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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Some good Baja RVing trip questions... More answers maybe?
These questions came to me today via u2u, and I thought they were very good questions. I provided my answers, but in order for this person to have the
best experience on his first RV trip, I would show them to you all for possible alternate answers. I will return them back to the new Baja traveler if
you have some input...
| Quote: | Howdy David,
****** here with a few questions you may be able to help me with regarding a Baja trip I would like to take. I regard you as the most knowledgeable in
reading the many posts [on Nomad] & on "Talk Baja".
1. Would a trip in an R.V. be advisable, say towing a small Baja bug (or similar), given all discussion of road conditions, etc.?
2. In general, my thinking is going down one side & up the other. Visiting R.V. accessible sites whenever possible & cutting loose with the
"toad" when necessary.
3. What would you consider the minimum amount of time to do something like this? I fully realize you can't give me specificity, but in general. I am
more into a historical, beautiful-sites, good food & people perspective.
4. Lastly, What's the most comfortable time of year, weather-wise?
I really have no time frame. I would like to do it soon however. Any help would be appreciated.
****** |
Hello ******,
I hope my responses are accurate for when you go south! Thanks for the nice words, too!
1) RV'ing down Baja Highway One is indeed a popular way to visit Baja. You have seen Pompano's many RV view posts, yes? Keep in mind, you must be on
your toes, as the highway is very narrow south of San Quintin (Km. 0 is where the newest / 1973 construction to Santa Rosalia begins, and is only 19
feet wide and often with no shoulder or pull-off for long stretches. They are widening sections with bike lane wide shoulders, as you will see along
the way... but they are the exception. Towing a bug or Jeep is common, but requires careful attention while driving.
2) Except in the cape area south of La Paz, there is no going down one side and back up the other. Even though there is only 38 unpaved miles on
Highway 5 south from Gonzaga Bay to Laguna Chapala, I do not recommend a motorhome on it, towing or not. 10 mph is tops on that rocky, washboard
road... From Chapala to La Paz... there is only one paved road, with paved side roads to Bahia de los Angeles, Bahia Asuncion and Punta Abreojos...
Puerto San Carlos and San Juanico are also on paved roads from Ciudad Constitucion (west and north).
3) If you can take a month, that would be awesome, but 2 weeks is a minimum, with 3 better! Take your time and not exceed 250 miles a day... your
driving average will be 40 mph tops in a moho with trailer, better to figure less. In my zippy fast Tacoma, I will 'average' 50 mph driving Hwy. 1,
includes food stops and military checkpoints, detours, fueling, photos...
4) The best months for Baja in most opinions is May & October. Warm or a little hot, little wind, no hurricanes or rain usually. Elizabeth and I
love the Sea of Cortez when the water is near bathtub warm, so June-August is fine with us. The Cortez side gets humid (like Hawaii) in July-September
and very hot in August-Sept. We like July the best, but we are in the minority. Hurricanes (really usually just rain and wind storms), hit southern
Baja in late Summer, and can wash out the highway. It is repaired within a couple days, so don't be in any hurry... which is a good rule in Mexico,
anyway!
If I had the financial ability, I would leave now (or any day I could). I just love Baja so much... it is a fascinating place with so much history,
geology, botany... food and people are great too. We do like the isolated beaches, and quiet camping... and a 4WD allows this. I just hope I don't get
too old to set up a tent and enjoy camping from my pickup!
There are 27 missions and many have multiple sites or visitas to see as well... You have our book on all the California missions? See my missions and
visitas web pages and make copies of possible sites to see, begins here: http://vivabaja.com/missions1 The cave art and old mines are also interesting sites and scattered all over Baja.
Let me know how else I can assist!
David
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
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On a forum like this there can be a lot more answers... but little can be added to what you said. First time, and with motorhome and towed car, I
would say max 200 miles a day if they want it to be enjoyable. Have an itinerary, pre-plan all the camps in advance, leaving some choice like camp A 3
miles before certain town or camp B few miles after, in case that they won't like the first one. When they do this, and include N number of days for
each of those places where they think they would want to drive around and "explore", then they would know how many days they need.
