I live in North Carolina and I am very familiar with the mountains around Ashville. I have driven my '51 burb with a 235 all through the mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, even to the top of Mt. Mitchell. No problems going up. Got to keep your wits about you coming down.
In 1964, my dad bought a new C10 burb with a 230. That summer he and Mom piled all five of us kids into the burb and we took off for Colorado. Spent the summer camping. I remember going over Donner pass and leadville and Aspen among other fun places.
The mountains were there when these trucks were built, and they were designed to go over them, carrying a load.
You may not go as fast as some of the idiots out there, and you do need to use your gears coming down, but really, the six will do you fine.
Kurt
