Looking for a bit of safety advice

[Octopus Prime]

I will be traveling by myself with my children soon. It will be about a seven hour trip when I account for fuel and rest stops.

This is the first time I have done this. My other half has always traveled with me, and we both connect the camper together.

I had initially planned to caravan with relatives, but they will be traveling from another direction on this particular trip.

What are some recommendations you can give me for a safe trip, being responsible for the kids, truck and TT, by myself?

[Woodworker]

Check everything twice. But more importantly don't get distracted. This is about the children. Do what you've always done an you'll be fine.
Safe travels an enjoy as best as you can

[Grumpy]

We have a friend who has been traveling sort of that way for at least 4 years. Her hubby would meet her and the kids part way through the trip. As Woodworker said you should do just fine. She would travel for several weeks at a time.

[SB_James]

Have a written checklist for each phase of your trip and make sure to follow it. If the kiddos cause a distraction, run through the checklist again to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Best of luck, and happy camping!

[NewBlackDak]

If you need help hitching/unhitching have DH help with that before you leave, and family help on the other end. Try to stop for gas at big stations, and wait for the pump with the clearest path in and out. If the kids get unruly, make a quick pit stop to stretch and use the bathroom. We hand out a lunchbox with healthy snacks, and tell them those are their snacks for the day. If you eat all yours before 9:00 then you are done. We alway stop at a rest stop or a park with a playground and eat lunch. It’s usually sandwiches or bean burritos(we have heat that morning and put in a keeper, so they’re still warm). Feed them, give them 20 minutes to get out their wiggles, make them use the bathroom, and get back on the road. Most of ours go to sleep after that, and it makes the afternoon tow much more enjoyable.

[Jagiven]

Sounds like you have some good experience driving your TT. That is good. Take your time! Lists are good! How old are the kids? Any of age that can really help? We have a rule, when I am backing up, if you cannot see me in a mirror, I cannot see you, and I STOP! Often the kid will sit quietly in the back seat.

Everyone has a job. They are expected to do their part setting up and tearing down. Kids do things like stabilizer jacks, slides and awnings. Get the dog lead setup.

As for hooking up, I tend to do it by myself. I never try to do it in one try (I do not have a backup camera). I As I back up, I stop about 3 feet short of the tongue. Get out, decide how far off I am. Make my adjustments, and stop when I am about 1 foot off the ball. Look again, and decide what adjustments are needed. I usually keep the driver's door open. I keep my left foot dangling out of the door, I use this to judge how far back I am moving. Sometimes I compare to a line, rock, twig, etc as a reference to my foot. Most of the time, I nail it. But not always. Rarely do I have to pull forwards and start over. Usually if I am off, it did not backup far enough or I went to far.

Glad your getting out and having a good time! My DW hates to drive, and there is no way my DW would hook up and take the camper without me. She has only towed it once, on a gravel road, for maybe a mile.

Happy travels

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Sounds like you have some good experience driving your TT. That is good. Take your time! Lists are good! How old are the kids? Any of age that can really help? We have a rule, when I am backing up, if you cannot see me in a mirror, I cannot see you, and I STOP! Often the kid will sit quietly in the back seat.

Everyone has a job. They are expected to do their part setting up and tearing down. Kids do things like stabilizer jacks, slides and awnings. Get the dog lead setup.

As for hooking up, I tend to do it by myself. I never try to do it in one try (I do not have a backup camera). I As I back up, I stop about 3 feet short of the tongue. Get out, decide how far off I am. Make my adjustments, and stop when I am about 1 foot off the ball. Look again, and decide what adjustments are needed. I usually keep the driver's door open. I keep my left foot dangling out of the door, I use this to judge how far back I am moving. Sometimes I compare to a line, rock, twig, etc as a reference to my foot. Most of the time, I nail it. But not always. Rarely do I have to pull forwards and start over. Usually if I am off, it did not backup far enough or I went to far.

Glad your getting out and having a good time! My DW hates to drive, and there is no way my DW would hook up and take the camper without me. She has only towed it once, on a gravel road, for maybe a mile.

Happy travels

Can’t get mine to drive either, but she sure loves planning a trip that requires a 10 hour tow in a single day.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

Can’t get mine to drive either, but she sure loves planning a trip that requires a 10 hour tow in a single day.

Humm, maybe sisters?