First major road trip to Ouray, CO

[Bgibbs]

We're just about packed and ready to get away from the heat. This will be our first multi day trip with the new 26u. Replaced rear brakes, ball joint, tie rod ends, coolant hoses, tires and fuel filter on the tv. Tire pressure monitors on the trailer. I've been thru most of the checklists that I could find on the Forum.
I'm a little concerned about the heat and the 400+ miles to Tucumcari on the first day. Barring any mechanical problems, we'll be fine and looking forward to getting back to Ouray. It's been 6 years and the last trip was on a BMW motorcycle. Quite a contrast! We're taking our two Yorkies with us (a year and a half old brother and sister) and they are sure to keep things interesting.

[Bgibbs]

We're just about packed and ready to get away from the heat. This will be our first multi day trip with the new 26u. Replaced rear brakes, ball joint, tie rod ends, coolant hoses, tires and fuel filter on the tv. Tire pressure monitors on the trailer. I've been thru most of the checklists that I could find on the Forum.
I'm a little concerned about the heat and the 400+ miles to Tucumcari on the first day. Barring any mechanical problems, we'll be fine and looking forward to getting back to Ouray. It's been 6 years and the last trip was on a BMW motorcycle. Quite a contrast! We're taking our two Yorkies with us (a year and a half old brother and sister) and they are sure to keep things interesting.

[Lily&Me]

That should be a beautiful drive.

Have a great trip!


Maggie

[Hans627]

Sounds like a nice trip and you did all the preparations.

Are you driving over Red Mountain from Durango? If so that's an awe-inspiring drive.

Wishing you safe and happy travels!

[kds]

Safe travels---I wish I was going with you!

Kelly

[Gneiss Guy]

Nice place! Hope you have reservations, as the place gets sort of crowded in summer.

[Boomer56]

Me and the wife will be up there for five days in The KOA towards Ridgeway! We go up there every year the first week in August to meet al our 4x4 Family 30+ years now! I have a 82 Excella 280 I'm working on but will be taking my Thor 31 foot towing my toys up there! Maybe we'll see you there?
Boomer

[kdickinson]

That whole area is so great. Have a great drive and a great time. We just got back from the Victor / Cripple Creek area and it was cool enough at night to have to run the furnace - in July

[GammaDog]

We spent 4 nights at Ridgeway State Park just north of Ouray over Memorial Day weekend. Went to Ouray every day. I'd highly recommend Colorado West Jeeps from which we rented a jeep to go up to Yankee Boy Basin. You may be lucky enough that Imogene Pass is open (at 13,000+ feet it was still snowbound when we were there). Whether by jeep trail in a rents jeep or your own truck over the state roads, the trip to telluride is worth it.

Have fun!

[russingr]

We love the Ouray area after our first visit there last year. This year we'll be there July 27 for one week.

[FC7039]

Overlooking Ouray from Amphitheater campground above the town


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Bgibbs]

We've been there many times and with the exception of two trips on a BMW bike, we have always had a 4x4. The Silverado is very capable off-road but is a little long for some of the switchbacks. We might rent something for a day so we could do Black Bear (if the rental company will let us!). Mainly going to relax.

[mandolindave]

I know a few people that ruined their transmissions, on hills, on hot days, going too fast.

On really hot days, I tow in the mornings and evenings.

If you have Google Earth, you can hover the cursor over the highway and get elevations. The highway gets hairy on the way to Silverton, from Ouray.

One year, I saw snow there, in June at the higher elevations. I also cooled drinks in a stream.

[Bgibbs]

Trip not going as planned. First day, we made it to Tucumcary, NM and it was 111 deg when we arrived and, the check engine light came on just outside of town. Park recommended local truck shop, but their scanner would not talk to the Duramax. Next morning pressed on to Morioroty, NM. We could only make 35mph on the hills so the 90 mile trip took a while. When we arrived, they directed us to park adjacent to their service drive and plug in to their 30a service. They looked at the truck and said it was bad injectors ($5500) and possibly a bad injection pump (another $3300). If I was at home, I could order rebuilt injectors and do the job myself. But, in the middle of nowhere, what choice do I have? Injectors and pump were overnighted to Albuquerque and we are patiently waiting. Well, almost patiently.
We had a very pleasant night-better than the KOA in Tucumcari! I just hope they get us out of here today because their service department is not open on Saturday and I really don't want to spent the weekend on Route 66.
Wish us well.

Barry, Joan, Addie and Raider (the puppies)

[LY007]

How many miles on that truck?

[Bgibbs]

170,000 and counting. Dealer offered us a new truck as an alternative to the repairs. Just don't have an extra $65,000 right now!

[Lily&Me]

Bummer!

We call these things "tests", to see what we're made of and how much we can take.

They're crap, and we all hate them, but stuff happens.

Hang in there, things will improve.

Maggie

[mandolindave]

Don't let bad luck win, try to have fun and smile. It sounds like you are doing your best. There are A thousand things that could have happened that would have been MUCH WORSE. At least, no cops, doctors, lawyers, insurance agents, Airstream repairmen, or autobody shops got involved.

It's bad enough, bankers and mechanics come into play. Sorry man.

[Aviator]

If you haven't yet made reservations in Ouray, the Ouray Rv Park and Cabins is owned by a fellow airstream couple. WE had a wonderful time there last summer great location and walkable to town. As a bonus it backs up to the river.

[Bgibbs]

We have reservations at Ouray RV Park and Cabins and they have been so nice. They changed our arrival date from today to Monday and didn't charge us for the change. The mechanic is supposed to come in Sunday to see if he can get us on the road. One of the Service Advisors here at the dealer and his wife offered to let us come to their house and shower or whatever. If you are ever in the area, Tillery Chevrolet in Moriarty, NM is the place to go. Only Chevy dealer between Amarillo and Albuquerque. Our fresh water tank is 60% full and we should have enough room in the black and gray tanks. We have been trying to use the dealer's facilities when they are open and we have full use of a loaner car. Could be a lot worse. We're going to the local museums tomorrow.