Community Forums

biggcrisp · 04-05-2017, 07:36 AM

So, next week I will be driving from Asheville, NC to Sweetwater, Tn. My plans are to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to Cherokee and then 129 or (the dragon) over to Sweetwater.

I have driven this route with a corvette and know it is tight. Commercial vehicles over 30' are banned. I'm just under 28'.

Anyone ever driven this route with a camper? There are full hookup sites in the area with no length restrictions.

Mageksl · 04-05-2017, 09:27 AM

I've done the Tail of the Dragon on a motorcycle and in a Suburban. Did not enjoy the trip in the suburban.

dwhit · 04-05-2017, 01:26 PM

I hated the drive on an old Gold Wing...and you wanna drag a camper?

Me thinks you'll regret this. That tree won't support the mangled camper.

Podivin · 04-05-2017, 01:31 PM

This seems like one of those "it seemed like a good idea at the time" things.
If you do it, let us know how it turned out.

Beau388 · 04-05-2017, 01:32 PM

Take the Cherohala Skyway to TN and avoid the dragon. Just be sure your brakes are in good order. Numerous places to pull over and see the scenery and cool the brakes.

JUS1MO · 04-05-2017, 01:41 PM

I have been through Deals Gap - "Tail Of the Dragon" several times on a Harley and a few more in a car. I have actually witnessed three motorcycle accidents with one resulting in death. I have seen a "lost" 18 wheeler trying to make it through with a police escort, stopping all traffic both ways. It is 318 curves in 11 miles.

My recommendation is not to try going through there pulling anything, especially if it is on a weekend....

allegro1x · 04-05-2017, 01:46 PM

300+ curves in 11 miles = wreck in camper?

Betr2Trvl · 04-05-2017, 01:49 PM

You have driven the Tail in a Vette, and you are asking if it's ok to take your camper?

Just how "welcome" do you think you'll be, safe or not. You know those "one finger" waves will not be "you are #1". And while it may not technically be your fault, how would you feel when an impatient bike or car tries to get around you (knowing you shouldn't be there in the first place) and has a wreck......

or you go off, or you cause a "head on" when you cross over the center line in a tight corner?

RVs of any sort don't belong on the Tail. Just because "you can" doesn't need mean "you should" (which you really already know anyway).

I drove it twice, in in a CooperS and Porsche, going on 10 years ago, and never plan on going back in anything.............

J Birder · 04-05-2017, 01:56 PM

I'll be a contrarian. I towed my 5th wheel down the Tail of the Dragon, and thought it was great fun. I think DW kept her eyes closed. Just keep it in a lower gear, and go slow.

BTW, There are two tunnels at the western end of the Blue Ridge Parkway that may be too low for you. You may need to get off at Maggie Valley, and take U.S. 19 to Cherokee.

Joel

Allen_C · 04-05-2017, 03:04 PM

I've been on 129 serveral times and would never want to try to take an rv on it. Too easy for bad things to happen in that 11 mile stretch. As stated earlier, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Hope we do not hear of an rv getting stuck or drastically messing up traffic in the near future!

nosticks · 04-05-2017, 03:05 PM

Tail of the Dragon with a camper, are you nuts.

I drove it in my diesel pickup and did not enjoy it. I was alone and could not enjoy any scenery, as I was busy driving and avoiding maniacs on motorcycles at way over the 30 mph speed limit, often in my lane on tight curves. When I finished that trip, btw I didn't plan it, my GPS took me there on a trip, I needed a heavy dose of Ibuprofen to kill the pain in my arms and shoulders. Had I been in my C06 Vette, I would have enjoyed the hell out of it.

cyclist922 · 04-05-2017, 03:06 PM

I've ridden the Dragon on my Spyder, no way I'd drive an RV on it. A class B would likely make it, but where's the fun in that? Tow a bike or trike to Maggie Valley, then hit the Dragon on that.

777 Driver · 04-05-2017, 03:13 PM

Although it may be legal to drive the Tail of the Dragon in all sorts of Recreational Vehicles, I would expect that some would consider it rude if your Recreational Vehicle is larger than a motorcycle or passenger car.

When I drove it in a Subaru Outback, I greatly appreciated my ability to take the many turnouts available in order to quickly allow the numerous "more nimble" Recreational Vehicles to pass without undue delay in their fun. Although I expect that they appreciated my courtesy, none waved as they passed me; they were busy accelerating.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised that, if someone were to be driving the Tail of the Dragon in a Recreational Vehicle large enough to actually sleep in, there will be some waves.

It's a truly great drive, in the right kind of vehicle.

Take care,
Stu

xrated · 04-05-2017, 05:11 PM

I've been there a "couple" of times. From my driveway to Tabcat Bridge (where the road turns away from the lake), is 18 miles. It's a fun road in or on the right type of vehicle (car or motorcycle), but honestly, you would be putting yourself through a lot of grief and misery trying to drive a truck/trailer through there. I've escorted tractor trailers through several times (that's what us locals do when one gets in there) and just a day or two ago, another tractor trailer got stuck up ther and the road had to be closed down for a while to get them out. I seriously hope he/she got a HUGE fine and enough tickets that they needed the trailer to haul them all out. There is very big signage on both sides (N.C. and TN) miles before you get yourself in trouble, yet someone chose to ignore them and risk other folks safety. I pulled a 7' x 16' enclosed trailer through there several years ago on my way back from Road Atlanta, but it was 10:30 PM or so, and on a Sunday night. I certainly wouldn't purposely try to drive an RV through there.