SNOW BOUND: Possible 1st time snow driving. Visiting Beech Mountain in early November

2x4's don't have tires. They are but a piece of dimensional lumber.

 

Ba-dum...ting! (Rim shot).

 

4x2's then.

 

That's the Ultimate Survival Kit!

Thank you. I will definitely practice a few times.

 

Wow! How insulting!

I'm not 7. I'm 41.

 

Thank you!

I agree with that. Especially the experience part. I've driven my 2WD through some stuff where people watching thought that my truck was 4WD. I am by no means an expert but common sense & practice goes a long way.
Thank you.

 

We go down into gatlinburg every year in november for our wedding anniversary, we drive from west virginia down, and usually there is never any snow. Its cold and wet, but we have been going down there for 7 years (only been married for 3) and have only seen it once. Not saying that it wont happen, but there is usually nothing around gatlinburg at that time. I used to take my front wheel drive kia forta and never had an issue. Some of the other places im not really for sure on, just giving advice for the gatlinburg area. From experience here, just take it slow, keep a good distance, keep you a case of water in the back and some small little goodies (like crackers and chips, something that doesnt require cooking) just in case you could probably get away with 200-300 lbs in the bed of the truck. Just be cautious and take your time. Try to keep your momentum going as well, dont stop on a hill or anything if you dont need to, you may not get going again. This really would only be the case if there is several inches of snow on the ground, if you just have an inch or two you should be able to go about anywhere you need to. Plus if you are renting a larger 4x4 suv when your down there, that will take care of the extra weight you will need. I dont think you will have to worry about the snowy conditions down there though, most of the snow in that area doesnt start flying until around the last part of december in most cases. Good luck!!

 

Thank you for the advice!

I would be very happy if I get to see one or two inches of snow! Maybe not in Gatlinburg but hopefully at the higher elevations. I'm definitely going to check the weather reports before I go to look for at least some snow. I remember driving from Gatlinburg to New Found Gap, then Clingmans Dome & the temps dropped significantly.

BTW, my wedding anniversary is in October. If you don't mind me asking, what do you do there every year? Basically, what's there to do in Gatlinburg? I only went once & it was only for a day so I'm not familiar with the area.

Thanks again.

 

No worries OP and whoever said you are a 7yr old girl is a fool.

I'm a proud Canadian who drives some of the worst winter roads out there to go riding and I respect those who go prepared more than anything.

If you have any questions just PM me.

 

OP, let us know when you are in the Beech Mountain, Banner Elk area, the wife and I will ride our motorcycles over and buy you a beer...

Howard

 

Yeah. That was funny. His comments made me laugh.

Will do!

Thank you BOTH for your kind gesture!

I also recieved a PM from someone on this post offering to help me IF I was to have any issues.

 

You know I just don't get the Cranial Rectosis comments on here sometimes.....

 

Well, we usually just go to get away. We try and take in at least one show, like lumberjack fued, or comedy barn or something along those lines. My wife likes to shop, which means i usually watch espn on my phone, lol. We go down there alot throughout the year, and it is kind of like a second home to us sort of. We always do a tradition of going to our chapel and taking a picture of us, and just kind of reminiscing a little, corny im sure but we like it. We also drive around and see all the lights and such, just try and make it a relaxing time for a few days after thanksgiving ya know. Id be glad to help you with any info on anything. I know you memtioned Clingmans Dome being different temps, thats the highest or second highest peak in the smokies, even in the summer its about 6-8 degrees cooler up there than anywhere else.

 

HAHAHA! My wife likes to shop also but she works hard & is very good with money so it's cool.

Lumberjack Fued & Comedy barn sound good! I can imagine that the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays in the mountains are much more beautiful than down here. More in line with tradition also. The beaches here are great & you rarely see 40 degrees but all the winter holidays look nicer up there.

As for your "tradition". Nothing wrong or corny about what you do. Sounds like you have a healthy marriage. What ever makes you & your wife happy, that's all that counts. That's awesome! Enjoy every moment you can.

My wife & I will have 22 years of marriage this coming Sunday the 26th & i feel very fortunate & lucky!

This trip that I am doing will only be the 3rd time that I travel anywhere without her. My 1st was to the Smokies with my mom & 2nd time was to New York with my dad (My parents have been divorced since I was a kid). My wife & I normmally go everywhere together.

 

Thanks, so do me and my wife as well, you hardly see one without the other. All of the shows down there are really good, we have been to them all except the blackbear jamboree and some kind of a breakfast show. We really enjoy it alot, i guess we are so compatible because we both are a little nerdy, lol. Anyways enjoy your trip, i believe that you will be fine.

 

4wd helps in snow, as long as you don't think it makes you superman.

2wd...I wouldn't do it. Just wouldn't, but I got my first Tacoma TRD in 2010 in Minnesota, and the white stuff was thick that winter.

I turned around once and went back home because the snow was too bad. Note: I was able to turn around and go back home

If you're expecting HEAVY snow or poorly maintained roads, take lots of salt, sand, and shovels.

 

Well, I guess we are a little nerdy also because that sounds interesting to me. Hey, I'd rather be a little nerdy than a little girl

I'm not expecting heavy snow. I would definitely love to see SOME snow but there is an unfortunate chance that I may not see any at all but thank you for the tips! I have a shovel & I plan to take a few sand bags also.

 

Also, bottled water in the cab, granola, chemical hand warmers, flares...not joking. These are small things that probably won't matter 99% of the time.

1% happens 1% of the time, reliably Edit: and that's a 100% guarantee !

 

This is exactly the approach that I am taking. I couldn't agree more.

BTW, I'm going alone so I'm not as concerned as if I was going with my family. I just want to be prepared.
I'd rather get back home & say that I didn't need to use anything emergency related than to say that I had an emergency & I wasn't prepared for it.

I have:
2 First Aid Kits,
Food (that doesn't require refrigeration or cooking),
Water,
Flashlights,
Extra clothes,
30' & 20' tow straps,
A machetee,
Fire wood, since I may camp in my truck at Mt. Mitchell,
Rear window screens. They slide over the entire door, I forgot the name but I have them at home. Bought them on line from an Australian company for $40 about a year ago & haven't used them yet.

Thank you oldswab!

 

Nothing wrong with being prepared. I actually keep a case of bottled water in my truck year round, also keep a few blankets, pillows and usually some snacks. Like nuts and crackers and such. I will eat on the snacks to keep them pretty fresh and just keep like rotating them, but i dunno how many times the water and blankets have came in handy, for my wife ya know.