Co. highway 550 south

[Tom_Barb]

Grand Junction south to Durango on 550, any one done it in a 40' coach?

[MPond]

Tom/Barb wrote:
...It wasn't until I realized that the highway went above 10,000 feet that I considered how well diesel do at that altitude...

Assuming it's a turbo-diesel, the altitude shouldn't be problem. I see some loss of power, and a bit more black smoke at 11,000', but no problems.

I do make sure to take the turnouts whenever possible to let other (faster) vehicles by.

[MPond]

Bipeflier wrote:
I've ridden that road many times on my motorcycle and EVERY trip we find someone with a big coach chugging, smoking, going up the hill at a whopping 20 MPH with a mile of cars and semi's behind them.

Gong north to south is better as most of the time you are on the mountain side and your wife is not in cardiac arrest and yelling at you to the top of her lungs. A lot of northbound campers are over the center line as they are scared to death of the no-guard rail side of the road.

Can it be done? Sure but you won't be comfortable.

Respectfully, I have to disagree... YOU may not be comfortable, but everyone is different. We do this part of the 550 in our DP & toad all the time, both directions. At 25 MPH, it's a very relaxing drive, and one of my very favorites.

[Busskipper]

So what was the decision?

???

[answerswillvary]

Sending this to Roads and Routes

[Tom_Barb]

brirene wrote:
Sounds like a great plan, Tom. Enjoy, and have a great trip. Just a ton of things to see and do in that area.

And we'll see more of them open a month later.

[Tom_Barb]

lbrjet wrote:
You seem determined, so go for it. I have been all over Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Wyoming. 550 is the only road that had my heart skipping a beat, and that was not towing. I am also very comfortable with mountain towing as well and have been over dozens of mountain passes.

Well that makes sense , you did it, and lived. 🙂 the coach has no problems with the jeep in tow. you must look in the back up cam to know it is there. but you should back up three or four posts to see how the plans have changed.

[Tom_Barb]

Busskipper wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Lots of heavy weather moving across the western states this week. THAT will dictate where we go.

So is the route being considered now through Utah,from Grand Junction?

BOL,

no

[Busskipper]

Tom/Barb wrote:
Lots of heavy weather moving across the western states this week. THAT will dictate where we go.

So is the route being considered now through Utah,from Grand Junction? Maybe 191 south to Mesa Verde? If so when leaving Grand Junction on I-70 see if you could catch Exit 214 and get over to Rt 128 this follows the Colorado River into Moab truly a beautiful drive with the option to Boondock on the River if wanted.

The real negative about getting into the San Juans so early is the issue of not getting to do the 4X4 trails - as they are eyeball deep in snow - the positive is it just looks so Great when the Peaks are painted with the White contrasting the Rocks.

Enjoy the trip and try to schedule a couple more, in the Months of late September, early October, you will not be disappointed.

BOL,

[brirene]

Sounds like a great plan, Tom. Enjoy, and have a great trip. Just a ton of things to see and do in that area.

[lbrjet]

You seem determined, so go for it. I have been all over Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Wyoming. 550 is the only road that had my heart skipping a beat, and that was not towing. I am also very comfortable with mountain towing as well and have been over dozens of mountain passes.

[Tom_Barb]

When you really want your adrenaline level to go up? pass an 18 wheel gravel truck in the middle of Deception Pass bridge. You realize how important it is to have your coach in your lane, with inches between you and the truck and 400' off the water.

we do this most every time we leave the Island.

Deception Pass Bridge.

[Tom_Barb]

After doing the internet research, and the advice here we have decided to do this portion of the trip on the return, later in the month. This will enable us to enter Durango from the south, do the base camp there and day trip with the Jeep. It wasn't until I realized that the highway went above 10,000 feet that I considered how well diesel do at that altitude. I am comfortable with mountain driving, But I like to look around too, rather than white knuckle the center line while being a pest to the other traffic. This timing will allow us to do Mesa Verde National park after the 1st of April. After all, if it is possible to go there why not see the whole thing.

Thanks for all the advice and web sites which made it possible to do this safely.

[Tom_Barb]

Lots of heavy weather moving across the western states this week. THAT will dictate where we go.

[profdant139]

Someone mentioned North Cascades Highway -- much easier than 550, in my opinion.