Kurt,

I went to school up there and traveled up I40 regularly. We had to do 4th gear (sometimes 3rd!) in a heavilly loaded Escort wagon, but as long as you're not in a hurry it's not a problem.

With the route you're taking I'm not sure what the grades are like, but once you're into Hendersonville you'll just be doing short elevation changes. It was the main passes up I40 which got the truckers all in the right lane going 25mph! I do believe you'll spend some time in 3rd, however.

Let me know how you're van handles it since we're going to take our new westy up that way several times this summer, gravity permitting.

john