Forum Discussion

falconbrother's avatar
falconbrother
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2018

Opinion on a route..

I'm pulling my travel trailer to Maggie Valley in a week from central NC. The straightest route is straight out I-40 and up Black Mountain. However, I can go down to Charlotte, take 74 West and up 26 and avoid climbing Black Mountain. This adds about 35 minutes to the drive. If I were making this trip today this is the way I would go. I'm pulling a 5800 dry TT with a 1500 Suburban. Tanks will be bone dry. I'll be alone. So, the actual trailer weight won't be much over the dry weight, save the WD hitch and 100 pounds of various stuff.

Experience, opinions? The last time I pulled a camper up Black Mountain it was a 3600 pound TT behind an F-150. No problems.
  • falconbrother's avatar
    falconbrother
    Explorer II
    Jun 13, 2018
    Thanks guys. My old suburban is a daily driver so I know it pretty well. And I'm beyond anal about regular maintenance. It has pulled the trailer through many low mountains with a few steep mile long uphills. It does OK as long as you're not in a hurry (and I just refuse to beat on it). When we get my wife's van paid off I'll start looking for a better tow vehicle. I don't really want a diesel although I'd take one, Lord knows I've looked. I think that the 6.0, 4L80e would be a good setup for my travel trailer in a 3/4 ton chassis (van, truck, suburban/yukon XL)..
  • Gulfcoast's avatar
    Gulfcoast
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2018
    Looks like Black Mountain is a 6% grade. I wish I could get to Dillsboro NC from Atlanta without doing the 7% grade from Franklin to Dillsboro.
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Jun 12, 2018
    Been on both grades many times. Saluda Grade is shorter, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to avoid Black Mountain Grade. You shouldn’t have a problem with either.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jun 12, 2018
    falconbrother wrote:
    I'm pulling my travel trailer to Maggie Valley in a week from central NC. The straightest route is straight out I-40 and up Black Mountain. However, I can go down to Charlotte, take 74 West and up 26 and avoid climbing Black Mountain. This adds about 35 minutes to the drive. If I were making this trip today this is the way I would go. I'm pulling a 5800 dry TT with a 1500 Suburban. Tanks will be bone dry. I'll be alone. So, the actual trailer weight won't be much over the dry weight, save the WD hitch and 100 pounds of various stuff.

    Experience, opinions? The last time I pulled a camper up Black Mountain it was a 3600 pound TT behind an F-150. No problems.


    Truly a waste of time to go down 74, and UP 26. Let it be known to go UP 26 you will have to go UP Saluda Grade. It has the same level grade as Black Mountain. Yep it is just as steep as Black Mountain. It is however a tiny bit shorter, but not enough to make a difference. So you may as well go ahead and taker up Black Mountain. No problem really. Just take your time, and let it rev. Get over in the truck lane, and ease along.

    Going up is easy. You will want to gear way down on the way down.
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2018
    I have pulled a former 6500lb trailer with a 1500 Silverado up Black Mtn. with no problem. Put it in manual and go to 3rd and let those horses run. It is not that bad. It would not be worth it for me to go 35 minutes out of my way just to miss Black Mtn.
  • martinto's avatar
    martinto
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2018
    I’ve pulled a est 7000 lb TT up and down Black Mtn. I do have the Max Tow pkg and the 6.2. If your Sub has a tow pkg, tranny cooler and tow haul mode, and in good mechanical condition, you shouldn’t have a problem. The climb may be slower, it’s the descent that requires good control so you don’t overheat the brakes. Safe travels.

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