Towing a Trailer from Cortez to Denver (Salida, Monte Vista: custom home, live in)

[Gfi]

I am planning to cross Colorado on vacation in late August. I will be towing a 26' travel trailer (6600 lbs.) with a Chevy Suburban 1500. I'm looking for advice on taking Wolf Creek Pass and then heading north on I-285 into Denver. How are the mountain passes when towing a trailer? Thanks in advance.

[Colorado Rambler]

If your destination is Denver, I'd take I-70 rather than Highway 160, myself. Wolf Creek Pass has been much improved since back in the day, but there are still stretches where the road is only two lanes - in fact most of 160 from Cortez to Monte Vista is two lane and in late August there will be plenty of tourist traffic to make the drive miserable because everyone in a hurry to get somewhere will be driving up your bumper, trying to pass you and narrowly avoiding a head-on, etc., etc. I live in Cortez and if I wanted to haul a 26' travel trailer to Denver, I'd take 491 to Monticello, Utah and then 191 North to I-70. You still have to go over a number of passes on I-70, but its 4 lane interstate and the road is well engineered. Plus, you can putz along in the right hand lane and all the race car drivers can pass you with fewer heart stopping theatrics. What is your actual starting point for the trip?

[jazzlover]

If the guy has never towed a trailer in mountains before--and his question indicates that he hasn't--he probably has no business towing a trailer anywhere in the Colorado mountains. He could easily be both a hazard to himself and a lot of other motorists.

A better option would be for him to drop south and catch I-40 in New Mexico to I-25 to Denver. It's a much longer route, but only features Raton Pass and Monument Hill for mountain driving, much more forgiving than any route from Cortez to Denver in Colorado.

Oh, and in the Colorado mountains, I would consider a 1/2 ton Suburban totally inadequate to tow a 6,600 lb. trailer. That's just asking for trouble. For the record, I used to tow big, heavy trailers all over the Rockies. I wouldn't tow anything over 5,000 lbs. with anything less than a heavy duty 3/4 ton truck, no matter what marketing drivel the manufacturers put out to the contrary.

[mzwatson1]

Where did you find a tow for your Surburban? I can not find anyone

[RockyMtnXpress]

LOL! Best advice from one traveler to another is this. Make sure everything and I mean everything is in tip-top shape mechanically. Take it slow and easy when you encounter Wolf Creek Pass (25 mph or slower wouldn't be unusal pulling a trailer up that grade). Observe the fact you will need to stay in the right lane at all the passing zones. Keep an eye open on the outer edges of your trailer at the first tunnel. The curve there is a little sharp. Again, take it slow and easy on the eastern slope of the pass after the second tunnel. 160 tends to get a little curvy and narrow in this area with no guardrails. Don't let the Drama Queen Drivers bother you at any time (Some really need to cool their jets). Never drive beyond your capabilities.

Poncha Pass -285 north- north slope going down into the Arkansas Valley in a word "slow". Remember, having added weight to your ride can increase your braking distance. A lot of critters -deer mostly- can be found standing in the middle of the road. While this is true throughout Colorado, this is especially true within this stretch of highway (Especially true, as well, between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs). Don't fall into the trap of driving the highway like you would the city. Keep your vision MUCH further down the road and pay paticular attention to a grouping of trees along the road. It helps by keeping you out of those panic stop situations.

When you see the 285-291 junction, wave towards 291. That will be me in our new custom home a mile down and we travel this route quite often. Sometimes pulling a loaded cargo trailer with a half ton...and sometimes after a snow storm from Mancos to Salida! LOL!

Most of all, save yourself some money and time by taking the route you proposed. It's more direct and really isn't that big of an issue as long as you drive it carefully and alert.