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
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I have traveled all over Baja in motor homes in sizes ranging from 23 to 36ft we now have a 26ft it works best for us. There is a multidude of camping
spots in some very beautiful places. But if your expectaions are finding a 5star R.V.park you will be disappointed. Most of the beautiful camping
spots you need to be self contained. and always stop before nightfall where there are other people around There is safety in numbers not that it's any
less safe here than in the U.S.
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DocRey
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-27-2013
Location: SADM, Playas de T.J./Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
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Thanks guys. I actually have some paperbacks re: Baja R.V.'ing. I've also been reading every website I'm able to & then some. I wanted an
additional perspective. Keep it coming.
As I told David K, my motor's running. I just need to put it in gear & release the brake. Maybe get the family or a friend or two to caravan down.
Nothing fancy. Get our feet wet. Once they're smitten, we'll really start having fun. Hopefully we'll be able to do it in the not to distant future.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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DocRey
Have you checked out the RV.Net forum Rving in Mexico
This is a really good forum for RV owners who travel Mexico, including Baja, in RVs.
Good luck and have fun. When we had our small Casita Trailer, we drove down and back, but it was much smaller than most RVs.
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DocRey
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-27-2013
Location: SADM, Playas de T.J./Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
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RV.Net
Thank you for your interest, and yes I have. Good info. Maybe a little dated, but who's not busy these days? Me, I guess. lol.
Everything I've read says Baja would be a wonderful R.V. experience. I believe it. I just need to convince the "doubters" otherwise. We'll get there
eventually.
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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DocRey, welcome to BN!
How long is your motorhome?
I travel Baja in my 26 ft motorhome and time and again I've debated whether to flat tow my little Suzuki or not. And each time, the answer is no. For
one my motorhome is 4x4 and maneuverable enough and for another I think Baja highways are not dinghy friendly - what I mean by it is there is only a
little margin of error to avoid the dinghy from falling into the shoulder. And that shoulder is 2 feet deep. So if I must bring a towed, I'd have the
wife drive it following the motorhome :-)
A while ago there was a fatal accident involving a Sportsmobile (sports van) towing a trailer and owned by a San Diego couple. I believe the triler
fell into the shoulder and dragged the van along with it.
Don't let the above scare you. it's all a matter of appetite for risk. There are buses that go up and down Baja all the time. Just make sure your
motorhome suspension and handling is in tip top shape.
Like others said, drive during the daytime only and about 250 miles each driving session. That's how I did it when I drove down deep south and back.
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DocRey
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-27-2013
Location: SADM, Playas de T.J./Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
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M.H. Specs
Hello & thanks. I've got a '99 Winnebago Adventurer. 33 1/2 ft. 1 slide-out and the usual RV stuff. It's got about 30K miles & hasn't given me
any problemos. You mention needing a good suspension & mine is a little stiff (stock set-up). My dinghy is a stock '72 Super Beetle. With the
possibility of a Baja conversion.
When towing with my rig, safety is paramount. I'm definitely in no hurry. Thanks for the advise & warnings.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Yes, on those roads you can't relax. You can't go too fast even on straight flat stretch in a desert - another big rig comes and you have to slow
down, or a "curva peligrosa", or just a sudden bumpy section of the road. This is why average speed is 40 miles. This is why you will make 200 miles a
day max.
It's simple, actually. If you have done some research already, you probably saw this site: http://www.ontheroadin.com/Baja%202011/the%20Baja.htm.
When you put in 200-220 miles a day (less for the 1st day), you will see where your next stop is, more or less. Then you chose a camp in this area.
Guys here will tell what's currently good or bad about this or that camp, more or less. Things change. In some places there will be 15A electricity
only. In some places - none. In some places water from the tap will not be good enough even for washing fruits. In some places there won't be any tap.
