Can I make it up the entrance to Amicalola State Park? 2005 Journey 32T

[DNMakinson]

Re: Amicalola State Park in Georgia:

I have a 2005 Journey 32T with the 300HP Cummins and 5 speed transmission. The park info states that the road has a 1-mile section that is 25% grade. Will I be able to camp there? Actual information from someone who has successfully made it would be nice. (Or someone that failed). I have not weighed the loaded rig, but suspect about 24,000 pounds.

Thanks, DNM

 

[HiBanky]

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[Bradm-WO]

Oops Ignore this post

I can’t ignore it.. I won’t be able sleep tonight. lol!

 

[Bradm-WO]

Re: Amicalola State Park in Georgia:

I have a 2005 Journey 32T with the 300HP Cummins and 5 speed transmission. The park info states that the road has a 1-mile section that is 25% grade. Will I be able to camp there? Actual information from someone who has successfully made it would be nice. (Or someone that failed). I have not weighed the loaded rig, but suspect about 24,000 pounds.

Thanks, DNM

I really don’t know, but based on my own experiences, disconnect the toad, keep it in a lower gear, and drive up. If I’m wrong… I’ll be beat to death by the responses correcting me.

 

[Journey39n]

For highways, 7-10 percent is considered a steep grade. Twenty five percent is a huge climb, I think 1st gear should make it, but a mile will be tough. I only have experience with very short runs of that steep of a grade. Good Luck. Hope someone can chime in with actual experience.

 

[DNMakinson]

I would definitely disconnect the toad.

This is the exact wording from the park:
"Please be advised that our campground is located near the top of the mountain. The grade leading to the campground is very steep (up to 25% grade) and some guests struggle to reach the top if pulling too much weight or towing with smaller vehicles." Thus average would be less than 25%. Winnebago has suggested I'm okay, but also that I confirm with Freightliner. No word back from Freightliner yet. Calculations show that 7mph would require less than 200 hp for 25% grade.

That is all I know for sure, thus far.

DNM

 

[RayIN]

Disconnect towed. Manually shift to 1 gear to climb the grade, (up to 25%) is key here; the entire grade is not that steep.
Remember descending the grade when leaving is more important that climbing the grade! Again, disconnect towed, use 1gear, start slowly, and do not allow speed to climb, otherwise the transmission might up-shift to prevent over-revving the engine; otherwise you only have the service brakes to slow down enough to regain engine braking.

 

[davismills]

I camped there for 5 days about 4 years ago. I did unhook my toad and had no problem climbing the hill. It's a nice campground with lots of nice hiking as you might guess being the southern start of the App Trail. I was in a gas powered 35 foot Winnebago Sightseer.

 

[DNMakinson]

Thank you.

 

[Americanrascal2]

Its every bit of the 25% they say it is. I've been there many times but never even considered driving our rig up. Getting up is one challange, but getting down without doing damage or burning up your brakes, or transmission is something else. I don't even enjoy doing it in a car. Best to park the motorhome at the bottom and take a towed vehicle up and down. But its worth the view and visiting the beautiful lodge. The buffet is great.

When I was young and foolosh in college (now I'm old and foolish) back in 1972 , and before they put the steps in, my roomate and I free climbed the face of the falls from the base. I guess I survived LOL.

 

[DNMakinson]

We have decided to camp on Lake Lanier for this trip Will likely try Amicalola another time. Thanks to all.