Community Forums

X-OEM · 04-26-2017, 08:50 AM

40 Foot class A towing. Anyone drive the Blue Ridge Parkway? The NPS website about tunnel height along that route is down.

They seem somewhat cautionary on their website about cars along the route with very small or NO shoulders and sharp curves. I realize they are addressing the unwashed masses but still has me thinking

Are there reasonable spots to rest for the night along the way. Saw a few campgrounds and seemed really small, but didn't do a whole lot of research yet in case I can't drive it comfortably. I can probably drive on anything, but will I enjoy it? If I don't see any of it because I am white knuckling it then why bother.

Advice from any veterans out there? Thanks all......

ModestMonk · 04-26-2017, 10:14 AM

It's back up?

Tunnel Clearances - Blue Ridge Parkway

Betr2Trvl · 04-26-2017, 10:36 AM

Driving the Bue Ridge Parkway in a large RV is always good for a lot debate......

Yes you can, and some do, but I would not do it more out of courtesy to others (I mean really, do you like getting stuck behind an RV and not being able to pass it?), and there is some space limitations at some pull offs. And obviously, if everyone in a big RV decided to drive the BRP it would be miserable for everyone......

There is also consideration for personal comfort of driving a large RV on a winding road, as well as tunnel clearance challenges that will probably have you driving on / over the center line and since the parkway is not driven by commercial trucks, you also get a lot of tree overhang that can scratch up your RV assuming you stay in your lane both obviously creating potential safety issues.........

Also, some of the roads on / off the parkway are not big RV friendly at all.

My suggestion is to follow the parkway on other main roads, there plenty of campgrounds to find along the way, and explore the parkway in your toad which will be much more enjoyable for everyone.

BTW, hwy 19 east of Cherokee, NC is NOT big RV friendly........ Go south around Sylva on 74 to get between Cherokee and Asheville.

Regards

znt1186 · 04-26-2017, 10:37 AM

I drive the BRP everyday. In fact, I have driven it all of my life. I would not recommend it for a large motorhome, at least not in the North Carolina mountains stretch of it. It is a road designed for cars in the 40's. Can you do it? Yes. Will the driver enjoy it? Probably not. There are other in depth threads on the parkway on this forum that you can research.

**TonyDi** · 04-26-2017, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znt1186

I drive the BRP everyday. In fact, I have driven it all of my life. I would not recommend it for a large motorhome, at least not in the North Carolina mountains stretch of it. It is a road designed for cars in the 40's. Can you do it? Yes. Will the driver enjoy it? Probably not. There are other in depth threads on the parkway on this forum that you can research.

I've driven the BRP many times. Can you do it? Yes. Should you do it? No. You're going to travel it to enjoy the vistas and the whole mountain road experience. Some pull off are barely large enough for a single car, yet a MH.
Drive the main roads and explore the Pkwy with your toad. It will be more fun.

X-OEM · 04-27-2017, 08:03 AM

Some very thoughtful answers and will be heeded. Staying now just outside of Pigeon Forge and got a taste of that Parkway yesterday. I am taking your advice and not trying to drive it. The points about the enjoyment factor and the annoyance factor for other cars is what convinced me.

The part we drove yesterday was doable but would have been stressful. Thanks everybody, advice taken AND appreciated

BTW - woke up to thunderstorms this AM - NOT in the forecast

Charlie and Martha · 04-27-2017, 08:12 AM

Pay attention to the speed limits on the BRP (not that you would exceed them...just sayin). I was there last June and the police were sure doing their best to fill their respective agency coffers for sure. The police presence was very heavy.