Community Forums

Straycat2161 · 08-05-2015, 04:50 PM

Not use to pulling a 45 ft. Fifth wheel in the mountains. Looking for an alternative route other than 550(million dollar highway) to get from Gunnison to Durango. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

twogypsies · 08-05-2015, 07:12 PM

The easiest would be Hwy 50 west to 550 south to Ridgway to 62 and 145 south to Cortez then east on 160. You'll still have Lizard Head Pass to cross and you'll be going downhill.

It's an easier pass than Hwy 550's Red Mtn. Pass or Hwy 149 to 160 where you'll have Slumguilion Pass and Wolf Creek Pass.

We've down all three routes many times with our 40' motorhome and had no issues, but then we love mountain drives.

Your motorhome is fully capable of these downhill drives.

rgvtexan · 08-05-2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The easiest would be Hwy 50 west to 550 south to Ridgway to 62 and 145 south to Cortez then east on 160. You'll still have Lizard Head Pass to cross and you'll be going downhill.

It's an easier pass than Hwy 550's Red Mtn. Pass or Hwy 149 to 160 where you'll have Slumguilion Pass and Wolf Creek Pass.

We've down all three routes many times with our 40' motorhome and had no issues, but then we love mountain drives.

Your motorhome is fully capable of these downhill drives.

The OP is hauling a 5th Wheel

The Million $ hiway is not all that bad. We enjoyed the trip over last year in a 40' DP pulling a Honda Odyssey. If your TV has an exhaust brake, and you know how to use it, you should have no problem. The curves are well marked and the speed limits are conservative. Just take your time. We have some great footage from the dash cam. We met a few 5ers and some 18 wheelers. There were many RVs in Silverton.

twogypsies · 08-05-2015, 08:25 PM

Oops...I guess I zeroed in on the 45' and assumed a motorhome. So OP, you probably have a HDT to pull it. You won't have any problem on any route you take but 550 straight down gives some drivers (and passengers) white knuckles.

By the time you get to Gunnison you may feel different about mountain driving - good or bad. Have a good trip!

beaverfever · 08-06-2015, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The easiest would be Hwy 50 west to 550 south to Ridgway to 62 and 145 south to Cortez then east on 160. You'll still have Lizard Head Pass to cross and you'll be going downhill.

It's an easier pass than Hwy 550's Red Mtn. Pass or Hwy 149 to 160 where you'll have Slumguilion Pass and Wolf Creek Pass.

We've down all three routes many times with our 40' motorhome and had no issues, but then we love mountain drives.

Your motorhome is fully capable of these downhill drives.

this is a much easier route if you are not used to mountain driving in the west

Mekanic · 08-06-2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

[/COLOR]
The OP is hauling a 5th Wheel

The Million $ hiway is not all that bad. We enjoyed the trip over last year in a 40' DP pulling a Honda Odyssey. If your TV has an exhaust brake, and you know how to use it, you should have no problem. The curves are well marked and the speed limits are conservative. Just take your time. We have some great footage from the dash cam. We met a few 5ers and some 18 wheelers. There were many RVs in Silverton.

I have to agree on this. I been over this highway many times in the last 8 years.
Its better with
1 Less traffic later in the day
2 and the view will not upset height sensitive passengers as much after dark.

nmmarkb · 08-07-2015, 07:04 AM

Another option (that we have done w/gas MH) is to go out of Gunnison, south on 114 to 285 down to 160 (Monte Vista) then west over Wolf Creek Pass through Pagosa to Durango.