Community Forums

reubenray · 07-01-2013, 09:55 AM

In 10 days we will be taking our first multi-day traveling trip (2 days). All of our past trips have been about a 5 hour drive away. So I have a few questions. Each day we will be traveling about 300 miles (6 or 7 hours).

In the planning of this trip I have been researching where or when to stop for breaks. The first leg will be mostly on an Interstate and there are a few rest areas. So I figured we would need to hit them all (2 total). I have also figured in a fuel stop right when we get off of the interstate and travel a 2 lane road for the last leg before we stop for the night. Our longest leg will be the first one which is about 2 hours. Hopefully our bladders can hold it that long.

Being I will be taking some water in our tanks I figured if we absolutely have to we can pull over on the shoulder of the interstate to take care of our business. So my first question will be is safe to do?

The second day trip will be mainly two or four lane roads with no rest areas. I have found several Walmarts to stop at for our rest/potty breaks. These will be about an hour and a half away from each other. We would have to hit these being there will be no places to pull over on the shoulder of the road.

At our mid trip overnight stop I was thinking of not hooking up the sewer lines and not draining anything. This was because we would have more in there before we drain them. Being the park we will be spending 7 nights in does not have full sewer hookups I also was thinking of draining my tanks before we setup for the first night. Is this how I should do it or setup at the camp and hit the dump station about mid week?

Krashqueen · 07-01-2013, 10:06 AM

Go with the flow, don't over think this. It is supposed to be fun and spontaneous. LOL

CampDaven · 07-01-2013, 10:11 AM

Sounds good.

But do not pull over on highways or interstates for a potty stop. There is always a better way. Be safe. Have fun.

**NLOVNIT** · 07-01-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

...But do not pull over on highways or interstates for a potty stop. There is always a better way. Be safe. Have fun.

X2. It's much too dangerous to pull off any road for a "pit stop". You want to be off the road, even if it means taking an exit to locate a safe place. Find a lot that's big enough for you to enter/exit (i.e. shopping plaza, travel plaza, church parking lot, school...etc).

When you hit your mid-trip stop (with the no sewer), since you'll be there 7 days, I would suggest you dump & then take on fresh water when you arrive. That way you won't have to break camp to head to the dump station mid-stay. That's what we do because I don't like packing up all the knick-knacks I put out when I set up.

Lori-

twogypsies · 07-01-2013, 11:38 AM

Agree...you're over-thinking this too much.

Unless you have medical issues you should be o.k. until you see a safe place to stop. Perhaps not drinking that coffee before taking off?

We, too, would recommend you visit the dump station before your 7 night stay. That's a lot easier. If, during your 7-night stay, you find the gray tank filling too fast, use a dishpan for washing dishes (& you don't need a full pan of water to do this), then empty the dishpan into the toilet. The black tank always needs to be 3/4-full anyway for dumping. Also during your long stay there's really no need to wash dishes after every meal and use that precious water. Wipe the food particles with a paper towel after use and let them set for a few meals.

However, if you leave home with empty tanks you really shouldn't have to dump after a two-day drive. Just conserve water usage - quick showers and leave no water running needlessly. Also, we always travel with a full tank of fresh water and there's no noticeable fuel mileage drop. Have a good trip.... and relax! Let us know how you did!!

Bug Juice · 07-01-2013, 12:39 PM

I travel with 60 gallons of fresh water in my travel trailer and that will get the 2 of us thru 4 days of travel/camping including showers and using the toilet, and washing dishes as needed..Take Navy showers and don't waste your water. That's all there is to it.
We use bottled water for drinking, don't count that in the 60 gals. mentioned above.
I usually do not need to dump the black tank till about day 9 and the gray water can be dumped at the same time or when needed. Some rest areas around the country have dump sites that you can use if necessary.
We just conserve and it works out well.
Specs: 54 gal. fresh water + 6 gal. water heater = 60gals.
39 gal. black water tank
37 gal. gray water tank
Enjoy your trip and be safe!

Chuck&Pam · 07-03-2013, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krashqueen

Go with the flow, don't over think this. It is supposed to be fun and spontaneous. LOL

I couldn't agree more!

Go with the flow. When we start out on a multi-day trip, I usually have an idea of about where we may be for the night, with a second choice in mind just in case something interesting pops up that slows us down. About mid-day we'll zero in on a night stop and pick a walmart or a PA campground. On the interstates there are usually plenty of choices for fuel stops, start looking when you get around 1/3 of a tank full left.

On the back roads there are plenty of places to stop to use the bathroom - walmart, grocery stores, churches, shopping centers. just be sure you see a clear exit path with you pull in.

Never voluntarily stop on the shoulder of the interstate.

enjoy the scenery!

squeak · 07-03-2013, 06:11 AM

our water tank is full and holding tanks are empty when we leave. we stop when we need to it is to hard to stick to a plan. lots to see and do on a trip.

jpharley · 07-03-2013, 09:20 AM

We frequently while traveling just hook up electric and forgo hooking up water and sewer. As full timers, we always travel with fresh water. Just dump and add additional fresh water at your destination before setting up. On two lane roads, we have had some issues finding a place to pull over for bathroom breaks. When we know we are going to travel on 2 lane roads, we go light on the liquids in case we cannot find a place to pull over.

reubenray · 07-21-2013, 05:32 AM

We are back and our first multi-day traveling trip was a total success even with the 7% mountain pass. A more detailed trip report will come out later.