I-78 GM Vibration and Shock Test Track

[2edgesword]

I took delivery of our new Jayco 28RLS over the weekend and drove back to NY from south-central PA. The drive took me over a portion of I-78 which had to be the worst stretch of "highway" I've ever encountered, and that is saying a lot having driven the Cross Bronx Expressway all of my life. The TV and RV shook so violently I thought for sure something was going to get detached. Even my teeth were chattering.

I got home to late to do a thorough inspection of the TT but did go in and checked the rooms and fixtures. Everything seemed to be in place. Tonight I'll check under the TT and the plumbing. If nothing broke after what I experienced yesterday I'll have to bump up my initial quality rating for Jayco from B to B+.

[bigironcoder]

Try I-78 in a Class C! Never again!

[Fr8Train]

Picked it up in South Central PA? That’s my neck of the woods. You get it from camping world in Harrisburg?

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by Fr8Train

Picked it up in South Central PA? That’s my neck of the woods. You get it from camping world in Harrisburg?

Keystone RV in Greencastle.

[Fr8Train]

If I remember correctly that is the last exit in Pennsylvania on 81

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by Fr8Train

If I remember correctly that is the last exit in Pennsylvania on 81

Correct.

[Rock]

How long was the bad part of 78. I am taking 81 to 78 than 278 to 84 heading to Keene NY. Came back to Fl two years ago and that was not to bad. Usually go 81 to 84. Already have a place booked along 78 but if that bad I will see about rerouting
Rock

[RVermont]

Living in vt and frequently going to nc we have found 87 to 84 to 81 being the best route for consistently getting there in a timely manner. Takes longer on a google search but the 81,78,287,87 route almost always has traffic, accidents or construction which offset the estimated time savings. 78 around Allentown is a pain. 81 has a few bad spots especially south of NY border. Expansion joints in right lane on many of these routes is painful. If traffic is low I drive in left lane for while to reduce some of the bump fatigue.

Having said all this we do use 78 as there is a Cabala’s in Hamburg PA which is one of the best overnights stops, huge parking area that actually welcomes overnighters.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by Rock

How long was the bad part of 78. I am taking 81 to 78 than 278 to 84 heading to Keene NY. Came back to Fl two years ago and that was not to bad. Usually go 81 to 84. Already have a place booked along 78 but if that bad I will see about rerouting
Rock

The worst part of I-78 in PA is about 20 miles between Hamburg and Allentown, both directions. But the worst part of that is a 5 mile stretch westbound just after PA-100. There are a couple of dips in the right lane that are so bad I thought I'd lose my trailer. Supposedly the state is contracting to rebuild that. We'll see. (That part of I-78 is actually the old concrete of US 22 that was probably built in the 1950's or earlier.)

Also, there's a stretch of eastbound I-78 below Allentown & Bethlehem where the right lane is like a continuous bump bump bump bump. Really fun when you're towing. Not.

I-80 and the PA Turnpike (I-76) are alternatives, but there's a huge stretch of 80 that's single lane the last time I looked, due to construction.

Good luck!

Roger

[Rock]

Thanks for the replies. I will use 78 going up but than back to my old route of 87, 84, 81 on way back. I use the left lanes also if traffic is light. I will keep that Cabelas in mind We need to spend our money on infrastructure and not on free give aways.
Rock