Has anyone driven US 70 from Ashville NC to Marion NC (eastbound)? There's a very steep grade on I-40 that I'm afraid to drive, and I'm wondering if 70 might be better or worse?
igotjam said
02:36 PM Aug 7, 2015
Can't say about 70 but did I-40 this spring (going east). No problem at all with F-350 towing 16000# (a little lighter than you)
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
02:44 PM Aug 7, 2015
70 is worse than I-40. 70 is the old road before I40 was completed.
Don't worry about Black Mountain, use the exhaust brake if you have one, pick a lower gear and monitor your speed. Let it climb 7-10mph then stab your brakes, slowing to 7-10mph under your designated speed. Then let off the brakes and continue on. DON'T RID YOUR BRAKES
Stay in the outside lane and follow the big trucks down.
Jerry8mm said
04:04 PM Aug 8, 2015
I have driven I-40 from Asheville to Marion several times. I have a Class A 34-ft. motorhome with the Ford V-10 engine. I put it in 2nd gear at the top of the mountain and I don't need my brakes much at all. It's a long 6% grade, but it's not bad at all. Don't worry. It's an easy and beautiful drive.
You can't really take Hwy 70 because 70 and I-40 are the same road across the mountain. They run together just past Black Mountain and split again at the bottom of the mountain at Old Fort. You can still hike the old Hwy 70 across the mountain, but it's not open to traffic.
-- Edited by Jerry8mm on Saturday 8th of August 2015 04:05:36 PM
-- Edited by Jerry8mm on Saturday 8th of August 2015 04:06:14 PM
-- Edited by Jerry8mm on Saturday 8th of August 2015 04:06:53 PM
injunear said
07:52 PM Aug 12, 2015
We use to drive Hwy 70 before the interstate was finished, you don't want to take that road with your RV.
Too many sharp curves, steep hills and the road is narrow. Take the interstate, drop a gear and use brakes
by applying to slow down then let off. Don't stand on the brakes they will get HOT and fade.
Apologies if this is in the wrong category...
Has anyone driven US 70 from Ashville NC to Marion NC (eastbound)? There's a very steep grade on I-40 that I'm afraid to drive, and I'm wondering if 70 might be better or worse?
Don't worry about Black Mountain, use the exhaust brake if you have one, pick a lower gear and monitor your speed. Let it climb 7-10mph then stab your brakes, slowing to 7-10mph under your designated speed. Then let off the brakes and continue on. DON'T RID YOUR BRAKES
Stay in the outside lane and follow the big trucks down.
I have driven I-40 from Asheville to Marion several times. I have a Class A 34-ft. motorhome with the Ford V-10 engine. I put it in 2nd gear at the top of the mountain and I don't need my brakes much at all. It's a long 6% grade, but it's not bad at all. Don't worry. It's an easy and beautiful drive.
You can't really take Hwy 70 because 70 and I-40 are the same road across the mountain. They run together just past Black Mountain and split again at the bottom of the mountain at Old Fort. You can still hike the old Hwy 70 across the mountain, but it's not open to traffic.
-- Edited by Jerry8mm on Saturday 8th of August 2015 04:05:36 PM
-- Edited by Jerry8mm on Saturday 8th of August 2015 04:06:14 PM
-- Edited by Jerry8mm on Saturday 8th of August 2015 04:06:53 PM
We use to drive Hwy 70 before the interstate was finished, you don't want to take that road with your RV.
Too many sharp curves, steep hills and the road is narrow. Take the interstate, drop a gear and use brakes
by applying to slow down then let off. Don't stand on the brakes they will get HOT and fade.
Wayne