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05-04-2014, 11:59 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,864
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Million Dollar Highway CO 550
We are making some plans which include southwestern Colorado in early September. I have heard Highway 550 from Durango to Montrose can be pretty hairy for a big rig and towed. Any comments? Also, is early September too early to see the Aspen colors?
Don
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05-04-2014, 01:06 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 301
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akadeadeye
We are making some plans which include southwestern Colorado in early September. I have heard Highway 550 from Durango to Montrose can be pretty hairy for a big rig and towed. Any comments? Also, is early September too early to see the Aspen colors?
Don
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Very. Hairy, be extremely you don't heat up brakes, if you do you have no brakes. Some curves are sharp you can read your own license plates.
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05-04-2014, 01:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,310
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Park the Coach........
We did this last fall, Sept/October, We stayed at the KOA in Cortez, Co. In my opinion, this is a road trip for your TOAD, so you can enjoy all the different towns and attractions, Route 145 out of Cortez, to r.62, to r. 550 to Durango, and r. 160 back to Cortez. We visited all the towns along the way, and went back to Durango the next day......... Some of the most scenic roads I have ever driven on, and I would not of wanted to be driving my Coach on any of them, ...... other than 160 across the bottom U.S. Route 550 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Telluride is a must, The gondola is free to ride Gondola | Telluride.com
And a new Auto of some sorts, in front of a local tavern.....that I have never seen.......
__________________
2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
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05-04-2014, 02:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,794
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Color in that area begins mid-Sept and it's gorgeous.
From Durango to Montrose, the 'scary' part is from Silverton to Ouray. Once you get to Ouray it's basically flat to Montrose. From Durango to Silverton it's a climb but not bad. We've driven it a few times with our 40' but we're also used to mountain driving and love it. Silverton is a neat little town to spend a night or two midway.
From Silverton you'll be hugging the hillside for the most part so you won't be on the steep drop-off part that is intimidating as you would if coming from the other direction. There are just a couple pull-offs from Silverton to Ouray and there are no shoulders. RVers drive it all the time so it can be done, preferably during the week.
If you're not comfortable or experienced with mountain driving, I would advise an alternative, and it's to go over to Cortez and then take Hwy 145 into Ridgeway. You'll still have a climb but it doesn't seem as bad.
If you have time before your trip, consider purchasing the 'Mountain Directory' which will give a mile by mile for many of the western roads. Have a good trip!
Mountain Driving Guide for Truckers, RV and Motorhome Drivers
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Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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05-04-2014, 02:19 PM
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#5
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Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Salem IL
Posts: 30
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In Silverton we had a ball when we rented a jeep and went up into the mountains on the "Alpine Loop".
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Ed & Julie
2014 Tiffin Allegro 31SA
2011 Chevy Equinox
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05-04-2014, 02:24 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 7S5
Posts: 658
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We have pulled our 31' 5th wheel both directions on many occasions' perhaps not the same as a MH pulling a toad but it's not such a bad drive. A turbo or exhaust brake is very handy in some places. The views, especially in the fall when the aspens are turning, is spectacular in many places. Be sure and spend a little time in Silverton. We have stayed in Ouray many times, as well as Durango. I love that country!
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2004.5 GMC SLT CCLB, Ride Rites, Turbo brake, EFI Live
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Papillon navigators Lily, Buddy and Willow
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05-04-2014, 02:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,310
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Looks like a pretty quite day in Telluride, Co. today Telluride Live Webcam | Telluride.com
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2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
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05-04-2014, 03:20 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,864
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Wow! Thanks for the replies. After viewing some of the pictures on Wikipedia that Palehorse posted, I think I will recalculate our route. Sheer drop offs on a narrow road with no shoulders are not on my agenda for a relaxing drive. Definitely a toad drive.....at best!
Recalculating................
Don
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05-04-2014, 04:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,251
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The steam locomotive from Durango to Silverton was featured in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. It's a fun and scenic ride. When we did it, you could train both ways, or train one way and bus the other. The bus ride shortens the day. http://m.durangotrain.com
Take care,
Stu
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"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."
2018 Anthem 42DEQ
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05-04-2014, 04:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,310
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Interesting, Air baron just traveled this road yesterday http://www.irv2.com/forums/f42/milli...ml#post2037222
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2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
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05-04-2014, 04:27 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,149
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Smart choice, Akadeadeye. I have driven that route in the toad. I would not drive my motorhome between Silverton and Ouray. Palehorse gave good advice, I suggest following it.
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Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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