Hey guys, we recently ran our camper (2003 Yukon xl, 1500 and approx. 6100 lb trailer) up to Burnsville NC. We got off at 226 because that is how the GPS took us and boy was it a surprise. 14% grade for 3 or 4 miles with switchbacks (found out after we made it to the top). 1st gear and about 25-30 miles per hour up it, foot was about 1/2 to 3/4 to the floor. Engine temp never moved though. Man that was fun. I don't know how we would have come down though.We left the camper up there and are going to be bringing it to boone, has anyone ran the 19E to 181 to 221 to 105 route? How is it? Also, when coming out of boone there is a 8% grade for about 4 miles, should I just gear down to 1st or second and use the trailer brake to slow me down? I've never done this in a camper before.

Just out of curiosity, what GPS are you using? Is it one that you can input your RV info?Whenever you can, always let the engine of the car do the slowing for you, so yes, when coming out of Boone, gear down.Thanks,WoodGlue

I bet that was entertaining. Coming down a stiff grade, make sure the controller is properly adjusted, gear down at the top and use your service brakes lightly to keep things out of white knuckle territory. Don't rely on the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle too.

Also don't forget to put on your 4-way flashers while coming down.Does your TV have tow-haul mode on the tranny?

When I lived in the foothills of NC years and years ago, I loved driving those mountain roads on my motorcycle. I cannot imagine doing some of them now, with my truck and TT... You've got more guts of steel than I do.

The wife and I were just looking at that area last night. I have been in the area you are talking about, but not towing. I have towed to Maggie Valley and that area. Last trip got behind someone towing a R-pod with a Yukon between Maggie Valley and Cherokee. By the time he made the bottom, his braked were flaming. Any traveling I do in the mountains I stay with interstate as much as possible and avoid the secondary roads.

North Carolina Mountain Driving | Good Sam Community

WoodGlue
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
Just out of curiosity, what GPS are you using? Is it one that you can input your RV info?

Whenever you can, always let the engine of the car do the slowing for you, so yes, when coming out of Boone, gear down.

Thanks,

WoodGlue
romore
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2013
I bet that was entertaining. Coming down a stiff grade, make sure the controller is properly adjusted, gear down at the top and use your service brakes lightly to keep things out of white knuckle territory. Don't rely on the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle too.
wmoses
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
Also don't forget to put on your 4-way flashers while coming down.

Does your TV have tow-haul mode on the tranny?
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
When I lived in the foothills of NC years and years ago, I loved driving those mountain roads on my motorcycle. I cannot imagine doing some of them now, with my truck and TT... You've got more guts of steel than I do.
Dtaylor
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
The wife and I were just looking at that area last night. I have been in the area you are talking about, but not towing. I have towed to Maggie Valley and that area. Last trip got behind someone towing a R-pod with a Yukon between Maggie Valley and Cherokee. By the time he made the bottom, his braked were flaming. Any traveling I do in the mountains I stay with interstate as much as possible and avoid the secondary roads.
NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
Thanks guys, it was more the unknown factor than guts of steel, Its hard to turn around when you know you are already in deep crap. Come to learn of it, if I would have taken 221 around to 19 it is only a 8% grade up and real nice.

Someone told me woodalls has a east coast mountain driving book that you can purchase, I will have to figure out where to get it from

BTW, where in the Maggie valley, Cherokee area is there a grade? I know there is one on 19 on the back road but I didn't think there was one on the 74/19 bypass
Dennis_Smith
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
next time look at a paper map and base your trip off of that. Just to rely on a GPS is a little dumb.
Dtaylor
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
NCMODELA wrote:

BTW, where in the Maggie valley, Cherokee area is there a grade? I know there is one on 19 on the back road but I didn't think there was one on the 74/19 bypass

It was on 19
martinto
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
I went to Cherokee in July, but took the Smoky Mountain Parkway instead if 19 to avoid the switchbacks and steep grades. A recent trip north of Asheville to a mountain campground was uneventful.

I use the tow mode on my Yukon with 6.2l pulling about 5000 lbs. I find that on steep downhill grades, I just tap the brake and the transmission goes into braking mode. A nice function providing control of both the rig and my nerves!
eabc5454
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013
Fresh undergarments would be required...