Going North From Big Bend

Chopperbob wrote:
I drove that road from Terlingua to Persidio yesterday.

No problems at all.

And I'll take my 35 TT through any freeway in Dallas/ Fort Worth.

Because I'm very familiar with those roads and interchanges.

However, I never recommend someone take their TT/5er/Class C/Class A through those cities the way I would travel who doesn't know those roads.

I drove that road from Terlingua to Persidio yesterday.
No problems at all.

I have driven those roads in my RV but I would not want to drive 170 pulling a 39' fiver. JMHO, as the OP asked for advice. Maybe we need to hear from someone with a 39' fifth wheel who has driven these roads.

mockturtle - These roads, and I have driven them many times, are designed and built by TXDOT for non-restricted travel of normal vehicular traffic, both private and commercial. The only paved road I know of in west Texas that has a restriction is the road into the Chisos Basin in Big Bend National Park. TXDOT is nice enough to warn drivers of the one significant grade on the river road (west of Lajitas) but that's information - not a restriction.

Doug, I have seen tractor/trailer rigs on roads no sane person would attempt. That is hardly a criterion I would use if I pulled a long, heavy fiver. :D

Sorry to say this guys, but it always amazes me when folks are reluctant to drive on Texas roads that are easily rated for tractor/trailer rigs that tow 53' long trailers. The roads from Study Butte to Alpine or Presidio are each scenic in their own way and are enjoyable to drive. Yes, there is one relatively steep grade on the river road but it's not as bad as you will find on many interstates.

daamac wrote:
I myself would be uneasy pulling a 39 foot fiver on 170, due to length and weight concerns. If you are interested in the scenery along 170, you could either drive out of Big Bend in your tow and drive the first ten miles or so of 170 past Lajitas; or, there is a fairly nice RV park in Lajitas (Maverick Ranch). You could spend some time there and explore 170 and Big Bend Ranch State Park, which begins at Lajitas.

Exactly what we did, after driving it in my car I decided not to take this way north in the motor home. We were there last February

Maverick Ranch was nice we saw the west side of the park from there and stayed in the park at Rio Grande Village RV Park the other week

I myself would be uneasy pulling a 39 foot fiver on 170, due to length and weight concerns. If you are interested in the scenery along 170, you could either drive out of Big Bend in your tow and drive the first ten miles or so of 170 past Lajitas; or, there is a fairly nice RV park in Lajitas (Maverick Ranch). You could spend some time there and explore 170 and Big Bend Ranch State Park, which begins at Lajitas.

My advice would be to take 395 to 90 then west to Marfa. The other roads are scenic but I would not want to pull a large fiver on either route. However, if you have to choose between 170/67 or 118, I would take 118.

Would 170 be recommended for a 39' fiver?