I'm in Pigeon Forge, Tenn and in 2 days I am going to Hendersonville, NC pulling a big travel trailer. Google offers me 2 routes through the mountains: I-40 and 441. It recommends I-40. Highway 441 looks beautiful, but more twisty. Would you take I-40 pulling a big travel trailer?

We chose I40 a couple years ago for that route. Considered 441 but did not do it for the reason of twisty roads. We may do it at some point.I40 is no "piece od cake" driving. Lots of grades and curves.

how "big" is big? years ago we drove our 35' class A MH towing our Jeep SUV (total length was 45-46 feet) over 441 to Cherokee and then US19 to Waynesville where we picked up the Blue Ridge (had to go to Waynesville as we were too tall for some of the tunnels). 441 was a very nice drive, curves and all. we're selling our 40' class A (close to 60' with the Jeep in tow) but we wouldn't hesitate to go 441 again.

If it were me, I’d go I40 > I26 to Hendersonville.

DO NOT DO 441 WITH A BIG TRAILER. It is steep and very curvy. I see class C's with burned up brakes all the time on the Gap road. It would be a workout towing a big trailer and you better have some mountain towing experience behind you if you do take it on. Do the 40 to 26 route. SO much easier. I have a 37 ft. trailer and I don't even try to go over the Gap....I go around. Take Veterans Parkway out of Pigeon Forge....that's the road Dollywood is on. Go up to 411 and head east. It will connect to 40. There will be a short distance with some curves and a slight downhill grade and it goes by the Bush's bean plant and visitor center. Lots of room for a trailer to park and go in the visitor center. Then the road opens up to a new 4 lane divided Hwy. all the way to 40. (40 is a right turn when you hit 25/70, 411 ends there)As far as going through the Pigeon River Gorge just fall in with the trucks and follow them. It's up hill for about 20 miles but not terribly steep, but steep enough to keep your foot heavy on the gas pedal. Pass the trucks if you have to. There are 2 tunnels that have plenty of height so don't worry when you see the sign.....take up both lanes if you have to to go through the middle if you're more comfortable with that. I have no trouble with my 2500 and my trailer...10KGVWR.

Don't go through the Park. Even if you don't have issues, there are going to be LOTS of folks who are going to. No places to pass. steep grades - up and down. Think of the people you are going to inconvenience if you go that way.

Pigeon Forge to North Carolina | Good Sam Community

wildtoad
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2023
If it were me, I’d go I40 > I26 to Hendersonville.
rk911
Explorer
Apr 06, 2023
how "big" is big? years ago we drove our 35' class A MH towing our Jeep SUV (total length was 45-46 feet) over 441 to Cherokee and then US19 to Waynesville where we picked up the Blue Ridge (had to go to Waynesville as we were too tall for some of the tunnels). 441 was a very nice drive, curves and all. we're selling our 40' class A (close to 60' with the Jeep in tow) but we wouldn't hesitate to go 441 again.
phil-t
Explorer
Apr 06, 2023
We chose I40 a couple years ago for that route. Considered 441 but did not do it for the reason of twisty roads. We may do it at some point.
I40 is no "piece od cake" driving. Lots of grades and curves.

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