Oregon

SHRED

(28,136 posts) Thu May 30, 2019, 01:00 AM May 2019

Okay this was intense

Last edited Thu May 30, 2019, 10:02 AM - Edit history (1)

Today was hair raising. YouTube "Dooley Mountain Oregon" or "Oregon Highway 245".

188 turns in 14 miles of the worst part. We didn't realize the road we were getting into.

I should have unhooked the tow car from the motorhome.
In fact, we shouldn't have gone up and over Dooley Mountain period but we made it.

Twisty, steep dropoffs, no guard rails, and the area burned in 2016 leaving a barren view that wasn't reassuring.
I kept it in first after the pass for the downhill to highway 7.

Lesson learned...I hope

Driving 20,000 pounds over it isn't for the faint of heart.

12 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Okay this was intense (Original Post) SHRED May 2019 OP

Been on some roads like that cilla4progress May 2019 #1

It was white knuckle time SHRED May 2019 #2

Oregon has an aversion to using guardrails. CentralMass May 2019 #6

And this... SHRED May 2019 #7

I agree. CentralMass May 2019 #8

First gear is your friend for sure. Used it many a time at particularly applegrove May 2019 #3

Glad you are okay.... now get some sleep. thewhollytoast May 2019 #4

20,000 pounds? I hope you got plenty of breaks. rusty quoin May 2019 #5

I used 1st gear coming down the grade SHRED May 2019 #9

I recently watched this bad movie, all the way through, Black Dog, with Patrick Swayze. rusty quoin May 2019 #10

I swapped out... SHRED May 2019 #11

One hell of a story. rusty quoin May 2019 #12

cilla4progress

(26,526 posts)

1. Been on some roads like that

Reply to SHRED (Original post)

Thu May 30, 2019, 01:07 AM

May 2019

in e. Washington. Logging roads. Not pulling 20K LBS though! Maybe 12K - loaded horse trailer!

SHRED

(28,136 posts)

2. It was white knuckle time

Reply to cilla4progress (Reply #1)

Thu May 30, 2019, 01:14 AM

May 2019

I need to really research the roads here better.

CentralMass

(16,994 posts)

6. Oregon has an aversion to using guardrails.

Reply to SHRED (Reply #2)

Thu May 30, 2019, 03:39 AM

May 2019

SHRED

(28,136 posts)

7. And this...

Reply to CentralMass (Reply #6)

Thu May 30, 2019, 10:01 AM

May 2019

As I look back on this experience I am perplexed as to why Oregon doesn't have signage for this road. Such as "steep and narrow curvy road ahead with exposed drop offs. Not recommended for towing".

Or words like that.

CentralMass

(16,994 posts)

8. I agree.

Reply to SHRED (Reply #7)

Thu May 30, 2019, 12:14 PM

May 2019

applegrove

(133,103 posts)

3. First gear is your friend for sure. Used it many a time at particularly

Reply to SHRED (Original post)

Thu May 30, 2019, 01:36 AM

May 2019

steep hills on the dirt road to our cottage.

thewhollytoast

(318 posts)

4. Glad you are okay.... now get some sleep.

Reply to SHRED (Original post)

Thu May 30, 2019, 01:39 AM

May 2019

Toast

rusty quoin

(6,133 posts)

5. 20,000 pounds? I hope you got plenty of breaks.

Reply to SHRED (Original post)

Thu May 30, 2019, 03:00 AM

May 2019

SHRED

(28,136 posts)

9. I used 1st gear coming down the grade

Reply to rusty quoin (Reply #5)

Thu May 30, 2019, 01:35 PM

May 2019

Last edited Thu May 30, 2019, 10:40 PM - Edit history (1)

It's a must to not get the brakes hot.

rusty quoin

(6,133 posts)

10. I recently watched this bad movie, all the way through, Black Dog, with Patrick Swayze.

Reply to SHRED (Reply #9)

Thu May 30, 2019, 10:15 PM

May 2019

It’s a trucker movie. What it was good in doing was explaining the importance of finding the right gear before you begin the decline because it can become too late and brakes cannot save you.

I’m glad you came out of it safe, and with real adrenaline infused experience that will last your life.

1st gear...you must have crawled down. Had I been in your place I would worried about the transmission ability to hold out the whole way down.

SHRED

(28,136 posts)

11. I swapped out...

Reply to rusty quoin (Reply #10)

Thu May 30, 2019, 10:43 PM

May 2019

...the aftermarket tachometer a previous owner installed for a transmission temp gauge.
Much more important and useful.
It got hot but within an acceptable range.

rusty quoin

(6,133 posts)

12. One hell of a story.

Reply to SHRED (Reply #11)

Fri May 31, 2019, 12:10 AM

May 2019

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