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2008Phoebe · 06-24-2017, 06:37 PM

Has anyone taken the Tioga Pass Road from Hwy 395 to Yosemite with a trailer. If so, how long was the trailer and what were you pulling it with. According to Caltrans, the max grade is 8%, which I have done before in the Rockies.

subfan1 · 06-24-2017, 06:43 PM

We have not however, there is a sign near the start indicating not recommended for trailers. It is very steep. If you are thinking of doing it soon, the road from 395 is still closed due to snow. Cal trans does not have a date when they will open it.

AlinCal · 06-24-2017, 06:50 PM

I have been up and down Tioga many times although not towing, it gets your attention but I would not think twice about pulling a trailer up as long as your TV is sized for your trailer adaquitly, going down would be more of a concern.

subfan1 · 06-24-2017, 06:55 PM

I completely agree with you. I however have seen people towing down hill but not up. I wouldn't do either. I would like to camp at Saddle back lake someday but will go through Yosemite and then back through Yosemite.

AlinCal · 06-24-2017, 07:05 PM

We used to camp along Lee Vining creek and would do a couple day trips up to Saddlebag during our stay. Fishing was always good.

mojo · 06-24-2017, 07:08 PM

Have been up and down Tioga pass from 395 with a 27FB and F150 ecoboost. Yes it is doable but have only gone as far as Tuolumne CG with the trailer. Which is a less crowded campground and cooler than the valley floor in the summer. Don't think I would want to tow all the way over Tioga Pass all the way to the valley tho...

NorCal Matt · 06-24-2017, 07:13 PM

From my memory, it's not that tight of a road as far as turns, but it is very steep. If you've done that grade in CO, it shouldn't be a problem for you. I wouldn't be too wary of it.

PKI · 06-24-2017, 07:55 PM

Like several folks, we have not towed that route, but we have made several trips over to Lee Vining and a couple back. The last set was just last year. We made that trip with the consideration, that we might tow on a future trip. Really want to fish over off 395. From other folk's reports and our review, we think it should be no problem with our 23FB. But, until we have done it, we really don't know.

What I will say is that the traffic in and around Yosemite valley is horrible. Unless you have reservations in the park, you might be better off to take I80 over and approach from the West with the intent to stay at a commercial park outside Yosemite and drive in for the day. Might even be better to bus it after you are settled. Have never done that either, but our last trip through was not fun and it is supposed to be much worse now. Yosemite is an experience best embraced when most of the other folks are off to the beach. So far, that period of time is a mystery.

Good luck with your trip. Pat

AlinCal · 06-24-2017, 10:08 PM

Ditto on the Yosemite valley traffic! We have been twice in the last 8 months and now with all the water visitation is off the chart, I would rather tow over the grade than through the valley. We did our trips while based outside the valley and day tripped in by the wifes Outback.
This year is a must see though so whatever it takes to go.

jimmini · 06-25-2017, 10:36 AM

I have pull my 29 ft Squarestream over the pass severle times with no problem. It is slow some times becauces of road repair and lot of traffice most on week ends.

Yosemite NP is a mess in the valley. You now can make reservations to get a parking spot in a parking lot there on the same website that you get your campping reservations. TO MANY FOLKS.

gator.bigfoot · 06-25-2017, 11:08 AM

I came the other way from Oakland up the new Priest Road and then across the 120 down to 395. My trailer is 30'. Pulled with my ML320 CDI.

Up or down wasn't an issue.

TBSarfari28 · 06-25-2017, 11:41 AM

Depending on your travel dates, you will need to check, when they have the pass open. I live in the Mono Lake area, the talk is that it maybe the middle of July before they have it open, or later. The attached info from NPS

Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Plowing Update
Tioga Entrance 6/17
Snow pack levels are changing daily along Tioga Pass Road. There are still significant amounts of snow at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station.
Tioga Road
June 24, 2017
The Tioga Road remains closed to all vehicular traffic, including bicycles. Melting snow is causing water to run over the road in multiple locations, creating a safety hazard. The park is diligently working to ensure that adequate sanitation facilities are in place to meet visitor needs and to protect the water quality in the Tuolumne River watershed. The road will remain closed until the impacted power, communications, water and sewer systems are operational to meet the needs of park staff and visitors. There is no estimated opening date. The Tioga Road is closed to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians from South Fork Bridge (6.5 miles east of Tuolumne Grove/NatureBridge in the Crane Flat area) to Tioga Pass.

