A real test drive...Skyline Drive, Shenandoah NP

[doodah man]

I'm going to be taking the truck over the Shenandoah Mountains next week. The whole thing will involve ~12,000 feet of climbing for the old girl. Hope she's up to it. Also hope I can handle 105 miles at 35 mph. Anyone know a good mechanic in the area in case I get into trouble I can't handle? That reminds me: must get kickdown cable working!

I'll have some new pictures for the board when I get back.

[Steve Hafner]

I just went "PAST" there last week - I hope to take my truck through there someday - I'll be waiting to see your pictures !!!
Have a good trip !!!

[FRCvette]

I will be looking forward to pics too.Have a safe and fun trip.

[mikey531]

Get a good transmission cooler and use the engine and transmission to keep your speed down. If not you will cook your brakes in no time. Ask me how I know!

[Fldawg]

i've been up on skyline drive a few times, take lots of brakes so you don't fry the brakes and the tranny, i was in a 99 tahoe, do alot of coasting and also check out the caverns and the old car muesum in luray virginia

[Beuford]

Went out west pulling a camper with mine last summer. Here is a pic at over 12,000ft. No issues with the carb or overheating.

[VA72C10]

Nice truck! looking forward to the pics when you get back!

[Roadmarks]

Wow, someone gave you some wrong information! The highest point on the the BRP and Skyline Drive is 6053 feet near Mile Post 431 in in North Carolina. You'd have to do it twice to climb 12,000 feet, and that isn't a bad idea. The BRP is one of the most beautiful drives in the world! Even Cumbres Pass in Colorado, South of Antonito CO is only 11,600 feet! The Parkway is an easy drive, but this time of year watch out for "Daisy Pickers" and others stopped in the road, kids, and wild game.The BRP is 76 years old this year. See http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ for info and repair closures. The "Parkway" is my favorite drive in the US, even more so than the "Going To The Sun" road. You'll love it too! OH, a last note note, if you can, get off the Parkway for fuel. They really screw you at the Parkway Stations!

best wishes,

Les

[71 super]

You are going to struggle to go that high on east coast. Tallest mountain on east coast is Mt Mitchell at 6084 located in NC. You will have to travel west to get to the heights that you want to go

[doodah man]

I think all the uphill climbs on the road through SNP total about 12000 ft. There's a lot of downhill too, so, yeah, I won't have to pack any extra oxygen.
^^
Posted via Mobile Device

[rsavage]

Take your camera. There are numerous scenic pull offs with great picture taking opportunities with the truck in the background. There are lots of tunnels but nearly all are in North Carolina. I did it last year with the motorcycle and it is stunning. There are no services on the parkway. You will love it.

[special-K]

It's an easy drive. The most climbing is to get up to it. Once on it you ride the ridge as much as possible. The climb at the north end out of Front Royal is gradual. Coming onto it from any side spur,like 211 is a good climb with switchback,but still to chore for your truck. If you have trouble near Luray I know a good mechanic in town. I don't have his info other than his name is Randy and I can give directions to his shop. My sister uses him and I could get you the number. Bill Athey (site vendor) is up by Front Royal and my know someone. It really is a breeze and you should be fine. I'd think the hiway driving to get there will be the hardest. If you get boared up there,I strongly recommend US340, It's a very scenic road that takes you "through" the Shenendoah Valley where you go through the everyday life of the valley,it's historic little towns,it's people,and the river is there. Maybe coming north you can use that. The run from Luray to Front Royal is especially nice through what is locally know as Page Valley. Then,there's Fort Valley west of Luray that runs over Massanutten and up towards Strasburg on US11. US11 farther runs down the big valley and is also a great drive. To the East are great roads,too,from Sperryville to Madison and south.
This picture was taken along US11 near where Fort Valley Rd. comes out at the north end of Massanutten (background):

[doodah man]

Thanks SK. We'll be coming to into it from Front Royal. We're planning on pitching a tent at one of the campgrounds about half way through. Then on down to SW corner of VA (Willis to be exact) to visit some relatives. Maybe we'll take US340 on the way back. It sounds like a good ride. Accu(?)weather is predicting thunderstorms around there that day, so we'll see.

[doodah man]

Here's an elevation profile for the Skyline. Looks like the total elevation gain (all the uphills added together) is only 8556 ft. When I was searching for it I stumbled upon a thread on a unicycle forum where some guys were planning on doing an 80 mile section on, you guessed it, unicycles. If that's possible, the old V8 ought to be fine.

[special-K]

Enjoy the ride. What a priviledge to take the ride in a '72