Stever38
West Palm Beach
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Joined: 09/12/2005
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The road going thru the Smoky Mountains 441 looks like a windy and dangerous?? Can I drive thru it with a 31 ft motorhome with toad?? Is there any tunnels?
steve
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melhow
Largo, FL
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Joined: 04/25/2008
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Hi Steve,
While I have never driven a motorhome with a toad on Newfound Gap Road aka US #441, I have followed plenty. You can do it without a problem, provided the weather is with you. In winter months, and often in late autumn and early spring, 441 is prone to ice at the higher elevations and will be closed, either all day if it is snowed or iced in, or from dusk to dawn if the ice is forecast to develop overnight. If it closes, you will be stopped at either the TN or NC entrance and will have to take the long way from or to Gatlinburg on I-40.
You obviously won't be winning any races driving your rig up the grades, but it's not a road you really want to rush anyhow. There is a corkscrew section as you pass north of Clingman's Dome which might make an easily carsick passenger a little green, but nothing I would call dangerous. As for tunnels, I think there are two. Have a look at this this article which talks about how the Newfound Gap Road tunnels were recently graded to allow for a 13'6" minimum clearance, specifically to accommodate the RV's traveling the route. The road is two lane and pretty wide as far as mountain roads go. Take the blind turns slow (obviously) and try not to get to distracted by the absolutely beautiful vistas you will pass.
If you have time and it's open, pull off at Clingman's dome and take a gander from the parking lot. It's worth the extra drive.
The hubby and I plan on taking this route into Gatlinburg from the south when we make our semi-annual trip to the Elkmont campground this fall. We will be towing a 29 foot TT.
Good luck and enjoy the great ride.
melissa
2008 Keystone Hideout 23RKS
2005 Nissan Titan 4x2 KC SE w/o BT
12,080 GCWR loaded for the woods
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Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
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Joined: 09/30/2002
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It is indeed doable in a MH. Tunnels are measured at the lowest point on the sides. It gets a little twisty and steep near the top, but not a problem if you use lower gears and keep your speed down. Be a friend to the other travelers and when you develop a 'following', use a pull out and let them pass. You will get a lot of waves of thanks and fewer single finger waves.
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rv2go
Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and the coast.
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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I have driven 441 over the mountain several times. You should not have any problems. The tunnels have been enlarged. Try to stop at the top, Newfound Gap. Generally there is plenty of Parking. You will get a good view of where you are coming from/going to. To avoid Gatlinburg better take the bypass.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
1995 2dr. Hard Top Geo Tracker
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I'm here #4335
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agesilaus
North Florida
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Joined: 05/06/2008
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There is a pretty steep grade, for the east, to the south of GSMNP. I think it is on 441 before you get to the Bryson area. Not too long but you want to be sure your brakes are working before you get to it. It's a downgrade going north.
BK
04 Trail Manor 2619
08 Ford F150 5.4L TV
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west10
estill springs , tn/usa
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Joined: 08/27/2003
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Your biggest problem will not be the drive but overheating the eng. comptment
and a fire.
I have seen two on that road, so stop and let the unit cool off.
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Stever38
West Palm Beach
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Boy thanks for the great info, very helpful. guess I changed my plans and stay on I40 to north of Gatlinburg and take 441 south to our campground which is River Plantation, We are coming east from Asheville area , after camping a week, heading south onto 75 to west coast of Florida and home
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DakotaD
Kodak, Tennessee
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Joined: 01/13/2007
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Watch for some rock outcropings if coming down toward Gatlinburg from the NC side, they will be on your side and some stick out a ways.
If you watch for them you should have no problem and follow the directions in previous post.
Good luck and for sure park the Class C and do Gatlinburg in the toad, not in the MH. If not interested in G'burg, take the bypass.
...by His grace...
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