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Old 03-03-2013, 02:11 PM   #1
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I-40 Thru Tennessee

Has anyone driven I-40 thru the mountain pass between the Cherokee Nat'l Forest and The Great Smokey Mtns? It appears to have a 4000ft elevation and prolly some spectacular views. Any advice or tips. We'll be tuggin' the Beast thru there this summer.
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Old 03-03-2013, 02:27 PM   #2
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Never been down as far as 40 but all around there is beautiful scenic views at Smokey Mtn Natl park. I see you have a motorcycle, there is a stretch of road not too far called the "Tail of the Dragon" that has 318 curves in 11 miles. The boys at work go every year with their bikes and love it. Here is a link:
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/
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Old 03-03-2013, 02:48 PM   #3
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Ayup, that's on my bucket list. I don't have a toy hauler but kinda wish I did.
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Old 03-03-2013, 03:23 PM   #4
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I have been through I-40 and all I can say is I am glad I wasn't pulling my camper! It is the curviest interstate I have ever seen! On parts of the road they tell you to not even change lanes because of the curves. It is very beautiful through there though. It follows a river through a mountain pass is the reason it is so curvy. There was a bad rock slide on that part several years ago and shut down one direction for several months. Good luck!
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Old 03-03-2013, 03:41 PM   #5
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i pulled a 28' 5th wheel up from S. Carolina to I40 going to Knoxville. didn't have any problems. there was one place that part of a lane was closed due to a rock slide. cant remember if that was on I40 or before i joined it. its been awhile; that was the mid 90's.
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Old 03-03-2013, 09:52 PM   #6
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We pulled that stretch in October last year with our F350 & CC 36 CKTS, nice ride all along. We stayed @ Moonshine Creek Campground, an older park in the Balsam area. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there before moving along to James Island County Park in Charleston SC. (Probably the most outstanding RV park on our trip)

Travel safe & enjoy the journey
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Old 03-03-2013, 10:15 PM   #7
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I have went thru there many times with the 5th wheel and Hauling Race Cars in a 18 wheeler, its a great drive just make sure your brakes are adjusted and follow the speed limits going down the grades
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Old 03-03-2013, 10:21 PM   #8
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In good weather that's one of my favorite drives. We drive a MH towing a car, so the physics are a little different from pulling a trailer or fiver. But it's still a spectacular view with a little challenge.

The section through the Little Pigeon River Gorge is absolutely beautiful. There a some narrow sections with all trucks required to stay to the right and no shoulder, and a few that will challenge you to make sure you know how to use an exhaust brake or downshift to save the service brakes, so be sure you're comfortable with that.

Otherwise, take it easy, allow some distance in front (to the extent that others will allow), and enjoy the ride.
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:17 AM   #9
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I pull my camper through there all the time with no trouble.
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Old 03-04-2013, 09:42 AM   #10
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Thank you for all the replies. Wifey and I are looking forward to this trip. We've got three more campgrounds to book and we'll be set.
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Old 03-04-2013, 09:51 AM   #11
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Has anyone driven I-40 thru the mountain pass between the Cherokee Nat'l Forest and The Great Smokey Mtns? It appears to have a 4000ft elevation and prolly some spectacular views. Any advice or tips. We'll be tuggin' the Beast thru there this summer.
We'll be making that I-40 journey to Cherokee ourselves in June. It's been a while since I've driven it, and never with a trailer this big, but I'm not worried about it. Have ridden the Dragon's Tail many times, and done a lot of floorboard scraping, it's quite the ride.
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Old 03-04-2013, 10:36 AM   #12
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I borrowed this info when I saw it posted on another forum, might be helpful to you:

I-40 East from Knoxville, TN

I-40, TN, MM 444, Begin 55mph Truck restriction lane.
I-40, TN, MM 445, Caution, 50mph Left curve.
I-40, TN, MM 450, Caution, sharp 45mph left curve.
I-40, NC, MM 20, End Truck restriction lane. 60mph downhill race to Asheville, NC
I-40, NC, MM 46A, I-26 Split.
I-26, NC, MM 53/54 Continental Divide, 2130 feet.

I-26, NC, MM 54, Enter the Green River Gorge, 7 % downhill grade, 55mph.

I-26, NC, MM 55, Bridge over the Green River.
I-26, NC, MM 61, Start uphill pull.
I-26, NC, MM 62, 6% Downhill grade.
I-26, NC, MM 62.5. Bottom
I-26, SC, Gentle rolling hills to Columbia, SC
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Old 03-04-2013, 11:22 AM   #13
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I40 is a beautiful drive but as one said, you need nerves of steel, especially with a long trailer. Lanes are tight and curvy. A couple of tunnels to go through. I live in TN and have traveled several times. There's a campground in the Bowles if the mountain but don't remember the name of it. Be sure to post how you make it.
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:15 PM   #14
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Ahhh...tunnels. The Beast is all of 13.6 in height. Any idea of the clearances?
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:28 PM   #15
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I'm not sure but considering 18 wheelers average about 13'6" you should be okay. I think there are two east bound and one west bound. Both contain curves. Good luck!
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:31 PM   #16
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Depending on the direction, you may miss. Believe they're close to the TN/NC border.
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:50 PM   #17
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Ahhh...tunnels. The Beast is all of 13.6 in height. Any idea of the clearances?
I'm there with ya Rattle 13'+. When are you planning your trip? Mine is the 2nd week of June. Just trying to figure out who was going to report back to who
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Old 03-04-2013, 12:59 PM   #18
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We're not going until August. Part business, part relaxation. It looks like you'll have that adventure first and kindly lemme know how it went. I enjoy a drive like that...it's sorta a challenge. I'm a good driver and like the adrenaline rush but wifey on the other hand, well, I just might have to peel her off the headliner of the truck.
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Old 03-04-2013, 01:30 PM   #19
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Never drove on it except up to the turn off to Cosby TN. and then just up I 40 we were in a bus for the river rafting!

The locals call it "DIE 40" if that makes you feel any better?!
I think you would be just fine if you took it easy and drove like a normal person.
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Old 03-04-2013, 01:33 PM   #20
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We're not going until August. Part business, part relaxation. It looks like you'll have that adventure first and kindly lemme know how it went. I enjoy a drive like that...it's sorta a challenge. I'm a good driver and like the adrenaline rush but wifey on the other hand, well, I just might have to peel her off the headliner of the truck.
I hear that. My wife was white knuckled going over the Beartooth pass when we were out west. of course it was end of June so there were still 15-20' of snow wall within inches of her door or drop offs that went down for a couple miles. But will definitely report back.
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