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Las Vegas via Hoover Dam

June 29, 2010, 09:45:38 pm

Construction delays and mandatory RV inspections but IMO it sure beats going around via Searchlight.  What a God auful stretch of road...especially the section in Calf.  My rig doesn't like the long slog through the desert or the long gradual changes in grade.  I went to Las Vegas the long way around because I was worried about the grade and the switchbacks.  No problem going that way while coming back and I didn't have to deal with the temperature climbing to 225 trying to stay at 65 in the desert.  I am finding that either the climbs or the desert causes my temperature to go up unless I keep it at about 55-60.  It will stay around 180 even in hard driving otherwise.  I just had the coolant changed and readers of the tech forum know about my fan pump problem.  I know now that I never want to tow a car with this MH up a grade or in the desert.  We did the train to the Grand Canyon today from Williams GC Railroad RV park.  Very nice place.  Very surprised that I haven't seen any other Foretravels on this entire trip.  I wasn't surprised that I didn't see another one in any of the three repair facilities I was forced to stop at. (fan pump, alternator part I and alternator part II).  Hopefully we make it back to Tampa without a forth such stop.  We made more stops for repairs than for vacation destinations.  I'm going to have to really go over her good prior to next year's vacation. 

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Re: Las Vegas via Hoover Dam

Reply #1 – July 01, 2010, 08:05:26 am

Wow, you have had a trip. I understand it usually means something breaks on my trip too. Hope not this time though.

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Re: Las Vegas via Hoover Dam

Reply #2 – July 03, 2010, 12:55:18 am

Right after that post I passed a blue and white rig around my vintage.  I think it was a U-225 or U-240.  They were west bound on I-40 with a white pick-up in tow.  Anyone here?

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Re: Las Vegas via Hoover Dam

Reply #3 – August 03, 2010, 09:37:25 am

Pat and I checked out the Hoover Dam route last night.  We drove over the dam and I can certainly say, it is an interest road, but I think we will take the other route through Searchlight, NV.  The dam route is just too steep, windy and narrow for us.  But all this will become a moot point with the highway 93 by pass opens in November of this year.  According to the website for the project, they expect to open it on time.  As Dwayne mentions, this will provide a nice shortcut for those headed east.  Here is a photo that shows the new bridge from the dam.  This was taken at sunset, so its not the best photo.

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Re: Las Vegas via Hoover Dam

Reply #4 – August 03, 2010, 10:57:28 am

Hi George & Pat,
  The existing road is a must do, at least once. The new bridge will be great. Do they still stop, and search your coach? How did that go?

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Re: Las Vegas via Hoover Dam

Reply #5 – August 03, 2010, 10:36:30 pm

Yes, they still search all vehicles going over the dam.  When we went through about 6:30pm with our car, there was no line east bound.  I doubt that will continue with the new bridge.  In addition to the new bridge there is a 4 lane (at least) highway that leads to the bridge from west of Boulder City.  We found Boulder City to be a nice place to stay... much better than Las Vegas (IMHO) if you are looking for a convenient, quiet place to lay over for the night.

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