colorado mountain passes

We went from KC to Pagosa just last fall. I found La Veta to be very mild. Mild enough DW was working & didn't even know we had crossed it.
Wolf Creek was harder to hide from her it was more taxing but no issue.
You may have better power/weight for climbing with that 8.1L than I do. I also encourage you to order the Mountain Directory as you can always look up a general idea what you are in for.

Vacationer04 wrote:
In June, DW and I are planning on travelling to Colorado via I-70 to Rocky Mountain NP, to Colorado NM, to Black Canyon and down to Durango via US550, then back through Pagosa Spings and Wolf Creek pass to Kansas via US160. I have noticed several passes with 6.5-7% grades both on I-70 and especially on US550 and US160. I am not afraid of mountain driving but have concern about how long the grades are. We will be in our Class A 36 ft. 2004 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 8.1L gasser (22000#) towing a '98 Jeep Cherokee (3800#). Although 7% is steep it would not be of concern if it is not too long of a distance climb or decline. I am also thinking about possible brake issues, too. I am willing to stop as needed for cooling of both. We are expecting to stop in Glenwood Springs and Ouray along the way for R&R.
I have seen a video on YouTube going across US160 and the road looks to be decent but that doesn't answer my grade issue questions. Has anybody else done it in a gasser that can give experienced advice not just an opinion?

Vacationer,
I can speak for much of I-70 and, the 550. I-70 from I-15 has quite a variable landscape. Some of it does have some semi-steep grades, both up and down. Not a big deal. You're only going to go as fast as your coach will allow, towing your Jeep. We've done that route, I-15 to I-70 a zillion times, then, taking the 191 to Moab UT for the Easter Jeep Safari, about 14 years in a row.

As for the 550, been on that one many times too, in two of our gassers, a class C towing a Jeep and, a class A towing a Jeep. And finally, in our present rig, a 36' diesel, again, towing a jeep. Yes, it's windy. Yes, it's steep. Yes it has NO GUARD RAILS.

That always cracks me up when I read where people put down, "It has no guard rails". So, do people use the guard rails to guide their coaches on a road that has them? Most likely not. The comfort level of a driver is different with all of us. As stated, we've been on that road many times. And it's always been towing a Jeep.

It was stated earlier that trucks don't use it. Well, I guess the trucks that I've seen on it, many of them, didn't get that memo. Heck, how do you think Ouray and Silverton get all their supplies? And that reminds me of a TV program called "Dangerous Roads". One episode was about the 550 in Colorado. It followed the the lives of a father and son, both fuel tanker drivers as the traversed that road, in every kind of weather condition possible.

If 60' tankers can drive this road, so can you only, you'll be doing it a lot easier. Your rig is gas. It will be working both up and down. Just don't force the issue. Let it climb at its own rate and, use the turnouts to be courteous to following drivers. You'll be just fine.
Scott

Instead of Wolf Creek Pass you could take this route:

From Cortez, CO - 160 - over to Durango and on to Pagosa Springs is a very good, easy drive - no big ups and downs.

At Pagosa Springs plan to go for a nice long soak in the immaculate pools of varying temperatures overlooking the river. It's an awesome experience moving from pool to pool - so relaxing. We spend a full morning there - take a little cooler for snacks/drinks (although they sell some light food there, also).

To get back to the route: At Pagosa take 84 south to Chama, New Mexico then 64 over to 285 and north on 285 to pick up Hwy 160 east. No big mountains and very pretty scenery.

I really hope you won't give up this trip in such awesome country. There are usually ways to skirt around a questionable area. You'll see RVs of all kinds. You won't be alone.

This is the reply I gave you on 'the other' forum. :)

"Quote:
Originally Posted by vacationer04 View Post

Am I understanding this right that St. Rte 62 and St. Rte 145 are better than US550? I would expect a US road to be better. I am not feeling good about coming down 550 from Grand Junction at this point. I am not afraid but after seeing the videos posted on YouTube DW says she doesn't want to go that way."


Yes, 145 is much better than 550. We've driven both many times with our 40' motorhome.

The YouTube you probably watched was of 550 from Ouray to Silverton/Durango. You will not be on any part of that section of 550 if you plan to take 145 to Cortez.

I'd also recommend that you purchase the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. Even though we drove those highways many times we always refreshed our mind of what's to come before driving them again.

From Grand Junction via 50 to Delta to 550 at Montrose to Ridgway is very easy driving. No 'hills' to speak of. No big turns. No drop-offs. Nice wide highway with businesses all along it. You mentioned you want to go to Ouray. That would also be a very easy drive. When you hear mentioned to stay off 550 - folks are only warning about the part from south of Ouray. From Grand Junction to Ouray is a perfectly good, easy drive. However, if you want to take Hwy 62 to 145 at Placerville/Telluride (still easy, so far to this point) down to Cortez you will then have the downhill beginning at Telluride but it's a easy one as far as mountain passes go. Really!!

In my opinion I-70 from Denver west is more of an issue than 145 will be.

Have a good trip! Relax. You'll see hundreds of other RVers on these highways. Just remember not to ride your brakes on the downhills. Downshift before even starting to go down.

tragusa3 wrote:
The first year we were on 550 it didn't bother me. Second visit...something changed in me. I would not look forward to driving it in a large motorhome.

Me too. The first time on US550 in a minivan was not too bad, but the second time I was towing a 20 foot car hauler trailer and it was scary. No weather problems either time.

Thanks for all of the responses. After the comments here and watching the videos available on YouTube I think we'll pass at least for now. DW does not like the narrow road with no guardrails.

I've driven 550 plenty of times in a car. I wouldn't have a 2nd thought about doing it in a motorhome. Just take your time.

We did the drive you are talking about in a 1999 35 ft Bounder pulling a Honda Accord. The V10 really howled going up at 35mph and squaled in 2nd gear going down. Pay attention. Watch your speed going down and enjoy the scenery.. You will love it.. Happy wheeling Arnold

We did the route your taking last summer in a 32'gasser towing 3000lbs,we were going the opposite direction, but no problems encountered . We are from NJ(aka flatlanders) It all depends on the person and what you can tolerate.

I've done 550 through Silverton in both directions many times at all times of the year in the VW beetle, in the MGB, and in our small truck.

But I have not done it with the RV and don't intend to. Not quite as bad as, say, the Moqui Dugway, and not nearly as steep as Lukachukai Pass* (aka, Buffalo Pass), but still too much for me.

:)
Lynn

*We did do Lukachukai pass with the RV. It was a mistake. A big mistake.