Can I tow safely on this Colorado route????

In Black Hawk, make a right and go right through town up to Central City and take the Central City Parkway down to I-70. The minor congestion you may have in Black Hawk is nothing in comparison to what you'll like have on US 36 to I-70 in Denver.

This suggestion will work and I have done it, but more recently I stay on CO 119 past Central City to US 6 West a few miles to the next major intersection with I-70. Again, you have a choice.

Let me know if I can help with any campground or route details. You can send a Private Message (PM) if you wish.

NHIrish wrote:
Is the Peak to Peak Rte 7? Denver isn't on my list of places I want to be! Thanks for the suggestion!

Irish

padredw wrote:

1. Estees Park to Buena Vista via Rte 36,70 and 285;

I always take the Peak to Peak Highway from Estes Park to I-70. It is very curvy and much up and down, but I prefer it to the urban traffic of 36. AND I take I-70 WEST to CO 7 from Copper Mountain to Leadville then US 24 on into Buena Vista. There would be no problem with the route you selected except the Denver traffic. It is just a personal choice, but at least you do have a choice.

3. Rifle Gap to Ridgeway SP via 70, 141, 50 and 550;

We just made this exact route in September. No problem. We enjoyed our stay at Rifle Gap S.P. and at Ridgeway S.P.

4. Ridgeway SP to Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA via 50, 62 and 145;

5. Cortez to Durango via 160;

6. Durango to Alamosa via 160;

7. Alamosa to Colorado Springs via 160 to 25.

I have towed our fifth-wheel over every inch of these routes, some as recently as September. I will just add that on that most recent trip we towed for the first time over the Million Dollar Highway (US 550 from Ouray to Durango). It was a delightful experience. We say the most beautiful displays of golden Aspens on the mountainsides between Ouray and Silverton that we have ever seen.

The simple answer to your question: YES, you can safely tow on the routes you have mentioned, and it sounds like a great trip.

The Peak-to-Peak Highway is CO 7 out of Estes Park to the junction with CO 72 outside of Allenspark. Then CO 72 over through Ward and Nederland and on over to Black Hawk/Central City. This is the route I would take instead of US 36 down to Boulder and then on in to Denver. There is nothing overly steep on this route. Curves, yes. You're in the mountains, it's gonna happen. It's also a beautiful drive and the roadway is fine.

In Black Hawk, make a right and go right through town up to Central City and take the Central City Parkway down to I-70. The minor congestion you may have in Black Hawk is nothing in comparison to what you'll like have on US 36 to I-70 in Denver.

Is the Peak to Peak Rte 7? Denver isn't on my list of places I want to be! Thanks for the suggestion!

Irish

padredw wrote:

1. Estees Park to Buena Vista via Rte 36,70 and 285;

I always take the Peak to Peak Highway from Estes Park to I-70. It is very curvy and much up and down, but I prefer it to the urban traffic of 36. AND I take I-70 WEST to CO 7 from Copper Mountain to Leadville then US 24 on into Buena Vista. There would be no problem with the route you selected except the Denver traffic. It is just a personal choice, but at least you do have a choice.

3. Rifle Gap to Ridgeway SP via 70, 141, 50 and 550;

We just made this exact route in September. No problem. We enjoyed our stay at Rifle Gap S.P. and at Ridgeway S.P.

4. Ridgeway SP to Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA via 50, 62 and 145;

5. Cortez to Durango via 160;

6. Durango to Alamosa via 160;

7. Alamosa to Colorado Springs via 160 to 25.

I have towed our fifth-wheel over every inch of these routes, some as recently as September. I will just add that on that most recent trip we towed for the first time over the Million Dollar Highway (US 550 from Ouray to Durango). It was a delightful experience. We say the most beautiful displays of golden Aspens on the mountainsides between Ouray and Silverton that we have ever seen.

The simple answer to your question: YES, you can safely tow on the routes you have mentioned, and it sounds like a great trip.

1. Estees Park to Buena Vista via Rte 36,70 and 285;

I always take the Peak to Peak Highway from Estes Park to I-70. It is very curvy and much up and down, but I prefer it to the urban traffic of 36. AND I take I-70 WEST to CO 7 from Copper Mountain to Leadville then US 24 on into Buena Vista. There would be no problem with the route you selected except the Denver traffic. It is just a personal choice, but at least you do have a choice.

3. Rifle Gap to Ridgeway SP via 70, 141, 50 and 550;

We just made this exact route in September. No problem. We enjoyed our stay at Rifle Gap S.P. and at Ridgeway S.P.

4. Ridgeway SP to Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA via 50, 62 and 145;

5. Cortez to Durango via 160;

6. Durango to Alamosa via 160;

7. Alamosa to Colorado Springs via 160 to 25.

I have towed our fifth-wheel over every inch of these routes, some as recently as September. I will just add that on that most recent trip we towed for the first time over the Million Dollar Highway (US 550 from Ouray to Durango). It was a delightful experience. We say the most beautiful displays of golden Aspens on the mountainsides between Ouray and Silverton that we have ever seen.

The simple answer to your question: YES, you can safely tow on the routes you have mentioned, and it sounds like a great trip.

We've been on all those highways more than once with our 40' motorhome, as have many others. Your plans are good!

Those roads are well populated by RV of all different types. So assuming your truck is up to it the yes you could do it. Just so long as you are ready for real mountain driving. Anything you've done in the east is hills.

Only I am not familiar with is 141 however all other roads are good to go and should pose no problems at all

If truck is capable (not overloaded...over weight ratings) then yes.

I travel secondary/back roads vs Interstates as much as possible.
Unless signage limits size of vehicles I drive them

Quad Cab Longbed truck towing 34' 5th wheel.....roughly 52' overall length

Get yourself a Motor Carriers Atlas and see if the route is suitable for an 18-wheeler. If so, then you'll be good to go. Also you could check Google Maps and their street-view option to actually see the road. Your routes are on Interstates and US Highways. Those are all excellent roads to tow on.

What you need to avoid are the twisty two-lane roads that motorcycles love to ride. We got stuck on one in the Arkansas Ozarks. It was tight, twisty, and slow but we made it fine.