Going from Red River, NM to Durango, CO

Going through Antonito involves both Cumbres and LaMagna Passes (both in the 10,000 foot range) on the western half of the 48 miles between Antonito and Chama. The first half is relatively flat. There are some fair switchbacks and few places to pull off of the highway in the mountain (western) section. Also, please be aware of the train, it could come through at any time, even after dark, and there are several highway crossings.
All in all, I would suggest bypassing Antonito, instead drive north to Chama, then Pagosa Springs to Durango.

Having said the above, during the worst of the fires with Hwy 160 closed, Chama to Antonito to Alamosa was the truck detour.

Captain_Happy wrote:
If you went up or down Bobcat Pass getting to Red River, N.M. you sure won't find any stepper grades then that on your way to Durango.

My thoughts exactly. Especially if they drove the whole loop.

Hello all,

What about taking 285 north to Antonito, CO then west on 17 to Chama? It appears that the mileage thru the mountains going this way is less than continuing west on 64.
Thoughts? Any experience pulling a 5th wheel this route?

Thanks, Mike

babiker911 wrote:
...If I started out in 1st, would I over rev the engine and hurt it? A dealership mechanic told me it was impossible to over rev this 5.9 diesel, but I don;t know if I buy that or not...

Again, I do not have a Dodge, but if you start in first and then use the jake brake when the speed builds toward the red line rpms to drop the speed down you should be fine. I have no idea whether the Dodge transmission would upshift or go into free wheel to prevent over reving, maybe someone else does.

I showed my location as New Mexico because thats where we currently are, we're from NE Oklahoma, where we have only hills.....hahaha.

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it!!! Sorry I didn't mention this before, I'm pulling the Toyhauler (14K) with a 2006 Dodge 3500 with auto transmission and a Jacob brake installed. You're probably right about not really getting into 1st gear, it didn't seem to downshift when I put it into 1st. Did ok coming down the mountain in 2nd though, with me braking a bit. If I started out in 1st, would I over rev the engine and hurt it? A dealership mechanic told me it was impossible to over rev this 5.9 diesel, but I don;t know if I buy that or not. Thanks again.

But if he's approaching 160 via 84 at Pagosa Sprgs, he's already west of wolf creek pass.

Be aware we have a new and growing wildfire in the wilderness just north of Pagosa. The west fork fire is now over 2000 acres burned and growing. No effect on 160 traffic yet, but the whole valley is filled with smoke. the smoke is even drifting over wolf creek pass into my side in South Fork.

Going West on 160 you have Wolf Creek Pass and it is HIGHER the Bob Cat Pass. JMO

If you went up or down Bobcat Pass getting to Red River, N.M. you sure won't find any stepper grades then that on your way to Durango.

babiker911 wrote:
...Going downhill I had the auto transmission set on Overdrive off, I shifted down to first gear, and still picked up speed and had to hit the brakes a few times. Is there no way to use the transmission and the air brake to avoid using the vehicle brakes, or am I expecting too much? I reached about 45 mph, and braked down to 30, then let is build up speed, then braked again, is this the right method, or am I missing something in my technique?...

I don't have a Dodge, but your technique sounds correct in theory. Are you sure you really got down to first gear? Or did you just put the indicator on first gear? Most automatic transmissions will only downshift to a lower gear that is in the range that will not over rev the engine. 45mph sounds pretty fast for first gear. My Allison transmission will not go above 25 in first without wanting to shift to prevent over reving.