BajaNomad

Laguna Chapala to Gonzaga Bay

bajaponderosa - 8-2-2009 at 12:10 PM

Could anyone out there tell me if they have started the road construction from Laguna Chapala to Gonzaga Bay?
I am aware of the work being done on the north end of the dirt road by Purtecitos.Planning on heading south in Oct. pulling a 18ft aluminum boat. Thanks

Barry A. - 8-2-2009 at 12:24 PM

--------don't know the status of the road, but I can tell you from experience that the dirt portion of that road is a "trailer-killer" for sure. If it is at all possible, your 'tin boat' would be a lot better off on top of your rig, but maybe that is not an option. (!?!?)

For years I have carried my 16 footer on top of my steel-framed CALLEN camper, and it does just fine on horrible roads.

Barry

Santiago - 8-2-2009 at 01:37 PM

I drove that road in mid May. I would not take the boat SOUTH of Gonzaga but I have taken my 15' aluminum with a 25 HP motor to Gonzaga from Chapala and had no problems: take it slow and stop often to check straps, etc. Do a search re: Coco on this board as there are a few things you could take him.
Oh - they were not working on the south end of the road at that time - all effort was from the north.

[Edited on 8-2-2009 by Santiago]

Pacifico - 8-2-2009 at 01:41 PM

I went by there in June and July and there appeared to be no construction at the Laguna Chapala end as of yet...
It saddens me to see that dirt get paved - I like it just the way it is!!!

Curt63 - 8-2-2009 at 01:42 PM

Good reminder Santiago. As of early June, Coco needed romex wire (16/3) and canned food.

I towed a sturdy utility trailer and 2 utility quads (heavy load) from Puertocitos to Chapalla. It was painfully slow 9took 7 hours), but I didnt break anything.

I agree with the idea of the boat on top to avoid trailering.

Bien Viaje!

TMW - 8-2-2009 at 01:58 PM

I was there a couple of weeks ago and all the hwy work is on the north end.

Barry A. - 8-2-2009 at 02:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
I drove that road in mid May. I would not take the boat SOUTH of Gonzaga but I have taken my 15' aluminum with a 25 HP motor to Gonzaga from Chapala and had no problems: take it slow and stop often to check straps, etc. Do a search re: Coco on this board as there are a few things you could take him.
Oh - they were not working on the south end of the road at that time - all effort was from the north.

[Edited on 8-2-2009 by Santiago]


My trailer survived two trips from Puertecitos to Gonzaga, and back. But on the third trip, and on the way back north, one leaf-type spring crystalized allowing the axle to veer backwards which broke the second spring, which allowed the axle with wheels attached to go sailing off into the desert about 200 yards, and the trailer sans axle hit the road with such force that it tore out my Class 3 hitch "stinger" from the tow-vehicle. I was driving about 10 mph, or less. We had to abandon the trailer on the spot, and I returned to El Centro to get another trailer and stinger after repairing the hitch receiver, drive back down and rescue the boat and equipment that my son had been sitting on for about 18 hours sipping pacificos. This happened about 12 miles north of Gonzaga on a straight section of the "road".

No more trailers on dirt roads in Baja for me! :?:

Barry

David K - 8-2-2009 at 02:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaponderosa
Could anyone out there tell me if they have started the road construction from Laguna Chapala to Gonzaga Bay?
I am aware of the work being done on the north end of the dirt road by Purtecitos.Planning on heading south in Oct. pulling a 18ft aluminum boat. Thanks


It is a good shape and maintained... was freshly graded when we were on it over New Years 2009... It was washed out in places 3 months earlier.

The pavement crew is on the Puertecitos end only, not like when they built Hwy. 1 from both ends and met at San Ignacito in 1973.