Advice for Long Distance Towing
My husband, toddler, 2 dogs, and I will be taking a 2 week road trip cross-country (Augusta, GA to Seattle, WA) with an SUV and TT. I've read mentions of how this kind of trip should be handled differ...
Forum Discussion
Sounds like a great adventure in the making! What's happening with BC? Unless I missed it, what time of year?
What is the length/weight and GVWR & CCC of the TT? Single or dual axle? If it's pushing the limits of the SUV it will not be a fun tow, esp. for that distance. I would def. do some local towing to make sure the WDH and BC are properly set up. Keep the TT tires inflated to the sidewall max. (check periodically) and increase psi in TV tires, avoid all hard/sudden potholes & speed bumps. It might be a good idea to go to a scale when fully loaded up. Is the TT new or older? Make sure bearings and brakes are in good working order as well as suspension. Need something for jacking up - bottle jack or plastic ramps (Trailer Aid, Blaylock).
One tool we have found that really helps on long distance trips is a laptop and Verizon mifi. You can check road conditions, road construction, traffic, weather, etc. in advance of upcoming legs of trip, book or change CG reservations, find restaurants & stores, etc., etc. An RV GPS might also help. Wildfires in the west have been bad in recent years July-Sept, if travelling then. Take some basic hand tools (wt. notwithstanding).
If heading into Seattle area on I-90 from the east, it's many miles of rolling grasslands and it can be VERY windy, enough to blow trailers over and enough sometimes to make semi truck drivers stop - slow right down if so. Unless visiting Seattle, stay east of the 405. I've towed our TT on 203 around Seattle and it's a lovely drive except rather slow and also twisty in areas. If you don't mind a more mountain-like road, hwy 2 up to Everett would be good. A day trip to the Seattle waterfront area with SUV only would be fun. Seattle has to have the worst traffic on the planet...
What is the length/weight and GVWR & CCC of the TT? Single or dual axle? If it's pushing the limits of the SUV it will not be a fun tow, esp. for that distance. I would def. do some local towing to make sure the WDH and BC are properly set up. Keep the TT tires inflated to the sidewall max. (check periodically) and increase psi in TV tires, avoid all hard/sudden potholes & speed bumps. It might be a good idea to go to a scale when fully loaded up. Is the TT new or older? Make sure bearings and brakes are in good working order as well as suspension. Need something for jacking up - bottle jack or plastic ramps (Trailer Aid, Blaylock).
One tool we have found that really helps on long distance trips is a laptop and Verizon mifi. You can check road conditions, road construction, traffic, weather, etc. in advance of upcoming legs of trip, book or change CG reservations, find restaurants & stores, etc., etc. An RV GPS might also help. Wildfires in the west have been bad in recent years July-Sept, if travelling then. Take some basic hand tools (wt. notwithstanding).
If heading into Seattle area on I-90 from the east, it's many miles of rolling grasslands and it can be VERY windy, enough to blow trailers over and enough sometimes to make semi truck drivers stop - slow right down if so. Unless visiting Seattle, stay east of the 405. I've towed our TT on 203 around Seattle and it's a lovely drive except rather slow and also twisty in areas. If you don't mind a more mountain-like road, hwy 2 up to Everett would be good. A day trip to the Seattle waterfront area with SUV only would be fun. Seattle has to have the worst traffic on the planet...
