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Old 01-05-2019, 06:09 PM   #1
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The road between Durango and Silverton

We were looking forward to spending some time doing off road activities in Silverton, staying at Silverton Lakes RV Resort. Then I read the mountain guide. The drive on the road between Durango and Silverton sounds pretty scary. We aren’t new RVers, but we are new to the RV we are driving this year and new to driving a new diesel pusher. Has anyone driven this road? Should we reconsider our plans?
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Old 01-05-2019, 07:55 PM   #2
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Roughly 48 miles of MOUNTAIN 2 Lane Driving....steep grades/hairpin turns....no guard rails etc


BUT it is one of the most beautiful drives you can do.


We have traveled Hwy 550 both directions a few times in Long Bed/Quad Cab Pickup Truck towing a 34' 5th wheel


Used Tow/Haul mode and Exhaust Brake.....nice and slow and under control.
If speed increases more then you want....STAB brakes/decrease speed by 10 mph then get OFF the brakes


IT is WORTH the trip!!!


Here is a YOU-TUBE vid...
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Old 01-05-2019, 08:10 PM   #3
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We did it in our Aspect towing our Subaru. Used the Tow/Haul mode, kept within the speed limit no problem.
Check road conditions before you go. It can be sunny and 65º in Durango and a raging blizzard up on the passes.
It is a beautiful drive and should not be missed.
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Old 01-05-2019, 09:56 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit View Post
Roughly 48 miles of MOUNTAIN 2 Lane Driving....steep grades/hairpin turns....no guard rails etc


BUT it is one of the most beautiful drives you can do.


We have traveled Hwy 550 both directions a few times in Long Bed/Quad Cab Pickup Truck towing a 34' 5th wheel


Used Tow/Haul mode and Exhaust Brake.....nice and slow and under control.
If speed increases more then you want....STAB brakes/decrease speed by 10 mph then get OFF the brakes


IT is WORTH the trip!!!


Here is a YOU-TUBE vid...
Just look at the video - I Love it!

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Old 01-05-2019, 11:06 PM   #5
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Durango to Silverton is a piece of cake! What bothers some is Silverton to Ouray. We love the whole route and have done it multiple times both directions with our 40' motorhome. The 4-wheeling out of Silverton is the very BEST!
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Old 01-06-2019, 01:07 AM   #6
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We did Durango to Silverton then on to Oury last summer Just take it easy and you will be fine. We've driven worse elsewhere. 40' DP towing a jeep.

Some of the most beautiful country and offroading anywhere.

.enjoy!
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Old 01-06-2019, 07:39 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twogypsies View Post
Durango to Silverton is a piece of cake! What bothers some is Silverton to Ouray. We love the whole route and have done it multiple times both directions with our 40' motorhome. The 4-wheeling out of Silverton is the very BEST!


Agree. Durango to Silverton is no big deal.
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Old 01-06-2019, 07:51 AM   #8
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Hard to Imagine not Loving this Drive - Truly one of a Kind - Just Beautiful.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=13...mg.AYOoojYj6Mc

this short section gives some Pause, but the speed limit is such that it is Easy,

JMHO,
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Old 01-06-2019, 11:21 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit View Post
Roughly 48 miles of MOUNTAIN 2 Lane Driving....steep grades/hairpin turns....no guard rails etc


BUT it is one of the most beautiful drives you can do.


We have traveled Hwy 550 both directions a few times in Long Bed/Quad Cab Pickup Truck towing a 34' 5th wheel


Used Tow/Haul mode and Exhaust Brake.....nice and slow and under control.
If speed increases more then you want....STAB brakes/decrease speed by 10 mph then get OFF the brakes


IT is WORTH the trip!!!


Here is a YOU-TUBE vid...


Wow, thanks so much for the video. It pretty much answers my questions.
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Old 01-06-2019, 11:22 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Busskipper View Post
Hard to Imagine not Loving this Drive - Truly one of a Kind - Just Beautiful.



https://www.google.com/search?biw=13...mg.AYOoojYj6Mc



this short section gives some Pause, but the speed limit is such that it is Easy,



JMHO,


What a great shot!
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Old 01-06-2019, 12:25 PM   #11
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To the OP. You asked about Durango to Silverton. There have been references and such to the road from Silverton to Ouray. It is a different drive between the two.
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Old 01-06-2019, 12:57 PM   #12
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When you don't see photos of a highway with wide shoulders you think the road is narrow. This is a good two-lane highway and semi trucks and the biggest RVs drive it.
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Old 01-06-2019, 08:51 PM   #13
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I generally start with the mountain directory, it was pretty scary. That’s why I then come to this forum. The video provided of the drive from Durango to Silverton provided the information I needed to assess the drive for us. Additionally, the reviews from folks that have driven it certainly helped. The drive from Silverton to Ouray, isn’t a requirement, but it is of interest. We are currently planning to avoid it, but it would save us time if we decided to go that way after our time in Silverton. Thanks to everyone for their input on these drives.
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Old 01-06-2019, 09:21 PM   #14
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We have ridden Durango to Silverton many times. We were just in Silverton last summer.

The road from Silverton to Ouray gets a bit tighter and more narrow, but is a very scenic ride.

We have always been on our motorcycle, but we see all sizes of RV traveling it everytime we're on it.

I would not hesitate to pull our trailer up it.

If you choose to go, there is nothing to be concerned about if you drive sensibly.
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