Phoenix, AZ to Golden, CO and Back During the Back Half of October

[AZ_JOE]

Preface

• Trip: Central Phoenix, AZ to Golden, CO and back​
• Timing: October 19-27​
• Towing Experience: 15 trips with current TT - including mountain passes in the Eastern Sierras and Northern Arizona​
• Tow Vehicle: 2024 RAM 2500 4X4 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7-Liter Turbo Diesel, Factory Auto-Leveling Rear Air-Suspension and 35X12.5R20 BFGoodrich KO2s​
• Travel Trailer (TT): 2023 GDRV Imagine 2600RB, 800 lbs. TW (wet), 7,850 lbs. GVWR, 29' 8" Length​
• Hitch & TT Modifications: ProPride 3P, Roadmaster Shock Absorber System, Lippert Road Armor Shock-Absorber Equalizers & HD Shackles with Wet-Bolts, balanced tires, Tire Linc and Furrion rear TT camera​
• Open-Road Towing Speed: 65 MPH​

As you may know, Cummins' 6.7-Liter with exhaust-braking is a dream to tow with. I budgeted two days from Phoenix to and from Golden. Based on the above - including the timing of my trip, what is the ideal route? Your experience insight is appreciated.

Joe

 

[jjbbrewer]

Based on the above - including the timing of my trip, what is the ideal route? Your experience insight is appreciated.

I think you'll have no problems going about any direction you might choose.

(Disclaimer: I'm a recovering Cummins/68RFE owner (I switched to a PowerStroke/10R100 3 years ago), so I'll resist derogatory powertrain comments )

I would ask, do you want speed, sightseeing, or a combination?

For speed/easiness (easy 2 day trip)

• I-17 -> Flagstaff
• I-40 -> Albuquerque
• I-25/470 -> Golden

For scenery (probably more like 3 days)

• AZ-87 -> Holbrook
• I-40 -> Gallup
• US-491 -> Cortez
• US-160 -> Monte Vista
• US-285 -> Lakewood
• 470 -> Golden

Different scenery (probably 2 long days)

• I-17 -> Flagstaff
• US-89 -> Tuba City
• US-160 -> Mexican Water
• US-191 -> Crescent Junction
• I-70/470 -> Golden

If you get tired of sightseeing, you can bail out to one of the Interstates by US or state highways.

I've driven all of these pulling my Momentum 349M, so you'll be good on all.

Just make sure to check the weather to avoid an early season snowstorms.

 

[AZ_JOE]

I think you'll have no problems going about any direction you might choose.

(Disclaimer: I'm a recovering Cummins/68RFE owner (I switched to a PowerStroke/10R100 3 years ago), so I'll resist derogatory powertrain comments )

I would ask, do you want speed, sightseeing, or a combination?

For speed/easiness (easy 2 day trip)

• I-17 -> Flagstaff
• I-40 -> Albuquerque
• I-25/470 -> Golden

For scenery (probably more like 3 days)

• AZ-87 -> Holbrook
• I-40 -> Gallup
• US-491 -> Cortez
• US-160 -> Monte Vista
• US-285 -> Lakewood
• 470 -> Golden

Different scenery (probably 2 long days)

• I-17 -> Flagstaff
• US-89 -> Tuba City
• US-160 -> Mexican Water
• US-191 -> Crescent Junction
• I-70/470 -> Golden

If you get tired of sightseeing, you can bail out to one of the Interstates by US or state highways.

I've driven all of these pulling my Momentum 349M, so you'll be good on all.

Just make sure to check the weather to avoid an early season snowstorms.

I really appreciate your feedback and insight.

Best, Joe

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

He has given you great advice and choices. You rig can easily handle any of them.
I love my Cummins too.

 

[AZ_JOE]

I appreciate the insight all of you have shared. After consulting with a Colorado-born RVer & neighbor, we decided to see more of western Colorado. Including the Million Dollar HWY between Ourway and Silverton, CO. Our trip:

Phoenix, AZ to Santa Fe, NM (467 miles, one night stay)
Santa Fe to Golden, CO (409 miles, five nights stay)
Golden to Orvis Hot Springs, CO (365 miles, one night stay)
Orvis Hot Springs to Durango, CO (93 miles, one night stay)
Durango to Phoenix, AZ (430 miles)

Total Trip: 1,764 miles. At 10 MPG x $3.50/Gal. of Diesel = $617 in fuel sans DEF & Opti-Lube XPD ($0.10/gal.)

 

[jjbbrewer]

Golden to Orvis Hot Springs, CO (365 miles, one night stay)

Just a heads up, one of the Highway 50 bridges over Blue Mesa Reservoir was out earlier this year. The current page from CDOT says it's open 6:30am-7:00pm and a 3/4 ton pickup with bumper pull trailer should be ok.
Make sure to check here before going, though

US 50 Middle Bridge Openings Schedule — Colorado Department of Transportation

www.codot.gov

Orvis Hot Springs to Durango, CO (93 miles, one night stay)

You might want to get input from folks that have pulled a 30' trailer over Red Mountain Pass / Million Dollar Highway before going. It's great viewing, but kind of a steep, challenging road with no guardrails, hairpins, and lots of exposure.

Personally, I have avoided it with my Momentum 349M, but that's a bigger 5th wheel than your Imagine. Definitely check the weather before heading out of Ouray.

Has anyone else here pulled something similar over Red Mountain Pass?

 

[AZ_JOE]

Just a heads up, one of the Highway 50 bridges over Blue Mesa Reservoir was out earlier this year. The current page from CDOT says it's open 6:30am-7:00pm and a 3/4 ton pickup with bumper pull trailer should be ok.
Make sure to check here before going, though

US 50 Middle Bridge Openings Schedule — Colorado Department of Transportation

www.codot.gov

Thank you JJ.

