Texas to Ouray questions

[learfxr]

I'd like to haul my YJ up to Ouray from the Ft Worth area. What is the best route to take?

Are there any people from this area that would want to travel the route together?

I want to tow my YJ with my Silverado, so that would limit any crazy back roads along the way I guess.

[fulsizjeep]

I'd like to haul my YJ up to Ouray from the Ft Worth area. What is the best route to take?

Are there any people from this area that would want to travel the route together?

I want to tow my YJ with my Silverado, so that would limit any crazy back roads along the way I guess.

The craziest road will probably be between Silverton and Ouray on US 550. Just go slow and enjoy the scenery. :cool: Don S or some them other Texans can give directions on good roads to get to Durango.

[Michael]

I am still open, but possible, if I can make it then I will be trailering "something" too. No worries get w/ myself,Coletrickle or Don S....one of us will be going.

[Don S]

..


... The routes to Ouray from the east and south east of it have many long steep climbs. These grades can mean running the tow truck at near full throttle for over thirty minutes. This can cause exhaust manifolds to glow red and tranny fluid to boil. Then going down hill there is heat problems with the brakes.

... One route would be going over Raton, LaVeta, Wolf Creek, Yellow Jacket, Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain Passes. The flattest route would be heading north out of Gallup NM through Cortez, Deloris, Reco, Placerville and Ridgway.

... You do not need a trail dedicated rig at Ouray. All the big name trails at Ouray can be done by stock Wagoneers except Poughkeepsie Gulch.
... The most fun and shortest route to get there involves a trail that even a small off road trailer might not make it. In fact the trail is so neat some J-Truck drivers even get wood when they drive that trail.

Have a good one, ;) and CUL.. Don S..

[fulsizjeep]

Don Ole Buddy :) I figured you would speak up on this since you and Doris made that run so many times! I heard some big wood been spotted on that pass you speak of too! :cool:

Don is right about the Gallup, Cortez, Dolores, Stoner Creek, Rico, Telluride, Placerville, Ridgeway to Ouray drive. It is much mellower on the pull. The scenery is pretty durn nice too!

Look here to see some pix of the recent drive to Montrose by way of that route. (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=60447) :thumbsup:

..


... The routes to Ouray from the east and south east of it have many long steep climbs. These grades can mean running the tow truck at near full throttle for over thirty minutes. This can cause exhaust manifolds to glow red and tranny fluid to boil. Then going down hill there is heat problems with the brakes.

... One route would be going over Raton, LaVeta, Wolf Creek, Yellow Jacket, Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain Passes. The flattest route would be heading north out of Gallup NM through Cortez, Deloris, Reco, Placerville and Ridgway.

... You do not need a trail dedicated rig at Ouray. All the big name trails at Ouray can be done by stock Wagoneers except Poughkeepsie Gulch.
... The most fun and shortest route to get there involves a trail that even a small off road trailer might not make it. In fact the trail is so neat some J-Truck drivers even get wood when they drive that trail.

Have a good one, ;) and CUL.. Don S..

[bigun]

Don is right about those climbs from the south Crom spent a lot of time in 2nd gear last year towing the provisions trailer!

[learfxr]

I think I'll definately be rebuilding my transmission in the Silverado before that kind of a trip. I'll be installing a trans temp gauge too. I think I hurt my trans pretty bad towing the J10 to Okla at Thanksgiving. Of course I was doing 75mph all the time, so it's my fault. It slipped a few times since that trip. I'm planning to have it worked as soon as I can get the $.

[FSJeeper]

From Houston I go through Albequerque NM to Durango, Silverton and then Ouray. I stay in Durango before taking the passes into Ouray and I leave before sunrise to avoid the traffic. I find this route very beautiful but it would be tough on some trucks due to the steep grades. I run a 3500 Dodge Cummins truck and this trip is absolutely zero issue on it but a 1/2 ton gasser would sweat a bit I think.