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Death Valley

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Pax

Death Valley
« on: October 27, 2015, 09:16:23 am »
Has anyone done Death Valley in their PC or other RV/MH?  We were looking into the Furnace Creek area, but the road in and out (highway 190) looks a bit iffy.  What I've read is that it has a number of hairpin turns and 8%+ grades?

  - Mike

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bobander

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Re: Death Valley
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2015, 12:17:12 pm »
We drove that road a couple years ago in our 2551 towing a Wrangler.  We went down into Death Valley on 190 and there was no problem with the road, I don't know how it is to go uphill on that road.  We left to the east on 178 to Pahrump, NV and it was an uphill climb with sharp turns and a temp of 113F, the PC made it out with no problem.  I decided that I should turn off the AC to keep the engine temp down in that heat going uphill and it worked fine, no indication of overheating.  Based on this experience, I personally would not hesitate to go out hwy 190.

I thought it would be a good idea to turn on the generator and run the coach AC to keep us cool, it worked great for a bit until I hit the steepest part turning a sharp corner and the generator went off.  Apparently the fuel in the tank was below half and it sloshed around enough to suck air in the generator pick up tube which is at about 1/4 tank level.  Fortunately the outside temp cooled off quickly as we climbed out of the valley.

Bob
2010  PC 2551

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Death Valley
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2015, 09:04:42 am »
I agree with Bob as that was our experience as well, done while towing our little MR2.  But we were there in the fall when temps were in the 80's.  It was quite enjoyable to be there without the heat I remember as a kid.  That changed everything.  I would love to go back in the spring time soon.
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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Pax

Re: Death Valley
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2015, 09:37:25 am »
Thanks folks!  Wife frequented the area with her family when she was young and really wants to visit there again.  Sounds like a plan!

   - Mike

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jfcaramagno

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Re: Death Valley
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2015, 06:53:06 pm »
Hi Mike,

We've been to DV a few times in motorhomes and used all three entrances. Our MHs were a 26ft. Safari Trek and two 24ft. Sprinter-based Winnebagos. The Trek was the most difficult primarily because of the shoddy GM chassis. Yes CA 190 from US395 is the steepest and twistiest, but even the Trek did fine. Climbing Townes Pass was first gear part of the way as was coming back down. The part between Panamint Springs and US395 is the twistiest and it does have a few very sharp bends, but I have seen semis and 36ft. diesel pushers out there. The road from Beatty, NV. is not as steep or twisty, but you have to get over the Sierras which can be dicey in the Winter.

Furnace Creek has full service sites, but you will probably need a reservation. There are a lot of no-service RV sites as well. Sunset is all dry camping for RVs but it's gravel.
John and Carol

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Pax

Re: Death Valley
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2015, 03:23:53 pm »
Thanks John...great info.

   - Mike