Community Forums

blyons · 07-31-2010, 02:36 PM

We are new RVers and are.planning a trip to Ruidoso, NM. We noticed that from Roswell to Ruidoso, the elevaton changes by about 3000 ft in about 70 miles. We will be in a 43 ft Monaco,pulling a Tahoe. Any of you made that trip? How tough of a climb is that?

skigramp · 07-31-2010, 08:36 PM

The Mountain West Directory shows no steep grades between Roswell and Ruidoso ... there are some 4 and 5% grades west of Ruidoso

Chuck 1935 · 07-31-2010, 10:04 PM

I do alot of desert driving in 100 to 110 degree weather. I have a 330hp Cat in a 34ft Diesel pusher. For climbing long grade I watch the temp guage and if it gets up half way I drop down to 5th and keep the rpm around 2,000 and have never had an overheating problem. Hope this helps !!

Lued · 08-01-2010, 09:37 AM

We have made that trip a few time, it is a pretty area, Our gas workhorse Bounder pulling a jeep made it fine.

hnybare · 08-01-2010, 11:19 AM

No hard pulls that way, should have no problems. Have a great trip, it is a great area.

dayle1 · 08-03-2010, 04:34 PM

I have made that climb a couple of times, no problem. Many more times I have made the Artesia to Cloudcroft climb, something like 4400 ft in 90 miles, again no problem. Now a serious climb for an RV is the Alamogordo to Cloudcroft climb, 4400 ft in 16 miles. I've never pulled the fiver up it, but many RVs do make that climb each year.

Ernie Ekberg · 08-03-2010, 04:43 PM

As others have said, keep your rpms up. Do a manual downshift. Your engine temps will love you. I would go from Alamagordo to Ruidoso and if you wish to go to Cloudcroft there is a nice road that goes there from Ruidoso. Friend just came back- temps in 70s during day cooler at nite. Ernie-104 degree Weatherford, Tx