Advice for a cross country trip
Pulling 31' trailer. Never pulled it more than a couple of hundred miles from home. Thinking of a trip from Knoxville TN to Yosemite Park in CA. No generator so no A/C if not plugged in :(. Has slides...
Forum Discussion
Pretty much agree with all of the above. A lot depends on when you're going, but I'm one of those who cannot pull out of the driveway without knowing exactly where we're stopping. Probably security issues, but that's just me and DH has come to count on knowing where I've put us and when. A handful of times we've had to make a change and if you just call the CG before check-in time, there is usually no problem in cancelling.
Also agree on the 300 mile day. Again, can be changed if something wonderful pops up, but can only think of a couple of times we've side-tracked. When I do the trip planning I search campgrounds, the area, mapquest and interests. If it doesn't show up then, we likely wouldn't make the stop. We don't hurry to pull out in the morning - 8:00+ is nice and the 50 mph average is right on. This way you're stopped and set up in the daylight, can have some downtime and relax. Absolutely right on allowing a 2-day stop somewhere to recup...setting up every night gets old in a hurry. BTW, you certainly don't have to unhook unless you need to go out, and saves just that much work. Somewhere along the way you're going to need to do laundry, so that sometimes turns into the late afternoon activity. We've met some really interesting folks hanging around the laundry area, really!
Coming from Knoxville, assume you're thinking I-40 part of the way. FYI, there has been ridiculous construction for 25 years+, and no I'm not kidding, from Memphis, through West Memphis and a bit further, and it can make life miserable...not to mention a very tight fit pulling a 31' trailer. Lots of big rig traffic and lane shifting. You know you want to shift north at some point, suggest you look at Hwy 412 North on the west side of Jackson - will say "To Dyersburg" - up to I-155, across the bridge and then to I-55 North. Consider taking a look on your maps. Several threads re this area and nobody enjoyed it. Another option is to take I-24 at Nashville, north to I-70 and a straight shot.
Completely agree on not hauling a full tank of water. Each gallon weighs 8#+ and that isn't going to help your mpg. When you make your reservations, you'll know what services you'll have to your site. We carry maybe 5 - 10 gals at the most for roadside stops.
One thing rarely, if ever mentioned, is the importance of taking a complete listing of your medications, doctors, and chronic health issues. We learned this by experience and a lot of luck. Also include several contact numbers in case of emergency (ICE). Both DH and DS#1 have some serious health issues, but I'm the one who had the problem. If it had not been that we were going to be gone more days than one of those "old people pill boxes" would hold, we would not have had the med bottles available. DH had no idea what meds I take and I wasn't in a position to tell them for a while. I keep this info updated in the computer at all times and just reprint and into the red folder labeled ICE that goes in the truck with us. Our DF is an EMT and said that emergency responders do know to look for something like that and also check cell phones for listings beginning with ICE. It's always important, but especially so on a longer trip.
DH just came through with a couple of really good reminders.....every morning check your tire pressure and torque without fail. Also, if both of you are not already towing, usually it's the DW who hasn't done this, learn before this trip. You never know when you'll need that extra driver even for a short time.
Sounds like a great trip. We've taken a few longer trips since getting our HTT and then TT and always a yearly trip to FL for spring training. Try not to squeeze too much into your schedule....you'll run out of time before you know it. Have fun and stay safe.
Also agree on the 300 mile day. Again, can be changed if something wonderful pops up, but can only think of a couple of times we've side-tracked. When I do the trip planning I search campgrounds, the area, mapquest and interests. If it doesn't show up then, we likely wouldn't make the stop. We don't hurry to pull out in the morning - 8:00+ is nice and the 50 mph average is right on. This way you're stopped and set up in the daylight, can have some downtime and relax. Absolutely right on allowing a 2-day stop somewhere to recup...setting up every night gets old in a hurry. BTW, you certainly don't have to unhook unless you need to go out, and saves just that much work. Somewhere along the way you're going to need to do laundry, so that sometimes turns into the late afternoon activity. We've met some really interesting folks hanging around the laundry area, really!
Coming from Knoxville, assume you're thinking I-40 part of the way. FYI, there has been ridiculous construction for 25 years+, and no I'm not kidding, from Memphis, through West Memphis and a bit further, and it can make life miserable...not to mention a very tight fit pulling a 31' trailer. Lots of big rig traffic and lane shifting. You know you want to shift north at some point, suggest you look at Hwy 412 North on the west side of Jackson - will say "To Dyersburg" - up to I-155, across the bridge and then to I-55 North. Consider taking a look on your maps. Several threads re this area and nobody enjoyed it. Another option is to take I-24 at Nashville, north to I-70 and a straight shot.
Completely agree on not hauling a full tank of water. Each gallon weighs 8#+ and that isn't going to help your mpg. When you make your reservations, you'll know what services you'll have to your site. We carry maybe 5 - 10 gals at the most for roadside stops.
One thing rarely, if ever mentioned, is the importance of taking a complete listing of your medications, doctors, and chronic health issues. We learned this by experience and a lot of luck. Also include several contact numbers in case of emergency (ICE). Both DH and DS#1 have some serious health issues, but I'm the one who had the problem. If it had not been that we were going to be gone more days than one of those "old people pill boxes" would hold, we would not have had the med bottles available. DH had no idea what meds I take and I wasn't in a position to tell them for a while. I keep this info updated in the computer at all times and just reprint and into the red folder labeled ICE that goes in the truck with us. Our DF is an EMT and said that emergency responders do know to look for something like that and also check cell phones for listings beginning with ICE. It's always important, but especially so on a longer trip.
DH just came through with a couple of really good reminders.....every morning check your tire pressure and torque without fail. Also, if both of you are not already towing, usually it's the DW who hasn't done this, learn before this trip. You never know when you'll need that extra driver even for a short time.
Sounds like a great trip. We've taken a few longer trips since getting our HTT and then TT and always a yearly trip to FL for spring training. Try not to squeeze too much into your schedule....you'll run out of time before you know it. Have fun and stay safe.
