Hey Folks-I've noticed a few of you with Florida/GA signatures. We're looking at Toy Haulers. The floor plans we like most are going to put us at 40'-44' it looks like. I'm wondering about being able to get into a particular loop at Ft. Wilderness? We go there 3-4 times a year and I've had only a few times where it was tight- you know, on the bend, cars in the way etc. Are there any favorite sections you know of that will work?In regard to State Parks, I know I could do Top Sail, Lake Louisa and Silver River Springs ( recent name change in Ocala). Any others you could suggest where you've been there done that with turns, branches, dump stations etc?Lastly, what's the protocol at the truck stop fuel locations on 75 & 95? Can you fuel at the larger pumps without getting the shift eye? I'd love to hear of suggestions from anyone of sites or fuel locations between here (Tampa area) and as far north as South Carolina (Ocean Lakes) and the north GA, NC areas. We've stayed in Bryson City, Hiawassee and places like that.Thanks!

If you are pulling something in the 40-44' in length, you should use the Pilot/Flying J truck stops and go in with the truckers. You should also pick up the Good Same Pilot RV card. You will save at the pump and you will be able to get your diesel and DEF, if needed, at the same time. Anything as long as 40+' at the front pumps is asking for trouble getting out if you can even get to the pumps. I have a 35' 5er and I always use the truck lanes with no problems

Myakka River State park outside Sarasota will work for you. They have a new section called Palmetto Ridge that is built to modern standards and larger units. It also has sewer hookup at each site.

When we had our Cyclone, we almost always fueled up in the truck stop lanes. No hard looks because they were never close to full. Flying J and Pilots also have RV lanes so that would work well. Never had a problem there either.We never made it the Fort when we had the Cyclone. But the times we had travel trailers, they were tight. Just make sure when you reserve, you tell them how big you are.Don't let the size deter you. When we stop racing ATVs and go back to just "regular camping", we plan to get the biggest toy hauler we can afford. Its the only way to fly.

If you want to ride the trails in Ocala you can do Big Scrub for sure. Delancey West is very tight for anything bigger than 32 FT.Salt Springs Rec area is nice too but no direct access to trails. I only have a 31 so Ft Wilderness is no problem for me. I have seen some 40+ footers there just not sure what loop. The front desk knows what fits where pretty well.Can help on the fuel, I have a gasser.

We have our first trip to Fort Wilderness in a couple of weeks...

Florida & Southeast Toy Hauler owners (questions for)

RUFFSTUFF
Explorer
Aug 07, 2015
nwcutie wrote:

The great thing about the above, you don't have to "do Disney." No tickets needed for this.:C

Sweet!
nwcutie
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015
1Adam12 wrote:

On a side note, if you have kids, jump on the boat to the Contemporary Hotel, take the Monorail to the Grand Floridian, then go their snack bar restaurant on the back side. You can get a snack, beer or coffee and watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom with a direct view of the castle. Our kids run around on the grassy areas near there and have a blast.

The great thing about the above, you don't have to "do Disney." No tickets needed for this.:C
RUFFSTUFF
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015
1Adam12 wrote:

In regard to the Fort- I'd call their back line a few days before you go (407) 824-2742 and tell them you'll have a toy hauler. We always stay on a premium site which gives you the most room. I prefer to back over my left shoulder so an inside loop site is the best. As others have mentioned about the Fort, you can get in no problem but it gets a little crazy backing up into the spot. This is caused by little wood poles and markers they have as well as cars and trucks parked on the edge of their site. With my 3500 DRW Ram I pull as close as possible to the left to allow myself room to swing around.

On a side note, if you have kids, jump on the boat to the Contemporary Hotel, take the Monorail to the Grand Floridian, then go their snack bar restaurant on the back side. You can get a snack, beer or coffee and watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom with a direct view of the castle. Our kids run around on the grassy areas near there and have a blast.

THANKS FOR THE INFO! FWIW, we aren't doing Disney, we have 3-day Universal passes and wanted to bring the trailer instead of getting a hotel...
1Adam12
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
RUFFSTUFF wrote:
1Adam12 wrote:
Thanks for the info. Our current coach is just shy of 40' and we've done the Fort many times. I'm going to have to find a loop that isn't as tight as the others.

Now if there were a way to put diesel fuel in one of those tanks on the toy hauler ??

If you had separate tanks for your generator and toys you could pull that off.

Any tips and tricks for Fort Wilderness? BTW, We aren't doing anything Disney, we have other plans (Universal, etc!) and wanted to take the trailer...

In regard to the Fort- I'd call their back line a few days before you go (407) 824-2742 and tell them you'll have a toy hauler. We always stay on a premium site which gives you the most room. I prefer to back over my left shoulder so an inside loop site is the best. As others have mentioned about the Fort, you can get in no problem but it gets a little crazy backing up into the spot. This is caused by little wood poles and markers they have as well as cars and trucks parked on the edge of their site. With my 3500 DRW Ram I pull as close as possible to the left to allow myself room to swing around.

On a side note, if you have kids, jump on the boat to the Contemporary Hotel, take the Monorail to the Grand Floridian, then go their snack bar restaurant on the back side. You can get a snack, beer or coffee and watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom with a direct view of the castle. Our kids run around on the grassy areas near there and have a blast.
roller183
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
1Adam12, get your self a PILOT/Flying J card like it was said above. I pull in with the big boys..I get a stink eye once in a while, but I get the DEF for less then 3$ a gallon and top off the 45 gal aux, and the main tank.

Ed
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
RUFFSTUFF wrote:
We have our first trip to Fort Wilderness in a couple of weeks...

Completely jealous here. :(
slapshot12
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
One tip on fuel at Flying J/Pilot. There is no pay at the pump at the truck pumps, it's fleet card only. So you'll have to go in and pre-pay, and you have to guestimate how much it will take. In the pull through RV diesel pumps, they are pay at the pump.

We used the truck pumps a couple times on our recent trip with no issues. We live in Pinellas County, so I top off here and fill up around Lake City when we go north.

The Good Sam card will save you $.03 per gallon at Flying J/Pilot. They do a promotion every so often that bumps it up to $.05 per gallon.

I can't help with parks much. Our regular weekend trip is to Croom in Brockville with the ATV's.
RUFFSTUFF
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
1Adam12 wrote:
Thanks for the info. Our current coach is just shy of 40' and we've done the Fort many times. I'm going to have to find a loop that isn't as tight as the others.

Now if there were a way to put diesel fuel in one of those tanks on the toy hauler ??

If you had separate tanks for your generator and toys you could pull that off.

Any tips and tricks for Fort Wilderness? BTW, We aren't doing anything Disney, we have other plans (Universal, etc!) and wanted to take the trailer...
1Adam12
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
Thanks for the info. Our current coach is just shy of 40' and we've done the Fort many times. I'm going to have to find a loop that isn't as tight as the others.

Now if there were a way to put diesel fuel in one of those tanks on the toy hauler ??
bighog01
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
I too live in the Tampa area and we have a 42' Fuzion. I have yet to go to Ft Wilderness with the TH but as others have mentioned they will know what loops to put you in. Some loops are larger than others. As for diesel I've never had a problem using any of the truck stop lanes. Driving something this big, you definitely have to plan ahead of time to stay out of the tight spots.