How are the hills on the hwy going to windrock

Echs332000

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Location
High Point, nc
Trying to plan a wheeling trip to windrock. I'll be towing with my dodge ram 1500

I'll be pulling my tj which is on 35's

The truck does fine on moderate hills but I don't want to kill it pulling a huge grade.
Has anyone ever driven this route from the triad area?

Specs on the truck are
2004 hemi quad cab 4x4
3.92 gears
Im guessing the trailer and jeep total weight is around 6k.

Thanks in advance
 
Windrock is a pretty easy pull once you get to the top of the hill at Black Mountain on I40. And like Tilley said, the driveway that goes up to the campground is no joke.
 
EdJonesJeeper said:
http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/Heading-west---routes-and-grades.136290/

To get to the campsite, cabins and front desk to Windrock is a very steep grade. You can avoid it if your staying in a hotel. You can buy passes at the entrance of the trails instead of the entrance to the campsites.
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This is true but you are talking about a 1/4 mile driveway that can be done at very slow speeds.


The worst hills on the drive are in NC blck mtn or saldua depending on where you are coming from....its all interstate from there. By far the easiest big park to get to IMHO.
Just making sure we are all on the same page.
 
I pulled my TJ to Harlan with an 06 Hemi 1500. Not sure of the gear ratio, it's a Thunderroad edition.

Anyways I kept it in tow mode, then got into several rolling hills and kept it down in 3rd gear and in the longer less steep rolling hills just pulled in down in D. I accidentally ended up taking 38 into Harlan which was the steepest grade and narrowest curviest rode I've ever seen. I had it in 1st gear revving 4800-5k.

It made the whole trip fine, just drank some fuel. I wouldn't want to go up 38 again but I'm confident in the trucks ability to tow where I need to go.
 
From High Point NC (your location) to Knoxville TN (per Google):

via I-40 - 275 mi, 4 hours 14 mins = long hard pull on Black Mountain, Pigeon River Gorge; last time I went that way took 10-1/2 hours due to a truck wreck in the gorge; there is no other way out

via I-77/I-81 - 293 mi, 4 hours 25 mins = decent pull on I-77 at the VA line, but milder than Black Mountain; hit I-81, set the cruise and go; it's a nice boring and scenic drive

I have driven/towed both ways and will gladly take I-81 over I-40 any old time.

Hope that helps. :)
 
Granny said:
I have driven/towed both ways and will gladly take I-81 over I-40 any old time.
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That's excellent advice, actually. I usually go I-81, too. I can pull Fancy Gap 10mph faster than Black Mt, and no getting stuck behind trucks in the Gorge.
 
Heads up watch your speed in town close to windrock!!
@Ron
 
snappy said:
Heads up watch your speed in town close to windrock!!
@Ron
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HAHA..

yep...and btw if you let a DD drive your rig home, the ticket still belongs to the vehicle owner...Speed Cams...WTF
 
Echs332000 said:
Alright cool. Thanks for the info guys. I've been trying to convince the gf that we need a diesel. My efforts are proving futile lol
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There's a few threads on here with debates on diesel vs gas. Lots of good info on there, lot of opinions and lots of facts too. Can't remember which thread, but Snappy did the math down to the penny on the differences and it really ain't bad with a gasser.

Buddy of mine just bought an 02 Chevy 3500 dually with 6.0/4L80E for $4700. Paid for. The cost of fuel on a big trip is cheaper than a truck payment.
 
I've trailer-ed my CJ [about 6000# total] behind my 98 Chevy Z-71 / 5.7 auto, to all of them, including up to the Windrock Pay station, with only problem, being slow, & some 2nd gear.
Be sure you have an External, tranny cooler; & I prefer synthetic fluid, for it's heat resistance. Standard ATF, starts cooking at around 210-220.
 
Like stated above you should be fine just take your time. I made this drive twice a week for the past two months.. I always went stright 40 all the way. Several times in the freightliner pulling the backhoe.
 
Just did this today. I'm actually sitting in the campground right now. The grade right around Saluda on 74 was the only thing that slowed me down any. Mostly because I got stuck behind a truck at the bottom. Driving a 2500 Dodge pulling a Toyota on a heavy trailer. It weighs 14k and some change total.
 
how do you go from cabbarus county? down 73 to i-77 all the way up to 81? showing taking me 5 hours and 30 mins


Granny said:
From High Point NC (your location) to Knoxville TN (per Google):

via I-40 - 275 mi, 4 hours 14 mins = long hard pull on Black Mountain, Pigeon River Gorge; last time I went that way took 10-1/2 hours due to a truck wreck in the gorge; there is no other way out

via I-77/I-81 - 293 mi, 4 hours 25 mins = decent pull on I-77 at the VA line, but milder than Black Mountain; hit I-81, set the cruise and go; it's a nice boring and scenic drive

I have driven/towed both ways and will gladly take I-81 over I-40 any old time.

Hope that helps. :)
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Google says that 74 to Asheville is 45 mins faster than I-77/I-81. But I've never towed that way, so I have no idea.
 
thats what I was looking at, but the hills up 77-40 is pretty steep .
I think I might try the longer way to avoid the steeper grades since we are convoying up there
 
Just a note.
Black Mountain is the town on the other side(western side) of Old Fort Mountain. The town of Old Fort, at the foot of the Mountain, is in McDowell County. The entire grade is in McDowell County until you reach the top.

The steep hill, Grade, going up into the Campground is intimidating, but doable in everything I have towed with, the most intimidating part is going Down the hill. Trailer brakes are your friend on this short trek.
 
we went through salota and we were towing an XJ on 35s with a 4.0 liter tacoma. Yes a 6 cyl. didn't have any trouble really.. as long as you can stop your trailer.
 
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