High Sierra Topix

balzaccom wrote:Yes...but there are also RVs on 120 over Tioga Pass driving 22 mph and taking over part the on-coming lane, too. sigh.

And even if you hi-beam them, they don't use the turnouts.

Yes...but there are also RVs on 120 over Tioga Pass driving 22 mph and taking over part the on-coming lane, too. sigh.

By law, RV's are supposed to pull to the side, whenever 5 or more vehicles are following. Is it different in Yosemite NP?

It's not just RV's. Anyone with 5 cars behind is supposed to use the turnouts, but they don't. If I'm slower than someone behind me, I will use them because I love the fact that someone faster is in front of me as a Bear, Deer and Cop deterrent.

Asked a Ranger, what is the biggest danger in Yosemite...drowning, falling, etc.
Surprised by the answer...A rented RV. Anybody can rent one of these with zero instruction.

"5 cars behind and pull over" may be the law, but along the 120 corridor, in the summer, realistically expect 25 mph and 30 car parades - obviously clueless... no thoughts/ ideas about using any turnout.

Also important to note that once stopped, it's hard to get an RV or fifth-wheel going again unless it's powered by a heavy diesel pusher. The best thing to do in that situation is to regularly slow at the turnouts and let the one or two cars that built up go by without coming to a complete stop. RV renters don't know this and/or don't care.

I avoid rental RV's while on the road like the plague. 90% of the time the driver has no clue..

I am well averse to using turnouts as I'm usually the slow one. My truck will go anywhere I point it, albeit in a slow steady manner. Asking it to go fast (especially uphill) is like asking a three toed sloth to sprint..

you, my friend need a turbo on that truck!

I prefer to drive the 120 at night. Yes, increased risk of deer/bear, but no RV's..

Rented Rv's and U-Hauls. I steer away from both like the plague. Any yahoo with a license can rent them; but not many can "drive" them.
Drive with conviction and as far ahead as possible; plan your next move and have an "out" if someone else does something stupid...

Russ, I like turbos and superchargers too! Gives you "options"

Some time ago in kings canyon, I had to transport my friend's young daughter to a restroom about a mile away on a serious number 2 emergency. I sped, and ranger had lights on behind me. I continued to the campsite restroom, the girl ran to the restroom, and the ranger let me off the hook. I find park rangers to be pretty cool almost all the time.

I do drive an RV sometimes, not rented, and I never wait for 5 cars behind me. Even one, depending on my speed (or lack of) and duration, is enough for me to pull over. But sometimes it's easy to miss a turnout with a slow braking though. I can imagine a nervous newbie RV driver scared to take the turnouts. And yes, driving an RV takes alot of attention. I saw many rented rv driving with tv antenna up or a roof vent wide open. I myself drove over 100 miles with one of the compartment door opened. It was a near miracle that none of the contents fell out.

Are any of you like me? I have a love/hate relationship with Yosemite. I love Yosemite for the obvious reasons, but I avoid it like the plague, unless I can go at a time where it is not going to be busy. It is like an urban area in the middle of nowhere. Really takes away from the Yosemite experience. It would not surprise to read of some kind of "road rage" incident in Yosemite, or a high speed "O.J." chase thru the park. Crazy in the summertime.