Steep grades towing to Bristol from Florida?

Rollins_2241 · 09-19-2012, 03:56 PM

On my first trip to Bristol from Florida coming up, I'd like to hear experience from those who make the tow with motorhomes. What grades are steepest or hardest to deal with? Any reason to take a less direct route with a Class A and 8K hung on the back?

I got an engine temp light both ways going over Monteagle (4-6% grade for 3-4 miles) in central TN on the way to Chicago, and got pretty worried. (I think the rear radiator and lack of motorhome tongue on my trailer doesn't help.) But it was over 100 degrees on both trips during that ridiculous June heat wave.

jmcarter · 09-19-2012, 07:39 PM

The long grade from the NC state line up to Asheville on I-26 is about like Monteagle but the ambient temps will be much lower of course. If you're really worried you can run up I-75 and pick 40 at Knoxville then straight up I-81, no really long grades that way. Just be aware that East TN is very hilly so you'll have some short ~4% grades to deal with.

09-19-2012, 03:56 PM	#1
Rollins_2241 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Steep grades towing to Bristol from Florida? On my first trip to Bristol from Florida coming up, I'd like to hear experience from those who make the tow with motorhomes. What grades are steepest or hardest to deal with? Any reason to take a less direct route with a Class A and 8K hung on the back? I got an engine temp light both ways going over Monteagle (4-6% grade for 3-4 miles) in central TN on the way to Chicago, and got pretty worried. (I think the rear radiator and lack of motorhome tongue on my trailer doesn't help.) But it was over 100 degrees on both trips during that ridiculous June heat wave.

09-19-2012, 07:39 PM	#2
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,284 Likes: 2,337 Liked 3,124 Times in 962 Posts	Re: Steep grades towing to Bristol from Florida? The long grade from the NC state line up to Asheville on I-26 is about like Monteagle but the ambient temps will be much lower of course. If you're really worried you can run up I-75 and pick 40 at Knoxville then straight up I-81, no really long grades that way. Just be aware that East TN is very hilly so you'll have some short ~4% grades to deal with. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table