2022 Trip Planning- Advice for Newbies
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...
Forum Discussion
OK Surg...
You have a lot of answers here, but it is clear that you are off into territory that you have not charted yet...
You obviously know how to live in a TT, but you have never used what you have to it's full potential. You have a lot to learn, and none of it should be painful. You will discover some things that matter and some that are just small inconveniences. Those of us that were born knowing all about RVing never had to put up with this. (yeah, right)
We traveled with two dogs (one has gone on ahead) in a motorhome shorter than your TT. We only made reservations when we were headed someplace we expected to be crowded (like Yellowstone) or a rally (those kind of come with reservations). At departure we always had an empty black tank, a full potable tank and provisions for three days. I always arranged the first travel day as a late start. Sailing taught me that departure mistakes often happen because your were in a hurry to get going. You (like us) are retired now, so don't rush for anything you don't really have to.
First, about your new TT (in my terms). If it has a potable tank, it must have a water pump. This would be run off the house battery and there is probably a switch that needs to be on. Don't leave it on when traveling, if a tap rattles open, there goes all you fresh water. For the cost of the weight, fill it with good water before departure. If you have not used the tank, do a disinfecting pass before you do. Many use bleach for this and I use H2O2 and have for years.
You have a refrigerator, use it as planned. I am guessing it is gas and electric. Either way, for a driving day in most weather, it can be off all day. If you are carrying a lot of frozen food, this may have to change.
You are not practiced at long driving days. (4 hours isn't long) So, when you start doing that, look for highway rest areas to be "grass stops" for part of your contingent. Small city parks work too, but truck stops frequently have near zero grass. Carry the bags you will need.
If you TT is like every other new RV I have seen, the installed house battery is inadequate. You will want to both upsize it and get a portable generator when you get going. There are myriad of other things you can do to make travel both more simple an less demanding, but you will have to come back here and ask questions when you can put words to them. Then we can be a big help.
When you can fully understand what your TT can do for you, there is a world waiting out there.
For long travel, find RV parks for a single night is a serious PITA and costs way more than it is worth. When you get a plan started, come back here for other ideas. You have enough to work with for now.
Edit addition:
You sort of asked about Boondocking/Drycamping. This also includes Lotdocking and Blacktopping (and stealth camping in our case).
Boondocking is specifically (if you are to be accurate) camping someplace with nothing available but fresh air. Probably not even pavement nearby.
Everything else is Drycamping or one of the others. You still have now utility support, but there is stuff nearby. This is what rest areas, Walmart and other welcoming businesses are for. Why by the whole farm when all you want are a few eggs??
You might look at the Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome sites for some ideas there too.
If I can be of help, I'm here a lot or you can private message.
Matt
You have a lot of answers here, but it is clear that you are off into territory that you have not charted yet...
You obviously know how to live in a TT, but you have never used what you have to it's full potential. You have a lot to learn, and none of it should be painful. You will discover some things that matter and some that are just small inconveniences. Those of us that were born knowing all about RVing never had to put up with this. (yeah, right)
We traveled with two dogs (one has gone on ahead) in a motorhome shorter than your TT. We only made reservations when we were headed someplace we expected to be crowded (like Yellowstone) or a rally (those kind of come with reservations). At departure we always had an empty black tank, a full potable tank and provisions for three days. I always arranged the first travel day as a late start. Sailing taught me that departure mistakes often happen because your were in a hurry to get going. You (like us) are retired now, so don't rush for anything you don't really have to.
First, about your new TT (in my terms). If it has a potable tank, it must have a water pump. This would be run off the house battery and there is probably a switch that needs to be on. Don't leave it on when traveling, if a tap rattles open, there goes all you fresh water. For the cost of the weight, fill it with good water before departure. If you have not used the tank, do a disinfecting pass before you do. Many use bleach for this and I use H2O2 and have for years.
You have a refrigerator, use it as planned. I am guessing it is gas and electric. Either way, for a driving day in most weather, it can be off all day. If you are carrying a lot of frozen food, this may have to change.
You are not practiced at long driving days. (4 hours isn't long) So, when you start doing that, look for highway rest areas to be "grass stops" for part of your contingent. Small city parks work too, but truck stops frequently have near zero grass. Carry the bags you will need.
If you TT is like every other new RV I have seen, the installed house battery is inadequate. You will want to both upsize it and get a portable generator when you get going. There are myriad of other things you can do to make travel both more simple an less demanding, but you will have to come back here and ask questions when you can put words to them. Then we can be a big help.
When you can fully understand what your TT can do for you, there is a world waiting out there.
For long travel, find RV parks for a single night is a serious PITA and costs way more than it is worth. When you get a plan started, come back here for other ideas. You have enough to work with for now.
Edit addition:
You sort of asked about Boondocking/Drycamping. This also includes Lotdocking and Blacktopping (and stealth camping in our case).
Boondocking is specifically (if you are to be accurate) camping someplace with nothing available but fresh air. Probably not even pavement nearby.
Everything else is Drycamping or one of the others. You still have now utility support, but there is stuff nearby. This is what rest areas, Walmart and other welcoming businesses are for. Why by the whole farm when all you want are a few eggs??
You might look at the Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome sites for some ideas there too.
If I can be of help, I'm here a lot or you can private message.
Matt
