RE: Towing on gravel roads

[slowpez]

 
We have this urge to go spend a weekend in the Smokies at Catalooche.  We long to hear the male elk call during the annual rut.  The problem?  RV s are discouraged because the entrance to the park is on a long stretch of gravel road.  Will this hurt the PU?  The sites sound absolutely wonderful and we would really like to go but don t want to risk doing damage to the frame, etc.  Any suggestions, comments, pointers would be appreciated.  If you think it best we don t attempt it, that would be worth knowing too.
 
 Thanks,
 Susan

[MtnCamper]

 slowpez
Susan, That all depends on how rough it really is. We have been down a number of Level 6 roads here. Level 6 only graded maybe once a year. And not plowed in the winter at all. The roads are pretty rough. At times we will be down to 5 or 10 mph. Not really a jeep trail, just a rough, washboard, not maintained dirt road. The camper does well. The only ill effects were the drawers. I would break the plastic drawer supports a lot. Even with the drawer almost empty. The drawer box itself, weighs enough to break the supports. So I took them out and used the drawer fronts for drop down doors. Much better.
 
 As far as your Water tank, and Water Heater, they should be fine, just take it easy and slow down on the bad spots.

[cb]

 slowpez
DH and I routinely camp at sites reached by primitive roads.  They re awful, sometimes washboard-y, full of big holes AND big rocks.  One of our favorite spots is about 5 miles from the highway on one of these " roads" .  We ve been stuck a couple times in sand, but managed to get ourselves unstuck and carried on.  We ve also had to fill up holes with rocks and dirt in order to get past tough spots.  To us, the best campsites are the ones that " normal"  people are too timid to try to reach.  The solitude is definitely worth the risk.  If stuff has been packed well, it pretty much stays where it belongs.  We ve been doing this with our trailer for nearly seven years and the worst thing that happens is that the drinks are too shaken-up to open on arrival!  Give it a try and let us know what happens.

[aw738]

 slowpez
Sounds like the roads I live on.

[stoichie]

 slowpez
I took mine down 30 miles of dirt to a campground.  The first 20 or so miles are on a dirt county road that is graded, but they are down to bed rock so you don t grade really it is just rutty.  The last 10 are on an unmaintained forest service road.  I don t think that I ever got out of 1st gear.  I even remember riding the brakes going down hill in first to keep the speed down.  Remember to cross big ruts at an angle.  Pretend that you are driving a newer Corolla down these roads and are close to the ground and you ll be fine.
 
 Jeannie

[brainpause]

 slowpez
We don t really take ours down a gravel road often at all, but we did have one rough experience. We were traveling along in a state park, and didn t see where a cross street had been paved, a few inches higher than our road. We hit it pretty hard, and I saw our PU become airborne behind us, and land pretty hard, but nothing broke! So just take it easy, be patient, and use first gear!
 
 Larry

[slowpez]

 slowpez
Thanks for all the info.  We are definetely going to go hear the elks during their rut.  The description of this campground really sounds awesome - just the kind of camping we love to do.  Will let everyone know how it went and give a description of the campground when we get back.  October is the time to go.
 
 Susan

[tlhdoc]

 slowpez
Just take it slow and you should be OK.  Have a great trip.

[Tim5055]

 slowpez
Sorry, I came into this late but I agree with the others.  Keep is slow and you should not have any problems.  
 
 Look out for significant dips in the road.  It is possible for the rear bumper of the pop up to strike the ground in these situations.  You can [link=http://www.title-3.com/Trips/GeoWashington1.htm]check out our first trip into the George Washington National Forest.[/link]  We took a di we shouldn t have and destroyed the back bumper of the popup.
 
 Live and learn.