Interstate 40 thru eastern TN and western NC

We've driven that stretch a number of times in both directions with every motorhome we've owned. Some made it up the hills quicker than others, but they all got us there. Going down the hills just meant paying attention our speed and using appropriate shifting and braking procedures to maintain it.

WOW! If that route bothers you, you sure do not want to go west of the Mississippi!

Love that stretch of highway, whether in the car or in the motorhome.

If I 40 over Black Mountain scares you , you are really limited to where you can travel. Best to stick to the flat lands. Any route through the Smokey mountains or the Appalachens will have hills.

I've traveled that route many, many, many times in my lifetime, as far back as 1971. Driven that route with all types of vehicles and towing different trailers. I once towed a completely loaded (large) U-haul trailer being towed by a Oldsmobile Cutlass that had a clamp on bumper hitch from U-Haul. Of course that trailer had no brakes. I was in my early 20's when I did that, and I don't remember having any problems at all (I was traveling alone moving, once with a U-haul in 1979 and then again in 1980 ... same vehicle).

Been over that mountain range on I-40 with 18 wheelers, to motorcycles. Pop-up camper, to my current Outback TT. I've enjoyed every time I've done the route. Yes, it's exhilerating! But I've learned to just let those 18 wheelers whiz on by, and hold my speed steady.

By the way, my current truck has the exhaust brake and tow mode on it. And oh, how nice it was driving that route (as recent as last March 2017). With cruise control, I never touched the brakes the entire route.

If I-40 bothers you do not want to travel 421 between North Wilkesboro and Boone even tho it is 4 lanes, unfortunately 3 really good campgrounds are in Boone so off we go.

I think all Interstates have the 6% grades with a few at 7%... what they don't tell you is how long the grades are haha...

I40 never bothered me all that much... been on I40 from Gatlinburg TN to I95 many times.. Have also made the I26 from Charleston SC to I40 at Ashville NC and on into Gatlingburg then take I81 to get back home on...

Roy Ken

bucky wrote:

The moral of the story is this. If you are pulling a big heavy TT with your half ton short bed GO SOME OTHER WAY.

Are you saying you did not like the pull and descent over Black Mtn ? :B

Have you driven I-74/I-77 from Winston Salem to I-81 to I-40? It is a few miles farther, but wondering about any serious grades.