Newbie, what makes me nervous

You've got it right. Practice, practice, practice....... That's the only thing that'll get you over those nerves.

I like taking the road less traveled myself. If finding fuel is a big concern, it may be worth looking into an auxiliary fuel tank. Fill up after you get to your destination and have a chance to unhook the trailer.

in-bed fuel tank

Things I never, ever noticed before I bought a motorhome:
- bridge height signs
- tunnel height signs
- parking garage height signs
- fast food drive thru height signs
- brown/blue 'rv dump station' signs
- brown 'camping' signs

pconroy328 wrote:

- brown/blue 'rv dump station' signs

??? New to me. What's the difference?

Samsonsworld wrote:

pconroy328 wrote:

- brown/blue 'rv dump station' signs

??? New to me. What's the difference?

One sign's brown and one's blue. Seems pretty straightforward to me... :B

I believe it's only regional differences in signage, not differing services available at the dump stations. I may be wrong in my beliefs.

Use the Gas Buddy app for diesel also. It will usually give you pictures of the gas stations to see what you're getting into.

I usually avoid the truck stops also because you can get cheaper diesel elsewhere such as Sam's Club. Traffic is usually minimal with plenty of parking room while you shop for groceries also. We have a 40'DP with a toad.

Bill

I have seen very few gas stations that offer diesel that do not have room for a truck with a camper attached to it. Most often the diesel pumps are totally separate or on the outer islands of the station.

You need to know off hand what your 'no ****' vehicle height is. I prefer to measure the height when the tires are full and the camper is UNLOADED and attached to the TV. This will have it sit the highest. Measure off the top most point (usually the AC).

While avoiding the interstate has some advantages... you need to know the route, or at least check heights beforehand. A GPS (unless its an rv/truckers type) will not take height into account, or your inability to do a U turn easily. You will run into massive speed limit changes, and many stop signs / lights at small towns. Bridges by far are the hazard you need to look out for.

On the Interstate, I have found that the truckers usually give me the same courtesy that they give other truckers by moving over, flashing their lights when its safe to merge in front of them, etc. The major downside is tolls are expensive. Also diesel is always available right off the Interstate.

I have noticed that Flying J tends to have the highest diesel prices.

Off point, but:::::::

From the Uniform Manual for Traffic Control Devices;

Brown background: Parks, Historic Sites, Recreational Areas, Conservation Areas. (Established and maintained by a government agency)

Blue Background: Facilities maintained by the highway/transportation agency. Rest Areas, Roadside Parks, etc.

ediemarie wrote:
we had a 28' class C for a year and then decided to go with a 5th wheel. purchased a Outback 32' along with a F350 long bed truck to pull with.

we've been on 3 relatively short trips. I don't have a bit of trouble pulling. my concerns and "things that make me nervous" are, in no particular order, low hanging trees; this thing is sooooo much taller than the C. already ripped the antenna out had to re-attach. avoiding interstates makes sense to me, less traffic, semi's etc. while avoiding the interstates I'm also avoiding Pilot and Flying J truck stops which allow me plenty of room to pull and get fuel. speaking of fuel, trying to first find a station that has diesel and then finding a station that has fuel and gives me plenty of room to get in and out. backing that thing up, I'm getting better, practice practice, practice.

not sure what I'm looking for here, guess its mainly my observations as a newbie.

safe travels!

" low hanging trees; this thing is sooooo much taller than the C. already ripped the antenna out had to re-attach. avoiding interstates makes sense to me, less traffic, semi's etc. while avoiding the interstates I'm also avoiding Pilot and Flying J truck stops which allow me plenty of room to pull and get fuel. speaking of fuel, trying to first find a station that has diesel and then finding a station that has fuel and gives me plenty of room to get in and out"

You realize how many problems you bring upon yourself just because of your dislike of Interstate highways? They are your friends.

Chandalen wrote:
You need to know off hand what your 'no ****' vehicle height is. I prefer to measure the height when the tires are full and the camper is UNLOADED and attached to the TV. This will have it sit the highest. Measure off the top most point (usually the AC).

While that's true, I think it's also important to mention that the height signs posted on overpasses and tunnels shouldn't be considered as 100% accurate.

When they repave the road, the actual height can change.

If it's going to be close, I think it's best to slow down and check rather than barreling thru at 60 mph.