Water Fill up - Flying J?

[Quantum82]

We are heading down to Florida soon and since my trailer is winterized, I don't want to put water in the tank until we get further south.

We are traveling I-77 to I-26 to I-95. We want to stop somewhere overnight around the I-26/I-95 merge. Maybe an hour south of there.

We are thinking of (for the first time ever) staying overnight at a Flying J or Cracker Barrel. We've never done this before. Where can I fill up say 10-15 gallons of potable water? Just enough to flush the toilet and brush our teeth. My wife would probably appreciate a quick shower in the morning too. I'm not concerned about dumping, as we can do that once we arrive at our destination in Florida the next day.

I've tried to Google view the Flying J at St. George. They have RV lanes, and I see water off to one side, but I'm guessing that is for the dumping station? Do they have separate potable water?

Also, any recommendations on where to stay on I-95 in SC or GA beside Cracker Barrel or Flying J?

[Quantum82]

Thank you for all the responses!

I think we are going to head for New Green Acres. I've never stayed at a Flying J overnight, nor a Walmart parking lot. We have kids, so I think it's just better to play it safe at a campground. I'm also concerned about security, as we will have the bikes on a carrier behind the trailer. I don't want to wake up to those missing in the morning. Not saying that would happen, but probably more likely for sticky fingers at a truck stop than a campground.

[dcason]

We are heading down to Florida soon and since my trailer is winterized, I don't want to put water in the tank until we get further south.

Santee state park might fit your bill? We usually stop there from NY to fill. We do carry about 6 gallons of water to use and if it is really cold out we use the toilet but flush with the pink antifreeze. Flying J will be noisy...people coming and going all night. South carolina will allow overnight parking in rest areas even if it says no...we asked a worker once. Also exit 57 in SC has a walmart which could be more quiet.

There is also a new welcome center in Georgia...they are always a good choice....park away from trucks though.

Hope this helps.
Donna

[down_home]

At Flyng J's we've encountered water flow at a trickle at the RV lanes and I would not describe the water as potable. The ones on I75south below Atlanta in particular...and the cramped conditions and line of people behind protesting taking too long. Idon't remember if there was a connections for hoses or not or the hose just ahd an end to let you get a trickle into your radiator type thing, certainly not intended to flush your tanks if emptying. A federal campground on the lake not too far from us has a dump station for anyone for 5 dollars and potable water hose connection..however flow was slow.
I would bite the bullet and fill up my tanks in an overnight stay before you get to south Georgia and Florida, where most of the water has a lot of iron and sulfur, other minerals, farming chemicals and will clog a lot of filters. Use a really good filter....and maybe a water softrner.

[Quantum82]

Sqdancecaller wrote:
We have done the Ohio to Florida trip many times with the same issues you are asking about. We have found that taking several gallons of water jugs meets our needs. It is usually a 2 day trip so no showers just heating water on the stove and doing the sponge bath works ok. Once we get to our destination it's time for a hot shower! We are leaving on March 10th for the Tampa area and hopefully the weather will be good this year. Have a safe trip and lots of fun!

We're going to Tampa area too. See ya down there.

[Sqdancecaller]

We have done the Ohio to Florida trip many times with the same issues you are asking about. We have found that taking several gallons of water jugs meets our needs. It is usually a 2 day trip so no showers just heating water on the stove and doing the sponge bath works ok. Once we get to our destination it's time for a hot shower! We are leaving on March 10th for the Tampa area and hopefully the weather will be good this year. Have a safe trip and lots of fun!

[jls]

Flying J has a website for RV amenities at each of it's locations. https://pilotflyingj.com/rv-services/

[Quantum82]

I did see New Green Acres, definitely an option. I will call ahead on my way down to see if the have room. I don't want to book it ahead, just in case we get caught up somewhere in traffic.

[noteven]

Before de-winterizing I carry potable water in the heated cab for a bit of cooking / coffee. I carry rv antifreeze for flushing.

[Campforever]

Have had the same concerns over 45 years of camping. My solution was to carry about 10 gallons of water and do a spit bath in the morning.

[Allworth]

We travel up and down 95 often and use New Green Acres whenever it is convenient. Nice people running it and easy off/on.

[ACZL]

Quantum82 wrote:

ACZL wrote:
Cannot help you any w/ your specific question, but what about just buying or taking along 5-10 gallons of water in gallons jugs? Can use them still for flushing toilet, brushing teeth and can warm it in pot and take a sponge bath.

I was thinking about doing that. I've done that before and then I use the winterizing hose to run it through the water system. I've found that if I dump 5 gallons into the fresh tank, it might not be enough water to get the system going.

The only downside is, my HWT is currently empty, so that's another 6 gallons that I need to fill, or just don't use the HWT.

Guess my post was a tad misleading, but what I meant was to just dump the water into the john and flush when needed. No need to put any into on-board fresh tank. Don't fill HWT. Just pour water into a pot on stove, heat it up and then sponge bath. Then dump water down john so you'll have extra to aid in getting rid of any solids upon dumping before leaving to come home.

[Fizz]

Don't overthink it.
It would have to endure a coupe of freezing nights for any damage to occur. Its only the pipes you have to worry about. Don't use the pump etc till you hit warmer weather.
After the first overnight I doubt you will see any freezing.

[dpgllg]

I just took that route in the beginning of November. It was freezing here in SW PA when we left.

We stayed at New Green Acres Campground for the overnight. Long level pull through site with full hookups. Did not need to unhitch 5th wheel. Cost was $35 for the night plus tax. Easy to find from I-95 and quiet. I spoke to the lady that runs the park because we were running behind schedule. She took my credit card info and told me the site number. Very friendly and easy to deal with. It is off exit 53 of I-95. I just checked the weather there and it is 73 degrees today.

Well worth the $35 for a quiet peaceful night which you may or may not get in a Flying J or similar.

Have a great trip!

Dave

[Quantum82]

ACZL wrote:
Cannot help you any w/ your specific question, but what about just buying or taking along 5-10 gallons of water in gallons jugs? Can use them still for flushing toilet, brushing teeth and can warm it in pot and take a sponge bath.

I was thinking about doing that. I've done that before and then I use the winterizing hose to run it through the water system. I've found that if I dump 5 gallons into the fresh tank, it might not be enough water to get the system going.

The only downside is, my HWT is currently empty, so that's another 6 gallons that I need to fill, or just don't use the HWT.