Community Forums

srt20 · 07-16-2011, 11:34 PM

We will be making our first long trip with our MH, and I have a question.
We have owned the MH for ayear, and have used it for quite a few shorter trips(150-300 miles up north). But we plan to go from WI to western NY in August to visit family. I normally do this trip in one day with the pick-up(about 720 miles), but obviously I cannot drive the MH as fast as the pickup. So we will have to take 2 days to do it.

So where are some "relatively" safe places to sleep? I didnt really want to stop at a CG just to sleep for 6 hours, but if truck stops, rest areas, or Walmarts arent safe at all, then we will do it. Im not setting jacks down or putting the slide out, just sleeping. It will be my wife, newborn son, dog, and me. I will also have 6 shots of .357 for protection, but I would greatly prefer that the "negotiator" stay tucked away.

Would I be taking a risk, that I really dont need to take, by staying somewhere other than a CG?
Thanks in advance, Bret

macnkat · 07-16-2011, 11:48 PM

I would not hesitate to stop somewhere there were other people. The rest stops I come across are loaded with big rigs sleeping. Aside from traffic noise I would think they are fine.

lostagain · 07-17-2011, 04:26 AM

I stop at rest stops and truck stops, never had any problems other then the noise from trucks and gensets. Flying J's are RV friendly and some have designated RV parking. Some rest stops have no overnight parking signs but I have never been bothered.

phays · 07-17-2011, 04:58 AM

I've never tried them, but the Ohio Turnpike has a few plazas with spots for RV's that include electric hookup. I believe the charge is $15 and they are on a first come first serve basis. If the heat wave continues, the electric hookup will be well worth the money to keep the A/C going. Check the Ohio Turnpike Commission website at Ohio Turnpike Commission - Service Plaza and scroll down about 2/3 the page for a list of plazas with hookups. Also, be sure to check to make sure a plaza is open as I know they are doing construction on some of them.

read & learn · 07-17-2011, 05:34 AM

The Ohio rest stops have a size limit and are back-ins, but there are other areas in those same rest stops to park.

blackf3504dr · 07-17-2011, 05:45 AM

Have you planed a route yet ? That will give you an idea of what may be available (ie) Wall Marts, Sam's Clubs, Cracker Barrels, truck stops and rest area to name a few (we have over nighted at all of them). Being an over he road truck driver I have never had a problem staying in truck stops but they can be noisy. You don't say where in WI. you are but you have the option of going through Canada or going south around the lake and catching the toll road. I have done both and it was shorter going through Canada and no tolls except for the border crossings. I haven't traveled through Canada with a pet so I don't know what's required for them. No matter which way you go it sounds like a nice trip, I'd allow two days of leisurely travel and have a fun time. I forgot you mentioned a hand gun, in that case Canada is out......

Luckiest Dreamer · 07-17-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srt20

We will be making our first long trip with our MH, and I have a question.
We have owned the MH for ayear, and have used it for quite a few shorter trips(150-300 miles up north). But we plan to go from WI to western NY in August to visit family. I normally do this trip in one day with the pick-up(about 720 miles), but obviously I cannot drive the MH as fast as the pickup. So we will have to take 2 days to do it.

So where are some "relatively" safe places to sleep? I didnt really want to stop at a CG just to sleep for 6 hours, but if truck stops, rest areas, or Walmarts arent safe at all, then we will do it. Im not setting jacks down or putting the slide out, just sleeping. It will be my wife, newborn son, dog, and me. I will also have 6 shots of .357 for protection, but I would greatly prefer that the "negotiator" stay tucked away.

