Diesel RVs: Re: Fw: [diesel_mercedes] 240D to Palm Springs

Good news! The 240D made it just fine from San Fran to Palm Springs today. 30.88 mpg, 525 miles, 1 quart of oil and, according to the GPS, an average speed of 58 mph. I watched the temp and oil gauges like a hawk, and all was well. I did make liberal use of the Alternate Cooling System (running the heater full blast) whenever the temp started to get above 95, and it stayed below 100 for the entire trip.

Whew! I have a lot more confidence in the car now, though I'm not anxious to make another 500 mile drive without cruise or A/C anytime soon.

Thanks for all the thoughts on routes, etc. I ended up meandering for most of the trip (101 to Gilroy, then 152 to the 99, the 58, 395, I-15, I215, I210 and I10) until I got tired of the back roads and surrendered to the freeway for the last stretch.

-Brian

From: Lost but making good time. <aldridgetony97@yahoo.com>
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, July 31, 2011 1:06:36 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: [diesel_mercedes] 240D to Palm Springs

When in that neck, we always go over the Tehachapi, even if I was on 101 that is the way for me. Used to do that route when we lived in San Diego, There is a good road from Gilroy to Los Banos, then HWY 5 or 99 to Bakersfield & over the top, south on 395 at 4 corners, adelanto to victorville, then through apple valley, yucca valley Into desert hot spgs, mostly quiet desert roads that you can boogie along. Way nicer than the freeways.
Tony

--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Brian Barnhart <brianbarn@...> wrote:
>
> I hadn't thought about the 101 before, but that looks like a great and unhurried
> alternative. I could even split the trip into two days if I feel really lazy.
> The 240D has changed my driving style drastically - I used to fly down the 5 as
> fast as possible - usually around 105. Now I feel like 70 is getting reckless!
> :-)
>
> Thanks to all for the suggestions. I'm now looking forward to a drive I was
> dreading.
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: briankk <briankk@...>
> To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sun, July 31, 2011 9:55:39 AM
> Subject: [diesel_mercedes] 240D to Palm Springs
>
>
> OK. Had my coffee and second thoughts. Try this:
>
> 280 from SF pick up 101 in SJ, 101 to Santa Barbara and thence to LA. No big
> hills, no deserts. Never done it in a 240, but my 300SD knows that rout by
> itself.
>
> Beware of the near permanent CHP speed trap somewhere between King City and the
> far side of San Ardo.
>
>
> A little Sumatra in the morning always helps..
>
> bk
>