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Surgtech94's avatar
Surgtech94
Explorer
Feb 17, 2021

Getting Started - Longer Distance Camping

We aren’t new to camping but new to venturing into longer distances. We are thinking about going out to Durango Colorado, from Michigan. We’ll be camping in a regular RV campground. What do we need to know, do etc? Normally we just camp in Michigan,with our dogs. We usually have our groceries bought and just gas up and head to our destination. We’re not sure if we’ll take the dogs, but it’ll be some sightseeing, hiking, photography. Thank you in advance for any tips, information , advice. Thank you
  • On the stocking of supplies and clothing. Stock food and clothing as you would for that period of time if you were at home. Since you are going to Colorado be sure to include some cool weather clothes, even in summer. Plan to use one day per week for grocery shopping, laundry and housekeeping.
  • valhalla360 wrote:
    Not much else. Make sure the rig is in good operating condition.

    I would carry a good tool kit including things like zip ties (several sizes), wire, duct tape, etc.
  • I would take my dog. I can never recall a dog making excessive noise on a trail. Mine is always busy with her nose buried to the ground taking in all the new scents. I always heal my dog when we approach other people on the trail. While I love my dog I don't assume anyone else does. She loves the adventures and we love having her along. Maybe teenagers and little kids should be restricted also, they are a noisy lot.
  • Surgtech94 wrote:
    We aren’t new to camping but new to venturing into longer distances. We are thinking about going out to Durango Colorado, from Michigan. We’ll be camping in a regular RV campground. What do we need to know, do etc? Normally we just camp in Michigan,with our dogs. We usually have our groceries bought and just gas up and head to our destination. We’re not sure if we’ll take the dogs, but it’ll be some sightseeing, hiking, photography. Thank you in advance for any tips, information , advice. Thank you


    If you are planning on hiking, please leave the dogs at home.
    As much as I love dogs and our kids grew up with one, when my wife and I are hiking out on a wilderness trail there is nothing more that I hate than to have the tranquility disturbed by barking dogs either coming down the trail toward us coming up behind us

    Guy
  • If you're driving through big cities aim for a campground past the city and avoid morning rush hour.
  • Tvov's avatar
    Tvov
    Explorer II
    Going longer distances camping isn't that much different than nearby.

    What are you driving?

    For planning purposes, use 50 miles per hour... this seems to work, not for your average speed, but for figuring traveling distances. It may seem odd, but figuring roughly going average 65mph on the road, then add in fuel stops, coffee - bathroom - rest stops, it actually works out to 50 miles per hour most times.

    If you get tired driving, take a break! Figure in plenty of travel time so you can take breaks when you want to. We've gone to Disney World twice (Connecticut to Florida) and I found that stopping about every 1 1/2 hours for a break worked for me. Also, I filled up the trucks fuel tank roughly every 3 hours, so fit in with every other rest stop. Once I hit 1/2 tank of fuel, I started thinking about the next fill up and stopped if it was convenient. At 1/4 tank I stopped at the first gas station.

    Figure out a possible route, then make a thread about it in this forum. People here will give advice, and most likely someone will have driven that route recently and can give a road condition update.

    Plus, I find it fun helping others plan a trip!
  • Plan ahead for reservations like now for the summer. We use Google, Google Maps, GPS, Gas Buddy etc. for locating what we need on the road including places to visit. Apps to find CGs and ratings. Don't depend on CG WiFi or cable as it's often marginal. Verzion coverage is the "best" but other big names are close. While we have a Verizon hot spot we also have used our T Mobile phone as a hot spot and will be doing T Mobile testing this summer and possibly droping Verizon. There are about a million different opinions on what's "best".
  • Not much else. Make sure the rig is in good operating condition.

    Plan out reasonable drive days keeping in mind you are probably only going to average around 50mph for planning purposes.

    Read up on some of the mountain driving techniques (there's a recent thread on the forum, so I won't repeat).

    Dogs can be a challenge. Will they stay quietly in the camper while you are out sightseeing? If not, that should be a deal breaker for leaving them behind. Also depending on the time of year, you may need to run the air/con so they don't overheat.
  • When are you planning to go? If you go in the winter you could run into some really substantial problems at high altitudes.
  • Check with the campgrounds you will be using, some may not allow dogs or have a restriction on certain breeds or the number of dogs allowed.

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