Community Forums

racer0624 · 10-14-2006, 10:42 AM

Are 45' motorhomes towing a car allowed to travel 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee? I really don't want to go all the way around.
Thanks,
John

racer0624 · 10-14-2006, 10:42 AM

Are 45' motorhomes towing a car allowed to travel 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee? I really don't want to go all the way around.
Thanks,
John

Don (W5IT) · 10-14-2006, 11:30 AM

Well I have seen 18 wheel trucks on it.....

BUT, personally I would not want to drive a rig towing a car over it myself.

I have made that drive many times in both a "Towed" vehicle and a couple times in "Lil Red". (My F-350 CC Dually)

You COULD do it. But I feel you would not enjoy the drive. You would get on the other side and be frazzled....

My suggestion is to go around on the Interstate and main highways.

Just my two cents worth...

Lorna · 10-14-2006, 12:55 PM

Yes many folks take their RV's thru it. It is a tight fit on curves since the "flatlanders" get freaked over both the curves and the little drop off. Would I do it? Yes, BUT I learned to drive up here and have run these roads most of my life. I wouldn't drive it during the winter months. I well remember heading across the mountain one November. The road was closed behind us (gated) and we crossed in an unexpected snowstorm. Pretty much slid down the other side in the Caddy (ice under the snow). Ours were the only tracks and we were lucky to keep it on the road... it was a bit stressful. Stick to the interstate as much as possible. Better for your nerves. Make the drive in your car so that you can enjoy the ride.

My reccomendation would be for you to head into Gatlinburg from the TN side (I 40). You can pick up I 40 around Asheville and it connects with I 40/81.

BTW... US HWY 441 is a major hwy for this area. Most of it is in good condition (widened and often 4 lane) but the roads in the park are most all narrow and winding.

doc · 10-15-2006, 02:57 PM

It is doable, but not the most fun if you are not used to the mountain driving. We go that route all the time if going to Pigeon Forge and further up.
The alternative is to go back up to I-40 and go east to Waynesville and then come back to Dillsboro and hit US441 there. Driving down the gorge is not any fun either, with all the trucks hauling tail and the curves etc.
The route through the park does not allow any commercial vehicles so I don't know how the 18 wheelers Don talked about got there. Construction maybe?

racer0624 · 10-16-2006, 01:40 AM

Thanks for the replies. Think I'll give it a go. My bro-in-law did it in his 40'er towing and said he'd do it again.
For the heck of it, I'll post again when we get to Cherokee.

John