Colorado Hwy 550

[Rideblue51]

Anyone ever towed on Hwy 550 in Colorado from Grand Junction to Durango? Was thinking of it but not sure about roads/climbs/decends.

 

[theburgerts]

We took the drive between Durango and Ouray.... our truck only. That made me nervous. I cannot answer about towing, although we did see many RVs and delivery trucks doing it.

Take a look at this, it helped me see what parts of the road looked like.

https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/635-million-dollar-highway-usa.html


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[Rideblue51]

Wow! Thanks for the info. Don't think the wife would go for that one.

 

[Dick Noble]

Going over Red Mountain Pass -- always an adventure and comes with a real pucker factor. I've done it a number of times in a car, once in a buss and once towing a 5er. I avoid it when towing if I can. Go slow, watch your heat gage going up and gear down going down. It is a beautiful drive and one you will remember.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Yeah, I've been over that road many times. Most of my trips were on a motorcycle. I would not want to pull a trailer over it, especially a long one. It's better than it
used to be but still many curves and climbs.

 

[Chaps2018]

We did it a couple of years ago. The hills didn't really affect us (RAM3500 longbed towing 40' 14k# 5er). My wife reminds me that it was the sharp turns with the mountain walls right against the edge of the road that rattled me. I was very busy watching my passenger side to ensure I stayed in the lane and not hit the very close protruding mountain on the passenger side while she was watching ahead. On the way back it was snowing and we took a more western route with less aggressive ascent/decent and curves.

 

[Santa61]

Anyone ever towed on Hwy 550 in Colorado from Grand Junction to Durango? Was thinking of it but not sure about roads/climbs/decends.

I've driven this road countless times over the years and consider it one of the most beautiful drives one can make as longer as you are patient and not afraid of heights. As others have mentioned, you will need to manage your speeds carefully and most important be certain to use excellent breaking skills on the descents.

I don't know what your tow vehicle is. If you have the "tow" feature and an engine break you will want to use both to manage the pull up and descend down.

I have pulled our 337RLS over vail pass, berthed pass and monarch pass but not red mountain. Not because I didn't want to. Simply because we usually stay at Ridgeway State Park and don't need to pull our rig to Durango. All these passes require the same discipline - manage speed and pull off when safe to do so to allow cars to go around as needed.

18 wheelers make this drive all the time and it is the preferred route for delivery service between Grand Junction and Durango. The alternate route is considerably out of the way and farther and requires you to turn off at Ridgeway to go through Telluride.

Take your time and be certain to stop at the visitors station in Silverton for a rest. Their parking lot is large and easy to enter and exit.

 

[powerscol]

Anyone ever towed on Hwy 550 in Colorado from Grand Junction to Durango? Was thinking of it but not sure about roads/climbs/decends.

I have towed over it many times - no sweat if you go slow, pay attention to the speed and grade signs. Its narrow and slow - but actually relatively safe. Semis take it all the time.

OR - take the bypass over Lizard Head From Durango 160 west to Mancos, then 184 to Deloris, then 145 to the junction of 62 and then to Ridgway and 550 north again . All good towable road. Ridgeway state park is good. Good fishing too.

 

[Dadeo6472]

Its a fantastic, beautiful road. The northern leg from Montrose to Ouray is pretty and easy to drive. From Ouray south it's a motorcycle rider / sports car driver fantasy -- when the traffic is light. It's NOT great for a big rig / wide RV. But if you drive nice and slow thru the narrows, switchbacks and curves, its safe. And I suggest pulling over every so often to let people by.

Bottom line, I would try to avoid 550 south of Ouray unless you are headed to a destination that's alongside it, like if you are camping or skiing in Silverton, you can't avoid Rt 550.

And if you love the first three switchbacks leaving Ouray southbound, you will love the rest of the road to Durango.

 

[BobLandry]

I drove from Ouray to Durango at 11PM in a blinding snow storm. It was interesting to say the least. I'm glad the tail lights ahead of me stayed on the read.It can be done safely, but it's not for the faint of heart.
I personally would not doit with a long trailer.

 

[CX500T]

When I worked for an oilfield service company with an office in Farmington, NM 550 was the short way from most of western Colorado and Wyoming.

We were prohibited from going over that route in anything but a pickup.

I can drive that and have driven way worse haul roads and pipeline access roads with 100% road going semis.

Its the oncoming traffic that made corporate safety go "no effing way"

(This was BJ, and the policy continued after the BakerHughes merger)

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[BobnColo]

well those of us who live out here, have no problem with it during summer months. Having said that, I don't (or won't) go there in the wintertime when snowing. I am not worried about my abilities, but the other guy. It's easy to get in over your talent level in slick conditions. Having said that, like others have said, a beautiful drive at the right time of year. Be careful of the downhill sections and if you don't feel comfortable with narrow mountain conditions, don't go.

 

[orbsah]

OR - take the bypass over Lizard Head From Durango 160 west to Mancos, then 184 to Deloris, then 145 to the junction of 62 and then to Ridgway and 550 north again .

Hi- Picking up this older thread hoping more folks have recent intel. We’re basically trying to route south from Montrose to Durango. We’ve done the million $ hwy pre-RV years ago so no need to attempt with our 5er.

Is west on 62 at Ridgway to 145S towards Cortez still advisable?

Thanks !

 

[powerscol]

Hi- Picking up this older thread hoping more folks have recent intel. We’re basically trying to route south from Montrose to Durango. We’ve done the million $ hwy pre-RV years ago so no need to attempt with our 5er.

Is west on 62 at Ridgway to 145S towards Cortez still advisable?

Thanks !

Both are good, but if in doubt take the bypass over Lizard head as I mentioned before. However the experience of a lifetime is to drive it - if you follow the speeds and the signs it is safe. If you normally hot dog it - don't.

It is the Best part of Colorado to see. Once past the narrows out of Ouray (three tight switch backs at the end of the tough part) it is a fairly easy drive.

Safe travels

 

[orbsah]

Both are good, but if in doubt take the bypass over Lizard head

Thanks for the info!