My first long road trip, went to Lake City.
Took the southern entrance thru Creede.
Going down from Slumgullion Pass, used 1st gear.
1st hear held most of the way with a little minor braking.
That stretch of road is very curvy with most turns at 20 or 25 mph.
No problem!
Also, no problems of anyone coming up behind you as you are going slow and there are plenty of places for a car to jump around you.
My rig weighs right at 19,000lbs.
When I was there, there was a nice place to see moose back up on the mtn.
Ask around.
Pat