Trip South

[TRLRTRSH]

Well, made it to our winter home of San Felipe, Baja Mexico. Just thought I would let you all know about our trip. Drove 1470+ miles from Puyallup, WA to Baja Mexico.

Pull a 31’ Alfa Ideal 5er, GCVW of 20,000 lbs + or – a few pounds (depending on how much the wife hides).

Went the first day from Puyallup to Canyonville Or on I-5, averaged 12. 1 mpg 65/70 mph. Trip computer said I was getting 15. 1 mpg, so much for accuracy.

Fueled up at the Seven Feathers truck stop 29. 65 gal for 360 miles. The TTPM and exhaust brake worked great, no problems with EGT’s or trans temps, had the x monitor flash one time when I was passing a slow moving truck in the mountains but other than that, piro stayed well within comfortable temp range (overdrive OFF)

Fueled up in Redding CA at the TA truck stop, That’s a story, called the attendant on the speaker, told her I was an RV, the wife was on the way in to pay, She (the attendant) said she would turn the pump on. I waited, and waited, and waited, finally called her back, she then said she could not turn the pump on until she had the card. Bull Sheat!!, :-{} I have never had a hassle from any truck stop like that. TA needs to get their act together in Redding CA. Put in 20. 59 gals.

Next fuel stop was Loomis CA, (went to visit the father-in-law) put in 18. 75 gal and drove 213. 6 miles 11. 39 mpg.

Next stop was Bakersfield CA, 28. 87 gals, for 328. 2 miles

Next stop was El Centro CA. that evening we went direct to the RV park west of town, the trip meter said 0 miles to empty and the fuel chime/light came on about 5(?) miles from the RV park. The next day we fueled up and put in 32. 36 gals for 367 miles

Most expensive fuel we seen, $2. 47 at Shasta CA. (thank the good Lord we didn’t need any) Most fuel stops were $2. 23 or so, cheapest was Bakersfield, east of town $2. 19.

Overall Fuel mileage for the 1,470 miles, 11. 30, Cost . 1998 cents per mile

Today was 96 degrees and sunny!!! Sure beats 60 degrees, rain and having to work everyday :-laf



BajaBill

 

[tpuig]

Sounds like a nice trip, glad it was uneventful. Question for you...



I'm heading down to Los Cabos next month. Have our timeshare to stay on the far end, but looking for suggestions on places to stay on the drive down. I'll have my 83 year old dad with me, and would like to do the drive in 2 days if possible. Figure leaving very early am from SD/Tijuana heading down Hwy 1. (as if there's much choice) Driving at night is absolutely a last resort.



I'd like to see Bahia Gonzaga and San Ignacio, but can do that on the trip back up. Also, I'll probably be helping a team entered in the Baja 1000, so I may have a load of tires or fuel cans or beer that would need to stay secure in the open back. No trailer, so figure we can go at a comfortable but safe speed.

Not adverse to camping, but my dad would probably do a bit better in a bed. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

TP

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Los Cabos

Tpuig: Can't really help on the way down to Cabos, Have never been there but hear it is also really nice (but expensive)

If this is your first trip driving Baja I would recommend you get a Driving Baja book at your local book store, most have all the campgrounds and hotels on the route down. Some of the nicer hotels in Baja have secure parking, if you are going to have objects in the rear of the Truck I would recommend secure parking (or a real big dog).

Mexican auto insurance is a must, no insurance, have an accident and it's off to jail you go. Drive like everyone is out to get you! (defensively)

Have a good trip.



Bill

 

[tpuig]

Thanks Bill. I've got a couple ideas lined up, we'll see if they pan out. I generally chain and padlock everything in the back, which in this case will be water and fuel cans. Otherwise, just looking to enjoy a nice couple weeks.

TP

 

[sg5054]

tpuig,

My wife and I did the drive from SD down to San Jose del Cabo a couple of years ago in a Toyota FJ 40. It took us three long days as the FJ isn't a rocketship. I think if you could do it in two it would be the drive from hell. Long stressful and tiring. We had a blast although we didn't do any exploring. We needed to get there. We had our dog (100# Akita) with us. The military checkpoints were humorous, here is a soldier with an assault rifle and and all the gear wanting to have a look see in the our rig and he won't approach the truck until we get the dog out and over by the curb. All the while he never takes his eyes of the dog and kind of pokes around the dogs blankets with a steak knife for all of 30 seconds. The dog sat up thinking his was getting a biscuit.

Loreto was nice, we stayed there one night. The scenery was great and the people we met were very friendly. I would NOT drive at night. The roads are very skinny and the fog line IS the edge of the road. It can drop off as much as a foot or a whole lot more. We got caught by dark each night but only went for an hour or so. The free range cattle are out on the roads at night because of the warmth. The stars at night are just amazing. We would love to do it again in our 98. 5.

Have a safe trip.

 

[Ramtough]

Truckstops

Forget TA. I go out of my way to patronize Flying J. Although they are a truck stop, they are the only company I know of that is RV friendly. They have dedicated RV lanes at most facilities with gas, diesel, LP, water and sewage dumps. The company is a victim of its own success. Rarely do I go into a Flying J that does not have RVs in its RV lanes. They also accomodate RVs for overnight stays at most locations. Finally, the food at their Cookery resturants is excellent.



Flying J also has a RV owners club that provides fuel discounts that increase with your expenditures with them.



Vote with your dollars. Support the companies that support RV owners. Forget about the truck stops.



Flying J has locations all over the country including the southwest. Here is their website: http://www.flyingj.com/



Good luck and happy RVing.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

truckstops

Being retired we purchase fuel with overall cost in mind and when on the road where we will end up at the “end of the day”. I agree with you on Flying J, usually a good experience for RV’er, BUT I have found in our travels that Flying J is at times as much as 5 cents a gallon higher than other local distributors who are also RV friendly.

 

[tpuig]

Once across the border, guess I'm stuck with Pemex. Not too bad though, didn't have any problems and heard it's as good or better than diesel in the US. Leaving next Thursday for a couple weeks. I'll let you know how the Cabo trip goes. Figure San Diego to San Ignacio the first day, then Cabo on the next. Not really in a rush and we'll easily be sidetracked if something looks interesting. After all, it's better than work...

TP

 

[Rocky in KC]

just a few tips--insurance is a must, locking gas cap, do not drive at night!

here is a link to the best baja site in the world!

http://forums.bajanomad.com

you can find out anything you need to know!! R