Second Chance
Wherever...
Senior Member
Joined: 07/23/2013
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I never plan a trip - east or west - without consulting The Mountain Directory. I have the combined (east/west) version for Windows on my laptop:
The Mountain Directory
We have pulled (15K fifth wheel) through West Virginia many times without issues. And, yes, there are Interstate Highways.
Rob
* This post was
edited 07/21/23 08:24am by Second Chance *
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015
|
ken56
Tennessee
Senior Member
Joined: 01/12/2013
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
In order to miss 'mountain' roads you would have to take 81 down to I-40 over to I-75 and up to Ohio. How much time you got? Like others have said and meaning no insult learn how to use the transmission to slow your downhill roll. Ignore the people behind you. YOU and only you are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle so what's behind you doesn't matter. If you avoid 'mountain' roads then you will never see a lot of this country.
|
ferndaleflyer
everywhere
Senior Member
Joined: 03/31/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Sorry about my misinterpretation of "Freeways" as here we commonly call these "interstate highways". Also I-77 in WV is partly a toll road. Anyway the OP has not told us where he is starting or where he is going yet.
|
Swieduwilt
Virginia
New Member
Joined: 07/20/2023
View Profile
Offline
|
ferndaleflyer wrote:Would be interesting to know where you are starting and where you are going. Those mountains run from TN to NY. You got to cross them to get to OH. Was just up that way from NC to Ohio river last week. I would suggest using the interstate roads no matter.
Starting from Manassas, VA, commonly known as Northern Virginia. I usually take I-66, to 81
|
Swieduwilt
Virginia
New Member
Joined: 07/20/2023
View Profile
Offline
|
ken56 wrote:In order to miss 'mountain' roads you would have to take 81 down to I-40 over to I-75 and up to Ohio. How much time you got? Like others have said and meaning no insult learn how to use the transmission to slow your downhill roll. Ignore the people behind you. YOU and only you are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle so what's behind you doesn't matter. If you avoid 'mountain' roads then you will never see a lot of this country.
I tried to use the lower gears D 1 2 M
They did not help, the engine revved 4500 but did not effect the 12% grade. My chassis is an F53 with the 7.3L V8 6 speed transmission.
Also the Tow Haul button does nothing. I guess I will have service look at it.
|
|
|
ferndaleflyer
everywhere
Senior Member
Joined: 03/31/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
66 to 81 will work, there is a short cut up there around Winchester that comes out in Hancock, MD I forget the number then take I-68 over to Morgantown, I 79 North to I-40 west into Ohio. One long up hill out of Cumberland and a long down hill at Coopers Rocks but thats it and they aren't bad. Once you cross over the river at Wheeling its pretty flat in Ohio and I 40 is about in the middle of the state. Stay clear of the PA pike. I been all over that area.
|
JRscooby
Indepmo
Senior Member
Joined: 06/10/2019
View Profile
Offline
|
One thing many don't understand, no matter if using engine braking or service brakes, it takes much less brake to slow you from 30 to 20 MPH than it takes to slow from 40 to 30 MPH.
|
Scottiemom
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 09/09/2003
View Profile
|
On 64 to 81 to 64 through WV from VA to OH, there is no 12% grade to my knowledge. The longest and steepest is Sandstone Mountain (@7%)starting at the top at Pluto Road. I use the mountain directory as well. Descending from Sandstone mountain you have two 90* turns and there are two runaway truck ramps. I was always anxious about the run, but never had problems. We stopped at the brake check. . . .we always said it was to change into our "brown" pants and when we got to the bottom we would pull over to change back into our "white" pants. LOL
Dale
Dale Pace
Widow of Terry (Teacher's Pet)
Traveling with Brendon, my Scottish Terrier
2022 Honda Odyssey
2011 Mazda Miata MX-5
2021 Coach House Platinum III 250DT
Fulltimed for 15 years, now living in Florida
http://www.skoolzoutforever.blogspot.com/
.jpg)
|
ken56
Tennessee
Senior Member
Joined: 01/12/2013
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Swieduwilt wrote:ken56 wrote:In order to miss 'mountain' roads you would have to take 81 down to I-40 over to I-75 and up to Ohio. How much time you got? Like others have said and meaning no insult learn how to use the transmission to slow your downhill roll. Ignore the people behind you. YOU and only you are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle so what's behind you doesn't matter. If you avoid 'mountain' roads then you will never see a lot of this country.
I tried to use the lower gears D 1 2 M
They did not help, the engine revved 4500 but did not effect the 12% grade. My chassis is an F53 with the 7.3L V8 6 speed transmission.
Also the Tow Haul button does nothing. I guess I will have service look at it.
The point is you can't enter a downhill grade doing the speed limit. You have to slow down to the speed you want to be going down the grade. My trans does me just fine and I use the brakes only to slow back down to below the target speed with a firm push on the pedal and then let off. Repaat as needed. I tow with a GMC 2500 with a 6 speed tranny. I've been on some pretty good grades out west and even here in the east. Hard to guess why yours does nothing.
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
ferndaleflyer wrote:Sorry about my misinterpretation of "Freeways" as here we commonly call these "interstate highways". Also I-77 in WV is partly a toll road. Anyway the OP has not told us where he is starting or where he is going yet.
No problem. An "interstate" is a specific type of "freeway"...mostly related to funding. Interstate Defense and Highway Act of 1956 is the basis for them. After seeing the Autobahns during WWII, they came back and thought it would be a good idea to develop a similar system.
A freeway is simply a limited access roadway (think no driveways and interchanges that use ramps rather than at grade crossings).
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
|
|
|
