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jason26's avatar
jason26
Explorer
Apr 22, 2016

Tips for travelling with trailer through the US.

We're planning a family trip in the very near future from Saskatoon to Legoland (Carlsbad, CA), via Grand Canyon and maybe Vegas. and I'm trying to cover all the need to know things about travelling with a trailer in the US (29 ft), right down to route advice?

This would be our first major trip with a trailer - we've pulled a 10' popup all over western Canada so do have a little experience, but there's a big difference from 10 to 29'.

Things that worry me:
- running into road restrictions on chosen routes. Are there helpers for planning the route?
- navigating the bigger cities with a trailer - coming back home we'd probably to Disney Land, and perhaps San Francisco.
- break downs, is there an association I can join, Good Sams?
- nearing the end of day and not having a place to park stay (though I hear some people just pull into a Walmart lot for the night).

And of course the stuff I just don't know about as this is quite different than parking the trailer at the lake for a week and heading home.

Thanks for any tips and advice.
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    jason26 wrote:
    We're planning a family trip in the very near future from Saskatoon to Legoland (Carlsbad, CA), via Grand Canyon and maybe Vegas. and I'm trying to cover all the need to know things about travelling with a trailer in the US (29 ft), right down to route advice?

    This would be our first major trip with a trailer - we've pulled a 10' popup all over western Canada so do have a little experience, but there's a big difference from 10 to 29'.

    Things that worry me:
    - running into road restrictions on chosen routes. Are there helpers for planning the route? Several publications that we carry to avoid such things - Mountain West Directory and there is also a Mountain East Directory - for truckers and RV'ers to let you know of grades and mountain passes. The Motor Carriers road atlas - truckers information that helps RVers such as truck routes around large cities, height of overpasses, etc. Also, milebymile.com is helpful.
    - navigating the bigger cities with a trailer - coming back home we'd probably to Disney Land, and perhaps San Francisco. Motor Carriers Road atlas again.
    - break downs, is there an association I can join, Good Sams? Yes, Good Sam or any club like that, even AAA.
    - nearing the end of day and not having a place to park stay (though I hear some people just pull into a Walmart lot for the night). Walmarts are good, but you can find other quick stops too on freecampgrounds.com, and there is a publication called Next Stop that lets you know of such things as amenities - gas, food, overnight stops. Some truck stops also have hookup areas for RV'ers.

    And of course the stuff I just don't know about as this is quite different than parking the trailer at the lake for a week and heading home.

    Thanks for any tips and advice.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    jason26 wrote:
    We're planning a family trip in the very near future from Saskatoon to Legoland (Carlsbad, CA), via Grand Canyon and maybe Vegas. and I'm trying to cover all the need to know things about travelling with a trailer in the US (29 ft), right down to route advice?

    This would be our first major trip with a trailer - we've pulled a 10' popup all over western Canada so do have a little experience, but there's a big difference from 10 to 29'.

    Things that worry me:
    - running into road restrictions on chosen routes. Are there helpers for planning the route?
    - navigating the bigger cities with a trailer - coming back home we'd probably to Disney Land, and perhaps San Francisco.
    - break downs, is there an association I can join, Good Sams?
    - nearing the end of day and not having a place to park stay (though I hear some people just pull into a Walmart lot for the night).

    And of course the stuff I just don't know about as this is quite different than parking the trailer at the lake for a week and heading home.

    Thanks for any tips and advice.


    Road restrictions? In San Francisco and Disney there may be some, but there will be signs. Big semi trucks drive just about everywhere here in the lower 48, and if they can make it, us campers can too :)

    I'm rather new to the towing game myself, covering just over 30,000 miles so far. I've only broken down once, and having roadside both through Chrysler and my insurance company, it did not help. Eventually the State Police found me a tow company willing to tow a trailer with broken suspension. I'm young and in good health, so changing my own tire isn't something I'd call a service for, which is the most common breakdown that I read about.

    I'm all for Walmart overnights, although any parking lot will do. As for not having hookups, I equipped my trailer to be self sufficient for several days at a time, don't need power or water every time I stop... everyone else's situation may be different.

    You'll be passing a lot of our "Gems" coming down from SK. Badlands, Yellow Stone, Tetons, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, (vegas) and Death Valley are all potentially along your way. How many months time do you have for this trip?

