Road to Ouray, CO

rainsmik · 07-28-2016, 11:27 PM

Two questions:
1. I am leaving from near Victoria, TX for Ouray, Co next week. My planned route takes me through Dalhart on 87. I have a Sandpiper 355 RE with two A/C's on top. Dalhart has a fairly low overpass. Has anyone pulled a 5th wheel of a similar size under that overpass?

2, 87 will take me to I-25 where I plan to take 69 out of Walsemburg and then CO 1-A into Cotopoxi. Has anyone travelled this route and is OK for a trailer like mine?

It's my first long trip and my first venture into the mountains. Kinda worried. Appreciate any help

chop249 · 07-30-2016, 01:59 PM

I think all 5ers max out at 13'2" I may be wrong. My 381RBOK specs at 13'2" I measured it and that was pretty close. I don't attempt anything that's marked less than 13'6". If you have a TomTom if I remember right you can select Truck Route and that will avoid the low overpasses it knows of. I believe the semis also max out at 13'2" but I haven't verified that.

5er_tom · 07-30-2016, 04:29 PM

My Wildcat with 2 A/C units measures 13' 7". I measured it myself at home on the level driveway. Don't assume the numbers in a brochure. It will get you in trouble. The brochure for my unit stated 11,999 max GVRW. Another brochure from FR for the same unit stated 10,999. The truck scale shows just short of 13,000 and it is not full of water, propane, etc. As much as I want to believe FR weights, I cannot.

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chop249 · 07-30-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

My Wildcat with 2 A/C units measures 13' 7". I measured it myself at home on the level driveway. Don't assume the numbers in a brochure. It will get you in trouble. The brochure for my unit stated 11,999 max GVRW. Another brochure from FR for the same unit stated 10,999. The truck scale shows just short of 13,000 and it is not full of water, propane, etc. As much as I want to believe FR weights, I cannot.

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Was that 13'7" while attached to your TV? If not you can almost jack it up or down to any height you want within the range of your landing gear. And is your TV stock?

5er_tom · 07-31-2016, 07:47 AM

Yes, 13'7" when hooked up. Stock truck, not lifted, but air bags with 25#'s of air. I wanted to know the actual height when towing. Seems tall, but that is the measurement.

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mdstudey · 07-31-2016, 01:45 PM

I would head to Alamosa from Walsenburg to Poncha Springs. Now as pretty as the other route, but there are some sharp curves on Highway 50 as you are heading west. I am thinking you will miss most of the Big Horn Sheep Canyon by coming out to Cotopoxi. I have ridden that route on a motorcycle and never towing anything, but between Canon City and Salida can be very wicked at times with thunder storms. Towing a trailer, I would go the other route. Monarch Pass is going to be very slow, you will climb above 10,000 ft. It has some tight curves as well but going back down is not to bad. Beautiful country though. I can't wait for my husband to retire. I could spend a lot of time in Colorado. My most favorite of all of the places I have lived.

rmoore0852 · 07-31-2016, 02:55 PM

I pulled through Dalhart last month. The bridge there is 13'6" or 13'7". My trailer is 13'3". I just went slow so that there wasn't any suspension bounce and crossed my fingers, lol. Don't be in a hurry. Dalhart is all road construction right now, as it looks like they are digging that underpass deeper to fix the low clearance issue. They have it down to one lane under the bridge. One lane, as in one direction goes under while the other way is stopped. Then that direction stops while the other direction gets their turn. I think it took us 30-40 minutes just to get through that little bitty town.

NO3putt · 07-31-2016, 03:16 PM

We just drove over Monarch Pass this week, yes a bit slow but maintained 45 mph going up and 35 mph going down. Saw a big horn sheep on the way right next to road.

Skip

Phenom · 07-31-2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmoore0852

I pulled through Dalhart last month. The bridge there is 13'6" or 13'7". My trailer is 13'3". I just went slow so that there wasn't any suspension bounce and crossed my fingers, lol. Don't be in a hurry. Dalhart is all road construction right now, as it looks like they are digging that underpass deeper to fix the low clearance issue. They have it down to one lane under the bridge. One lane, as in one direction goes under while the other way is stopped. Then that direction stops while the other direction gets their turn. I think it took us 30-40 minutes just to get through that little bitty town.

Had the same experience just a couple days ago. Going through to CO, I hit it just right and no wait. Coming back was another story. 30-40 mins easy. I saw many large fivers going under the bridge. All without issue or I'd probably still be there.

jeepman71 · 08-01-2016, 02:15 PM

Canyon to Salida over Monarch into Montrose and then south to Ouray is a very nice drive. Take the curves and hills slow and easy and enjoy the beauty of our great state.

WyomingJack · 08-01-2016, 08:40 PM

Came thru Dalhart on may 1st with 2015 Silverback 29re.
Saw a low clearance warning sign. Road under construction but never encountered a low clearance situation. Slow going at that time, but no clearance issues. Lots of trucks.

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