks in advance,
Stretch

guess that would depend on what you're towing it with. I've got a decent sized pop-up myself but tow it with a Nissan Titan and wouldn't think twice about taking it over the pass.

What John said. I had a friend who didn't know any better and towed his 26' TT over with an F250. He made it, but went home a different route. He said going up was no problem, it was coming down the other side that raised his hair.

I would think with a decent rig (and gearing) a pop-up would go reasonably well.


Buzz

Pop-up will be fine, you don't need a really strong engine, you need REALLY good brakes for that steep stuff on the other side, but it's only a couple miles of nasty incline, other than that, you'll be good to go. Coming home will be the same but maybe even a little more braking, Hope this helps

Stretch -

I towed a tent trailer over the pass many times in the last 10 years with a full size Bronco (351 v8). Uphill is no problem - it is the drop into the Walker valley that will fry your brakes. Even dropping into 1st on the automatic still heats um up big time. I wouldn't want much more trailer behind the Bronco on that drop. Caused me to buy an F250 diesel which I will put an exhaust brake on once I start towing again (which I wouldn't cause I can't afford the !#@#%&^@ fuel!!!). Imagine that rig would handle a larger trailer but have no experience with exhaust brakes just heard they work great.

One year saw a local going up the pass with a Chevy pickup and a full two horse trailer so maybe it is a matter of balls rather than truck size.

Darti

Thanks Darti,

My trailer is just under 20 feet closed up and weighs around 4000 pounds with no water or sewage on board. My truck is a 2003 Sierra 1500 HD with a 6.0 liter engine (VERY thirsty!). Not too worried about getting up the hill, as you said it's coming down into the valley I'm concerned about. I can't imagine what gas is going for in Bridgeport these days. Last weekend I went through Hollister and it was $5.36 for regular unleaded! I remember my old man driving around for what seemed like hours because he refused to pay more than 40 cents a gallon.

Stretch

Thanks Johnboy,

Yup, the downhill into the Marine base is what concerns me. Having served 6 years as an active duty Marine, I always get goosebumps driving past the grunts doing their mountain warfare training. The last time I went over to the East Side was as the first bunch of guys were going over to Afghanistan; they were having a "final party" in Bridgeport. Fun night!

Stretch

Thanks Buzz,

That's what I'm concerned about. I figure as long as I get my brakes done before the trip I'll be fine. Hey, according to the signup sheet, we're going to be neighbors at the BASH, I hope you like screaming babies!
(cripes can that really be next week!?!) I'd better get cooking!

Stretch

Thanks John,
I've got an '03 Sierra 1500 HD, I think it will be fine.

Stretch

The last 1/3 of the drop into the valley is the bad part. Very steep with multiple switchbacks. Be prepared to drop her into your lowest gear and try and just pump the brakes as needed. No matter what I did they always heated up and started to smell on this stretch. Save um as much as you can. Always was a relief to make the last turn and hit the staightaway running past the campground. Could start thinking bout catching fish at that point.

Darti

I lived up there for 26 years and hauled my Coleman tent trailer over the pass many times with a 6 cylinder Jeep and my Blazer with V6 engine. Most everyone here has given good advice about the switchbacks on the east side. I usually just put the thing in low gear and go slow down the marine base side. Saves a lot on the brakes and it's only a couple of miles you have the really steep portion.

Beerfly

Stretch wrote:
I hope you like screaming babies!
Hmm, wonder what other sites are still open???
Looking forward to finally meeting you Doug, screaming baby or not!

Buzz