Any issue with driving a 40 foot motorhome towing from Santa Fe to Taos and then on to Pagosa Springs. It has been almost ten years since I was in the Taos area and I seem to recall some tight roads in and around Taos. Highway 64 west out of Taos goes through mountains, any issues there?
In Taos, you'll do a straight-thru shot through the plaza area, so you won't have a problem with your 40-footer. (What does become a problem is if you decide to make a turn at the plaza with your rig.)
After you leave Taos, you will indeed go through some mountains between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla (just before Chama). It's a fair climb, but nothing that should cause great problems as long as you're talking about summertime travel. (US 64 through that area is sometimes closed in the wintertime.)
If you haven't been to Taos before, and you have a toad, you should drive the loop around to Angel Fire, Eagle Nest and Red River. Lovely high country scenery and easy day drive. Also near Taos is the Rio Grand bridge and canyon just a short drive west of town. Did you stay at Santa Fe Skies? Thats my home port as often as I can get out there.
Order is illusion. Chaos is reality. But right or wrong I'm still the captain.
For Santa Fe we stayed at Cochiti Lake Corps of Engineers campground - big sites - and drove the Jeep to the Santa Fe Farmer's Market area and then picked up the city bus to take us to the historic district. It was very easy and busses run all day long. For Taos, you can also drive the above-mentioned "loop" toward Eagle Nest with your motorhome and it's the best way to get out of Taos. In fact, there are RV parks just outside of the congestion of Taos itself and also at Eagle Nest and Red River and you don't have to go near the main historic district with the motorhome. It's a good two-lane paved road. Consider staying in Red River and poke around the area.
Getting out of the area Hwy 64 west is good taking you toward Chama and then 64/84 into Pagosa. Be sure to allow some time in Pagosa to spend a morning soaking in the wonderful hot springs pools. It a pleasant setting with pools of varying temperatures. We did that two mornings - very relaxing. Take some drinks with you.
Another very scenic option after Taos is to backtrack a little toward Espanola and pick up Hwy 84 north toward Abiquiu and then on toward Chama. Abiquiu has a great Corp of Engineers campground - Abiquiu Lake and this is the area that the renowned painter, Georgia O'Keefe drew her inspirations - beautiful country. All roads were very suitable for our 40' motorhome. We, ourselves, would not spend time in Chama - a tiny, tiny town. There is a train ride - expensive - but it would be best enjoyed during the fall color season. Have a good trip!
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I prefer Hwy84 myself for the same reasons you meantioned. Also a side trip to Ojo Caliente is a fun visit. Hot spring mineral baths, massage and very good dinner! They have a rather rustic RV campground but Abiquiu Lake is way better.
And speaking of Santa Fe, you can park an RV at the Railrunner station right off I25 just SE of town. Couple bucks for a senior gives you an all day pass right into town or down to Albuquerque and back. Also there is a large free parking lot by the government complex and SF Info Center just a couple blocks from the square for those with toads. And the best lunch deal in SF is the all you can eat Mex buffet at the La Fonda Hotel near the square.
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We did the Santa Fe - Taos - Pagosa Springs route (64 & 84) last summer with our 5th wheel. Only the section from Tres Piedras west over the San Juans had any elevations and they weren't that bad. Very delightful ride.
If you need to stop for groceries, etc in Taos be sure to stop on the south end before you get into the downtown area as there is little space for your rig in that area. Once you get through town on your way out there are places to pull over if necessary, but not many reasons to stop. One place on the way out of Taos that we did stop for was called Pepe's House. It was on the right side of the road and kind of a large place full of outdoor wrought iron pieces, ceramic tiles inside with plenty of the unusual if you like that kind of stuff. I picked up some mexican ceramic tiles for some artsy project(s).
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