Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-02-2023, 11:38 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 43
Colorado Trip

I'm planning a trip to see as much of Colorado as possible for late August to mid October this year. We are towing a 2021 21FBRS/2109S. We want to see the 4 CO national parks as well as Flaming Gorge, Durango, Ouray, Leadville and any other interesting places and mountain passes. I'm having a little trouble planning the route however. I thought I would start camping on the east end of trail ridge road (which I know is not passable for trailers) in Rocky Mtn NP. Besides trail ridge road, there are so many other mountain passes that may or may not be passable with a travel trailer. My husband is a retired truck driver and he is ok driving elevations and switchbacks. He is more concerned with narrow shoulderless roads, especially those with overhanging rock walls, trees or hills that give him no side clearance. We want to do those beautiful mountain passes but only after we unhook our trailer in a campsite. Any passes we should avoid with any possible detours around while towing? And how should we go from Black Gunnison to Mesa Verde? RV Trip Wizard mapped us on the million dollar hwy but that looks somewhat crazy. Is it passable while towing?
jwalt313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2023, 12:48 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
camper_Lucy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Camping some place I hope
Posts: 584
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwalt313 View Post
I'm planning a trip to see as much of Colorado as possible for late August to mid October this year. We are towing a 2021 21FBRS/2109S. We want to see the 4 CO national parks as well as Flaming Gorge, Durango, Ouray, Leadville and any other interesting places and mountain passes. I'm having a little trouble planning the route however. I thought I would start camping on the east end of trail ridge road (which I know is not passable for trailers) in Rocky Mtn NP. Besides trail ridge road, there are so many other mountain passes that may or may not be passable with a travel trailer. My husband is a retired truck driver and he is ok driving elevations and switchbacks. He is more concerned with narrow shoulderless roads, especially those with overhanging rock walls, trees or hills that give him no side clearance. We want to do those beautiful mountain passes but only after we unhook our trailer in a campsite. Any passes we should avoid with any possible detours around while towing? And how should we go from Black Gunnison to Mesa Verde? RV Trip Wizard mapped us on the million dollar hwy but that looks somewhat crazy. Is it passable while towing?
I you want to post the route you are thinking of you may get a bit better input on the sequence and directions. But the Million Dollar highway is fine to tow on, just take it slow and enjoy the views (passenger only ). the only alternate route from Black Gunnison to Mesa Verde is 62 & 145, but you then have to back track to see Durango which you listed as a stop.
__________________
2019 Chevy 3500 4x4 Crew Duramax
2021 Wolf Pack Toy Hauler
2019 Street Glide
2023 Road Glide ST
camper_Lucy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2023, 07:37 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,081
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwalt313 View Post
I'm planning a trip to see as much of Colorado as possible for late August to mid October this year. We are towing a 2021 21FBRS/2109S. We want to see the 4 CO national parks as well as Flaming Gorge, Durango, Ouray, Leadville and any other interesting places and mountain passes...
Although you didn't ask, October is questionable in the mountains in Colorado. The first snow storm is usually in October, but unknown as to when in October (once in while it's September for 1st snow above 6,000ft). You have to be prepared to stay where you are until the snow melts off - usually a day or 2 that time of year.

Most of the US Forest Campgrounds close completely in mid-September. Colorado State Parks will shut some loops down, and site water is often turned off - there will normally be a couple of central spigots with water. When planning, check the status of water at any National Parks you are staying at. The same is true for privately owned RV parks - check on when they shut the water off, and whether any water is available after they do.

The passes that have winter closings will generally stay open until that first snow. Then they are closed until Memorial Day (or later). Unpaved roads are graded for passability. Most vehicles are pretty safe on the 1st level, but after that I would avoid when towing. I've been to the 2nd level in a minivan not towing, but scared myself doing so.

Sorry to add to your planning load, but it's better than no water, and possibly no campsites.

Fall is a magnificent time of year in Colorado. Enjoy the trip, plan for water and weather disruptions.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade
moved from the mountains of Colorado to the swamps of NC in 2021
pgandw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2023, 08:03 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,049
oray to durango on hwy 550 , i think thats thr right hwy. # sighn says no long vehicles well i was already on the first corner up so off we went 30 ft 5 wheel. trafic was light , and its do able. but not again.
Thomas ho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2023, 08:19 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Baraboo, WI
Posts: 605
53 ft semi's go over Highway 550 every day. I have followed large Rv's and fifth wheels over it on several trips. I stop along the way so that I get to look around instead of just looking at the wife's photos after the drive.
BarabooBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:06 PM.