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03-24-2016, 08:07 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
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Blueridge Parkway
In the March IRV2 news letter under " five national parks you should see in your RV" they mentioned the Blueridge Parkway. The article didn't mention any restrictions.
I thought much of the Blueridge Parkways was not friendly to large RVs.
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Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
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03-25-2016, 05:36 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 679
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Driven the parkway many times, in regular vehicles. Lived in NC, and now Va., and heve traveled parkway 100's of times in cars and motorcycles, but would never tale a large rv up there. No restrictions, but you need to be aware that many areas of the parkway, especially in NC, the roads are either up or down, with many, many curves, grades, and switchbacks. All roadways are two lane, and many tight curves are right next to overhangs, so you must be very careful as you could easily scrape or damage your rig.
Additionally, you have to pay attention to the many tunnels you'll come across. They will accomidate an rv, but many of them have low sides, so you may have to pass thru them more toward the center, even crossing over the center line.
As a driver, your focus will be entirely, and I mean 110% on driving, and you will not be able to take in the views.
Looking at your signature it looks like you have a large class a, towing a toad.
Your call, but if it were mine, I'd pass on the parkway. We have a 28 ft class c, towing a toad, and I wouldn't take my rig up there, much less what you have.
Again, my opinion only.
Grumpy
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03-25-2016, 05:39 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Selah
In the March IRV2 news letter under " five national parks you should see in your RV" they mentioned the Blueridge Parkway. The article didn't mention any restrictions.
I thought much of the Blueridge Parkways was not friendly to large RVs.
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Selah
I had no problems traveling the length of the Blueridge Parkway from north to south with my 35 footer towing a Saturn Ion.
Mel
'96 Safari
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03-25-2016, 05:46 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,135
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I agree with Grumpy. I did it once, it was scary and no fun in a 40 footer. White knuckles, and a chore to maintain 30 mph or so. Would be fine in a class B or small class C, but not for a big rig. I couldn't wait to get off that road. Unfortunately, once you are on it there are no exits for many many miles, and the exit roads are not much better.
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Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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03-25-2016, 05:47 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Agree with Grumpy. We lived near Roanoke, VA near the BRP for 40 years and have driven every mile of the BRP plus the Skyline Drive. I would not want to do it in a large RV. It is a beautiful thing, especially the western portions in NC. I believe the best bet is to find RV parks near the BRP and explore the scenic road in your car/toad.
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2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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03-25-2016, 06:01 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia Beach, Va
Posts: 1,924
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We are frequent motorcycle riders on it and would not take our 38 footer. You may want to check Tunnel Clearances - Blue Ridge Parkway for tunnel clearances. I thought the note on top that indicated the height could change from 1-6 inches was telling!
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Russ - USN SWO (ret) - 2018 Dutch Star 4369 Spartan Chassis a Road Glide CVO & Dyna Switchback in an Iron horse trailer or a Jeep Unlimited Alliance Valor 40V13 toyhauler (on order) with Harley CVO ROad Glide and Dyna Switchback in the garage, pulled by a F350 DRW
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03-25-2016, 06:08 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 679
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Additionally, because you will have a hard time maintaining speed, you may have a long line of other vehicles stack up behind you. Aside from the overlooks, there are no places to pull to the side to let them pass. And, you WILL have impatient drivers crossing the double no passing lines to pass you.
Also, this time of year, it's going to be very busy, traffic wise. Overlook pull-offs are going to be crowded, and many cannot take large rv's without causing problems.
And then there are the motorcyclists. Most are just cruising, taking in the sights. But many are on crotch rockets, and love to pass, especially on blind curves. Not fun to be in your lane, negotiating a curve, and see a bike almost coming right at you.
As for the exit roads leading off the parkway to towns along the way....some of the roads are even worse as far as curves, switchbacks, ect.
Advice...find a nice campground near the parkway as a base, and enjoy the parkway in your toad.
Grumpy
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03-25-2016, 06:22 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW, Tex-US
Posts: 6,196
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Agree whole heartedly on leaving the coach at the park!!! Heck, some of the tunnels and curves concerned us in the JEEP !
Stay at Bear Creek in Asheville and take the toad, especially the jeeps so you can do the trails..
and the 2nd pic is out our front window @ Bear Creek.
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'11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT RR10R pushed by a '14 Jeep Wrangler JKU. History.. 5'ers: 13 Redwood 38gk(junk!), 11 MVP Destiny, Open Range TT, Winn LeSharo, C's, popups, vans, tents...
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03-25-2016, 07:08 AM
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#9
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,512
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Can you do the Blue Ridge Pkwy in a large MH, yes. Will you enjoy it, no. Some of the pull offs are too small, and you will have missed some great vistas.
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Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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03-25-2016, 07:19 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 333
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no
we rented a car for 2 days, much better
Jim
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03-25-2016, 07:30 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: reynoldsburg, ohio
Posts: 432
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this was a helpful thread..............we had talked about doing the BRP in our 40 dft knight several times, but now, I believe we will do it in a car.....................
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03-25-2016, 07:40 AM
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#12
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,768
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I too agree with most that it would not be any fun in a large MH!
We love to stay at the Pride RV Resort near Maggie Valley, NC. The BRP crosses Hwy 19 right out of Maggie Valley, so you can jump on and go north or south!
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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03-25-2016, 07:40 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 4,671
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No problems driving the complete BRP.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
-Tom, W3TLN
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Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN 2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
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03-25-2016, 07:54 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,149
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I live in Asheville and drive a short stretch of the BRP to and from work every day. I have lived here for 64 years and have spent many days joy riding on the Parkway. It is a beautiful road with many scenic vistas. Yes, you can drive it in a motor home. As said earlier, a few of the tunnels are challenging, but there is a published guide to tunnel clearances available. A lot of the time, the driver of the mh will not be as interested in the view as keeping the mh on the roadway and in their lane. There are some long steep grades that can heat your brakes significantly (Overheated mine one time many years ago in a car, it was a bit scary).
I would say it is your choice. You can get on it and try it out to see if you really want to do it. A good test would be to get on at Soco Gap just west of Maggie Valley, NC and go north past Water Rock Knob to Balsam Gap. You will get a good taste of the turns and grades on the southern end of the Parkway. If you like that part, then go for it.
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