Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 08-09-2018, 03:00 PM

Hi,

Our longest trip so far has been about 600 miles return. We would like to venture further afield.

I would like to stay close to the Appalachian trail as will like to day hike parts of it.

Google maps puts the distance at 1200 miles return.

My wife does not drive our 38ft Latitude Destination UFO.

Would appreciate any advice about driving longer distances.

BigUgly · 08-09-2018, 03:45 PM

Skyline Drive is fantastic-beautiful, but lots of turns. Virginia also has some great wineries.

bubbiebecker · 08-09-2018, 03:57 PM

We've driven Skyline drive a couple of times in a car and it is absolutely spectacular. We're actually heading down to Shenandoah in September to relive our youth as our first stop on our FT RV adventure. We plan to park nearby then do a day trip.

Be forewarned, there is a low clearance tunnel on the drive so make sure you'll be able to clear it if you're planning to do the entire drive with your RV.

Unicorn Driver · 08-09-2018, 04:32 PM

Thanks both,

Not sure yet where we will stay yet and if we will stay in one place or relocate once or twice.

We will either have a toad or rent a car.

I have heard about the skyline drive :-)

My concern is doing two 300 miles drives back to back. I have done it plenty in a car but not in a MH.

Unicorn Driver · 08-09-2018, 05:11 PM

Time frame would be late August/early September next year. Starting my research now.

Unicorn Driver · 08-10-2018, 07:27 AM

Plan would be to leave at about 2pm on a Thursday (after work) and try to get in about 250 miles or so in. A Walmart or similar would do.

That would mean 350 miles on the Friday.

On way back would stop off in Pittsburgh overnight.

jimcumminsw · 08-10-2018, 12:36 PM

I tow a 37' fifth wheel and we do several long distance trips each year of 2,000 miles or more. What we tend to do is drive no more than 300 to 350 miles a day. Taking as many days as needed to get there. Sometimes we will drive 300 miles the first day and either rest for the next day or unhook and do siteseeing things in the area. Remember " Life is a journey and getting there is half of the fun".

Unicorn Driver · 08-10-2018, 12:40 PM

Thanks Jim,

We both still work so would only have 2 weeks to spare.

I hear you about half the fun is getting there :-)

Superslif · 08-10-2018, 01:54 PM

When we go to Shenandoah, we stay on Skyline Drive. Always at Big Meadow's Campground and last August added Loft Mtn. Campground as a second stop. Excellent opportunity to hike the AT from both campgrounds. Both campgrounds you can camp within 25' of the AT if you wanted to. My wife will drop the kid and me off 5-10 miles either side of the campground and we'll hike back to the campground. The AT there in Shenandoah is well maintained and fairly easy as it stays on top of the ridge for the whole 140 miles inside the park.

I was worried on making my late August reservation at Loft Mtn. They said you didn't have to worry as it's not close to any population centers, so it doesn't fill up. AND, the nice pull-thru sites are not re-servable. The last 3 or 4 campsite loops have a lot of nice private pull-thru sites. A few pics below:

Unicorn Driver · 08-10-2018, 02:15 PM

Thanks for posting Jim,

My wife would love staying near the AT.

Is that a Renogy portable solar kit?

purduepete97 · 08-11-2018, 03:54 AM

Everyone's driving preferences are different. We took our longest trip ever this summer (Indy to Yellowstone). Got lots of great advice, planned the trip conservatively, had really good luck with traffic/weather/kids. We found 450-500 miles in a day wasn't bad for us, even doing it a couple of days in a row. This was with a truck/travel trailer.

If we were doing this trip from Indy, we'd either do it in one long day, or leave after work/school, stop about half way, and then get there by noon the next day.

Safe travels,
Pete

Unicorn Driver · 08-11-2018, 06:19 AM

Thanks Pete,

I discussed this my wife and she is willing to learn to drive the rig. Our last class A she drove for 5 minutes in the sub division :-)

Wanderl0st · 08-11-2018, 10:47 AM

Driving 250-350 miles in a day is pretty easy. We just completed a Texas to Alaska and back trip, traveling no more than 250-300 miles per day, in our 2018 Forza 34T. We didn't have to leave early in the morning, usually departing around 0900 or so, and arriving at the next stop between 1400 and 1600, depending on driving conditions. Gave us lots of time to get situated at the next stop, relax, do touristy things, and still get a good night's rest. We'd take a few days off every six or seven days. Your two-day run should be no problem at all.

Glad to hear your wife is willing to learn to drive this class A. I'd sure like to not be so noticeable (I do most of the driving, as he has Parkinson's)... There are RV driving courses out there, if she'd like to take one. Or she could practice in large parking lots when that business is closed.

There's one low tunnel on Skyline Drive, according to the National Park Service -- Marys Rock Tunnel (just south of Thornton Gap entrance from Route 211) at 12'8". See https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvis...line-drive.htm

We drove Skyline Drive several times in our 2004 Itasca Sunrise (12'1"), and never had a height issue. If your rig is below 12'8" in height, you should be ok.

c92vette · 08-11-2018, 11:27 AM

I agree with most of those who go 300 - 350 miles per day. Since retirement 3 years ago we only put in one 400+ mile day. Not advised. We have gone over 25k miles at around 300 per day stopping every hour or two to relax. Using the RVParky app we find rest stops, fuel stops that are Class A friendly, Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, and other places to lay up for a short while. In all of our travels we have only been turned away from a RV Park once and that turned out for the better. We just returned from Iowa where I rode the bicycle across the state and took 3 days to cover the 1k miles from home to Des Moines. Did the same on the return trip. (Note: it took me 7 days to ride across the state once we got there) So that's 3 days at 300+ miles each day, back to back to back. Upon arrival at each location I was ready for a day or two off. That's the way we travel though. We go a day or two, stop and explore for a while and then move on.

So if you have two weeks available use 6 to 8 of those days getting there and back. That will give you a full week in the area to explore.

Take your time and enjoy the ride going, visiting, and coming home.