Excited... and a little nervous

[dindy]

Well, we head out tomorrow for our 4th year in a row at the Fort for Spring break. Can.Not.Wait!!! As usual, we've requested the 100 loop. We are also adding something new to the itinerary and going to the HDDR. I haven't been to it since I was a kid, and my kids have never been to it. We are celebrating 2 of their birthdays, so I thought that would be a fun experience for them.

In the past years we've been traveling with our pop-up. But this year we traded it in for our Jayco 23b. We really enjoyed using it locally and at the beaches around here this past summer/fall. And its offered us a lot of extra space- I especially love the storage space with stuff 4 kids! We can't wait to take it to the Fort... but I've got to admit, we are a little nervous about the drive. It will be our first long trip with it. We always travel straight through (best to drive when the kiddos are sleeping) So, for those of you that have upgraded, how much extra time did it add to your travel time? We drive from PA.

Lindsay

 

[Carol Ann]

No advice on the long drive (we still just have a popup and only have an 8-9 hour drive)...but good luck! My hubby and kids will be chilling in 1500 (hopefully) or 2000 loop from the 12-20th....I've got to work so I will join them on the 15th. I'm worried about him doing the drive solo though.

 

[Rland8228]

Well, we head out tomorrow for our 4th year in a row at the Fort for Spring break. Can.Not.Wait!!! As usual, we've requested the 100 loop. We are also adding something new to the itinerary and going to the HDDR. I haven't been to it since I was a kid, and my kids have never been to it. We are celebrating 2 of their birthdays, so I thought that would be a fun experience for them. In the past years we've been traveling with our pop-up. But this year we traded it in for our Jayco 23b. We really enjoyed using it locally and at the beaches around here this past summer/fall. And its offered us a lot of extra space- I especially love the storage space with stuff 4 kids! We can't wait to take it to the Fort... but I've got to admit, we are a little nervous about the drive. It will be our first long trip with it. We always travel straight through (best to drive when the kiddos are sleeping) So, for those of you that have upgraded, how much extra time did it add to your travel time? We drive from PA. Lindsay

Let me know how you make out! We just sold our pop up yesterday and pick up our new unit tomorrow! I am absolutely terrified, I feel like it's going to be a monster compared to the pop up!

 

[double r]

I did this ONCE and from then on said we would never drive straight thru towing the camper again. I am the only driver that pulls the camper ( 39' 5th wheel) so now we plan at least a one night stop to rest me and our equipment. Not saying it can not be done but my families safety comes first, there are plenty of campgrounds that are good for a easy one night stop. Where in Pa are you starting from and what route do you plan to take?

 

[Running_Bell]

We allow more time for travel and take our time. We have a 9.5 hour drive and generally stay overnight at a hotel on the way down to the Fort... this is just so we want be setting up at the Fort late at night since we get on the road around 3pm and so we will be fresh our first day .... however for the drive back home, we always drive straight through. We leave the fort around 10am, we take our time and make frequent stops. We have a really relaxing drive. I also drive if my DH ever needs it... but he rarely does. Your drive is much longer so I agree about taking an overnight break there and back. My DH definitely says it's more tense pulling the camper in traffic... and there is quite a bit of that on our route. I don't think he would want to drive straight through if it were any longer than 9.5 hours.

 

[jbrostek]

I went from a pusher to a 40' 5th wheel, it did not change my travel time or speeds at all. But since I only had the 5th wheel for 3 months it was a learning experience for a long trip to get used to the differences in clearance for lane changes compared to the pushers mirrors. But other then my truck having mechanical issues, the drive was the same there and home.

 

[Jeepin Dad]

We upsized from a popup to a TT last year and I think we actually make better time with the TT than we did with the popup, with the added weight, duel axles and better suspension it doesn't bounce around as much as the popup did on rough roads. We made it from SE PA in about 16 hours, cruise was set at 68 mph most of the way. we didn't drive straight through, I would have but 12 hours is about the max for my wife and kids.

 

[jbrostek]

We upsized from a popup to a TT last year and I think we actually make better time with the TT than we did with the popup, with the added weight, duel axles and better suspension it doesn't bounce around as much as the popup did on rough roads. We made it from SE PA in about 16 hours, cruise was set at 68 mph most of the way. we didn't drive straight through, I would have but 12 hours is about the max for my wife and kids.

Agreed, 12 hours "road time" is about all that my eyes, brain and butt can handle. Road time for me includes all the stops for fuel, and potty brakes for the humans and the dogs. Its fine, it leaves us with a 6-7 hour drive to Disney the next day so we get in during daylight to back in and setup and don't feel completely fragged out.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

we have towed tt from Lancaster, Pa but we always stop for the night. granted it is grandkids but I would not want to arrive anywhere tired from driving and kids refreshed from sleeping in car. they will need, have, to move and you are not ready to do with them. on the way down and back up we do not unhook from truck at night. in fact we only hook up electric. use comfort stations instead of trailer. by dinner time kids are ready to be out of car and have some action

 

[StitchyPoo81]

We traded our very small pop up to a jayco 18d hybrid and we are doing the drive from Philly Pa in August. Our plan is to leave at like 2am so the kids will sleep most of the ride and we are going to try to drive the whole thing. But take stretch stops. But then on the way home take our good ole time

 

[Rland8228]

We traded our very small pop up to a jayco 18d hybrid and we are doing the drive from Philly Pa in August. Our plan is to leave at like 2am so the kids will sleep most of the ride and we are going to try to drive the whole thing. But take stretch stops. But then on the way home take our good ole time

Stitchespoo where are you guys coming from and when are you guys going?

