North Carolina Mountain Driving

NCMODELA wrote:
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.

Coming down 226 is not so bad. The speedlimit down is 15 MPH use 1st gear. I came down it towing our last TT with our current truck. No problems. Trick is to NOT ride the brakes. 1st gear takes care of that. Second part of the trick is to NOT let it get away in the first place. It's much easier to keep it under control, than to try to get it back.

As for taking it to Boone. Run 105 all the way in. A easy ride, No bad curves, no steep grades. 221 into Blowing Rock, on the other hand. Is very twisty.

Am curious about the 8% grade coming out of Boone? If you use 321 it is only 6%, for about 7 miles. The gears will hold you back fine. Ends up in Lenior, and then Hickory.

However. That is all dependent on the your TV being GAS, or If a diesel, It has a exhaust brake, or other engine brake.