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03-07-2016, 12:54 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6
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Pagosa Springs Colorado
I am heading for Pagosa Springs Colorado this summer and was interested in the easiest way to get there in a 42 foot class A diesel. Headed from Oklahoma
Never been in the mountains with the RV
THANKS
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03-07-2016, 01:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,549
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Not knowing exactly where you're departing from, I'd recommend that you head over to Santa Fe, NM on I-40, then turn north on highway 84 through Santa Fe.
That's the route where you will not run into mountain passes. There are some minor grades coming into Pagosa from the south (highway84), but they are not very steep, and not very long.
Highway 160 across southern CO involves a couple, the worst of which is Wolf Creek Pass, just 30 miles east of Pagosa Springs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=moun...+site:irv2.com
Here's a link to a discussion on Wolf Creek Pass:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f38/color...ip-279421.html
There are lots of discussions on mountain driving on IRV2.
https://www.google.com/search?q=moun...earch=irv2.com
Hope that helps!
__________________
Joe and Debbie, Emma the Aussie Cattle Dog who adopted us
2012 Discovery 36J, Blue Ox and Air Force One, 2010 GMC Acadia Toad
USAF (Ret) WDØM https://wd0m.com
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03-07-2016, 03:36 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 585
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SPRING TIME IN THE ROCKIES is defined as the first time a Winnebago overheats coming over Wolf Creek!!
__________________
WE WORK HARD SO OUR DOG CAN HAVE A BETTER LIFE
2005 ADVENTURER 38J
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03-07-2016, 07:45 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pagosajoe
Not knowing exactly where you're departing from, I'd recommend that you head over to Santa Fe, NM on I-40, then turn north on highway 84 through Santa Fe.
That's the route where you will not run into mountain passes. There are some minor grades coming into Pagosa from the south (highway84), but they are not very steep, and not very long.
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I agree... We live in Tulsa and I love heading through the Oklahoma Panhandle but the easiest drive is I-40.
Pagossa Springs is a great place to spend the summer!!
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03-07-2016, 07:49 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Wheat Ridge, CO
Posts: 388
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Been over Wolf Creek Pass numerous times.
Should not be a big deal...just go slow and use your Jake/Exhaust Brake if you have one.
If you don't, just downshift so you don't have to ride your brakes too much.
No problemo. Beautiful area.
__________________
UAV
2021 Renegade Valencia 35MB
2017 Buick Envision in Tow
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03-07-2016, 07:49 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 4,946
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pagosajoe
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yep thats how we went.
take your time and enjoy the trip.
the long pass was interesting...its a long two lane . i rode the exhaust brake the whole way down coming back, it does seem to go on forever
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USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, #3998 no your eyes are fine, there are really 6 slides
2022 F150 King Ranch or 2012 Edge toads
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05-09-2018, 09:10 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Roaring Gap, NC
Posts: 572
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Hi,
Getting ready to do this trip next week. We have 45' class A towing a Jeep Wrangler. Mapquest has us on 285/84 the whole way. Any potential issues we should know about along this route?
Thanks.
__________________
Jeff & Tracie (Stella & Hoonah - the rescue mutts)
2018 Mountain Aire 4531
2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport
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05-09-2018, 05:46 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Blairsville, GA & WPB, FL
Posts: 3,993
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"Mapquest has us on 285/84 the whole way." No way would I go around two sides of a triangle just to avoid Wolfe Creek Pass...one of the easier CO passes. At Hooper I would take 112 to 160...anywhere from 100 to 160 miles shorter than what you posted. Your 42' has an exhaust/Jake brake so at a slow enough speed you will not even have to use your brakes coming down. There is only one major switch back and it's not that bad. I usually go a little faster so every 30 seconds or before a sharp curve I have to get on the brakes for 5 seconds to slow down,.
Now Monarch Pass on 50 is one of the more difficult ones, but here again if you keep your speed down by selecting a low enough gear you will not have a problem.
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05-09-2018, 06:15 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Tucson
Posts: 1,419
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Your coach will get you anywhere you want to go, the only limitation is the driver.
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05-09-2018, 06:53 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bounder50
I am heading for Pagosa Springs Colorado this summer and was interested in the easiest way to get there in a 42 foot class A diesel. Headed from Oklahoma
Never been in the mountains with the RV
THANKS
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If you're comfortable mountain driving Wolf Creek Pass has beautiful scenery. Plus you can play the song while you're coming down!
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05-09-2018, 08:12 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,984
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Semi trucks drive over that pass every day of the year with no issues. It is a major cross-country US Highway.
__________________
'04 Newmar Mountain Aire 4016
400ISL/Freightliner
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05-09-2018, 08:17 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 71
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I've driven Wolf Creek Pass a hundred times. Late this summer will be the first time with a 44ft fifth wheel strapped to my rear end. I expect it to be a new experience, but knowing it well will help.
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05-10-2018, 08:05 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FatChance
Semi trucks drive over that pass every day of the year with no issues. It is a major cross-country US Highway.
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Indeed, 160 is a major east-west route in southern Colorado. However, there are frequent crashes involving semi trucks. Sadly there are fatalities involved. Many of these incidents involve drivers with no mountain driving experience who simply drive too fast.
My advice, having driven Wolf Creek Pass frequently, is keep the speed at no more than 35, use the engine brake, exercise caution, don't ride the brakes and overheat them, and enjoy the scenery - it's one of the most beautiful places in the US.
__________________
Joe and Debbie, Emma the Aussie Cattle Dog who adopted us
2012 Discovery 36J, Blue Ox and Air Force One, 2010 GMC Acadia Toad
USAF (Ret) WDØM https://wd0m.com
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05-10-2018, 08:46 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Commercial Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: behind the steering wheel
Posts: 2,576
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pagosajoe has it right. slow and easy works. ive taken my 36 ft meridian and toad over wolf creek pass a couple of times. im not fond of doing it, but to save time, i do.
looking down the canyons on the way, you will see wrecks marked with a red x spray painted on top. they are old wrecks.
however, if you are the least bit uncomfortable going this route, then by all means, go around. its better to drive a little further and feel safe.
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