Forum Discussion

Brandon327's avatar
Brandon327
Explorer
May 24, 2017

Hwy 82 from Alamogordo to Artesia New Mexico

Has anyone traveled this route with a fifth wheel? I will be traveling from west to east over the mountain.

6 Replies

  • Good road, all up hill from Alamo with several passing lanes before Cloudcroft.
  • Not a problem. I've triple towed up that with the quads on a trailer behind the 5er.
  • When you get to Artesia, take the time to see the sculptures. They are truly amazing.
  • It is not a problem especially going east. There is a tunnel and as mentioned a sharpish curve or two going up to Cloudcroft, but nothing to worry about. Commercial trucks use it all the time.
  • Several times both directions towing my 14K 34' 5th wheel

    Roughly 4000' change in elevation in about 12 mile stretch (Alamogordo----Mountain Park)

    Good road, several turns outs if needed and several passing zones. Only real hairpin is just before coming into Cloudcroft but not a tight one


    You Tube Video
  • Very steep and somewhat narrow, with some very tight hairpin curves between Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. Once you are past Cloudcroft, it is mostly downhill to Artesia. Between those two towns, the road is merely winding, with a few slightly steeper downgrades. The scenery is great and, it you have time to stop overnight in Cloudcroft, don't miss the drive out to Sunspot (preferably without the trailer). There you can tour the National Solar Observatory and take in the view of the entire Tularosa Basin, all the way out to White Sands and Organ Mountains National Monuments.

    I have a short 5th wheel, so am not sure how difficult it would be with a 40-ft. 5th wheel. But motorhomes, semi-trailer trucks, and logging trucks seem to make it, so I would think you could too.