Community Forums

kenginn · 05-05-2018, 09:07 PM

What does everyone think about CO 550 from Durango to Montrose for first time mountain RV drivers. Done several trips around Oklahoma and Arkansas in our 29 ft. Coachmen class A with Ford Fiesta toad. We’ve been driving all over the Rockies for years, just not in our RV. We’re planning our longest trip to date to Colorado in June in preparation for a trip to Yellowstone in August. Been reading all the advise about “gearing down before you start down” and “go down in the same gear you went up in”. May be over thinking it, but I like to be as informed as possible.

twogypsies · 05-05-2018, 09:58 PM

You'll get pros and cons on the highway. We love it and have driven it both directions with our 40' motorhome towing. You won't have any equipment issues with your 29' but it will all depend on how you would feel about the drive. Watch some YouTubes on it. Coming from Durango you won't be on the outside edge if that's any help. When in doubt take 145 from Cortez. Also, purposely route yourself on some steep hills before you get to Durango for practice.

Big Dude · 05-06-2018, 08:58 AM

I've been over it a couple of times so here's a con - I'm a pretty experienced mountain driver and I felt a little uncomfortable driving it in my car - no shoulder or guardrail and hundreds of feet drop offs. The views are spectacular but I can't imagine an RV driver enjoying them without pulling over. While there are RV's and trucks using the route, I won't be one of them.

Busskipper · 05-06-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

You'll get pros and cons on the highway. We love it and have driven it both directions with our 40' motorhome towing. You won't have any equipment issues with your 29' but it will all depend on how you would feel about the drive. Watch some YouTubes on it. Coming from Durango you won't be on the outside edge if that's any help. When in doubt take 145 from Cortez. Also, purposely route yourself on some steep hills before you get to Durango for practice.

Hard to argue with any of this - just drive it in something as it is truly Beautiful. But IMHO RT 145 and Lizard Head Pass is pretty nice too

I'd think if you get to RT 550 you will know what you are comfortable with..........so .......

Best of Luck,

Dennis_K · 05-07-2018, 11:20 AM

For a "first time mountain RV driver" I would not recommend it, at least not south bound where there are sections with no shoulder and a deep drop off.

MRUSA14 · 05-07-2018, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dude

I've been over it a couple of times so here's a con - I'm a pretty experienced mountain driver and I felt a little uncomfortable driving it in my car - no shoulder or guardrail and hundreds of feet drop offs. The views are spectacular but I can't imagine an RV driver enjoying them without pulling over.

Pulling over where? Between Silverton and Ouray there are almost no shoulders nor are there guard railings. So where are you going to pull over? If you pull off the road on one side you hit a mountain and if you pull off the other you fall over a cliff. I agree with Big Dude, this road is not for beginners.

The highway south of Silverton is not bad, and north of Ouray is not bad, but between the two it is very challenging with no room for mistakes. I was nervous driving my car there, and would NOT take an RV over that road. I know some folks do it, but in an RV it is not for me, and I have driven many many mountain roads.

kenginn · 05-07-2018, 07:38 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll definitely be driving it, maybe not in the RV this time. Looking at 145 also. We’ll see how froggy I feel once we got there. Many roads to choose from.

CJ7365 · 05-07-2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenginn

Thanks for all the advice. I’ll definitely be driving it, maybe not in the RV this time. Looking at 145 also. We’ll see how froggy I feel once we got there. Many roads to choose from.

Heres a couple of pictures of Lizard pass the alternate route I took.

HighDesert · 05-08-2018, 10:29 AM

Kind of a tease here, but flatlanders and mountains are always not real compatible. I have made a few trips over the divide in Co. and some of the 10,000 foot passes in Lots of vehicles. As with any mountain pass, you really have to pay attention so the driver can't "sightsee" while driving and hopefully the passenger is OK with altitude, no shoulder / guardrails, and steep drop offs. My wife is from Denver, and every time we drive the high country, she still slides towards me when the drop off is on her side. Be patient, make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical order, and your brakes are goo. Utilize slowing down and downshifting on downgrades, and you'll be fine. About the only places you'll find to pull over to enjoy the view is at the summits. Like others have said, everything else is either mountain or space.