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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Scott & Heather on December 06, 2015, 10:44:50 AM

Title: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 06, 2015, 10:44:50 AM
Yup. And then proceeded to drive foothills Parkway in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Yes I have officially earned my bus stripes.

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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: uncle ned on December 06, 2015, 10:58:15 AM


Scott  you were within 25 miles of us and did not let us know.  Sorry we missed you.

I usually go through Chimney Rock and then up to Hendersonville. a lot prettier ride and a whole lot less traffic.

Be careful and look forward to seeing you "3" again

ungle ned and wilma
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 06, 2015, 11:20:16 AM
:) oops :) I'm really good at missing people. If I had only known :)


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: goldgiter on December 06, 2015, 11:48:34 AM
Scott, is that a Land Cruiser you are towing?

Wes
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 06, 2015, 02:15:49 PM
Yes sir it's a 100 series with rear electric locker, center locker and front arb air locker/carrier :)


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: goldgiter on December 06, 2015, 02:33:51 PM
I was selling cars( another story) when the new body style Land Cruisers came out, I think 1990. Every dealership got 1 before any got a second 1. I sold the 1 we got for $5000.00 over full sticker, made me $3800.00  ;D.
I love me a Toyota!

Wes
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 06, 2015, 02:35:49 PM
Doesn't surprise me. They fetch a premium :) quality truck for sure.


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Oonrahnjay on December 06, 2015, 03:56:58 PM
Quote from: Scott Bennett on December 06, 2015, 10:44:50 AMYup. And then proceeded to drive foothills Parkway in Gatlinburg Tennessee. ...

    Nice, Scott.  A lot of the folks near there on I-40 call that "the Old Fort Grade".  Yeah, it's steep and there's very little break to regain forward momentum.  One that's also steep but has a few breaks in it is the "Saluda Grade" on I-26 south on Hendersonville (about as far south of Asheville as Old Fort is east).  It's not easy but I think it's easier than I-40.  Of course, that only makes sense if you are coming in from the south or southeast. 
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 06, 2015, 04:17:20 PM
Right. I was driving from Morganton to Gatlinburg. Wish I had the new bus with the 8v92 :-/


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: jackhanow on December 06, 2015, 06:50:18 PM
My first trip with my mc5 was us 191 from Jackson, wyo to Springerville az. Then I took a back road to silver city New Mexico. Had an 8v71 making more than enough power but between the switchback curves and the grades the power wasn't the issue. Didn't take me long to figure out just leave it in second, first in the switch back sections because they were tight and the first gear on that 5 is 25 mph.
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 07, 2015, 02:01:08 PM
Sometimes you do just need to leave it in a happy gear and just go the speed it lets you. Less shifter throwing


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: jackhanow on December 07, 2015, 02:36:28 PM
Lived in Haywood county 20 yrs ago. Made it 2 years, decided it's pretty but not pretty enough to stay
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Tony LEE on December 07, 2015, 04:56:27 PM
QuoteYes sir it's a 100 series with rear electric locker, center locker and front arb air locker/carrier

Ahhhh, that explains a lot. You had the copilot in the toad, throttle flat to the floor, pushing for all it is worth.
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 08, 2015, 03:01:28 AM
haha! I've considered it :) Don't tempt me.
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Tony LEE on December 08, 2015, 04:08:00 AM
Met a bloke in Tasmania driving a Bedford bus towing a Suzuki - both with auto transmissions - and with a beefed-up a-frame between them. They regularly resorted to powering up the Suzuki to get up hills. He said the Suzuki engine developed more power than the bus.
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 08, 2015, 03:46:39 PM
My land cruiser is rated for something like 240 hp. And I'm convinced my bus has no more than 275 on a good day so I'd almost be doubling my power lol


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Seangie on December 09, 2015, 04:21:43 AM
Scott,

What gear/speed got you up there? 

Glad to see you in the mountains!  Now you gotta head west!

-Sean
Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: Scott & Heather on December 09, 2015, 05:14:50 PM
No lie. 1st gear 10-15mph. My coach is still way too slow. I have given up trying to figure out why. I pretty much just leave the 4 ways on anymore and just put along.


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Title: Re: Made it up Blackmountain.
Post by: uncle ned on December 10, 2015, 06:37:13 AM


Scott   You can take a trip through West Virginia with me.  12 degree hills for miles.  Got passed by a big Mac coal truck on one hill.

But he knew the road and had a running go,caught him before he got to the top.  He was also empty.

The best one of the many is the north side of Snowshoe.

Spent 3 weeks wandering around this summer.  Riding the old logging trains.

They have some of the nicest state parks when you get into them. They tend to be off the main roads and back in the woods.

uncle ned