RV Driving On Winding Roads

Above, the Million Dollar Highway south of Ouray, Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have done my share of driving winding roads. Most recently, I drove Highway 550 (which includes the Million Dollar Highway) from Durango to Ridgway, Colorado in my Class C motorhome. 

I also did a lot of winding road driving through Arizona and the western edge of New Mexico while driving to and from Tombstone and Tucson back in April. The motorhome handled the roads well and the 10 cylinder Ford Triton engine took the upgrades just fine.

Do It Yourself RV has posted some tips on driving safely on winding roads in an RV.

They begin with:

Safely navigating winding roads in your RV is crucial, especially if you’re keen on venturing into the mountains, valleys, and remote areas. The essence of owning an RV is to explore, and winding roads are a part of that journey. With careful planning and honed driving skills, these challenges can be safely overcome.

The weight of your vehicle plays a significant role when tackling winding roads, especially those with a grade. Most winding roads have switchbacks due to the practicalities of construction. When traveling on such roads, be conscious of gravitational and centrifugal forces, which increase with your vehicle’s weight.

Factors like elevation and the steepness of the grade are other critical considerations. For instance, elevations in the Rocky Mountains can reach up to 14,000 feet, affecting braking.

To read more, go here.