I-26 Smokey Mountains

Jon · January 28, 2015, 02:22:45 PM

I suspect all of us were a little intimidated by our coaches when we first started driving them and we allowed others to perhaps make us feel guilty if we were in their way. Down hills, or as Okie says through construction zones or anywhere someone acted like we were an impediment to progress.

But time and old(er) age have a way of allowing us to drive as we choose with less concern about what some truck driver thinks.

We learned a long time ago some truckers don't like us, and a few will go out of their way to express how they feel, either on a CB or through their actions. It is no mistake when a truck passes and then brings his rig back into my lane with a few feet to spare. It is clear when some jerk with a big CB announces for all to hear how he wants motor homes off his highway. So my advice to folks who are relatively new owners and driver's of coaches to ignore the rest of the world and drive safe. They will eventually pass and get over it.

I do know on a couple of occasions each year a trucker will pull some bone headed stunt either because he is stupid or inattentive. I rarely touch the mike on my CB, but when I get incensed I usually express myself fairly clearly about how stupid that stunt was and then I let them know I have a dash cam with their activity fully recorded. It is not uncommon for the same truck and I to pass one another during a day, and it is amazing how that trucker is seemingly on his best behavior following my CB announcement.

For that reason I suggest strongly that to supplement your safe driving you get a dash cam because it does document the situation. If you drive like a jerk however, you might not want one.

boxcarOkie · January 28, 2015, 05:23:18 PM

Before Jakes the old rule of thumb was "What you go up and over in, that is what you use on the way down" but that did not always insure you would not get into trouble. As for me, I usually tried to go down in one less (lower range) and used short bursts on the brakes, I did not fan them.

Never had trouble on the Grapevine, but I did heat up on Tehachapi one night, faded out and the last three miles down were eventful to say the least.

Now days, with an Old Fart onboard. It is don't worry ... don't hurry ... and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers. Iggles are not known for their great breaking systems generally speaking.

I am a two-lane fan myself, a fiend for the Open Highway. I would like to jump on U.S. #2 in Minnesota and drive that sucker all the way to Seattle.

Honey, where is that pamphlet on Reverse Mortgages?

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Lee Bradley · January 29, 2015, 03:19:03 PM

Wrong direction! I want to do US 2 from Seattle to Maine... I know it doesn't go all the way but I will fake it. Then A1A to Key West for the winter.

Ed Hackenbruch · January 29, 2015, 04:35:33 PM

Not to nit pick but 2 starts in Everett.

boxcarOkie · January 29, 2015, 04:46:37 PM

Quote from: Lee Bradley on January 29, 2015, 03:19:03 PM
Wrong direction! I want to do US 2 from Seattle to Maine... I know it doesn't go all the way but I will fake it. Then A1A to Key West for the winter.

Ought to be okay until Hurricane Season Lee, and then I am outta there.

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boxcarOkie · January 29, 2015, 04:50:05 PM

Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on January 29, 2015, 04:35:33 PM
Not to nit pick but 2 starts in Everett.

There is one in Canada also, Michigan and Duluth, Minn. That is where I wanted to jump on, Greyhound Museum, Hibbing Iron Ore mines and then point it towards Seattle. The wife's sister lives in the northern part of Seattle, I have run parts of it in Montana.

Nice little road.

Thanks for your comment.

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Lostranger · January 31, 2015, 03:33:49 PM

Seems someone should point out that I-26 is not even close to the Smokies. Beautiful on both sides of the state line, but it's Blue Ridge and, to a degree, Black Mountain beauty. The Smokies are farther west. You can see the Smokies from 1-40 after you're well into Tennessee, but no interstate goes through. If you want to drive through the Smokies, go to Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC and then take 441 across the mountain. That's an interesting drive on both sides of the hill.

Reporting from Marion, North Carolina.

