As part of the not-so-risk-free trial for transitioning towards the full-time RV lifestyle, a shakedown trip just isn't enough. So we now go on our first real trip: One week in North Carolina. To get there, though, a travel day, or in our case days, is needed.
As was mentioned in the previous trip, driving with the RV is quite a bit different from just driving a car, or even a pick-up truck without something in tow. However, the fuel costs were quite exorbitant. Merely going approximately 650 miles one way made quite a dent on the pocketbook for fuel. And that's with the mistake of both filling AND splashing the tank in a high priced state. There wasn't much of a choice because of how much of the trip was done there, but some clever planning can help. Know what states are relatively cheap for gas, and try to do fill-ups there, with large or small splashes elsewhere.
The traffic was quite the interesting dynamic. When you have one person who hates heavy traffic, a driver who thrives in it, an easily anxious pup, and then add an additional 25 feet of length to the back, you can have an interesting travel day. Usually you want to avoid rush hour times on your trip if you can help it, but why not experience the Capital Beltway during the evening peak, even if it's only for masochistic tendencies? Surprisingly enough, the pup did just fine with it, but you really must have potentially different habits when driving with a trailer. You're not going to be able to weave through traffic, so commit yourself to a lane. Try to get a feel for how things flow. Make sure you allow for more room from the guy in front of you, but be ready for "that driver" who will cut into the spot and slam on the brakes. Also be sure there's enough room in the back before you switch lanes. And don't get too annoyed if everyone's passing you; you're not necessarily going to be able to get up to full highway speed when pulling, and some states will have a lower limit.
With our first trip came our first "boondock", courtesy of a popular gas and travel station chain. We filled up to make sure we were a customer, and were able to secure a spot in the lot to park for the night. Needless to say, the trailer was quite warm on the inside, despite a cool breeze outside, and the shock of southern workers turning on the heat and wearing sweatshirts in 60 degree weather. Opening some windows to get the air flowing certainly helped, and although it wasn't as comfortable as a few times during our car camping days, we made it work.
Posting here from North Carolina, it is a bit on the hot side, but a very nice place, and a great journey to get here. More on the area will come in a later post, but for now, remember to follow your internal compass.
Your trailer is packed, you're ready to go... but where? And how can you make sure you get there safely and in a timely manner? Here's some tips for you on how to plan your destinations and route.
The first, and probably most important thing, is to know your limits of how much you and your traveling companions can drive in a day. Take some drive-around road trips. Make one part of your first "shakedown" adventure. You may have been able to once drive from one coast to the other in a day and a half, but with a trailer and a family, that probably won't happen. Even with car camping, we've found our limit to be 900 miles in a day. This is something you'll have to measure on your own. Remember that the specific route also needs to be taken into account, as traffic in a major city, such as Chicago, Seattle, or Washington DC, will slow you down. Peak traffic times, such as holiday weekends and rush hour need to be considered. Put in some contingency time. You can always boondock at a rest area if you're early, but you'll lose money, and potentially a reservation, if you're late.
Speaking of reservations, if you're going to be staying at campgrounds or National Parks, you're going to need a reservation. Try to figure out the upcoming season in advance, and get a basic idea of your route that way. Holidays book up quickly, so you may want to use that time to visit some family or friends. Maybe consider booking weekly or monthly to take advantage of better rates, or apply for some work-camping jobs through a month or season. Cancellations are going to happen to open up some sites, but you can't always depend on that. Sometimes you may want to boondock on public lands, but be aware that those sites are first come, first serve, so be sure to have a backup plan. Give yourself plenty of time to get from place to place, and maybe you'll want to check out something along the way. Flexibility is always a good thing.
The concept of a "boondock" has been mentioned a few times. This is where you stay for free without utilities at a given location. Sometimes, this is done on public land, such as a National Forest. If it's an overnight rest, there are some other options. Wal-Mart has been known for offering free overnight parking at many of its locations. This is assuming they own the land, and there isn't a city ordinance to prohibit doing so. This trick is something that car campers will typically use as well. There are a few things to keep in mind, though:
There are a few other places known to offer this service, such as Cracker Barrel, Cabela's, some truck stops, and self-parking areas at some casinos. The same guidelines apply to these other places. There are plenty of apps and websites dedicated to boondock parking, such as Walmart Atlas.
You don't have to kiss us, nor smile for us, but we certainly hope these tips will help you in planning your next adventure. Remember to follow both your internal and external compasses.
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