 

[dindy]

Thanks for all of the responses! I appreciate all your input!

Let me know how you make out! We just sold our pop up yesterday and pick up our new unit tomorrow! I am absolutely terrified, I feel like it's going to be a monster compared to the pop up!

I will definitely let you know. I drove the pop up on many of our trips, but this will be my first time helping out with the TT... It intimidates me a bit

I did this ONCE and from then on said we would never drive straight thru towing the camper again. I am the only driver that pulls the camper ( 39' 5th wheel) so now we plan at least a one night stop to rest me and our equipment. Not saying it can not be done but my families safety comes first, there are plenty of campgrounds that are good for a easy one night stop. Where in Pa are you starting from and what route do you plan to take?

Thanks for the input... we just like to try to get it all done in one trip... maybe we will change our minds after this trip though.... who knows! We are traveling from outside of the Valley Forge area.

We upsized from a popup to a TT last year and I think we actually make better time with the TT than we did with the popup, with the added weight, duel axles and better suspension it doesn't bounce around as much as the popup did on rough roads. We made it from SE PA in about 16 hours, cruise was set at 68 mph most of the way. we didn't drive straight through, I would have but 12 hours is about the max for my wife and kids.

Good to know! Woah- 16 hours.... I don't think we've ever made that great of time even when we weren't puling a camper!

We traded our very small pop up to a jayco 18d hybrid and we are doing the drive from Philly Pa in August. Our plan is to leave at like 2am so the kids will sleep most of the ride and we are going to try to drive the whole thing. But take stretch stops. But then on the way home take our good ole time

The last time we drove to FL was this past summer for the Disney & DCL. We started to drive around 7pm at night. That was the first time we left at that time, and it was fabulous! We missed all the rush hour traffic and the kids were tired soon after we got on the road... I think we arrived at Disney around noon or little later! We will also be camping again at the Fort this august as well! When are you guys headed down? It will be our first time camping in the summer there... usually camp at spring break and stay at POR in August. But with our new camper, we would rather pull it and stay there!

 

[Jeepin Dad]

We traded our very small pop up to a jayco 18d hybrid and we are doing the drive from Philly Pa in August. Our plan is to leave at like 2am so the kids will sleep most of the ride and we are going to try to drive the whole thing. But take stretch stops. But then on the way home take our good ole time

We left a little after 2 and it worked great, well the kids didn't sleep but we were south of Richmond before the morning rush hour and didn't hit any traffic. Like I said we didn't drive straight through, we spent the night at a KOA right on the GA/FLA line and did the remaining 3.5 hours the next morning.

 

[jbrostek]

I know many prefer to drive straight through, but unless you have a codriver I really don't recommend it. So I would say if you can make it safely, by all means go for it. But if you are really starting to fight fatigue, find a campground for a couple solid hours of sleep and finish the trip the next morning.

That is why we dont even push for Savannah, and all of the drivers are quick to fall asleep after just making to exit 33 in SC and thats from Northern VA and we avoid the beltway and DC traffic by using 234 to bypass all of that.

 

[kelsma03]

We drive from PA too, almost always stop and boondock at a Wal-mart on the way down. We drive in a motorhome so the kids usually sleep in the bedroom and DH and I sleep on the couches. He'll get up, pull the slides in and get back on the road for a few hours. We did the drive in the motorhome straight through once and it was long, we've done in the car too and that seems even longer.

 

[dindy]

I know many prefer to drive straight through, but unless you have a codriver I really don't recommend it.

Thanks! My husband will be driving as well, so no worries!

We drive from PA too, almost always stop and boondock at a Wal-mart on the way down. We drive in a motorhome so the kids usually sleep in the bedroom and DH and I sleep on the couches. He'll get up, pull the slides in and get back on the road for a few hours. We did the drive in the motorhome straight through once and it was long, we've done in the car too and that seems even longer.

Well, with 4 sweet kids with us, we will definitely be cautious if we are feeling sleepy. We have pulled off in the past when we both knew we needed some shut eye. It's definitely not worth it to us to risk it! Somehow the kids always sleep great, and of course my husband and I are zombies the next day (which is why it is always our "set-up, swim, and relax day")!

 

[StitchyPoo81]

Stitchespoo where are you guys coming from and when are you guys going?

We are coming from outside of Philly Pa and we are leaving August 22

 

[RandolphNY]

Looks like you may already be here , but I learned the hard way...even with two drivers and a class c, I will never try none stop again. Where are you? We arrive on Monday 4/14/14

 

[4ParkFamily]

We too have just traded our pop up in for a 21 ft Gulfstream and have only stayed in the 1500 loop. We are looking at the 100 loop for next spring break. Have you always got your request met when you ask for the 100 loop? What site # is your favorite? Cannot wait to take the new camper down! Have you ever taken you bikes down or do you get a golf cart? If bikes is the trek to the main pool that long? Sorry about all the questions, but I have not seen many post from 100 loopers lately. Thanks for any input.

 

[jeepfreak]

I've found when RV traveling that between fuel stops ,bathroom stops and lunch breaks ,we average 50 miles per hour. 400 miles 8 hrs , so if you know how many miles it is , use this formula and you'll be really close to you destination time. 9 says till we head to the Fort!