Driving in Smoky Mountains....

[umidkusername]

Any tips on driving in Smoky Mountains? I’ll be on paved roads, no gravel ones. Should I always keep in 2H? Any reason to go in 4H? I’ll never go in 4L for this, drivers behind me would kill me for one for going 2 mph. (downhill, I know never for uphill).

Also, when you stop at a stop sign and it’s uphill: Should you do the clutch/gas trick? Hit both at same time, ease off clutch and go forward? Seems like this would prevent rolling backwards.

When you’re going uphill any reason to fear the front end coming off the ground if you stop at a sign stop and need to go forward?

Really would appreciate supportive posts lol. Please contain yourself in making fun of me for my fears when I have a 2020 4Runner for god sake! Aren’t they kinda made for this type thing? I’m just a paranoid type.

Thanks!


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[4RunnerMurse]

Never go into 4H or 4L on dry pavement.

Not sure what you're talking about with the clutch? Unless you mean holding the brake with your left foot and the gas with your right foot.

And no, your 4Runner is not going to do a backflip.

 

[umidkusername]

Never go into 4H or 4L on dry pavement.

Not sure what you're talking about with the clutch? Unless you mean holding the brake with your left foot and the gas with your right foot.

And no, your 4Runner is not going to do a backflip.

Yes, the break sorry lol. Obviously that’s some truck driver lingo. I’m not one but I hear they have some of that going backwards issue when in the mountains.


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[rhadam]

Where's the 'dislike' button when I need it?

 

[Saker]

Never go into 4H or 4L on dry pavement.

Wait, what????

I would like to inform you and the OP, that is an untrue statement.

You can actually place your T4R in 4H and while traveling in a straight line and/or when the pavement is wet.
I hope this need no further explanation as it has been discussed on this forum.

OP,
No need to worry about your truck being able to handle the paved roads in the smoky mtns.

 

[Charlievee]

Where are you going?

 

[Nobody Special]

No downshifting to control speed so you don't "smoke" the brakes?
:bounce:

 

[AgentKooper]

What am I missing? Why would driving on pavement in the Smoky Mountains be different than driving anywhere else?


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[rhadam]

Wait, what????

I would like to inform you and the OP, that is an untrue statement.

You can actually place your T4R in 4H and while traveling in a straight line and/or when the pavement is wet.
I hope this need no further explanation as it has been discussed on this forum.

OP,
No need to worry about your truck being able to handle the paved roads in the smoky mtns.

Those of us in the frigid midwest know all about driving in 4H. Saves my ass many times in the winter when it's wet/icy.

 

[umidkusername]

What am I missing? Why would driving on pavement in the Smoky Mountains be different than driving anywhere else?


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Constantly uphill and downhill, I would say that’s vastly different then driving in a city at 0 elevation.


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[umidkusername]

No downshifting to control speed so you don't "smoke" the brakes?
:bounce:

I couldn’t pick up the sarcasm. Are you saying when going downhill on mostly dry pavement you should be in 4H?


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[Redsoxx1918]

What am I missing? Why would driving on pavement in the Smoky Mountains be different than driving anywhere else?


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That’s what I was thinking. Why would using 4wd hi or lo even be a consideration?


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[blue$]

You'll be fine in 2WD most all of the time, and if you come upon conditions warranting, then take appropriate measures. Relax and enjoy.

 

[Mudhorn]

You’ll be fine. Depending where you are driving from you will be hitting elevation changes on the way that should make you more confident.
The 4R will roll back slightly from a dead stop before assisting, but not as dramatic as it feels the first time it happens. Some old posts on the forum about the mechanics of it. I wouldn’t be concerned about the 4R rolling backwards down the entire mountain the second you let off the brake.

 

[Ripper238]

Did a trip to the smoky mountains this passed summer via BRP. Tons of hills and mountains and I had no need to use 4wd or even low gear, even on dirt roads in the park. The 4Runner does a great job at transmission breaking in regular drive down hill too.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Where's the 'dislike' button when I need it?

This thread reminds me of this video...


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//Q2IDYskNhIg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[00Sebby]

The paved roads through the Smokies are just normal roads. Yes, we have curves and hills but all can be handled by a typical passenger car. If there is snow, you may want to use your 4WD but that would be the only time... and that's if they don't close the roads in the park. The park service is so worried about the "tourons" not being able to handle slick roads and hills that you rarely get the opportunity to drive through the park in the snow anymore.

Once you get to Newfound Gap on 441 there are some long down-hills going either direction. Using a lower gear rather than the brakes makes for a better descent. If you want to stretch the 4Runner's legs a bit, there are plenty of forest service roads in the areas outside the park that give you the opportunity to play with the 4WD and such.

 

[Signal]

We go to the smokys every year. Just drive it like a normal person, I have no clue what you are talking about being in 4H 4L 2H 2L and we go through the state and national parks to get off pavement, we never needed to put it in 4WD even when we were in Blue Ridge.

 

[graciedad04]

We just did the smokies between christmas and new years. Had a blast. The only time I used 4x4 was offroad and in snow to get up to our cabin. Otherwise it was just 2wd the whole time. Had a blast. I just geared down to use the engine to hold me back at places. And pulled off a lot for pictures.

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[graciedad04]

Here is a few pictures from around cades cove, Gatlinburg, and the road between cherokee and Gatlinburg

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