anniemae
st petersburg fl
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Would like to travel the BRP as we head north in early May 2012. We will be in a new Thor challenger, towing our 07 GMC. Travel companions will tow a small 5 th wheel. Don't mind the ups and downs. Any tips from those that have taken this route?
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rk911
Wheaton IL
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anniemae wrote:Would like to travel the BRP as we head north in early May 2012. We will be in a new Thor challenger, towing our 07 GMC. Travel companions will tow a small 5 th wheel. Don't mind the ups and downs. Any tips from those that have taken this route?
it's a slow go...on purpose. take lots of time, don't try to rush, sit back and enjoy. there are plenty of off-ramps into towns for food, fuel, etc. plenty of turnouts for viewing as well. enjoy!
73,
rich, n9dko
www.bananaboatbytes.com
The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.
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JoeH
Apollo Beach,FL
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We tried it 2 years ago and ran into issues with low hanging branches and lots of construction and delays just north of Asheville. It was bad enough that we exited and used an alternative route. Hopefully someone will have a more recent update with better news. This year, I plan to do it on my Harley.
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rk911
Wheaton IL
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rk911 wrote:anniemae wrote:Would like to travel the BRP as we head north in early May 2012. We will be in a new Thor challenger, towing our 07 GMC. Travel companions will tow a small 5 th wheel. Don't mind the ups and downs. Any tips from those that have taken this route?
it's a slow go...on purpose. take lots of time, don't try to rush, sit back and enjoy. there are plenty of off-ramps into towns for food, fuel, etc. plenty of turnouts for viewing as well. there are a few very low clearance tunnels but they are all clustered together. check online for the specifics.
enjoy!
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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I say don't do it especially in a MH or trailer. The Blue Ridge Parkway is suited for short trips not through trips. The speed limit is 35 MPH and especially in N Carolina there are many ups and downs. I would use the Blue Ridge Parkway for daytrips.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
2009 Malibu
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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We last ran the BRP in early May of 2010. We started at Cherokee in the south. We ran into trouble with weather and road conditions, but is was otherwise a great trip. Your Thor may have problems we didn't have as our aged class A only needs 10ft clearance. Many tunnels are less than 12', but this information is published on the BRP website.
The highest speed limit on the BRP is 45MPH, but you will be hard pressed to make that much of the time, but why should you - anyway?
That May, none of the campgrounds were open as the crews were dispatched to clear damage done by a late winter storm.
The Folk Art Center is a good stop. Craggy Garden has more hiking trail than it has “garden”. The Museum of North Carolina Minerals is aimed at later grammar school. Linville Falls requires some serious hiking, but is well worth the time. Linn Cove Viaduct is an amazing structure. Mabry Mill was about half as interesting as it could be for an engineer. There is almost no access to the inside of the mill proper. Mr. Mabry had a real good plan, but it was not made evident to the casual tourist. It is mostly a gift shop and picnic grove. Virginia’s Explore Park has some interesting displays including a large relief map of the parkway.
Elevations at the south end are often over 4000ft and sometimes up to 6000. It can be cold up there. That may, it was still winter at places like Craggy Garden.
Do the run, take your time, let the faster folks get past when you can. Remember, a passcar can't see what you are seeing.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor and his bride and the black dog going to see some dry places in a coach made the year we married.
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Irelands child
Upstate New York
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After traveling some number of miles in Virginia in an automobile, not sure that I would want to take my 12+ foot, 8+ foot wide 5er down the road. It's beautiful, with narrow, windy, hilly roads - and IMHO, not well suited for an RV - regardless of the fact they are allowed. You are also too busy driving to see any of the beauty of the trip as well.
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footslogger
North Carolina
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J Walker wrote:I say don't do it especially in a MH or trailer. The Blue Ridge Parkway is suited for short trips not through trips. The speed limit is 35 MPH and especially in N Carolina there are many ups and downs. I would use the Blue Ridge Parkway for daytrips.
Actually the speed limit is nominally 45 MPH, but drops to 35 MPH or less through built up/congested areas ..... and it is strictly enforced, particularly in those lower speed zones.
You can easily drive 45 MPH in most places, and there is no point to drive any faster. It's all about the scenery and the history. If you want to make a lot of miles every day, don't go. If you want a relaxed, slow, scenic experience, go for it. We have traveled extensively and often on the BRP and would have no qualms about driving it end to end in our current rig. Do be aware there are often construction detours and weather closures, and there are some low tunnels on the southern 10 miles or so. Check their web site for current conditions.
The BRP is a jewel. Enjoy and cherish it!
footslogger
2004 Country Coach Allure 33' Cummins 370HP ISL
400 Watt Solar Array. M&G Braking System
2003 Honda Element (and as many canoes as I can carry!)
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Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Blue Ridge Parkway is one of those "Do once in a life time" travel destinations but you might not do it a second time. In a Class A you'll be busy driving. Lots of twists and turns. Most of the road is two lanes and such. If you're time budget supports then go, but plan an escape route just in case. Federal camp sites are available along the route. Lots of trees, mountains and such but not much else if you have young ones along.
I've only traveled the Virginia park of the route. Enjoyed it, got the tee shirt somewhere. Thinking about a future trip along the NC part of the Parkway sometime soon.
2006 Hurricane 32D aka 'Moby' the Whale
FCC(SW) US Navy Retired 1980-2003
Stella my Navigator
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Cocoui waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge
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jrski
Dallas, Texas
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