First decent length trip

[Skippy247]

Ok so I recently purchased a New Jayco SLX 210QB and have gone camping locally a few times. The F-150 pulls it easily and I can easily maintain 55-60 MPH...not sure about going faster since I've never pulled a trailer before.
I live in northern Alabama and want to take a trip that's not either to gulf shores or Dollywood since I've been there a bunch in car. I've got about two weeks to spend just doing whatever I want since I'm essentially retired. I don't have any experience boondocking nor do I belong to any campground memberships.
So any suggestions where I should go? Going to be leaving in March or first week of April

 

[Grumpy]

Weather could still be very "iffy" in the Mid-west or North. Are you talking a 2 week travel trip or several locations over the two weeks? Also..

 

[Lonetraveler]

Not knowing what kind of outdoor activity you prefer, but I’ll throw out two different choices. Check out Big South Fork National Recreation Area in northern Tennessee between Jamestown and Oneida, Tennessee. I stayed in the Bandy Creek campground which has paved sites, but electric hookups only. Check RV Life Campgrounds for reviews. If you choose this place enter in from Jamestown. The highway from Oneida is steep, narrow, and has two hairpin turns.

The second to check out is Natchez National Parkway. I drove this the first of last April and now going back again next October only in reverse. The parkway runs from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi on the Mississippi River. Very historical parkway with a lot of pull offs with educational boards to read. Had good weather during the drive.

Going to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park the last weekend this March and stay at Wilderness Road campground. Paved sites, electric hookups only.

Have fun, be safe in your ventures this season.

 

[Skippy247]

I'm definitely considering Natchez trace since it's only about two hours from me...I was thinking about big bend national in Texas or the Grand Canyon and hitting up Winslow Arizona.

As for outdoor activities, we hike, backpack, fish and mountain bike. Probably going to be just me on this trip to be honest.

Thanks for the feedback!!!

 

[Skippy247]

Weather could still be very "iffy" in the Mid-west or North. Are you talking a 2 week travel trip or several locations over the two weeks? Also..View attachment 668445

I'm thinking of just picking one area and exploring it. This will be my first major outing. I'm leaning towards the Natchez Trace parkway and or the Grand Canyon... possibly Big Bend national Park in Texas...

Thanks for the reply.

 

[BuckeyJoe58]

Ok so I recently purchased a New Jayco SLX 210QB and have gone camping locally a few times. The F-150 pulls it easily and I can easily maintain 55-60 MPH...not sure about going faster since I've never pulled a trailer before.
I live in northern Alabama and want to take a trip that's not either to gulf shores or Dollywood since I've been there a bunch in car. I've got about two weeks to spend just doing whatever I want since I'm essentially retired. I don't have any experience boondocking nor do I belong to any campground memberships.
So any suggestions where I should go? Going to be leaving in March or first week of April

We bought the same model trailer last year and also pull it with a F150. Did you get a load leveling / anti-sway hitch? Probably a good addition if not. We've pulled ours at speeds up to 65 mph on the highway with no concern. Trailer tires are rated for 65 mph so I don't plan on exceeding that.

We want to do a Route 66 trip to Winslow or maybe even further. We live in NW Ohio so it will be a several week trip. Enjoy your adventures!

 

[Skippy247]

Yes we got a load leveling/ anti sway hitch. Rte 66 seems fun. The museum in Pontiac Illinois is kinda neat. About how many mpg do you get on the highway if you don't mind me asking?

 

[BuckeyJoe58]

Yes we got a load leveling/ anti sway hitch. Rte 66 seems fun. The museum in Pontiac Illinois is kinda neat. About how many mpg do you get on the highway if you don't mind me asking?

We get 9-10 mpg if flat and no wind. It can range from 8-11 with wind and/or hilly terrain. I was hoping a little better than that but talking with others makes me feel that's pretty much the norm. I have the ecoboost engine but my truck is a 2013 model.

 

[Taftcoach]

We have about the same trailer and truck and have pulled from Texas to Maine and across Canada.

Natchez Trace is a great first trip. There are several great state parks along the route, slower speed limits, easy pull throughs.

If you decide on Big Bend I've been there about thirty times. Reservations are required inside the park. The Chisos Basin campground would not be a good choice. The drive up has sharp hairpin turns. Rio Grande Village has hookups but it's literally a parking lot.

Outside the park Stillwell Campground is our choice for activities on the East side of the park.

 

[SJ Communicator]

We did our longest trip last year in April. From Tampa FL to Lake Buchanon TX which is about 65 miles NW of Austin. We went to see the solar eclipse. It was about 1200 miles each way. We pulled our 2019 Jayfeather 24RL with our 2018 Chevy Colorado with a Curt 17601 TruTrak WD hitch. I do all the driving as my better 1/2 gets too nervous pulling our rig. Anyhoo the truck & rig did fine! I never exceed 65 mph and we averaged 10..5/11mpg. We learned one very important lesson. No more that 300 milles or 5hrs which ever comes 1st! Anyore than that just seemed to up the stress factor. Too much stress is a joy killer! Also it is way too easy to get stressed pulling your rig on the highways & byways. We joined Harvest Host prior to the trip and really liked it. It is a way you can map out where you will stay for the night between destinations. We paid $99 for a year and it paid for itself our one trip. Most sites which are a wide variety of different settings don't have any hookups snd require your rig be fully self contained. Some do offer power for a fee. Definitely worth considering! We won't go on a long trip with out it.