Tail of the Dragon and Windrock Trip

[killaz05]

Took the bronco from FL to NC and back to ride the dragon in the solstice and take the Bronco to Windrock for an LGBTQ car enthusiast event called Pride at the dragon. The Bronco got 14.5mpg towing the solstice and had no issues with the mountains. It impressed me as it was able to do everything. Was even the camera truck for the Offroad event at Windrock off-road park. Such a fun event!

*Before the tow police come for me, I know I was slightly over on towing capacity which for legal reasons I don't recommend to anyone but with the weight being loaded just right, the Bronco sat even, and the wireless curt brake controller worked beautifully that I never was worried about braking.*

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[Montana Bronco]

Heck yeah! Looks like a fun time with friends.

 

[KT_bronco]

Love the dual sport going on here.

 

[Cajun Czar]

What trails did you run at Windrock?

 

[killaz05]

What trails did you run at Windrock?

We did easy trails. G1->G2->G9->G1->Trail 2->out

We had a Modified Jeep Sahara Wrangler, Stock Jeep Sahara Wrangler, Dodge Ram Limited (on street tires), and an Ineos Grenadier. The Ram at least had air suspension that helped it a lot but one of its tires got slashed which isn't surprising since they are very thin walled. Still, it was a great day out.

Next year I am putting a limit on what can be brought to the off-road expedition because we want to do Panther Rock and/or Trail 22. Trail 22 I did last year, and it was a lot of fun.

 

[Cajun Czar]

How did the Grenadier do? I really like the look and from what I have seen on YT they seem capable

 

[vrtical]

Best combo to have bronco + sports car. I live on the north end of TOTD. Good to see you made it to the overlook at G9.

 

[TheKim]

How did the Pontiac do off-road?

Kidding - I love the Solstice!

 

[killaz05]

How did the Grenadier do? I really like the look and from what I have seen on YT they seem capable

It did great. Our limiting vehicle was obviously the Ram. The Ineos doesn't have the same ground clearance as the Bronco, but it didn't struggle.

The power steering though was screaming loudly which they say is normal until it is broken in, but it had 1700 miles on it and was crazy loud. Also, he tried to put the lockers on in the wrong order I guess and had to reset the truck because the computer didn't like it. The Bronco just says you can't do that in this mode and keeps going. I think there are some things left to work out on that Ineos.

 

[RNC]

Tail of The Dragon is not an ideal driving experience in a Bronco. I've been on it coming out of The Great Smoky Mountains NP from Parsons Branch Road.

 

[Sparkie]

I had always wanted to take my Saturn Sky Redline to the Tail of the Dragon, but in 13 years, I never managed to find the time.
Your photos show you had fun with the Bronco, but I know you also had fun with the Solstice.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Tail of The Dragon is not an ideal driving experience in a Bronco. I've been on it coming out of The Great Smoky Mountains NP from Parsons Branch Road.

Not Ideal, but I ran it a total of 3 and 1/2 times just last month at Super Cel in the Bronco and it surprisingly did better than I expected. I was cautious at first, also coming out of Parson's Branch, but was fun. I also have the 2 Door which can zig and zag a tad better, but it is Squatch.

I'd run TOTD in a few sporty cars in years past and although I went much slower in the Bronco, it wasn't horrible and I did always keep it between the mustard and the mayo like you're supposed to!

 

[RNC]

Not Ideal, but I ran it a total of 3 and 1/2 times just last month at Super Cel in the Bronco and it surprisingly did better than I expected. I was cautious at first, also coming out of Parson's Branch, but was fun. I also have the 2 Door which can zig and zag a tad better, but it is Squatch.

I'd run TOTD in a few sporty cars in years past and although I went much slower in the Bronco, it wasn't horrible and I did always keep it between the mustard and the mayo like you're supposed to!

I have a 2 door Squatch. I have driven it on The Tail at least 3 times. Aside from the road being much better suited for sports cars and motorcycles, my biggest complaint is that it drops you off pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Between getting through Cades Cove, driving Parsons Branch Road, driving The Tail, then getting back to Townsend/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, you've spent the better portion of the day behind the wheel.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I have a 2 door Squatch. I have driven it on The Tail at least 3 times. Aside from the road being much better suited for sports cars and motorcycles, my biggest complaint is that it drops you off pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Between getting through Cades Cove, driving Parsons Branch Road, driving The Tail, then getting back to Townsend/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, you've spent the better portion of the day behind the wheel.

Well, yeah. Exactly! It's a wheeler vacation day for sure, but bet you could also do Roaring Fork earlier that morning as well to put in a pretty paved ride as well.

 

[Sparkherd]

Took me awhile to figger out who/what is driving from the back seat!!!

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