BeastMaster · January 31, 2015, 04:43:26 PM

We did the 441 across the mountains. Agree it's an interesting drive. Just be patient and enjoy the view.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

Oonrahnjay · February 01, 2015, 05:14:56 AM

Quote from: BeastMaster on January 31, 2015, 04:43:26 PMWe did the 441 across the mountains. Agree it's an interesting drive. Just be patient and enjoy the view.

Just be cautious about US-421 from Tri-Cities to Boone. Not even a good road for a 4-wheeler (In My Opinion!); I'm sure that pro drivers can handle it fine but I'd never try it in a bus.

Low Class · February 01, 2015, 10:25:36 AM

there was a very informative discussion on descending grades on this forum in 2007.

for anyone that is interested, it is here. http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=5366.0

buswarrior · February 01, 2015, 10:53:06 AM

Yes, that 2007 thread was a terrific collection of information. I encourage every busnut to take the time to work thru it all, if this topic is new to you!

A busnut wants to make the bend at the bottom, with the dishes staying in the cupboards, without smoke coming out the wheelwells, and the driver's seat remaining clean and dry.

Happy coaching!
buswarrior

Lee Bradley · February 01, 2015, 01:24:58 PM

I have seen a lot people say "What you go up and over in, that is what you use on the way down". That may been fine in a lot of cases but not all.

http://i90.atmos.washington.edu/roadview/sr2/

As you can see from the profile, the western side is much steeper than the eastern side. So if you come over Stevens pass from the east you are going to get quite a surprise including a 25 mph 180 degree corner just before the road becomes less steep and there are no safety run-offs.

MacDonald pass in Montana is similar except the steep side and 180 degree turn is on the eastern/Helena side.

So read those road signs and get as much information as you can about the roads you plan on traveling.

As the man said "You can come down too slow lots of times but too fast just once"

boxcarOkie · February 01, 2015, 01:33:51 PM

I have seen a lot people say "What you go up and over in, that is what you use on the way down". That may been fine in a lot of cases but not all.

This will date me a little Lee, but that expression and/or saying dates back to pre-jake days. Old school truckers would tell the "new kid" that, as in those days, a jake was not common and was actually an add on for a truck. Pretty sure Tom and some others would agree on this.

Three years ago we were in the Rockies (headed west) and we were following this boy, hustling down-hill way too fast, just a smoking to beat the band.

The wife says, "Why don't you pass this guy, he really stinks."

I just smiled, then said, "There aint no way in ---- I am getting in front of this fool."

Some big outfit out of Minnesota, guess they don't have a lot of mountains there, huh?

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twostick · February 01, 2015, 01:54:38 PM

Quote from: boxcarOkie on January 29, 2015, 04:50:05 PM
There is one in Canada also, Michigan and Duluth, Minn. That is where I wanted to jump on, Greyhound Museum, Hibbing Iron Ore mines and then point it towards Seattle. The wife's sister lives in the northern part of Seattle, I have run parts of it in Montana.

Nice little road.

Thanks for your comment.

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If you are going west on US 2 into WA might I suggest catching 20 at the stateline and taking that all the way to I-5 thru some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet?

I chose this road as a way around the Spokane Port of Entry about 30 yrs ago. Not a road for the faint of heart or 18 wheels as it turns out, especially if you are short of time. 14 hours to go 400 miles...

To give you an idea, one stretch of the road is closed in the winter. Not a road I would recommend with no Jake either as there is one pass that you can see where you are going to be in about an hours time, up thru the clouds.

I've done 221 from Galax Va to 421 into Boone NC with 18 wheels too. At night.... Won't be doing that again anytime soon either.

Kevin

boxcarOkie · February 01, 2015, 02:09:38 PM

If you are going west on US 2 into WA might I suggest catching 20 at the stateline and taking that all the way to I-5 thru some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet?

Hey thanks for the tip, I will keep it in mind. Clearly you are familiar to those special places in America, that kind of get the "pucker factor" engaged. Now days, no big hurry to bump the dock, so I just take my time.

No hurry, no worry, no funny books or coop's ... Watch those Right Handers.

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