Just joined the forum about to set off on cross-USA trip

[KatrinaB]

Hello all, we are fairly new to travel trailer camping. Done lots of tent camping and took the family on a motorhome trip back in 2007. We just (yesterday) bought our new (used) Thor Tahoe 30MS travel trailer. We are about to embark on a trip starting in Reno, Nevada, heading north to Bend, Oregon then Portland, Seattle, Montana, South Dakota, Iowa City, Chicago, Virginia and ending north of New York. We have given ourselves 30 days or thereabouts. Everyone we know has recommended the Good Sam Club and we would love to be able to ask advice if need be as we go along. Thank you, Katrina.

[Speedogomer]

KatrinaB wrote:
Couple of questions about using the forum:
1. Can I reply to individual comments? Or does my reply always go to the end of the thread?
2. How do I post pics?
3. Is there an iPhone app for the forum? I guess I can login through the Safari browser but would be nicer if there was a dedicated app.
Thank you.

1.Your reply will always be at the end, you can press "quote" by a reply,and it will quote (like how I quoted your reply above).

2.Photo upload link use this link to upload pictures

3. there is no dedicated app, I use my phone (galaxy s5) to log in, and it works well.

[westend]

KatrinaB wrote:
Couple of questions about using the forum:
1. Can I reply to individual comments? Or does my reply always go to the end of the thread?
2. How do I post pics?
3. Is there an iPhone app for the forum? I guess I can login through the Safari browser but would be nicer if there was a dedicated app.
Thank you.

Multiple quotes are problematic, it's a copy and paste affair.

Photo posting and phone app for pictures

[KatrinaB]

Shotgunner, yes we have 4 kids and 2 dogs. It is going to be an experience for sure. We have planned a general route but will be flexible. I am in a horse group and have many offers of putting us up (trailer, kids, dogs and all) at quite a few places along the way. Although we are expecting to use some campsites, too

[KatrinaB]

Couple of questions about using the forum:
1. Can I reply to individual comments? Or does my reply always go to the end of the thread?
2. How do I post pics?
3. Is there an iPhone app for the forum? I guess I can login through the Safari browser but would be nicer if there was a dedicated app.
Thank you.

[shotgunner]

Katrina,

We've done two such trips. About 6,000 miles each, taking 3 to 4 weeks. A couple of thoughts from experience:

1. I don't remember if you said you had kids traveling. We had four each time, but they are great travelers. We would frequently do a 12-hour day to get to the next spot and they were happy as clams. If your crew can't take that type of travel day (or two), plan your stops accordingly.

2. We never planned out ahead too much. Because we had the kids, we wanted to stay in parks that had pools and such, so we generally used KOA or GoodSam Parks. We were able to decide a day or so before being someplace to make a reservation. If they were closed, we'd find something else. This allowed us to linger in places we liked.

3. You'll not see everything you plan to see. (see #2 above)

4. Plan some longer stays every few days of moving. This gives your family a chance to catch a breath and relax, without having to "do" or "see" anything. Just camp and have fun for a day now and then.

5. Driving here in the East is much different than out west. Lots more traffic and many more exits. Just take your time and plan ahead for where your map will take you.

Doing such a trip is a fantastic way to experience the country. It is our family's fondest memories.

[KatrinaB]

We have horses and so do have experience of towing. I am okay at backing up (not brilliant) but my husband is an ace at it, fortunately. I am going to see if we can squeeze in a few extra days. Not sure we will be able to push it to 6 weeks, much as we would love to. Yes, the trip is one way. We are Brits and we're heading back to the UK after nearly ten years in the US. Maybe we'll be back one day but for now our elderly parents need us over there. We LOVE it in the US. It really is a great country. So much freedom and opportunity for all. It was a very, very hard decision to move back to the UK--much as we love our country of origin, too.

[KatrinaB]

Okay! I just managed to find my original post and see the responses. I haven't quite got the hang of the way this forum works, yet, but I will figure it out. THANK YOU.

[BubbaChris]

One thing to consider, how many miles a day you plan to move. Traveling with our TT feels a lot more like when we had street motorcycles. Between setup and breaking camp, and other trailer-related stuff you may be enjoying 1/2 the number of miles you'd do easily with just a car.

In other words:
200 miles/day = Easy/Fun
300 miles/day = Need to stay a bit more focused
400 miles/day = Working at travel, not on fun
500 miles/day = Family may claim this is a death march

Of course your numbers may vary.

[spoon059]

michigansandzilla wrote:
Sounds amazing......and exhausting! Have a great time.

Yup. If you are looking for advice, I would encourage you to see if you can find the time and money to stretch the trip out a little longer. When I was younger we did a cross country trip from DC, down south, all the way to San Diego, up the coast to Oregon, back across the country, through Minnesota, then back to DC... in 6 weeks. It was a race the entire way. We didn't get to stop and relax and enjoy beautiful San Diego or New Orleans. We spent one night in Las Vegas, hardly enough time to see the city. San Francisco was gorgeous... for the 2 nights and 1 day we saw it.

The great thing about that trip is that it showed me that I want to do it again... on MY schedule with my wife and kids. I hope I can afford it eventually.

If you have more time, I would encourage you to slow your trip a little bit. If you have an extra 15 days or so, you can spend a couple more nights in a town you like. You will be more rested when you hit the road and you will be able to actually enjoy some of the experiences instead of briefly observing them.

Anyway you do it, HAVE FUN! I can't wait until there is a time in my life that I can do it again too!

[kknowlton]

In any case, I'm sure it will be a trip you won't forget. My parents completed a cross country trip last year and the one thing they both said is they wished they kept a journal, and wrote in it daily. Even if you're just driving that day, write about the scenery, the miles you covered that day, and everything else. Maybe make a blog account somewhere and post your trip so we all can follow you!

Great idea! Also I'd suggest making sure you have some RV-friendly roadside assistance service (such as the Good Sam Emergency Road Service, Coach-Net, etc.) Even if you don't end up needing it, it's great peace of mind. We've been bailed out a few times on long - and short - trips when something has gone amiss with the camper or the tow vehicle.

Welcome to the forum, and have a great trip!

[michigansandzil]

Sounds amazing......and exhausting! Have a great time.

[Speedogomer]

Sounds like a great adventure.

One question, if this is your first travel trailer, do you have experience backing it up? I only ask this because this weekend while camping in Owego NY, we had a family next to us that spent 30 minutes trying to back into a spot, and we're getting nowhere. The had a new F150 and a Winnebago Lite Five fifth wheel. We went over to help and got them backed in. They were also on a cross country road trip, and they had come from Arizona. They said from Arizona to NY they never had to back into a site! They said they only had to back up once when they got to a low bridge and said that was a nightmare as well.

In any case, I'm sure it will be a trip you won't forget. My parents completed a cross country trip last year and the one thing they both said is they wished they kept a journal, and wrote in it daily. Even if you're just driving that day, write about the scenery, the miles you covered that day, and everything else. Maybe make a blog account somewhere and post your trip so we all can follow you!

[GilliedogKiwi]

How wonderful - take care and have lots of fun.

Angela and Gary

[Old-Biscuit]

Welcome, welcome KatrinaB (and et al).

Congrats on your 'new' RV.

Reno to New York by way of Seattle....now that's what I call a shake-down trip :B

Hope you take enough time to enjoy the trip and you have a great adventure.

Feel free to 'yell HELP'............and post up how your trip is going.