Zebra, Howdy;
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zebra
We are planning on taking I25 from Texas into Colorado (Trinidad, Raton, Colorado Springs) and up past Loveland. Then 287 Fort Collins to I80 through South Wyoming to Utah.
2015 Ram 2500 5.7 GAS (not diesel) pulling Keystone 30RLDS TT. I had a hard time towing in Texas Hill country. Lost 10-20 mph on the hills. Have only been traveling since January of this year on pretty flat areas. Never even been out west before.
I want to be safe, smart and capable. Before I thought RV drivers do this ALL the time! Currently I’m just petrified. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Gas engine...heavy trailer ...concerned driver.
Please don’t tell me to get a new truck ��
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Ok, first of all I-25 starts at Las Cruces, N.M. Now from my own personal
experiences, the Organ mtns. are to the East of the interstate (I go to las
Cruces weekly), just North of Truth or Consequences there are 2 steep (but not
long), pulls that are needed to be done the rest of the way north so fairly
level. If you are looking for the flattest way to get to Salt Lake City (SLC), I
would, and have taken the following route North on I-25 to exit 203 for route 6,
top of the ramp turn Left (west), it's 2 lane but a decent road. Stay on it till you
find I-40 again you want to go West. You have now avoided Albuquerque and
All of the headaches that entails. Check your gas level next services are
really at Grants. If ya don't need to stop at Grants that ok, next turn is when
you get to Gallup. At Gallup you'll be looking for exit 20 where you want to go
North on US 491 (bottom of off ramp turn Right). Be sure to check the tv
out, gas, windshield washer fluid, kick the tires, stretch your legs etc. 2 lane
road (US Hiway), will take you up and slightly to the East of Ship rock to the
town of ... Shiprock, N.M. During this portion you'll be in the Navajo Nation.
From there it 's a short jump into Colorado while still on US 491. Stay on 491
OH! Before I forget you'll be very close to The Four Corners Monument and
just to the West an hours drive is the Monument Valley where John Wayne
and John Ford made some of the bestest Westerns ever made. Any way ...
you'll know you're in Co. because it will be green. Fuel stops, Not to far into
Co. is the town of Towaoc, it's on the Ute Indian Res. on the Left excellent
truck stop with plenty of room and generally decent pricing. Keep on going
through Montezuma, and Cortez you'll still be on US 491. After Dove Creek
you'll cross over into Utah, next stop is Monticello. Unless you went to visit
the four corners and Monument Valley then you would only need to take US
191 North to bring you to this same spot. Here in Monticello you need to turn
Right onto US 191 and that will take you up through Mohab and ALL the
National Parks in that area this will bring you to I-70 where you DO NOT
want to stop to fill up. That place is overcharging folks by a buck a gallon
then you can buy it at Green River just 20 miles West of there. Top off at Green
River. There will be some rolling hills with some grades to them. They are
long and there is a definite gain in elevation but not like you'll get in Wy.
or Co. Next you'll feel like Moses leading his flock out of Egypt then you'll
spot the sings for exit 56 Salina, Ut. Take it and hit the gas station again,
you will want to follow US-89 North. Beautiful country, Used to live there as
well OH, and Butch Cassidy grew up in that area. Follow 89 N up to Gunnison
there 89 will do like Yogi Berra once said "there's a fork in the road take it" actually
89 turns right at the north end of town and staying on 89 you'll then soon come to Manti
then Ephriam There's a Wally World there on the Left at the North end of town. Roughly
4 &1/4 miles North past the walmart you'll want to turn Left onto SR- 132
straight to Moroni turn Left at the stop sign careful with the slow speed turn
to the right follow this road through the canyon to I-15 at Nephi.
I have made this trip in 14 hours starting from the 59 exit on I-25 in
Southern N.M.
that was without any type of trailer and I was in a hurry. On the way back I
had an enclosed utility trailer behind me. I stopped at Green River that night
and comfortably made it home the next day.
I-80 through Wy. is windy all the time and there is a gnarley hill to go down
into SLC. The 287 route you mentioned is a nice road 2 lane but in excellent condition. The hills (grades), that you will find in Ut. are comparable to those
in both Wy. and Co, that you are considering. I'm just giving you an option
and one that comes from experience and you don't have the Denver traffic
to mess with with my Southern route.
It iS your decision ...
hank
Thought I'd catch ya before you went past me. Ok if it's windy when you get to
Laramie at the west end of town you can grab US 30W take it if it's windy and
forecast is for more wind. I was blown over in a big rig 30 miles west on 80 back in 2002. Was told after the fact that I shoulda taken 30 to avoid the winds.
Good Luck.