Burr Trail

Burr Trail in southern Utah?
No reason at all. There really isn't much to it.
Here's the start (or end, depending).

No reason at all, same with Cottonwood road in that area. The only thing that would stop you would be a heavy rainfall as the roads get very slick
Disclaimer: I have not driven either road but we are leaving in a couple days to drive one of these roads on our way to Payson Arizona, but from everyone I have talked to it should not be an issue. Not sure which road is more scenic as I have read great things about both of these roads, but believe we will try Cottonwood first. Good luck and have fun.

One thing to keep in mind the road can get very washboardy and I have heard washboard roads can cause your thermal pane windows the leak out. Mine are still intact though and have driven the road twice. You may want to air down if you are coming in through lake powell or capitol reef. The road is long enough to justfy doing it. Amazing scenery you will love it!!

I've driven it several times. Spectacular scenery and if you're into photography you'll no doubt be blocking traffic because you just can't resist stopping to take photos. The switchbacks are narrow so if two camper rigs should meet someone will have to move to a turnout. Not the road to be towing anything behind your truck/camper, though!

As someone above said, at times the washboards can be severe - much more of a problem to a camper than the switchbacks. Make sure everything in the camper is secure. I once had a water line crack due to the severe vibration.

I just got back from the Burr Trail driving from Boulder to Bullfrog. From Boulder to the bottom of the switchbacks it is a beautiful drive with somewhat of a pucker factor on the switchbacks and moderate washboards. From the bottom of the switchbacks to Bullfrog the road had the worst washboard conditions I have ever seen. I tried airing down, driving fast, driving slow....nothing worked. To prevent vehicle/camper destruction I drove between 5 and 10 mph. Myself, I would never drive the lower section again.

As long as it is dry, it is extremely easy. You might hit a little bit of washboard here and there, but no big deal. Dry, it is 2 wheel drive the whole way. Passenger cars do the trail all the time. I have not driven the lower section to Bullfrog rottidawg is referencing (which is not part of the Burr Trail).

Thanks for the feedback guys. Definitely putting this on my must do list. Thinking maybe April next year.

I hate washboard. :)

jmckelvy wrote:

I hate washboard. :)

Everybody does. :B

My solution to washboard roads is an adequate air supply. I've been over a lot of washboard and if it seems interminable, just lower the pressure on your tires down to 30 or 26 pounds, depending on how heavy your rig is and that you don't have 19.5 tires. Truck tires now are miles ahead of truck tires of say 20 years ago and can take a beating. You don't need deadlocks to do this. Just keep your eye on the tire temperature. I use a 20 pound CO2 tank with appropriate hardware (like a hose that won't freeze up in use) to get the tires quickly back up. One tank will bring my truck tires up from 28 pounds to full inflation (65 or 80 pounds) about 40 tires-worth. This is all a technique holdover from my jeeping dayz. I have used those pressure specific, screw on deflators with some success, although these are not an exact science. For most of my time deflating i simply unscrew the valve core keeping it in the stem and hope i don't skid through the intersection. It's a feel you develop after doing it for a long time.
I've was over the Burr Trail in about 1972 and it seemed like just another back road in my FJ-55 Toyota Land Cruiser pulling a jeep trailer. Never used anything but 2-wheel drive. Very scenic. I can see how a lot of pricip could spoil your day.
jefe