 

[traveldawg]

I appreciate the insight all of you have shared. After consulting with a Colorado-born RVer & neighbor, we decided to see more of western Colorado. Including the Million Dollar HWY between Ourway and Silverton, CO. Our trip:

Phoenix, AZ to Santa Fe, NM (467 miles, one night stay)
Santa Fe to Golden, CO (409 miles, five nights stay)
Golden to Orvis Hot Springs, CO (365 miles, one night stay)
Orvis Hot Springs to Durango, CO (93 miles, one night stay)
Durango to Phoenix, AZ (430 miles)

Total Trip: 1,764 miles. At 10 MPG x $3.50/Gal. of Diesel = $617 in fuel sans DEF & Opti-Lube XPD ($0.10/gal.)

A couple of comments....

• Over 400 miles in a day is a lot pulling an RV (not to mention 467 miles). Have you done this before? It sounds like an awfully long day of pulling an RV. And if you hit and delays (construction/accidents) well, that just makes it a longer day longer.
• That section from Orris Hot Springs to Durango.... I suppose you plan to take highway 550? Have you researched that? You OK with hights, deadly drop offs, narrow roads, sharpe turns, and no rails? Are your passengers? Not saying don't do it, but you'll miss the sights and beauty because you will be so focused on the road and others on that road not paying attention to their driving (and in a hurry to get around you even tho there isn'a any place to do that). Being from CO maybe you have lots of experience on that road.
• Maybe consider a copy of Mountain Directory West to help you understand the ups and downs of your route.
• You sound like you have experience Colorado. So you may already be well aware of the long days and routes you picked.

Wishing you a good trip.

 

[AZ_JOE]

A couple of comments....

• Over 400 miles in a day is a lot pulling an RV (not to mention 467 miles). Have you done this before? It sounds like an awfully long day of pulling an RV. And if you hit and delays (construction/accidents) well, that just makes it a longer day longer.
• That section from Orris Hot Springs to Durango.... I suppose you plan to take highway 550? Have you researched that? You OK with hights, deadly drop offs, narrow roads, sharpe turns, and no rails? Are your passengers? Not saying don't do it, but you'll miss the sights and beauty because you will be so focused on the road and others on that road not paying attention to their driving (and in a hurry to get around you even tho there isn'a any place to do that). Being from CO maybe you have lots of experience on that road.
• Maybe consider a copy of Mountain Directory West to help you understand the ups and downs of your route.
• You sound like you have experience Colorado. So you may already be well aware of the long days and routes you picked.

Wishing you a good trip.

Thank Larry -

I towed the same TT with my previous 1/2-ton EcoDiesel 300 plus miles/day two days back-to-back from Phoenix, AZ to Mammoth Lakes, CA and back seven days later this previous summer. Las Vegas was our waypoint on that trip. So I have some experience towing 300 miles/day. Given I still work full-time, I need to be setup for work in Golden, CO Monday morning. If I get tired, I will stop and rest.

I consulted with two friends who have driven the Million Dollar Highway between Ourway, CO and Durango, CO. Both are native Coloradans who have driven it with RVs. Both said, my RAM 2500 with the Cummins' torque and exhaust-brake will do fine. Moreover, I watched numerous You Tube videos of RVers driving the Million Dollar Highway. You are correct, I will need to be especially focused on the 25 mile section of the 550 between Ourway and Silverton, CO.

I appreciate your insight and will seek out a copy of Mountain Directory West.

Best, Joe

 

[poohbear]

I am going to assume you have chains for your TT just in case of snow. Ive never towed in snow ( big chicken here ) but have heard the " big boys " talking about towing in snow.

 

[jjbbrewer]

I am going to assume you have chains for your TT just in case of snow. Ive never towed in snow ( big chicken here ) but have heard the " big boys " talking about towing in snow.

Maybe I'm a "former big boy". I pulled my previous toy hauler westbound over Vail pass in early March one year. While descending, I came around the infamous decreasing radius right hander to find the road like this.

A semi had stacked it up just past the corner. To keep my rig behind me, I had to use both lanes, my trailer brake controller (with discs), and all of my roadracing reflexes to not to pile into the back of everyone. I was not hauling ass - maybe 30-35mph, but there was no warning and very little traction.

Both me and my friend travelling with me needed a change of underware.

Since then, I will camp and wait out storms before going over mountain passes.

About flying around thunderstorms in Kansas, a small airplane pilot friend of mine said, "Most pilots are buried under clear skies."

 

[jjbbrewer]

@AZ_JOE .. just a heads up about the southern part of the state.

SNOW TOTALS: 21 inches fall on notorious mountain pass in Colorado | OutThere Colorado

 

[AZ_JOE]

Maybe I'm a "former big boy". I pulled my previous toy hauler westbound over Vail pass in early March one year. While descending, I came around the infamous decreasing radius right hander to find the road like this.

View attachment 114560

A semi had stacked it up just past the corner. To keep my rig behind me, I had to use both lanes, my trailer brake controller (with discs), and all of my roadracing reflexes to not to pile into the back of everyone. I was not hauling ass - maybe 30-35mph, but there was no warning and very little traction.

Both me and my friend travelling with me needed a change of underware.

Since then, I will camp and wait out storms before going over mountain passes.

About flying around thunderstorms in Kansas, a small airplane pilot friend of mine said, "Most pilots are buried under clear skies."

Thanks JJ. I will keep an eye on the weather before attempting to driving south on the 550 between Silverton and Durango.