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mpasso · 06-28-2013, 05:15 PM

Looking at making a trip from Tidewater Area of Southeastern Virginia to Gatlinburg via I-40 towing a dingy. Wondering how mountainess I-40 is for a Class A gasser and if it puts too much of a strain on the rig?

bdickson · 06-28-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpasso

Looking at making a trip from Tidewater Area of Southeastern Virginia to Gatlinburg via I-40 towing a dingy. Wondering how mountainess I-40 is for a Class A gasser and if it puts too much of a strain on the rig?

If you mean the section of I-40 west of Asheville, I've done it many times in a Class A F53 towing a CRV and never dropped below 45mph. You might want a set of earplugs, since you'll be pulling 4,500rpm for long stretches.

ChasA · 06-28-2013, 06:59 PM

It was a piece of cake in our 2006 f53 v10. Coming back is worse. Use tow/haul or grade brake on the down grades. Worst section is near Black Mountain, east of Asheville.

Chillbilly · 06-29-2013, 06:09 AM

The curves are worse than the hills. And going down is more nerve-racking than going up. Make sure your toad braking system is working properly. But hundreds drive this stretch everyday without incident. You'll be fine.

DegoRed · 06-29-2013, 06:18 AM

Just ran the Smokies a few days ago, piece of cake. Have now run Smokies, Appalachian, and Rockies, never once dropped below 45mph unless had to coming down for safety reasons.

So far I have had zero complaints with the Ford V-10, however do have the 5 Star Tuner, which is a must IMO.

Another thing I did was took off dog house and lined dog house and everywhere else I could with Dynamat, cut engine noise in half.

Guess only have Sierra Nevada's left to run and will have done them all.

Good luck!

dajudge · 06-29-2013, 06:38 AM

I have travelled all over the US in a classA gas and have never had any problems. The point is, you are not participating in a race. Too many people in 40-45 foot rvs think they have to pass us up at 75-80 mph just to show off. I ask you. what would happen if you had a blow out on the front at that high speed? As a retired law enforcement officer, I have had to help pull bodies out of vehicles too often when people do stupid things on the road. Drive safe.

mpasso · 06-29-2013, 06:51 AM

Thanks all and for the tips DegoRed. Looks like I-40 it is.

JMonroe · 06-29-2013, 08:43 AM

Just to pile on.

We made that trip, in both directions, a number of times in our '07 Ford chassis Allegro towing a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. You'll know the beast is working hard, but it'll handle it just fine.

Don't stress over what the rig is doing and enjoy the scenery.

pacevette · 06-29-2013, 05:12 PM

Just returned from the smokies on Thursday. We traveled from Ohio to Myrtle Beach... then off to pigeon forge. I40 was not bad at all from SC to Tennessee. We encountered two 7% grades. Nothing special . Just take your time. We did this in a 38' MH with a toad. We also had the v10. Safe travels!!

luvmydolphin · 06-30-2013, 12:36 AM

No worries.Traveled that route many times with Dolphin with our jeep toad. There is a nice rest stop in the middle of the gorge. Stop in there and take a rest a get some great views. Safe travels.