CO Hwy 550 - Montrose to Durango
How is this route? According to the trip planner it looks like all mountain driving to me. Anybody familiar with this route? Would you recommend using it with a 34' travel trailer in tow?
Forum Discussion
MPond wrote:
LOL - these Hwy 550 discussions always crack me up!
There is no 1-size-fits-all answer, and anyone giving you an absolute DO IT or an absolute DON'T DO IT is missing the point.
Some people aren't comfortable driving an RV over these mountains, and others are. I fall into the latter category, and take my DP, car trailer and Jeep over the 550 every time we're in the area. Absolutely love that drive, and wouldn't miss it.
That being said, I'm quite comfortable with my rig and with mountain roads. And the first time I drove it, I took the Jeep over it first, during a day-trip to Animas Forks, so it wasn't an unknown for me.
Only you can decide what the right choice is for you.
But I do have to ask - why are people so concerned about the white line or no shoulder? Do you often drive on the shoulder or cross over the lines?
Well said! I have done 550 with our toy hauler several times (and the first time I ever drove it, I was pulling our RV). There are campgrounds full of RVs throughout that whole area. I was also cracking up by some of the comments here (most by people who never even tried it). 550 is VERY doable if you operating within the limits of your vehicle and driving abilities. And, it is some of the best scenery I've ever seen. I think you would be remiss in avoiding it. We stopped several times on 550 in our RV to have lunch, ride horseback, and just enjoy the beauty. What an experience. To be totally candid, I hardly used my brakes on 550 as the Allison transmission tow mode on my truck did most the work, and I took it slow and easy. I wish I could say the same about going over Teton Pass in Wyoming. Now that is one I would NEVER try again with a trailer!
