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Old 03-21-2017, 12:11 PM   #1
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Hills too much - need route help!!

Hi friends

We are leaving on a trip to Tennessee next week to see a few brothers on both sides of the family.....our route takes us from Gadsden Al - up Hwy 59 to Chattanooga and on to Knoxville - where we will stay a few days and do the day trips into the mountains. Then from Knoxville West on Hwy 40 toward Nashville but will turn north on Hwy 231 to go thru Bowling Green and on to Owenboto for a few days. Then on west to Paducah and on - back to Texas.

We have an Aerolite Luxury 298 and a F 250 - are the hills and roads too steep and treacherous for us? I wasn't thinking so since there are LOTS of RV parks in these areas - assumed (?) at least the highways were pretty tame but was chatting with one of the park managers yesterday on the phone and she was surprised about this route - HELP!!! I don't want us to get into trouble on our first trip with this new rig and we are senior citizens and our little ol' hearts can only take so much anxiety!! Is this do-able??
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Old 03-21-2017, 03:04 PM   #2
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Is your F250 a diesel ? If gas what size engine?
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Old 03-21-2017, 04:55 PM   #3
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Thanks for your query - it's a 2017 F-250 - Gas - 6.2 engine

will we make it? or is it best to re-route?
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Old 03-21-2017, 07:03 PM   #4
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If a 3/4 ton truck can't pull a 7500 lb trailer around here, there's a problem.

I tow a 5400lb (loaded) camper all over middle Tennessee with a V-6 small truck. I have no problems.

The stretch from Chattanooga to Knoxville is flat by Tennessee standards. I'd be more concerned by all the wackos that drive on I-40, the big trucks are crazy.

There's a great campground in Crossville, Tn. only a few miles off of I-40 if your interested, it's called Deer Run RV Resort.
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Old 03-21-2017, 07:37 PM   #5
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thanks Dawnie - we are 8000 pounds empty - it's the new Aerolite Luxury model - really nice trailer - anyway - hubby is thinking that we will just go in a lower gear and probly burn more gas (not diesel) - but it's one of our ""short"" days - only 150 miles that day - so we can take our time!! Thanks so much - was worried about the hills around Chattanooga - but - I'll just sit in the back-seat with the furbabies and pray!!!
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Old 03-21-2017, 10:15 PM   #6
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I'm thinking even at 8500lbs your still way under your towing capacity. And yes you will be burning lots of gas, lots.
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Old 03-22-2017, 01:14 PM   #7
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That f250 will climb a telephone pole its so strong.. I pull my 16000+ voltage all over those mountains without an issue with my f250. Fear not that superduty will handle it without missing a beat.
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Old 03-23-2017, 12:12 AM   #8
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After you get into Chatt on I-24 and go around the river bend, you'll climb Missionary Ridge. Not a very long climb but it will slow you down. After you pass the Ooltewah exit on I-75 the other side of Chatt. you'll climb White Oak Mtn. It's probably around 2 miles long and fairly steep. Just take your time. After that, you should be good the rest of the way to Ktown.
I think you would also be better off hitting I-65 in Nashville instead of going up 231. I've been both ways and the interstate is quicker especially towing a camper.
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Old 03-23-2017, 11:57 AM   #9
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thank you 3 wheeler - that was good information

now - I wondered about going on to I-65 but Google says it's 63 miles longer than going north on 231 - is 231 just a state road with stops/starts?

thanks for your help
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Old 03-23-2017, 08:50 PM   #10
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It is a 2-lane highway, best I remember, that goes through the country. It may be quicker to take 231 from I-40. I was coming up 24 from Chatt. and hit 231 around murfreesboro. The interstate was a lot quicker. But like I said, you'll be coming from Ktown on 40 so 231 may be just as quick for you. I used to make a trip to Bowling green every year. Only took 231 once.
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Old 03-23-2017, 11:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanman View Post
That f250 will climb a telephone pole its so strong..
I'd love to see that
Yes I've used my diesel F250 to drag my 9650 GVWR trailer up and down the highway in Colorado with no hiccups on the truck side (the trailer was a different matter though).
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Old 05-04-2017, 07:12 PM   #12
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Hills

Just slam the petal to the metal when going up hill and down shift and tap those breaks on the way down!! That is all there is to it! Hold on and ride that RV down those hills. If your breaks start smoking pull over and let"em cool down no big deal.
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Old 05-12-2017, 12:32 PM   #13
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That engine will pull all day long with no problems. Put it in Tow/Haul mode and don't worry about it. Remember, don't ride the brakes. Push harder then usual down to a comfortable speed, then get off the brakes. Downshift if necessary to hold the speed down. When needed, get on the brakes again hard then get off the brakes. Use lower gears to keep you speed down.
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