First long trip. Need Tips and advice from the Jayco pros.

[norty1]

In an rv, assume 50mph avg. for trip planning. It seems to always work out that way. Check your tires often for any problems and make sure you have a tire gauge to check the cold pressure daily before starting out on a long trip.

As stated start looking for fuel when you pass 1/2 tank. Fuel is much cheaper in SC, higher in NC, Ga, and Fl.

EDIT: after reading the previous post, I see the horse is already out of the barn! Oh well use the tips on the way back or give them to some one else.

[vcbice]

First, go read up on how to react to severe sway situations. If you don't control them it can get ugly.

Second, yes, you hit one of the biggest problems with RV's, gas stops. One of the benefits of a diesel truck is being able to use the truck lanes if necessary (not recommended if there are trucks in line). Like mentioned above a little planning goes a long way. Flying J truck stops almost all have specific RV pump islands.

FWIW, there are a bunch of places you simply have to pass up when pulling a trailer or driving a larger rig. Also have to watch out for those 'visitor centers' in some towns. They are not rest areas but are just small office buildings with parking lots not suited for RV's.

If you get fast food you learn to look for places near large parking lots. Walmarts and similar shopping areas become your 'friend' since they are easier to maneuver around.

Have fun out there.

[Dosxx]

From experience, plan only 300 miles a day! If it turns out to be 350 so-be-it. Anything more you will be tired and not enjoy. Plan to arrive before dark...makes setting up far easier.

[vcbice]

I'll have to disagree. When on a time limit my daily trip mileage was 500mi or more (10-12hr days).

Now that we are retired and not on a schedule we plan 400mi days.

But, I like driving and wife likes to read when on the road. Schedule what you are comfortable with.

[ttavasc]

Part of it is the purpose for the trip. Everybody is different in this respect - a lot depends on the time available. Camping for us is usually a weekend, or long weekend, and we try and plan for travel time one way of 3-5 hours. Traveling is a whole different mind set. We have a specific destination to get to and that's the main focus of our travel days. Those trips are generally 600+ miles per day and overnight in a rest area along the way. No need to unhook or set anything up. Like vcbice, I like to drive and the DW loves to work on various craft projects along the way - so for us it works great.

This fall we'll be giving a combination of those two a try. About 1700 miles total over 9 days where the sole purpose is to see the sights along the way and stop early and relax. One of the things we love best about having the trailer is the flexibility to do what we want, when we want and how we want.