    If you plan to visit 3 or more National Parks, buy the $80 park pass. All these parks are $25-35 each, and the park pass gets you unlimited access to all of them for one year.
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    With the exception of a coastal highway it gets very hot in the part of the country you are planning to travel. A proven vehicle cooling system is a must, for example, do you know that your fan clutch works properly?
  • jason26's avatar
    jason26
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    Harvard wrote:
    With the exception of a coastal highway it gets very hot in the part of the country you are planning to travel. A proven vehicle cooling system is a must, for example, do you know that your fan clutch works properly?


    I wouldn't know. Was planning to get the dealership to do a once over before we go. I'll make a note of that.
  • ThomasFour's avatar
    ThomasFour
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    Don't let anxieties ruin your trip. Good to be prepared, but you are worrying about things that are no big deal. We have camped in rest stops, truck stops, and Walmart parking lots when we couldn't find a good RV park at the end of the day. Semi truck drivers navigate big cities all the time with a 54' trailer so you don't have to worry about a 29' camper. Perform some due diligence during your preparations, but the best part of RVing is freedom, and no stress of hotel reservations, airports, rental cars, etc. Don't ruin the experience by worrying about a load of non-issues. Keep your plans flexible and enjoy your trip. It sounds like a fun one.
    PS. I've never checked my fan clutch before a camping trip and I live in the hottest city in the US :)
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    nearing the end of day and not having a place to park stay (though I hear some people just pull into a Walmart lot for the night).


    Places you want to visit...Pricey RV parks/resorts. And most Walmarts along I-5 in that area don't allow overnight parking. No big deal, just plan ahead. Here is a link that is cheap or not so much $$ and pretty close. Look it up on google and you'll see it is just a parking lot. Close to beach and about 20-30 min away from Legoland. I would not leave RV unattended if it were me. Price is good if your on the cheap side (like me) but many places a lot better but also more $$.

    Along the coast in So Cal is pretty tuff sometimes.

    http://traveltips.usatoday.com/oceanside-rv-camping-harbor-50324.html

    http://www.sandiegocoastlife.com/attractions/san-diego-coast/campgrounds-harbor-beach.html

    And I think Fairgrounds in Del Mar has some legal parking?

    San Diego Wild Animal park is also sort of close to where you will be at LEGOLAND. Grandkids always liked it ages 3-12


    http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/parks/Camping/info.html
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    Can't help you with I5 walmarts... anywhere that's a huge population center likely won't let you wallydock due to homeless concerns. Most of the states you'll be driving through prior to California are not huge population centers.

    Are you driving to the coast first and then south, or more south-west through the US?
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    jason26 wrote:
    Harvard wrote:
    With the exception of a coastal highway it gets very hot in the part of the country you are planning to travel. A proven vehicle cooling system is a must, for example, do you know that your fan clutch works properly?


    I wouldn't know. Was planning to get the dealership to do a once over before we go. I'll make a note of that.


    Typically the fan clutch cuts in (making a loud roar) when the engine coolant gets hot. The coolant temperature then drops very rapidly. When the coolant temperature drops to a normal level the fan clutch cuts out. If the hot conditions persist the coolant temperature will slowly rise again and the fan clutch cycle is repeated.
  • jason26's avatar
    jason26
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    GordonThree wrote:
    Can't help you with I5 walmarts... anywhere that's a huge population center likely won't let you wallydock due to homeless concerns. Most of the states you'll be driving through prior to California are not huge population centers.

    Are you driving to the coast first and then south, or more south-west through the US?


    South-west through the US. Right now thinking Grand Canyon, then over to Carlsbad, perhaps with a stop in Joshua Tree.
  • Mr_Biggles's avatar
    Mr_Biggles
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    I like to plan my stops before starting a trip , and book before leaving. If you are a CAA member , visit your local office and pick up road maps and travel books along your route. Don't drive too much each day. Plan to stop each night by 3 pm. That gives you lots of time to set up , prepare meals etc. , and get a good nights sleep. A good GPS helps with navigation and avoids using data in the U.S.A.
    To avoid expensive cell phone bills, buy a plan before leaving. Bring bottled water and snacks.
    Ask for help if you need it. Fellow campers are very helpful ! Mot of all , enjoy your trip !

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