Texas tips?

TenOC wrote:


I got 3 warring stops while tow on NON-interstate roads in my last trip through TX

That's fishy. I'm thinking there is something about your rig or truck that was suspicious. To get pulled over and get a warning is really lucky...for that to happen 3 times means they were really pulling you over for some other reason and speeding was the only thing they could actually pull you over for. I'm sure each time they pulled you over whatever they initially were concerned with was quickly found to be unwarranted so they just talked about the speeding.

When not towing I speed...when towing I normally go the limit or slower. If the limit if 55 then I'll also use the 5mph buffer and go a bit faster. Anyway I've been pulled over for speeding once in the last 10 years and got a ticket. Same with my wife.

We spent the first year in Texas traveling around to get the flavor of the various locations. We spent a month each in the Hill Country near Kerrville, on the Gulf Coast near Rockport, and in the Rio Grande Valley near Mission. All was nice EXCEPT for the RGV area. It's one big, long, graffiti covered, congested city, and had absolutely nothing to offer. People that like it tend to enjoy shopping and dining out, because that's all there is to do there in my opinion. In fact, we left there before our pre-paid time was up.
If you like fishing, the best locations would be the Gulf Coast for salt water fishing, and the Hill Country or Piney Woods area for fresh water (although it's a bit colder in the winter months). If you visit any of the Texas state parks, you can fish without a license either from shore, or a pier. If you wade, or use a boat, you have to have a license.

Major Dad wrote:

TenOC wrote:
Texas strictly enforces it speed laws.

That depends on where you are driving. In many places in Texas (Austin), you are a traffic hazard if you are driving at or below speed limit. In west Texas on IH-10 the speed limit is 80 mph, and I see plenty of people exceeding that. Common rule of thumb on open highways in Texas is that you are OK as long as you are 5 mph or less over the speed limit. There are speed traps in some locations, but not like there were in the ridiculous 55 mph days.

I should add that when towing I stay under 65 mph due to trailer tire speed limits. That makes the stretch of highway from Kerrville to El Paso interesting sometimes when others are going 80-85 mph.

Amen! Here in Dallas if you're traveling the speed limit you'll probably get run over, usually by an 18-wheeler - especially if you're on US-75 (Central Expressway). I try to just keep up with the traffic and that works in Dallas. But on one trip out west I got pulled over for doing 4 or 5 over the posted limit. I told the officer I was just following the farm pickup truck ahead of me and he looked around just in time to see the pickup pass out of view in the distance. Thankfully all I got was a warning, but it does provide a bit of a chuckle when I think about it since I was just west of Pecos. So anyone who thinks there is no law west of the Pecos, well I have an official form that proves otherwise! Oh, and while I was talking to the officer another farm pickup whizzed by with an uncovered load of gravel on his flat bed trailer spraying rocks all over hell's half acre. Took one in the windshield that had to be replaced.

Major Dad wrote:

TenOC wrote:
Texas strictly enforces it speed laws.

That depends on where you are driving. In many places in Texas (Austin), you are a traffic hazard if you are driving at or below speed limit. In west Texas on IH-10 the speed limit is 80 mph, and I see plenty of people exceeding that. Common rule of thumb on open highways in Texas is that you are OK as long as you are 5 mph or less over the speed limit. There are speed traps in some locations, but not like there were in the ridiculous 55 mph days.

I should add that when towing I stay under 65 mph due to trailer tire speed limits. That makes the stretch of highway from Kerrville to El Paso interesting sometimes when others are going 80-85 mph.

I got 3 warring stops while tow on NON-interstate roads in my last trip through TX

TenOC wrote:
Texas strictly enforces it speed laws.

That depends on where you are driving. In many places in Texas (Austin), you are a traffic hazard if you are driving at or below speed limit. In west Texas on IH-10 the speed limit is 80 mph, and I see plenty of people exceeding that. Common rule of thumb on open highways in Texas is that you are OK as long as you are 5 mph or less over the speed limit. There are speed traps in some locations, but not like there were in the ridiculous 55 mph days.

I should add that when towing I stay under 65 mph due to trailer tire speed limits. That makes the stretch of highway from Kerrville to El Paso interesting sometimes when others are going 80-85 mph.

Texas strictly enforces it speed laws.

We usually stay inland near Mission. It isn't windy there. Last winter we tried Benson Palm outside the birding center. Very nice park. We tried Harlingen one year but too windy.(Tropic Winds takes Thousand Trails if you are a member) Safest place to cross into Mexico is at Weslaco into Neuvo Progresso MX. We didn't like Brownsville, very poor area, dusty and windy. The beach at Padre is nice for a visit. We only do TX every 3 years as we still like Florida. Next time we may try PA, we also like San Antonio but it is colder than the valley. Try several places, most parks have openings for short term also some take Passport America for short stays so you can try the park.

The Brownsville area is nice...We have visited Weslaco several winters for just a couple of weeks..It is 6 miles from Progresso Mexico...we have parked and walked over many times and is considered a safe place to shop. We don't venture too many blocks and stay on the main streets...Many r.v. places to choose from and all the small cities run together and all cater to Winter Texans...Padre Island is about an hours drive...

The Brownsville area is nice...We have visited Weslaco several winters for just a couple of weeks..It is 6 miles from Progresso Mexico...we have parked and walked over many times and is considered a safe place to shop. We don't venture too many blocks and stay on the main streets...Many r.v. places to choose from and all the small cities run together and all cater to Winter Texans...Padre Island is about an hours drive...

As far as Port Aransas goes we have stayed at Gulf Waters RV resort twice...it's hard to get a spot there and you need to call well in advance to reserve a spot. It's actually an owner based park and a property manager handles the reservations. Both times we have been we have been very happy. The first time we went last summer I could not get a spot there or at Pioneer and booked at Mustang Island State Park. A week before our trip I tried again and got a spot...someone canceled. I'm glad too...Mustang Island SP is a dump...I love state parks and we visit them often but the RV part of this par is pretty much a parking lot with one RV spot right next to the other. Pioneer is for sure nicer and the only other place I'd bother staying down in Port A...slots are certainly packed in tighter vs Gulf Waters but overall it's nice. We love being able to stay at a RV park that you can walk to the beach and has a swimming pool.

I searched on here and saw some older reviews of Gulf Waters and many were poor but only due to the property managers...I think in 2011 they may have gone with new management as all the staff we worked with and spot too were very nice and helpful. Our last full day there my daughter was a little sun burned and they were kind of beached out so I went into the office and asked about stuff to do and the lady working there was very helpful...she even asked the ages of our kids to be able to give age appropriate advice. We will be going back next summer and hopefully many more summers to come!

http://gulfwatersrvresorttx.com/