Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: Delta, CO to Durango via 550
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Posting Help and Support  |  Contact  

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Roads and Routes

Open Roads Forum  >  Roads and Routes

 > Delta, CO to Durango via 550

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
mittshel

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Senior Member

Joined: 08/14/2004

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member


Posted: 08/20/21 08:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

How is 550 from Delta to Durango for a 42' fifth wheel? Thanks to my most trusted source for road info. Betsy.


Betsy

southernsky

Ponchatoula La.

Senior Member

Joined: 03/30/2005

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 08/21/21 05:02am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Depending on how comfortable you are with mountain driving. Passes and switchbacks. Two lane with no shoulder or guardrails. We did it with a 40' fifth wheel with no problems. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful ride.


2022 Renegade Super C
2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Sport


NMDriver2

New Mexico

Senior Member

Joined: 04/18/2018

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 08/21/21 05:39am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It can be done but it is not recommended. If you decide to try it make sure you watch the weather on the mountain. If the top is covered in clouds when you approach Ridgeway use US 62 at Ridgeway to go south. I have hit snow on Red Mountain in Aug when the valley was clear and 90. Check your tires, there is no shoulder for many long stretches of the way if you have a flat. If you are in a gas vehicle you will loose power as you gain altitude. Weekends are the worst time for heavy traffic over that route. Often it is bumper to bumper, particularly behind slow vehicles like yours will be.

It is a pretty drive but only your passenger should be watching the scenery.

BTW I lived up there for 13 years.


Turret Class traveler

rr2254545

Central Minnesota

Senior Member

Joined: 07/12/2009

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 08/21/21 07:48am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

NMDriver2 wrote:

It can be done but it is not recommended. If you decide to try it make sure you watch the weather on the mountain. If the top is covered in clouds when you approach Ridgeway use US 62 at Ridgeway to go south. I have hit snow on Red Mountain in Aug when the valley was clear and 90. Check your tires, there is no shoulder for many long stretches of the way if you have a flat. If you are in a gas vehicle you will loose power as you gain altitude. Weekends are the worst time for heavy traffic over that route. Often it is bumper to bumper, particularly behind slow vehicles like yours will be.

It is a pretty drive but only your passenger should be watching the scenery.

BTW I lived up there for 13 years.


What he said- I took it this spring and it was the worst decision ever - its darn right scary - was in my 38ft MH pulling a jeep


2012 Winnebago Journey 36M Cummins 360
2014 Jeep Cherokee
447 Campgrounds,99K miles driven in our Winnebago motor homes and 2221 nights camping since we retired in July 2009, 41 National Parks


azdryheat

Tucson, AZ

Senior Member

Joined: 03/02/2012

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 08/21/21 05:55pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We did the 550 last summer in the rain pulling our Voltage and it wasn't even a challenge. If you're the panicky type then I'd advise an alternate route. 550 is the most fun on a Harley assuming there isn't a big slow RV holding you back, lol.


2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE


goff1256

Montrose Co

Senior Member

Joined: 11/01/2008

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 08/21/21 06:24pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I think it all depends on how confident you are in handling your rig I’ve been places in motor Inn my motorhome that most people say I shouldn’t go and I had no problems I just take it easy think it through and proceed just like you would with the car anything else just know your limits and yes it can snow up there this time of year I live in Montrose but not to the point where you could be snowbound if you have any sense at all


Erick & Jackie Goff; Plus Ellie Mae the Fu Fu Dog


BarabooBob

Baraboo, WI

Senior Member

Joined: 12/28/2015

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 08/22/21 08:01am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Truckers drive that route all the time with 53' trailers. If you drive carefully and know your rig, it should not be a problem. Take you time, watch out for the people that always seem to be in a hurry, and stop often to enjoy the scenery. It is a beautiful drive that I have taken many times and will continue to drive.


Bob & Dawn Married 34 years
2017 Viking 17RD
2011 Ford F150 3.5L Ecoboost 420 lb/ft
Retired


profdant139

Southern California

Senior Member

Joined: 11/14/2005

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 08/22/21 10:21am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Really, we have driven many roads worse than 550. The lanes are reasonably wide, and there are numerous large pullouts. We saw several big rigs on 550, and we have driven it several times.

It is very scenic, or so my passenger has told me. When I am driving (especially on mountain roads), I often miss much of the scenery.

Having said all of that, I would avoid that road if there is any ice or snow.


2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."


Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 

Open Roads Forum  >  Roads and Routes

 > Delta, CO to Durango via 550
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Roads and Routes


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:




© 2023 CWI, Inc. © 2023 Good Sam Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.