1st Trip - Tips?

well we made it!

started raining about 10mins after we left. 20mins later I hit construction. YES, there were concrete barriers. made it through those safely. 25-35mph winds with gusts of "it doesn't really matter" for the next 7 or so hours.

we stopped every couple of hours so I could pry my hands off the wheel and walk the dogs and ourselves a bit. took us a little over 10 hours to get there. honestly, that's about what we figured.

rented a car at the airport then on to the KOA. very nice facilities and staff. got everything hooked up and proceeded to blow the handle off the water in the shower. tried to fix that, couldn't do it. went
with no water but had gallon jugs we filled at the sites b.room when needed.

due to weather in OK we stayed an extra day in ALBQ and then stayed a night in Amarillo before heading home. trip home in total took apprx 9hrs. loved driving without the wind! doesn't take long to get used to the "wake" caused by semi's.

all in all......... I LOVE THIS RV BUSINESS! can't wait to plan our next trip. spent a little more on gas but I figure driving into that wind for so long ate up quite a bit.

thanks once again for the tips and advice. we'll have this figured out in no time.

EM

thanks so much for all the replies/advice.

unfortunately we've only budgeted for 1 day from OKC-ALBQ. we generally leave 4-5am to get out of town with little traffic.

getting an extra hour going into NM will help us out. I have managed to get it in my head (hopefully it will stay there) that I'm not in the car and can not be the somewhat heavy footed driver that I usually am. thinking right hand lane and slow and steady wins the race! biggest fear: road construction! a little nervous about entering an area with those awful concrete barriers. I may send up a flare and ask for someone to drive us through!

here's hoping for a safe first RV adventure!

thank you once again for the great and friendly responses!

EM

There is a great story about a couple who sold their farm, retired and bought a motorhome. They headed out on their first trip on a four lane highway. It soon got boring so they turned on the cruise control and moved into the back to make tea.

We frequently stop for tea and never zoom past an interesting spot. The convenience of having your house with you is wonderful. Enjoy it!

Take everybody's prescription meds and OTC personal items, eyeglasses,camera, batteries, chargers, etc. Have snacks and a small cooler with drinks for munching on the way. If you have a GPS take it, may come in handy. Trip-tiks from AAA are nice to have.Take a basic tool kit including mini-screwdrivers, duct tape, a spare fuse kit and a cheap digital multi-meter. Rain ponchos and umbrellas may come in handy. You may not need many changes of clothes.
Stop and rest every 100 miles or so, walk around, collect your wits. Try to enjoy the process.

Yeah, 540 miles in one day in a Class C is going to be a real grind. I'd make it into two easy days, driving in the slow lane.

As Matt says This is a rest area near Amarillo. We have stopped there for a night of rest. It has 24 hours security and WIFI.
Stop here and then get fresh start the next day. Will make for a much more comfortable trip.

Enjoy your trip!

OK Eddie,

This is a good place to ask this set of questions.

First, That 8 car hours will quickly become 10+ road hours in an RV. And, you actual time in transit will add up to more like 12 with fuel and other breaks.

So, I am going to suggest that you take full advantage of your new self-contained coach and plan to hold-up at a very nice TDOT rest area at exit 75 on the south side of I-40. There are fuel and food stops on the north side of I-40 at the same exit. There was even WiFi available at that stop the last time we were that way.

Matt

Budget some time the first night to get to know your rig, set up and take down, and familiarizing yourself with all the options that looked really cool when you bought it!

I have the same RV as you do and I bought it at the same place as you, but I have driven mine quite a few more miles than you.

I sent you a Private Message and would be glad to share some tips with you.

Tim

How to handle a tire blowout use this technique whenever you feel you are being pushed around from trucks or wind.