towing to tellico - route?

Rich

Rich

Asshole at large
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Central PA
Let's assume going from greensboro, and we're going in from the TN side..

Since google maps lets you modify a route so easily, I was messing around and saw that going 40 to 52 north to 77, then 81 west to 75 added only 14 miles and 10 minutes onto a 400 mile trip versus going 40 the whole way.
Neither one of our tow rigs has a problem with black mountain, but is the other way a more pleasant / easier drive?
 
You gotta go up the mountain on 77 at the state line, and the interstates in VA are generally more up and down than NC, but the traffic would probably be a good bit lighter.
 
It's about 30 min slower to go through VA. The scenery is a little different, and you don't have to go through the gorge at the nc/tn state line. Even driving a TT, I'd go 40.

WTH do you want to go that way to Telico? I'd tow across trail 1 before I went that way.
 
never towed a rig there, but anyone know if it's a bad idea to take a trailered rig to the Cherahola Skyway and come into the TN side of Tellico from the gravel back road? I've only driven out it in the CJ. Don't know if it's conducive to a Trailer and tow rig, but it sure saved driving around to TN.
 
rockmafia said:
WTH do you want to go that way to Telico? I'd tow across trail 1 before I went that way.
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I don't want to get my exhaust tips dirty & dusty.. :lol:
 
mbalbritton said:
never towed a rig there, but anyone know if it's a bad idea to take a trailered rig to the Cherahola Skyway and come into the TN side of Tellico from the gravel back road? I've only driven out it in the CJ. Don't know if it's conducive to a Trailer and tow rig, but it sure saved driving around to TN.
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I know several who have done it. It's a steep pull. going up over 5000' in elevation. And of course falling back down. a good set of trailer brakes and tow rig brakes, not to mention cooling system are key.

As far as going that way Rich if time is not of value to you, I think it would be a great ride this time of year if you are going to be driving during the day. Otherwise to get to state line without going the Skyway or trail 1, I would say knoxville to Tellico plaines would be the way to go. Never went that way but have heard it's easy.
 
upnover said:
I would say knoxville to Tellico plaines would be the way to go. Never went that way but have heard it's easy.
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Nice scenic ride... went that way a few years ago when we headed out a day or 3 early for the DR and stopped to lend a hand on a last minute build in K'ville. Came in beside some river passed a bunch of huge TVA power stations...

Rich just wants DOUGHBOY's "super double secret" directions that only takes 4 hours from RTP :flipoff2:
 
mbalbritton said:
never towed a rig there, but anyone know if it's a bad idea to take a trailered rig to the Cherahola Skyway and come into the TN side of Tellico from the gravel back road? I've only driven out it in the CJ. Don't know if it's conducive to a Trailer and tow rig, but it sure saved driving around to TN.
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yeah, i've been that way before. you can tow it, but like upnover said there is a good elevation change and for part of the skyway you will be going SLOW from the amount of curves. this is a somewhat popular alternative motorcycle route to the dragon if that tells you anything...

imo, all the ways to tellico are 6 of one, half dozen of the other. there's no real "fast" way to get there once you're past asheville. it's either an easier/nicer drive and takes longer, or a little harder/less scenic and shorter.

personally, i like going through the gorge as well as any other way. it's scenic enough, and about the fastest way.

Caver Dave said:
Rich just wants DOUGHBOY's "super double secret" directions that only takes 4 hours from RTP
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lol, i'd like those too. i have hauled ass up there before (like 85-90+ the whole way) when my truck was pretty close to stock and still only made it in around 5 hours give or take iirc.
 
Thursday night I ended up (by accident) going over the scenic route and trail 1 to get to Crawfords.
Followiing the advice of my GPS, I got on route 28 off of the Smokey Mt. Expressway (Route 19) and that took me to the scenic highway...up to 5000 ft and back down again to Route 22 which took me into State Line Campground.
I got on Trail 1 (although my GPS said it was Beaver Dam Rd.)
I got hung up on the hairpin turn just after the end of Trail 5 and then Trail 2. After I was helped out of that...I made it across 1 to Crawfords...
Its not fun in places but I did it with my Excursion and my 18ft trailer with a TJ on it.
Don't trust the GPS!!!
I won't do it again but it can be done....
 
My first trip to Tellico was a real trip. We left out at midnight
and got to Pay station at 9am the next morning!!9 freekin hours. I dont remember the rout we took, but dont take it.
After several wrong turns and lots and lots of wasted miles I ended up arriving via the 18 mile rd. It runs along the river where those mean ole trout fisherman hang out and snag fish lips with hooks and do bad things to them(rant over..And I love to go fishing too)
It was a loooong ride. We ended up running into other CTBers
just as they were heading to the trails. With no sleep, we ended up wheelin until near midnight that night also. What a ride!
 
Just be careful going through Virginia. I got a window tint ticket going down the interstate. Trooper was on the other side of the road. They're pretty strict up there. He tried to write me a ticket for my exhaust too but couldn't.
 
I just got back from tellico. Towed up through trail 1. Back through TN. I will never go through TN again. That added so much time to the trip home that it isn't worth it. The two switch backs on trail 1 were tight on the way in and I figured they would suck on the way out so we took the easy road. Took 2 hours longer.
 
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