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Old 07-16-2008, 10:38 AM   #1
msieger
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Route 441 across the Smokies

We are leaving Pigeon Forge in the morning for Cherokee, NC. Is it okay to tow this thing across the mounts on 441?

Mike
 
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Old 07-16-2008, 11:33 AM   #2
awaywego
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You may want to check with the rangers in the park. There are a couple of tunnels and they are arched. I think the side clearance is 11' 3" but I do not remember the center height. Maybe someone else will come along who knows.
There is also one loop where you meet yourself coming around.
Have a good trip.
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Old 07-16-2008, 12:10 PM   #3
Bill-N-Donna
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I think the tunnel is the main concern. Let us know how it turns out if you go that way..
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Old 07-16-2008, 01:29 PM   #4
Mrs. CountryGuy
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Al and I would never do it! EVER!

Saw a rig totaled on one of those stone walls, took the entire rig and swiped it along the mountain side.

Nope, not going there, tunnel or not.

Have had MOCers say they have done a couple of times??? Not sure with what kind of rig.

We each have comfort levels, 441 is NOT in any of mine.
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Old 07-16-2008, 02:09 PM   #5
msieger
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I called the park ranger. He said the tunnul clearance is 13.5 feet.HOWEVER he said the grade and hair pin turns are NOT for any kind of novice.(MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE) Said they just cleaned up a nasty wreck where trailer brakes caught fire. I don't fly airplanes all day to die in a car accident. We going the long way. Would love to see it, but not pulling 14000 pounds. On another note, any neat things to see once we get there?

Mike
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Old 07-16-2008, 03:20 PM   #6
Waynem
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Mike,
I was going to say (still am) that I have ridden that on a motorcycle and it was a lot of fun, but never would take an crew cab 1 ton on it, especially pulling a trailer. If you could make the turn, you could probably reach out and touch the back of the Montana with your hand as you go by it.

My Hanna is 13'3" and I'd be holding my breath and sucking in my stomach while ducking my head gong through the tunnel. With my luck it would still hit somewhere.

Good luck!



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Old 07-16-2008, 04:39 PM   #7
awaywego
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Mike

Rt 321 goes from Gatlinburg to Interstate 40. This is a good road. Four lane part of the way and two lane the rest.
We went thru there last year and no hard pulls or hairpin curves.
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Old 07-16-2008, 05:00 PM   #8
sailer
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It is always fun to try some of these rds but we try to run the blue ridge parkway or the interestate if possible but i did a deal up and over in june as it was 47 miles by gps but it was 97 miles and 3 1/2 hrs and we got 7.2 mpg as it was all up or swishbacks ,, most was 20 mph ,, wew love the weaverville, maggie vally area as we stay at creekwood farms in weavervilly by the way , you will see tom41 there and his nice wife that puts up with him nancy there.. sailer
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Old 07-16-2008, 05:16 PM   #9
fulltimedreamer
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Mike,

We don't have a 5th wheel, but do have a 35' Mountaineer travel trailer. We have pulled it over 441 dozens of times. The main concern is overheating the brakes. I use lower gears on the steep down grades and of course take it out of over drive. If you find yourself having to brake pretty often - slow down and use a lower gear. The speed limit is 35 in some areas and 45 in others. I have found that I can run these speeds without impeding traffic. We are in Pigeon Forge right now and will use 441 to go home next week. Anyway, do whatever you feel comfortable with.
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Old 07-17-2008, 03:01 AM   #10
dsprik
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On the Parkway with just our 2500 ext cab long bed 4x4 w/o the 3400 and had a hard time getting Cheryl up off the truck floor in several places. She got better as we went along, but would never consider hauling the 3400 through there.

Lamar, you're more adventurous than me - AND you have an adventurous DW who would ride through there with you.

All I can say is
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Old 07-17-2008, 03:30 AM   #11
Bill-N-Donna
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When we went to PA last month I went underneath 2-3 bridges that showed 13'2" clearance on the side. I carefully rode the middle where the arch was at and didn't have any problem. If the bridge in only 13'6" and that height was in the center I would think twice on that as you obviously have.

If you’re not too far away when parked I would recommend that you just drive up the mountain and across to the other side; it’s worth the effort if you haven’t been there before! At the bottom of the mountain not far from Gatlinburg (about another 10 miles) is Cades Cove. This is an early settlement which looks much like it did when it was settled; very beautiful. I hope this posting isn’t too late but it looks like you may have already made the trip to Cherokee. Still if you’re in Cherokee it would be worth the trip to see these things if you have the time and haven't seen them.
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