ResearchMan67
Seminole, Fl, USA
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Joined: 04/29/2004
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Would appreciate your experience driving the Skyline Drive. Have a 40' Class A that is supposed to be 12'4"---there is a tunnel that starts this adventure that is supposed to be 12'8"..... a little close tolerance not to inquire about. 
So if you've done it, please share or a workaround. Also any problems with hairpins and towing?
(When you're from Florida, a manhole cover is a big deal).
Thanks!
ResearchMan67
2007 Winnebago Tour 40TD, 400hp Cummins, Freightliner/Allison,
Saturn VUE (6cyl/auto/FWD-2004), BlueOx,Adventa II
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JUrban
Delaware
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One 4" paving job and you might have an expensive drive. If I had to drive under anything marked less than 13'0", I'd be on top watching. I measured my rig at 12'6" and KNOW this is right.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
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Fred_n_Jo
central MO, USA
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The tunnels are arched and the minimum clearance is at the side of the road so stay in the center and all is well.
on edit,
I don't believe there are any tunnels on the skyline drive but there are a few on the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway so I assume that is where you are talking about.
* This post was
edited 09/27/08 06:39pm by Fred_n_Jo *
2006 F350 6.0 psd xcab lb srw
2008 Carriage Cameo F34CK3 5th
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Fred_n_Jo wrote:The tunnels are arched and the minimum clearance is at the side of the road so stay in the center and all is well.
on edit,
I don't believe there are any tunnels on the skyline drive but there are a few on the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway so I assume that is where you are talking about. Yes, this tunnel is in the Northern segment of Skyline Drive, the only tunnel on Skyline. Check with NPS regarding clearance and regarding height at center of road.
Harry
With wife Carole 10 yrs fulltiming
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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There is a tunnel on the skyline drive and I have driven my FT in it. It is arched so staying to the center is the issue if you worry about the clearance. If you have no traffic run the middle like I did. It is short.
The Blueridge parkway is different and has low clearance tunnels but I have not driven it in the DP. I live 6 miles from the entrance of the skyline drive and go on it all the time.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
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Tom N
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL
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I drove the complete Skyline and Blue Ridge Parkway last Fall. Tunnels were not a problem.
-Tom
"The people that don't believe in evolution are the ones who need it most!"
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Indiana, PA
2005 Itasca Suncruiser 38R 38' 11"
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Robert21
Shalersville Ohio
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JUrban wrote:One 4" paving job and you might have an expensive drive. If I had to drive under anything marked less than 13'0", I'd be on top watching. I measured my rig at 12'6" and KNOW this is right.
John They would not put 4 inches of ashpalt in a tunnel without grinding out 4 inches first. If the sign says 12 ft 8 in. thats what it will be. We went through that tunnel about 4 weeks ago. Stay in the center take it slow no problem. Rob
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ResearchMan67
Seminole, Fl, USA
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OK, many thanks to All, but the DW isn't real excited about trusting the oncoming traffic. We did negotiate a similar tunnel with our previous RV leading into Zions Canyon, but the rangers there stop traffic on each end and signal you thru with walkie-talkies. I guess will end up doing the boring superslab (I81) or is there a way around the tunnel where I could still do a bit of the Parkway? Going down to say hey to Andy @ Mt. Airy, NC on way to Boone and then Smokies.
Thanks for the advice--y'all are the best!
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1941pitts
ClemmonsNC
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Hello
Going up Interstate 81 . Staying at the Natural Bridge VA, then going up to Harrisonburg va to Broadway va. How is the I 81 very steep, narrow, any input. I am new to the rv world.
Thanks
G Pitts
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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I just went through the St Mary's Rock tunnel yesterday. My DP is 12'10" in the center over the sat dome. The ranger said I would fit if I stayed away from the sides. I waited for traffic to clear, and drove smack down the center of the tunnel. It fit. Fortunately, the tunnel is short enough that you can see the traffic on the other side before you enter it, and also so you don't have to hold your breath too long.
The hills were not bad. I could usually maintain speed going up them, and the exhaust brake held the hills going down, I rarely had to touch the service brakes. And that was while dragging a 6,000 lb toad!
The worst hills and turns were when I got off Skyline Dr and headed back to I-81 on US 33. I drove the northernmost 65 miles of Skyline Drive, and got off before the southernmost third of the route.
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ
400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
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