A lot of that is not important to many nomads, you know better what is important to you.
[Edited on 4-24-2013 by Alm]
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
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Towed vehicles
When towing a small vehicle such as a vw or jeep you are a lot safer on these narrow roads than you would be towing a trailer.A RV normaly has duel
wheels on back and is much wider than the towed vehicle so if the rv stays on the road and dont fall off the the towed vehiclle follows in a narrower
path.
the opisite is true when you are towing a trailer behind a pickup or suv. The towed vehicle ia wider than the tow vehicle and unless you are really
experinced and have towed a trailer a lot of miles it can be very dangerous on these narrow roads
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
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I'll just add this little safety note to DavidKs great response here: make sure that you are carrying a number of road flares. The highway is curving
and narrow....if you break down in the wrong spot....you really need to set out warnings!
Have a great road trip.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Excellent replies!
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cliffh
Nomad
Posts: 325
Registered: 1-23-2010
Location: buena vista, BCS
Member Is Offline
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Hey DocRey, we have been towing a 5th wheel for the last 15 years up and down the Baja twice a year to Or. from Buena Vista BCS. Love every mile of
the trip great places to see and stay. We usually take one or two weeks to San Diego. Leave late stop early and remember slow is fast. (36ft 5th
wheel) Have a ball Cliffh
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DocRey
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-27-2013
Location: SADM, Playas de T.J./Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
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Thanks again gang. Good advise all around. Being a firefighter/paramedic, I'm pretty cautious & carry over-sized everything (i.e. extinguishers,
first-aid kits, road fusees, etc,.etc.). Not to be braggadocio, but I've pretty much driven everything on the fire dept. Even the large fire boat (to
which I'm assigned to now). Only thing left is the helicopter! LOL.
Again, thanks for the well wishes. Hope meet up with many of you in my eventual Baja travels.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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I am not allowed to daydream, not even for a second while driving. I fitted a giant "Blind Spot" rear view mirror beneath by passenger side outside
mirror to see EXACTLY where that tire was in relation to the bitter edge of the pavement. People who drive too fast on their first trips to me are
much like folks who visit Maxim's in Paris and gobble their food, chug-a-lug Chateaux Mouton Rothschild and wear track shoes to the Louvre.
Take it REAL EASY in habitated areas in order to get a feel for TOPES, speed bumps. Some are nasty enough to rip an axle out from under a vehicle if
you slam into one. This is a very real hazard and should top the list of probable hazards that are unavoidable.
I stop often, but sometimes it isn't too easily done. Gasolineras have decent approaches and marginal appeal. I check tire pressure every morning.
Every tire. If I find one that has fallen two pounds from the day before, that's all the driving I do until the tire is patched at a llantera. I carry
a stout squeegee and window washing stuff to remove lots and lots of ceramic grade splattered bugs off the windshield.
Stick to the most heavily tracked trails on beaches. When I can make out tire tread imprints I stop.
SHADE is my # 1 wish on this peninsula and sadly there is not much on beaches. the town of SAN IGNACIO to me is sadly under rated as a decent RV
attraction. In Loreto you may want to DRIVE the toad further on down to check out what's on the lower part of the peninsula. Some find it
disappointing, others love it, but it may save you a lot of miles with the motorhome. Some folks find Bahia Concepcion as being nirvana.
I have found the FanTastic FAN, Endless Breeze fan to be a wonder. An unbelievable amount of air for 2-amps of 12 volt power. You'll need a good fan.
Have fun! I agree with the other posters here.
[Edited on 4-24-2013 by DavidE]
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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cliffh
Nomad
Posts: 325
Registered: 1-23-2010
Location: buena vista, BCS
Member Is Offline
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correction read my post only round trip once a year to Or. Leave BV in june return in Oct. Cliffh
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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I tried different positions of the extension mirror, aka towing mirror, on the passenger side (it's not much necessary on the driver's side). The
problem is that most of them are small, and concentrating onto that small patch with a white line somewhere faar out there, when some danger (= big
rig in the opposite lane on the narrow bridge) is approaching - I found this to be too distracting. But, if you have to see that white line, I found
the it's better when the towing mirror is oriented vertically - then you see more of that white line.