Would I be taking a risk, that I really dont need to take, by staying somewhere other than a CG?
Thanks in advance, Bret

I am not saying stop only at CG's as I have stayed at Wal Marts etc my self, however with splitting that 720 mile day into two, the 360 mile average will take a bit under 8 hours to do. That leaves you 16 hours to find a campground that offers plug in electric service as well as water and sewer. You still have time to use their pool if they have one, and go for a walk to work out the kinks of that day of driving. Level up that coach, put out the slides, run that airconditioner without the noise of the gen set! Break out the grill and serve up some steaks and an ear of corn! Better yet stop and talk with your neighbors(you have something in common, a MH and the desire to travel). You are in your home away from home! Take the time to enjoy it!

Loren B. · 07-21-2011, 12:48 AM

Bret,

I'm with you. When I'm traveling to get somewhere I don't want to take the time to find a campground and set up the trailer.

We have stayed overnight at many highway rest areas, including those that say, "No overnight camping." The only problems we have had are the noise of the idling trucks and the light streaming in the windows/skylights from the parking lot lights.

We also travel with dogs as our early warning system and a backup in case the dogs don't work. I would have some speedloaders available for the backup. Six rounds could be dangerously too few.

I know that lots of RVers spend the night in Wal-mart lots, but we haven't tried that yet. We've almost always been able to find parking in the rest areas.

One evening, we ate dinner at an Outback Steakhouse just before their 10:00 p.m. closing time. We got permission to stay in their lot overnight and were gone well before they opened the following day at 4:00 p.m.

Don't be worried about the rest areas. We've had no problems and have been doing it for at least the last ten years.

-- Loren

Automobilist · 07-21-2011, 02:08 AM

Hospital parking lots are pretty good places to park. College campuses too, say you're visiting your kid.

cliff841 · 07-29-2011, 01:01 AM

Slightly off topic but don't forget to secure the .357 when your son becomes mobile. There are lots of quick access locking cabinets that will do. Find one that fits the place you want to store it (by the bed for example). It may not keep it from being stolen by a thief which would suck but it certainly will keep your son's curious hands off it.

In answer to your question, don't forget casinos as well as the above options. Many will let you stay. I have found that in my rig if I turn the rear a/c fan to on instead of auto then it creates a white noise that drowns out the truck noise and we sleep well.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 07-29-2011, 12:49 PM

I only do a max of 250 miles a day..my idea of a good days driving is not to start before 10 AM and stop before 2:30 PM. I get a campground, set up, meet my neighbors, have a good home cooked meal and leave the next day refreshed. Make your travel part of the vacation...your baby will also enjoy it more (and so will your wife). You will arrive at your destination relaxed and avble to enjoy the festivities.

Loren B. · 08-01-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43'

I only do a max of 250 miles a day..my idea of a good days driving is not to start before 10 AM and stop before 2:30 PM. I get a campground, set up, meet my neighbors, have a good home cooked meal and leave the next day refreshed. Make your travel part of the vacation...your baby will also enjoy it more (and so will your wife). You will arrive at your destination relaxed and avble to enjoy the festivities.

Ronnie,

I agree that that's a nice way to travel if you can afford the time, but many can't.

Before I retired, I often had just a week plus two weekends off, and the destination was 600 miles away. I certainly wasn't about to spend three days driving each way in order to get only three days at the resort/campground/whatever. I will drive 600 miles in a single day if I get enough rest beforehand. By doing that I will have seven days to enjoy my destination. I think it's worth the trade-off.

-- Loren

padre44 · 08-01-2011, 03:43 PM

Enjoy the trip and take your time. We enjoy seeing various campgrounds.

cliff841 · 08-02-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren B.

I agree that that's a nice way to travel if you can afford the time, but many can't.

Before I retired, I often had just a week plus two weekends off, and the destination was 600 miles away. I certainly wasn't about to spend three days driving each way in order to get only three days at the resort/campground/whatever. I will drive 600 miles in a single day if I get enough rest beforehand. By doing that I will have seven days to enjoy my destination. I think it's worth the trade-off.

I agree with you. That is the life we working people have to live. It still is nice to get away even if you have to do 600 miles in a day. When time isn't an issue we like to drive less in a day but when time is limited it is no problem driving farther.