Opinion on a route..

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.