BajaNomad - Beat to death!

Beat to death!

chuckie - 2-23-2014 at 06:27 AM

This topic gets discussed every few days it seems...How bad REALLY is the stretch of road from Chapala to the improved piece..Seems no one has the same opinion? I talked to a guy yesterday, who said he ruined 2 tires on it a couple of days ago...I now have an interest since I am heading north in a couple of weeks and wanted to go out that way...

basautter - 2-23-2014 at 06:40 AM

I drove that section in my F250 with a trailer in tow recently. The overall condition was not too bad. Some sandy and rocky areas. 4 WD was not required. I did air down my tires to 20 PSI to help with the wash boards. Overall, no problems.

larryC - 2-23-2014 at 08:03 AM

I agree, no problems. It is just a graded road with the normal washboard and some loose rocks that are not hard to avoid if you are going at normal speeds. I didn't air down and it took me 2 hours 20 minutes from pavement to pavement. So basically a 20 mph road. Some places faster and some slower.
Larry

Santiago - 2-23-2014 at 08:12 AM

Agree with LC other than I air down to 25psi in pickup. Not needed for traction, just a little smoother ride. No big deal.

David K - 2-23-2014 at 08:54 AM

The airing down will save tire damage... and improve the ride... but preventing the sharp rock from piercing the rubber is a prime reason. I didn't and my only flat in a 3,000 mile Baja trip was between Chapala and Coco's Corner. The tire was patched at Rancho Grande/ Gonzaga... but I stopped a few times to re-plug the hole and add air, so I didn't have to put the spare on.

woody with a view - 2-23-2014 at 09:06 AM

typical dirt road....

TMW - 2-23-2014 at 11:19 AM

Everyone will have an opinion based on their experience. Your experience will depend on the type of vehicle you are driving, what if any suspension upgrades have been made and how heavy a load you are carrying as well as how you drive. I drive a 2004 Tacoma 4x4 and a 2004 GMC Z71. Both have leveling kits added, upgraded shocks and larger tires. I usually air down but sometimes do not. I adjust my speed for as smooth a ride as possible, sometimes faster is better and sometimes slower is better. The road is certainly a workout on shocks. I've melted the rubber boots on shocks going over that road I also have blown shocks on it, but my Bilstein 5100 series seem to be holding up good.

Cliffy - 2-23-2014 at 12:07 PM

Would love to go back out that way but with my F150 and towing a 22 ft travel trailer with D rated tires and 5000 lbs overall I think I will bypass this even if I went 15 mph I don't think I could make it without popping a tire.

Pompano - 2-23-2014 at 12:11 PM

1973 - Baja Hwy 1 was built and provided smooth driving to Mulege.

1975 - Baja Hwy 1 was nothing but potholes for literally hundreds of miles north and south of Lake Chapala. 20-30mph was sometimes way too fast.(That is some Baja nostalgia I DO NOT miss.)

DaliDali - 2-23-2014 at 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cliffy
Would love to go back out that way but with my F150 and towing a 22 ft travel trailer with D rated tires and 5000 lbs overall I think I will bypass this even if I went 15 mph I don't think I could make it without popping a tire.

Smart move!!

bajabuddha - 2-23-2014 at 12:34 PM

Quote:

Right on, but there's more to that stretch than just popping a tire. You have springs, shackles, weld joints, cabinets, stuff in cabinets, and all are subject to a merciless pounding on the washboards.
I did it w/ a 5th wheel last year, took SIX HOURS to drive from Gonzaga to Chapala, and had to seek out a welder at Bahia LA Jct. Tires aired down, the works. Did the uphill part in 4x4 low-lock, literally walking up the grades. Another friend has done it twice w/ an RV trailer, and paid dearly both times.
Chuckie, mi amigo, like one poster said, just depends on what you're driving and DON'T haul anything. I'd do it in a heartbeat if just my truck and nothing too heavy in it, knocks a full day off your drivetime to the border. A neigbor in San Lucas made it from there to Mexicali in one full day (real early start). Passenger car? I'd seriously have to think about it, again, depends on your vehicle.
But, no guts, no glory, que no? Que la via bien,

Hook - 2-23-2014 at 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
I talked to a guy yesterday, who said he ruined 2 tires on it a couple of days ago.

Must have been running BFGs. :lol:

Speaking of beat to death, we havent had a good tire mfgr. argument in a while...........let the games begin!!

willardguy - 2-23-2014 at 12:56 PM

I'll say this, the roads in the worst shape i've seen it since don rafa was kind enough with his own money to blade it ten years ago. unlike some dirt roads theres just no fun to be had on that stretch :no:

Cliffy - 2-23-2014 at 12:59 PM

China will-pops on a travel trailer? :-) :-)
C range tires on a 30 ft 5th wheel?
8 year old STs on a heavy 5th wheel?
HMMM

chavycha - 2-23-2014 at 02:47 PM

We did it about a month ago with a Trailblazer, standard shocks, and highway tires at 40psi (didn't want to air down for just a short stretch of crummy road). Took about an hour and a half from the Pemex in Gonzaga to Hwy 1, and I didn't need to switch out of 2WD.

chuckie - 2-23-2014 at 04:49 PM

SOLD! I'm going out that way...Shouldnt be a problem, driving a Dodge Diesel with 4 mismatched tires that are only 10 years old, one even has tread left. carrying a mint condition Steinway grand piano YES I AM KIDDING.. Just for grins the other day, aired one of my tires down to 25 and reinflated it to 50...took 6 minutes using my lil compressor..thanks all

bajabuddha - 2-23-2014 at 05:05 PM

Attaboy Chuck!! Don't fergit to post how you fare. BTW, once past Coco's. you can turn it loose (er) on the little side-slider roads, but don't get too joy-happy. Keep smilin,
bb