Diesel near Tail of the Dragon?

[eyeguy]

600 miles on a tank is impressive, but does anyone know if there is good diesel fuel available near this location in North Carolina?

[motordavid]

I have never bought diesel for cars...but, I live 45 mins from Deal's Gap, have
ridden there as recently as 2 weeks ago, and I can guarantee there is
lots of good diesel in the surrounding towns: Robbinsville, close by on the NC
side, Calderwood & Chilhowee if you are coming in on the TN side, and several
towns up and down 19/74 going north or south: Almond, Bryson City, Andrews, etc.

The reason I feel so confident is that every little burg here in western NC has
a few good gas stations, most/all of which have diesel, as there are more turbo
diesel pick up trucks with big payments around here than there are people with
full sets of teeth.

Deal's Gap is hugely overrated by the bye, as its very sharp, off camber turns
make for a seasick like ride in a car...and, weekends are packed with everything
from near pro caliber club racers to RVs waddling through. Rt 129 from Robbinsville
into Deal's Gap/Dragon area is a fabulous road, esp. on weekdays when the cops
aren't there. If you are in the area, you might take an hour spin on the Cherohala
Skyway and, of course the southern/best end of the Blue Ridge Parkway...

I have lived, driven and ridden here for 8 years; know the area like my backyard.
If you need more info, let me know.
GL,mD

Cherohala Skyway Robbinsville NC - Tellico Plains TN

Map 6 - From Milepost 412 (US 276) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

[eyeguy]

Excellent - thanks for the info.

I'm new to this forum - I've been hanging out on Bimmerfest since '04 in the E46 forum. I'm taking the plunge and trading in my 330ZHP for a new X5d - 2 kids and a boat, etc, etc. I liked my X5d test drive but know very little about diesel and am a bit unnerved by threads on poor starting, "runaway," poor fuel quality, etc.

I've been reading threads here on PCD and will be picking up my own new baby in Spartanburg next month. It's only a matter of time before I start posting gushing threads in anticipation - maybe this weekend...

Thanks again-

[Craig]

Originally Posted by eyeguy

Excellent - thanks for the info.

I'm new to this forum - I've been hanging out on Bimmerfest since '04 in the E46 forum. I'm taking the plunge and trading in my 330ZHP for a new X5d - 2 kids and a boat, etc, etc. I liked my X5d test drive but know very little about diesel and am a bit unnerved by threads on poor starting, "runaway," poor fuel quality, etc.

I've been reading threads here on PCD and will be picking up my own new baby in Spartanburg next month. It's only a matter of time before I start posting gushing threads in anticipation - maybe this weekend...

Thanks again-

The best advice about diesel, go where they sell a lot of diesel fuel. You don't want fuel that's been sitting around. I had no problems last winter here in the Midwest.

Craig

[tim-atl]

Originally Posted by motordavid

as there are more turbo diesel pick up trucks with big payments around here than there are people with full sets of teeth.

I'm gonna have to work that quote in to casual conversation at work next week.

Tim

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Deal's Gap is hugely overrated by the bye, as its very sharp, off camber turns
make for a seasick like ride in a car...and, weekends are packed with everything
from near pro caliber club racers to RVs waddling through. Rt 129 from Robbinsville
into Deal's Gap/Dragon area is a fabulous road, esp. on weekdays when the cops
aren't there.

MD, I completely agree. My friends parents have lake houses on Santeetlah. I have been going there for about 8 years or so. Beautiful place by the way.

Their houses are basically right at the beginning of the tail, so I have driven it a few times (once in the X), but as you said, if you are there on a weekend or holiday, you are not going to be able to enjoy it. Last time I attempted to drive it I got stuck behind a guy on a Harley and he was sparking the bike on every turn. I thought he was going to get creamed because he couldn't even turn as sharp as he needed to. His bike kept scraping on the road so bad he actually drifted into the other lane multiple times. The last time I was there the whole road was completely shut down due to a bad motorcycle accident.

eyeguy, I agree with MD, if there weren't plenty of deisel in that area, it would be a ghost town.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by motordavid

.... most/all of which have diesel, as there are more turbo diesel pick up trucks with big payments around here than there are people with full sets of teeth. ....

Hey! Watch your mouth. Them's fightin' words. 'sides which, my turbo diesel ain't no 'pick up'. It's one of them BMW X5 SAVs made right here in the US of A

Funf Dreisig

[motordavid]

De nada, eyeguy.
Great Board for X info and, about any other topic, car or otherwise, imo.
We have another eye doc on here from upstate NY...
Here's a GOOG map of Deal's Gap Area.
GL,mD

Tail of the Dragon, NC - Google Maps

[FSETH]

Hey eyeguy, I hear your concern regarding diesel availability though. I know someone with an F-250 and I have seen him have to search for diesel more than once locally.

[eyeguy]

Yeah, I'm just worried about readily finding a station that:
1. has diesel
2. is likely to be fresh, if not a truck stop
3. is cetane >61
4. 5% max biodiesel (apparently many ULSD are 10%)
5. is clean so I don't spill on the car or myself (this may be a needless worry - it's just pumping gas, right?)

Lots to learn?