New Snowbird

Hi. You reported that you have a relatively new RV(Feb.2013). How much have you used the RV and are you comfortable using all of the equipment? Have you camped in cooler weather and used the furnace? Have you traveled in a winterized RV? Have you used portable electric heaters? If no to any of these questions, I recommend you spend some time gaining experience with them before a dead-of-winter trip. Second, create some lists for yourselves. For example, what needs to be done with your house and mail, a list for clothes, a list for meals, a list to prepare the RV, etc. Work on your lists as you can, don't try to do it all in a few days until you become more experienced. Third, try to be flexible with you departure date from MI. Check the weather carefully along your planned route and leave home when the weather is best, not when the calender turns over. Fourth, understand that for the first few days of your trip, you will be camping in cold weather (most likely). Plan for this. Also, you can run into some colder weather down south on some days. We have had freezes in central FL on some trips. Fifth, after deciding on your route, call a few of the campgrounds where you plan to stay on your way south and make sure they will be open when you are thinking of going. Many CGs in the cold weather areas close for the season. Also remember that daylight hours are shorter in winter, which can limit driving hours. Keep in mind for hook-up time as well. Sixth, when it's time to go, make sure you have the essentials for the RV and especially yourselves like glasses, medications, some cash and credit card(s), owners' and insurance documents, cell phone, etc. If you forget some other items (clothes, food) no big deal, you can always get it when you get to your destination. Seventh, remember that you have wheels. If your planned stay is not working out, move to somewhere else. Eighth, have a good time and relax. Hope this helps.