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After driving this road several times over the past few years unhitched, I would say that if you can manage to get onto an alternative route you may be better to do so. Not only do you need plenty of power to negotiate the steep hill when approaching from the west, but if there is any inceident such as a broken down HGV on the road you may have difficulties turning around a large panel van conversion or motorhome on such a challenging road. Theres also the chance of being caught out by high winds as they blow across the flat land before they hit the high hillside of Sutton Bank.

Julia  

Its only caravans that are legally banned from using Sutton Bank.

Everything else can legally use it. However, consider what would happen if something infront caused the traffic flow to come to a standstill. ( Ive seen this happen several times ) Could you get going again from a standing start ?  Thats the issue.

The caravan route avoiding Sutton bank although quite hilly is not quite as steep as Sutton Bank and there are not the sudden hairpin bends that Sutton Bank has.

About 3/4 mile past Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe,there are signs saying Caravans prohibited,one each side of the road.

If you go on the continent you will drine up roads that make Sutton Bank look like gentle slope. Real hairpin bends that make your teeth curl. You have to drive accordingly. As the good old police insructor told me long ago. Right gear at right time then no problem. No problem with starting on a bad slope, just be careful, the clutch will slip and smell a bit but it will go.

If you want a go at the real thing try Long Mind in Shropshire.