With a motorhome I guess you don't need an "extension mirror", because you can see your right side in a regular side mirror. Might aim it down towards
the white line as well... There isn't anything more to look at, on your right - there is no blind spot there, because there is only one lane.
[Edited on 4-25-2013 by Alm]
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1599
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
Member Is Offline
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A lot of excellent information already given ,so not much more to add. I have traveled down Baja in a 40ft RV and towing a Jeep Wrangler a number of
times in the past few years. In my experience it is best to keep the RV mostly on the main highway as most RV's are particularly vulnerable to being
beat to death if running on a rutted, potholed road. Do your off road exploring in your toad.Too many things to shake loose or break and no good way
to fix them. The most important thing is keeping 100% attentive, as any departure from the pavement off a two foot shoulder would be a major disaster.
This is especially true when meeting an 18 wheeler or Bus.Closing velocities close to 100mph with scant inches between vehicles keeps you scanning the
horizon and bracing yourself for the next one, and hoping to keep your mirror. With no traffic in sight front or rear running the middle of the road
will give you a small break. I have no problem making it comfortably from Tecate to Catavina the first day and camping at Santa Inez without pushing
to hard. I have posted this picture in the past but it illustrates a typical pass with an 18 wheeler. Just do it and take your time.
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LancairDriver
A lot of excellent information already given ,so not much more to add. I have traveled down Baja in a 40ft RV and towing a Jeep Wrangler a number of
times in the past few years. In my experience it is best to keep the RV mostly on the main highway as most RV's are particularly vulnerable to being
beat to death if running on a rutted, potholed road. Do your off road exploring in your toad.Too many things to shake loose or break and no good way
to fix them. The most important thing is keeping 100% attentive, as any departure from the pavement off a two foot shoulder would be a major disaster.
This is especially true when meeting an 18 wheeler or Bus.Closing velocities close to 100mph with scant inches between vehicles keeps you scanning the
horizon and bracing yourself for the next one, and hoping to keep your mirror. With no traffic in sight front or rear running the middle of the road
will give you a small break. I have no problem making it comfortably from Tecate to Catavina the first day and camping at Santa Inez without pushing
to hard. I have posted this picture in the past but it illustrates a typical pass with an 18 wheeler. Just do it and take your time.
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Twice in 15 years I lost the Drivers side mirrow both times it was between Guerro Negro and San Ignacio 
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watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 789
Registered: 8-7-2009
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LancairDriver
A lot of excellent information already given ,so not much more to add. I have traveled down Baja in a 40ft RV and towing a Jeep Wrangler a number of
times in the past few years. In my experience it is best to keep the RV mostly on the main highway as most RV's are particularly vulnerable to being
beat to death if running on a rutted, potholed road. Do your off road exploring in your toad.Too many things to shake loose or break and no good way
to fix them. The most important thing is keeping 100% attentive, as any departure from the pavement off a two foot shoulder would be a major disaster.
This is especially true when meeting an 18 wheeler or Bus.Closing velocities close to 100mph with scant inches between vehicles keeps you scanning the
horizon and bracing yourself for the next one, and hoping to keep your mirror. With no traffic in sight front or rear running the middle of the road
will give you a small break. I have no problem making it comfortably from Tecate to Catavina the first day and camping at Santa Inez without pushing
to hard. I have posted this picture in the past but it illustrates a typical pass with an 18 wheeler. Just do it and take your time.
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Great picture Driver. I had to show it to my wife because in the 25 years or so we have been going down, she has never seen anything like it. She
has her eye's closed. 
I yam what I yam and that\'s all what I yam.
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