Martin R · 06-25-2017, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008Phoebe

Has anyone taken the Tioga Pass Road from Hwy 395 to Yosemite with a trailer. If so, how long was the trailer and what were you pulling it with. According to Caltrans, the max grade is 8%, which I have done before in the Rockies.

We have gone over the Tioga Pass heading West from Lee Vining towing our 30 footer with F350 . Was not a problem

franklyfrank · 06-25-2017, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008Phoebe

Has anyone taken the Tioga Pass Road from Hwy 395 to Yosemite with a trailer. If so, how long was the trailer and what were you pulling it with. According to Caltrans, the max grade is 8%, which I have done before in the Rockies.

I have attempted it last year in June. We were pulling a 30' International with a 2012 F-150 EcoBoost. We were loaded to the max on the truck rear axle and the trailer weighed in at 7,400 lbs. (I always weigh when hitting the road for a long trip). I had to abort the climb due to overheating both the engine and the trans. The truck simply couldn't do it. Luckily there are a number a spacious turnarounds . We ended up staying at June Lake, a most charming place at an RV park smack in downtown, 500' from the Brewery. We couldn't have planned it better.
So we visited Yosemite the next day without the trailer. Ended up spending a most delightful week around June Lake. It is like being in Switzerland.
The following December the F-150 was replaced with an F-250 Diesel.
The F-150 EcoBoost did an admirable job for the most part, however there were a couple other passes out west previously that it barely made it over with our rig.

TBRich · 06-25-2017, 02:14 PM

We visited and camped in Yosemite with friends in 2013 ... we had done Sequoia first so we came into Yosemite from the west...Yosemite Valley was pretty much bumper to bumper (and NOW you even need to make a reservation for a parking place!) ... We drove through the park and camped at the Tuolumne Campground with reservations (fewer people that far into the park, but still too many). We exited east down Tigoa Road to 395 in a heavy rain storm. We didn't have any trouble with the Bambi being towed with a Tacoma.

For what it's worth: While we are so glad we did that trip ... the scenery is truly magnificent ... but there were downsides. We were pretty blown away by the amount of people there and how the whole place seems "trampled" by the sheer volume of visitors (many of whom seemed oblivious to the presence of OTHER people). The campgrounds were originally designed for tent camping, not RVs, and we had trouble getting our 19' Bambi into the campsite .... our friends who have a 16' had less trouble, but they were squeezed in as well. Not only was it crowded in the campground but the usage was so heavy that one of the bathrooms had backed up and was closed and the common dishwashing station was a muddy bog. We decided on that trip that if we ever went to another National Park as popular and as heavily visited as Yosemite is that we'd camp OUTSIDE the park and do day trips. Easier reservations, better amenities, less traffic hassle, and fewer people. That was also the place where we paid the highest gas prices we have ever paid...over $5/gal.

LOGRIDER · 06-25-2017, 02:39 PM

We've done it numerous times with our 27 ft, going both ways, e.g from the valley and also from 395 up and over. Piece of cake as long as others have said, your tow vehicle is up to the task...the trailer length in not a problem.

AlinCal · 06-25-2017, 02:53 PM

From early May this year, last oct when there all falls were dry

ChuckFeldt · 06-25-2017, 07:06 PM

In June of 2014,We stayed in Lee Vining, drove into Yosemite over CA 120. The eastern state maintained portion of 120 was a breeze in the truck, the Federal NP portion was very narrow with tight curves. We decided to not tow over the pass when we drove to San Francisco. The Duramax 2500 never had any problems with grade up or down.

Gneiss Guy · 06-26-2017, 03:38 PM

A few years ago we pulled our 25 Safari up 120 to the USF Campground and had no problem, except the boulder my wife backed me into at the campground. We had a delightful visit to Yosimite,though I must confess it was after Labor Day. I was pulling with a 2002 F250 with the V 10. Mono Lake is FAR OUT and certainly worth a visit, if you are in the area.

Richard