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GPG52_'s avatar
GPG52_
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2014

COUGAR 327 RES MAIDEN VOYAGE

Gents
We are finally taking our new Cougar 327 and new Ford F250 out for our first summer trip.
Ontario to Nashville, TN (via I75, 71,65)
Nashville to Cherokee, NC (via 40, 60 to Gatlinburg and through Great Smokey Mtn. Nat'l Park crossing at Newfound Gap el 5,048ft)
Cherokee, NC to Asheville,NC to Statesville (via I40), Buffalo, NY (via I77, 79, 90) back to Ontario.
QUESTION:
How friendly is the Newfound Gap crossing through Great Smokey Mtn. Nat'l Park for bigger rigs?
Or should we error on the side of caution and loop through Ashville (40) and double back to Cherokee?
Any insight would be appreciated.
GPG
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jun 23, 2014
    Campinfan wrote:
    I just had my maiden voyage on my Cougar. Trust me, make sure they ran the fridge drip tube out thru the louvers. I did not check this and we had water in our trailer. The drip tube was tucked into the fridge with a note that said it must exit the vehicle.

    I knew that...I just did not check it when we bought it.


    As did the dealer... :-(

    Lyle
  • Campinfan's avatar
    Campinfan
    Explorer III
    Jun 23, 2014
    I just had my maiden voyage on my Cougar. Trust me, make sure they ran the fridge drip tube out thru the louvers. I did not check this and we had water in our trailer. The drip tube was tucked into the fridge with a note that said it must exit the vehicle.

    I knew that...I just did not check it when we bought it.
  • Greg_The_Hammer's avatar
    Greg_The_Hammer
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    If you decide to go via Asheville, have lunch or dinner at Binion's Roadhouse in Hendersonville, just south of Asheville. Great restaurant. Safe travels!
  • 2324delk's avatar
    2324delk
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Just drove my 30 Cougar over it two weeks ago.

    I would rather go over than around.

    Just use your gears don't get in a hurry, and you should be fine.
  • Dandy_Dan's avatar
    Dandy_Dan
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Congrats on the new unit. While in Asheville, if you go that way, stop in at the Biltmore Estate. They have big rig parking and a shuttle that will take you to the home. In Nashville check out the campgrounds on Music Valley Road. That puts you about 1 mile from the Grand Ole Opry. There are a couple of nice campgrounds just a little east of Seiverville and not too far off of 40.
  • Coach-man's avatar
    Coach-man
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2014
    I have not driven an RV thru Newfound gap, but I have driven my car thru there. Personally I would go to Ashville and double back with a rig. Someone else may disagree, but to me too many turns on a narrow road to make it relaxing, enjoyable. Just my $0.02 worth, good luck! We enjoy that area very much.

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