Black Mountain whooped my butt !!

CampingN.C. wrote:
I've been dreading our trip to Gatlinburg since we planned it and most of my fears came true. I just flat out ran out of horses coming up. When I got to the top I was in second running about 40mph and slowing. If I had another mile to go I'm sure I would have been in first, and much slower.
Honestly, I thought it would've done a little better based on some of my trips in the NC mountains (226,221 and 421). I was expecting screaming RPM's in second but still holding the chosen speed. I guess the difference is there's NO break on the way up, no up and down, just up for about six miles.
I still love my truck but I'll never make that pull again with it. My wife signed off on a newer truck about 100ft past the top !:D

Remember, here east of the Mississippi, we don't have any mountains. :R..I've towed the Black Mountain grade quite a few times over the years as well as the Saluda grade on I26 which, when heading into Hendersonvilles eems to go on and on....traveling I26 from Erwin TN into NC offers 6 and short 7% grades for about 8 miles....that one is a test also.....

Traveling I77 through Va and WVa north has some steep grades, several at 6-7% for long stretches.. I64 from Sandstone Falls in WVa toward Beckley intersect of I77 has a run of about 5-6 miles of 7% grade called the New River Gorge drive...test have been done on this run of road when Big 3 did one of their many tow test around the country....Highest elevation you'll hit on secondary road in NC will be a little over 6,000'...in WVa it's right at a mile....and you have a lot of very steep secondary roads in NC, TN Va and WVa that'll give you an idea of just how good your tow vehicle is

Haven't had any issues with going down hill. In tow/haul and EB on agressive, truck will almost come to a complete stop taking foot off throttle.....tranny gears down..pretty awesome:)