I am a fuel tanker driver and frequently take highway 18 between Bega and Cooma going over whats called Browns Mountain. I go this way because I have to being the shortest route. It is very, very steep, and there are sections where I have to swing out onto the opposite lane to negotiate a bend. Some of the bends are almost at right angle! On my last trip I past a semi trailer that had lost traction and rolled back into the mountain. I do not see large vans on this route, only an occasional campervan. If I was towing a large van and I had the option, I would avoid Browns mountain.
Can't comment on Clyde Mountain.
-- Edited by geojen on Saturday 20th of April 2013 09:03:33 AM
-- Edited by geojen on Saturday 20th of April 2013 09:07:30 AM
bensuz29 said
01:30 PM Apr 20, 2013
G'day
Can I get some advice on the best highway to take from Bega NSW ie.. highway 18 or 52 we are towing a large van and I have had some conflicting stories.
Thanks
Ben
Gerty Dancer said
03:56 PM Apr 20, 2013
We used to live in Canberra, have travelled both highways many times and still cant give advice, don't like either road.. We've towed our caravan down/up Brown mountain, bit steep but got there ok. (our caravan weight is well under the tugs towing limit) There's a look-out halfway up so you could stop for a break. Log trucks use both highways so they are built with passing lanes etc. The Clyde mountain on the kings highway seems just as steep, and its a lot further via Batemans Bay. Nowadays from Nowra to Canberra we use the Turpentine road through Nerriga, its not really suitable to a big van though. (3k's dirt, 5 ton limit on a bridge)
Chat to the local truckies if you can, they know the roads best.
msg said
04:04 PM Apr 20, 2013
I would prefer Brown Mountain to the Clyde. Don't like either. I'm like Girty dont know which one is worse.
Kiwi-as said
06:26 PM Apr 20, 2013
I boiled comming up Brown Mountain last yr.Have a cruiser repowed with Chev 6.5diesel towing a close to 3ton van. Brown is steep and just keeps going up and up. I think all roads up that mountain range would be steep. There are stopping areas on the way up. Hope this has been some help.
Happy Daze said
11:14 PM Apr 20, 2013
We've travelled both Brown Mountain and the Kings Highway down to Batemans Bay many times, and as the lesser of two evils, I'd recommend the Kings Highway rather than Brown Mountain. We've towed a single axle caravan, not a large rig, but coming down Clyde Mountain there are a number of places where you can get over to the left to let any build up of traffic behind you get ahead. Also, on the tighter corners (hairpin bends) the road has been widened so you can swing out a bit if necessary. It's a major route for large trucks and mostly (there's the odd accident) they manage very well. As always, drive to the conditions and you'll be okay. Safe and happy travels.
capricorn and pisces said
05:06 AM Apr 21, 2013
We haven't had much experience with Brown Mountain but have travelled the Clyde many times with boat or caravan on behind the Prado, have to agree with Annie (Happy Daze) just drive to the conditions, be sensible, there are wide areas on the hairpin bends and a few areas for pulling over and letting faster traffic pass, take care and enjoy, cheers Capricorn
neilnruth said
05:23 AM Apr 21, 2013
We have done both Brown Mtn and Clyde many times - but our van is much smaller than yours by the sound of it. Brown is steeper but shorter than Clyde. Brown probably has less 25km bends but as geojen says, some of them are very tight. If you decide Clyde Mtn (Kings Hwy) you might note that there will be closures on the highway from Tuesday to Thursday for about 4 - 5 weeks. http://the-riotact.com/kings-highway-closures-mooted/100338 (Sorry I can't work out how to make this a link to click!) The landslide of last year has to be fixed. Safe travelling which ever way you go.
bensuz29 said
02:14 PM Apr 21, 2013
Thank you all for your replies they are appreciated Ben
Gerty Dancer said
04:14 PM Apr 21, 2013
neilnruth wrote:
We have done both Brown Mtn and Clyde many times - but our van is much smaller than yours by the sound of it. Brown is steeper but shorter than Clyde. Brown probably has less 25km bends but as geojen says, some of them are very tight. If you decide Clyde Mtn (Kings Hwy) you might note that there will be closures on the highway from Tuesday to Thursday for about 4 - 5 weeks.
(Sorry I can't work out how to make this a link to click!) The landslide of last year has to be fixed. Safe travelling which ever way you go.
G'day Ben.
I am a fuel tanker driver and frequently take highway 18 between Bega and Cooma going over whats called Browns Mountain. I go this way because I have to being the shortest route. It is very, very steep, and there are sections where I have to swing out onto the opposite lane to negotiate a bend. Some of the bends are almost at right angle! On my last trip I past a semi trailer that had lost traction and rolled back into the mountain. I do not see large vans on this route, only an occasional campervan. If I was towing a large van and I had the option, I would avoid Browns mountain.
Can't comment on Clyde Mountain.
-- Edited by geojen on Saturday 20th of April 2013 09:03:33 AM
-- Edited by geojen on Saturday 20th of April 2013 09:07:30 AM
G'day
Can I get some advice on the best highway to take from Bega NSW ie.. highway 18 or 52 we are towing a large van and I have had some conflicting stories.
Thanks
Ben
Nowadays from Nowra to Canberra we use the Turpentine road through Nerriga, its not really suitable to a big van though. (3k's dirt, 5 ton limit on a bridge)
Chat to the local truckies if you can, they know the roads best.
We've travelled both Brown Mountain and the Kings Highway down to Batemans Bay many times, and as the lesser of two evils, I'd recommend the Kings Highway rather than Brown Mountain. We've towed a single axle caravan, not a large rig, but coming down Clyde Mountain there are a number of places where you can get over to the left to let any build up of traffic behind you get ahead. Also, on the tighter corners (hairpin bends) the road has been widened so you can swing out a bit if necessary. It's a major route for large trucks and mostly (there's the odd accident) they manage very well. As always, drive to the conditions and you'll be okay. Safe and happy travels.
We haven't had much experience with Brown Mountain but have travelled the Clyde many times with boat or caravan on behind the Prado, have to agree with Annie (Happy Daze) just drive to the conditions, be sensible, there are wide areas on the hairpin bends and a few areas for pulling over and letting faster traffic pass, take care and enjoy, cheers Capricorn
http://the-riotact.com/kings-highway-closures-mooted/100338
(Sorry I can't work out how to make this a link to click!)
The landslide of last year has to be fixed.
Safe travelling which ever way you go.
Ben
http://the-riotact.com/kings-highway-closures-mooted/100338
Thanks Ruth, didnt know about the road closures, planning a trip to Canberra.