1st Long Trip

[Redterpos3]

DW and I are getting ready to head out on our 1st long trip with our trailer. We've done three 2 nights away, now a trip for 17 days to Chicago area (DW has a conference there); Madison, WI (visit with family); the UP of Michigan; and Mackinaw, MI. All in all we will put in over 2000 miles:D
Couple of questions as we get ready:

1) I'd like to hook my van (E-350) up to the trailer the day before so we can get an early start, and I want to keep it hooked at our first stop. Is it a problem to leave a trailer hooked to my van for 48+ hrs? Do I leave the WDH bars in place or take them off?

2) Our first stretch is 350 miles. I'm figuring on a 8-9 hr day, with plenty of stops along the way. Sound about right? It will almost completely on I-80 from PA to Huron River Valley, OH.

[Redterpos3]

>>>>OP, I would appreciate your evaluation of “Leisure Lakes Resort”. I have never been there but have been considering going there..<<<<

I will be there for 6 nights, so I should be able to give a good report of my time there! Looking forward to our trip, just 2 1/2 days away now!! Starting to stock my fridge, and pantry with food!!

[AJR]

OP, I would appreciate your evaluation of “Leisure Lakes Resort”. I have never been there but have been considering going there.. When I go too the Chicago area I have been staying at Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin.

http://kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11

[Thumperpull]

We have found the trip routing here at Good Sam to be very accurate as to the driving time. You might just see what it says. Be safe.

[Redterpos3]

Thanks for the help!

I hadn't thought of unhooking the plug, so I will do that (and remember to hook back up) so far DW and I have always checked that all lights are working before we move so that should trigger me. Also, thanks for the reassurance about keeping trailer connected to my van. I think I'll follow the advice of taking a bit of the pressure off as well.

I told the campground at our first and last stop (Huron Valley River Campground & Marina) in Ohio that we would be driving through the area and they asked if we would like a pull thru site. So that is all set! 🙂

Our 1st 2 days are about 350 each to get out to IL for my wife's conference. Then I am staying out in Joliet, IL (Leisure Lakes Resort) for 6 days while my wife is in Chicago at her conference. Then on to the rest of our trip!

[gat75]

Several folks mentioned putting down jacks to stablize RV. Great idea, just don't forget to retract them upon leaving. I place a note in my seat with anything that needs doing upon leaving; (I do this immediately upon extending jacks or extending the antennae on roof). I also like to level the RV by backing onto boards of sufficient thickness. There again, do not forget & leave your boards!

[Dick_B]

350 miles the first day is not a problem for us but it shouldn't be that far every day!
We carry Old Time Radio CD's for entertainment for those long days in the car.

[rockhillmanor]

I always left my TT hooked up when stopping for the night or even two. Same thing now towing the toad with the MH.
I pull out the trailer plug and make sure you put a flag on your forehead to hook it back up in the morning.

If you are calling ahead to make sure a CG along your route has sites open......Just ask for a "pull thru" site. Know the overall length of your tow vehicle and trailer and add a few inches for safe keeping. Some CG's will ask for your length so they hold the appropriate length pull thru site open for you if they have different sizes.

And be strong. Some CG owners will ask you if you can unhook. Tell them no and miraculously they will give you the pull thru site. Lately I have found some of them trying to keep them open for the big coaches. IMHO that's too bad. I'm here they are not, I am not unhooking and I'd like the pull thru please!

Have a safe trip! I'm from the WI/IL border and IMHO the weather this time of year there is like no other spot in the US!

Where pray tell are you going to stay at a CG in the Chicago area?

[Allworth]

It the site allows it I will leave my fiver hooked up overnight but will take a little of the weight off of the truck with the landing gear (same as the tongue jack on your trailer).

I do unplug the trailer cord from the truck after I have shore power hooked up. I don't think it can hurt anything, but I don't like taking odd chances. Strange things sometimes happen.

[kknowlton]

Ditto. When we leave the truck & TT hooked up overnight, we usually put down the tongue jack and stabilizers, just to keep the TT from bouncing quite so much when we're walking around inside it. We do leave the Equalizer bars on.

[Dtaylor]

1st, no problem leaving it hooked up. The only possible problem might be in the size of the campsite on your first stop. If room allows, leave it hooked up. It hurts nothing leaving the bars on as well.
As for driving long distances, drive what YOU are comfortable with.