2022 Trip Planning- Advice for Newbies

[Surgtech94]

We’ve been campers for 30 years. But never camped more then 4 hours away. Our TT 25 foot KZ Connect is 2 years old. We’re thinking about some longer trips, since we’re both retired. Possibly making a trip from Michigan out to Utah and/or Florida. Any advice for newbies? There’s 2 of us plus our 2 dogs. I’ve heard some ppl carry a few gallons of water in the tank for bathroom break. Do you usually make park reservations ahead of time? We’re just so use to hooking on and driving to our destination that’s a couple hours away. We always bring the food we’re going use, not sure if this is recommended on a long trip? Thank you for any advice.

[Lwiddis]

I ideally travel with a full fresh water tank and empty waste tanks. There are so many beautiful but dry campgrounds in the West I never ever want to not to be able to use them because of a lack of water. The ability to camp anywhere and have full use of everything except A/C is the way to go….batteries, solar, water and propane is all you need.

[Surgtech94]

Thank you
We’ve only done W/E hook ups in State Parks. I think we have almost what we need for FHU, hose, dump connectors and hose, filter. But will probably need a regulator to not blow the lines? We also need to get a surge protector - any recommendations, appreciated. Any good apps for campgrounds? Or do you just print off the information on your route?

[enblethen]

Carry at least 1/4 tank. Fill up if you plan on extended dry camping stay.
We only make long advance reservations for special places. Making too many reservations tie you down to a schedule. Normally we find campgrounds a day or so ahead of visit. We use many US Government facilities like Corp of Engineers, National Parks and Forest Service.

[wanderingaimles]

First off, congrats on retirement,
Established campgrounds, or dry camping?
FHU or is just water and elec ok?
Resort parks, or COE/state parks?
If you haven't travelled this way, you will need to find what fits you, and go from there,
Don't put a schedule in place that over taxes you, plan around maybe a single travel day, 2 at most, and then sit for a couple of days, explore the area, sample local food, take part in the types of activities you like. (hiking, museums etc) Give yourself enough time to relax before planning the next stop.
Maybe a couple of nights somewhere with FHU and a lot of activities, tours, or whatever, then on to a state park for a few quiet days. You can pre plan that first trip giving yourself 2-3 nights at most stops, and then decide if you want that in the future, or to just decide on a day by day basis where to stop.
We do tend to alternate from FHU to just W/E sites just to avoid the extra stop on departure for dumping tanks, but we are comfortable in our usage for 5 days.
Within a couple weeks, you'll get a rythymn and find what fits.
As to carrying water, we do, we always have a half tank or more, because we don't always know where we are stopping next.
Also plan to visit busier areas, national parks, etc, in the months kids are still in school fewer crowds for you and you can look to the non jellystone parks for summer months.

[prichardson]

I always carry at least a 1/3 tank or more of water. This way you can make rest and lunch stops at your convenience. For provisioning, stock food as you would at home and clothing the same taking in mind the climate you will be visiting. Plan to have a day every week or so for grocery shopping and laundry. Over night stops can usually be accomplished without reservations. Longer stops may need reservations depending on where they are especially on holidays.

[pitch]

Very open question. Depends on your mental makeup. We almost never make reservations,except at our destination. On the road our normal SOP is to pull into a Wal mart or whatever about two in the afternoon use their WIFI to find a nearby campground.
We avoid interstates like the plague,and have dropped any pretense of efficiency and just putter along, stopping when the spirit hits.
The only time a clock comes into play is watching check out times.
In the West, winds come up in the afternoon so you want to be flexible about getting of the road if it becomes to gusty.
Don't over plan, be flexible. You are not mounting an expedition to Mars so pretty much anything can be overcome.
Drive slow and smile.

Of course number one rule with a trailer is, "don't enter if you cannot see a way to exit"
(of course if you are a type A, none of this applies)