We live in MA and we're new to RVing. Just bought a 2011 Ford F150 extended crew cab and 2011 Coachmen 24RBS 24 ft. trailer. Will be camping locally couple times for experience before heading to LA the first few weeks of November. Daily mileage will be mostly 175-225 miles. Our tentative route and campgrounds are listed below and we'd like any comments about what we're planning. We used the Good Sam Trip Planner.Day 1 (Thursday) – Depart Sturbridge, MA and travel mostly via I-84, I-684, I-287, I-87, I-78. Rest stop in Allentown, PA area to see friends. Depart for Reading, PA area via Rt. 222/272 and first camping night at Sill's Family Campground.Sill's Family Campground.Day 2 (Friday) – Depart campground for northern VA mostly via Rt. 272, Rt. 30 to Gettysburg, PA Rt. 15 toward Frederick, and Purcellville. Visit friends for 2 nights. Day 3 (Saturday), with friends in northern VADay 4 (Sunday) – Depart northern VA for Natural Bridge, VA mostly via I-81 & US-50. Camp at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA.Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA.Day 5 (Monday) – Depart campground for Greeneville, TN mostly via I-81. Camp at Baileyton RV Park.Baileyton RV Park.Day 6 (Tuesday) – Depart campground for Trenton, GA mostly via I-81, I-75, I-24. Camp at Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga West KOA.Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga West KOA.Day 7 (Wednesday) – Depart campground for Pelham, AL moslty via I-59. Camp at Birmingham South Campground.Birmingham South Campground.Day 8 (Thursday) – Depart campground for Toomsuba, MS mostly via I-459 & I-59. Camp at Meridian East/Toomsuba KOA.Meridian East/Toomsuba KOA.Day 9 (Friday) – Depart campground for Bastrop, LA mostly via I-20, US-425.After 4-5 days in Bastrop we'll make return trip to MA along the same route.

Inquiring minds want to know how you checked out trailer before you got it?Was the unit a set?How are the tires on the trailer? What type tires? Yes it makes a difference Is the battery new or original?Have you sanitized the water system?Have you filled the holding tanks at all to check to make sure the valves work or at least going to a full hookup sight the first time?Water hose sanitized? Hot water heater plug available or in hot water heater?Have you tried the furnace for at least an hour letting it cycle on and off a few times. Refrigerator access panel opened up and top area checked for obstructions/nestsAlso your trip is almost a perfect fit for the Natchez trace parkway between Nashville and Jacksonville MS. The entire route is closed to commercial vehicles with a free national park service campground at the start in Nashville and another near Jacksonville, s. It is our preferred route if in the area. Very pretty route with no one tailgating, pushing etc

Looks like a good plan, but I have to ask, Why Bastrop, LA? Looks like it is just a small town in the middle of nowhere.

Sounds like a good plan. You didn't say which engine you have in that F150, but if its the EcoBoost or the 5.0 V8, try towing in 5th gear instead of 6th and see if that works for you. Its what I do on my 2011 F150 Eco, mileage increases about a mile per gallon.

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll try to answer the 3 so far.Bought the Ford F150, 5.0L V8 from a reputable dealer and had checked out by the mechanic we use for our other car. Report came back "excellent" - new oil, new air filters, new brakes, like new tires, etc. Trailer was bought from a Campers Inn dealer and in very good condition, one previous owner. All systems checked out and had 3-4 demo/orientation.Bastop, LA is a destination to see family.

ricskinner wrote:Thanks for the quick responses. I'll try to answer the 3 so far.Bought the Ford F150, 5.0L V8 from a reputable dealer and had checked out by the mechanic we use for our other car. Report came back "excellent" - new oil, new air filters, new brakes, like new tires, etc. Trailer was bought from a Campers Inn dealer and in very good condition, one previous owner. All systems checked out and had 3-4 demo/orientation.Bastop, LA is a destination to see family.If you have any interesting meals in Louisiana post a report.

Our First Trip -- Comments Wanted | Good Sam Community

darsben
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2014
Inquiring minds want to know how you checked out trailer before you got it?
Was the unit a set?
How are the tires on the trailer? What type tires? Yes it makes a difference
Is the battery new or original?
Have you sanitized the water system?
Have you filled the holding tanks at all to check to make sure the valves work or at least going to a full hookup sight the first time?
Water hose sanitized?
Hot water heater plug available or in hot water heater?
Have you tried the furnace for at least an hour letting it cycle on and off a few times.
Refrigerator access panel opened up and top area checked for obstructions/nests
Also your trip is almost a perfect fit for the Natchez trace parkway between Nashville and Jacksonville MS. The entire route is closed to commercial vehicles with a free national park service campground at the start in Nashville and another near Jacksonville, s. It is our preferred route if in the area. Very pretty route with no one tailgating, pushing etc
rv2go
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2014
Looks like a good plan, but I have to ask, Why Bastrop, LA? Looks like it is just a small town in the middle of nowhere.
OH48Lt
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
Sounds like a good plan. You didn't say which engine you have in that F150, but if its the EcoBoost or the 5.0 V8, try towing in 5th gear instead of 6th and see if that works for you. Its what I do on my 2011 F150 Eco, mileage increases about a mile per gallon.
ricskinner
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
Thanks for the quick responses. I'll try to answer the 3 so far.

Bought the Ford F150, 5.0L V8 from a reputable dealer and had checked out by the mechanic we use for our other car. Report came back "excellent" - new oil, new air filters, new brakes, like new tires, etc. Trailer was bought from a Campers Inn dealer and in very good condition, one previous owner. All systems checked out and had 3-4 demo/orientation.

Bastop, LA is a destination to see family.
darsben
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2014
ricskinner wrote:
Thanks for the quick responses. I'll try to answer the 3 so far.

Bought the Ford F150, 5.0L V8 from a reputable dealer and had checked out by the mechanic we use for our other car. Report came back "excellent" - new oil, new air filters, new brakes, like new tires, etc. Trailer was bought from a Campers Inn dealer and in very good condition, one previous owner. All systems checked out and had 3-4 demo/orientation.

Bastop, LA is a destination to see family.

If you have any interesting meals in Louisiana post a report.
ricskinner
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
We're expecting a few venison dishes. Our 10-year old grandson just got his first deer today!
K_Charles
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
Deer season hasn't started in MA yet, or is you grandson in Louisiana?

I wouldn't come back the same way I went, see something new, and don't plan so much.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
Sounds like a great trip that'll allow you to see family and new scenery. Since it seems like this will be you first trip for this itinerary I can see how going the same route back makes theoretical sense. You'll know if you want to make changes for the return trip.

Have fun out there!
Halmfamily
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
Day 7 I would stay at Oak Mountain State Park, about 8 miles south of 459 on I65 south.. Never stayed at Bham South but from what I've seen it looks like a big parking lot. They are also doing a lot of construction at that exit. Check out Tannehill SP off of I59 just west of Birmingham.

Good luck and happy camping.
ricskinner
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
Yup, grandson is in LA. Hope there's some venison left by the time we get there :). Good suggestion to deviate from return route if we don't like something on the way down. Will check out the other campground as suggested. At this time of year we probably won't make reservations more than a day or two in advance since we not get as far or perhaps farther than as we plan.

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