From Illinois to FW to camp in February?

[allie2]

WE have family who winter in southern Florida and we now (Just got it last weekend ) have a Jayco 27' TT to pull behind our Suburban. We were thinking of taking a trip in February from Central Illinois to stay at Fort Wilderness (just one day at MK to "introduce" our 3 1/2 yo to Mickey and show her his house ) for a few days then on to visit the relatives. I have a few questions for those who have made the trip with a trailer in the winter.
1. I assume that we would have our trailer winterized when we leave Illinois and then have to drain the antifreeze at FW, then re-winterize before we leave Florida? Will that be too much of a pain? (We have never winterized it yet, don't know yet what it entails!)
2. How much does pulling a TT slow you down on the trip? We usually would drive straight through at somewhere around 75 mph.
3. If we stay the night on the route to FL, should we get a campground or just stop somewhere in a parking lot? Can you do that? Do campgrounds have a very late arrival policy if we come in after 10 or 11 will we be "rude"?
4. Are most campgrounds in south FL full of winter residents in February or can we hope to find one?
5. We only have 10 days total for the trip,is it worth the two or more days it may take to pull the trailer each way?
6. Should we just leave the TT at home and stay in the cabins?!?
Thanks for any advice or help you can give this newbie!
Allie

 

[We4mickey]

My main worry would be the weather. If it were us, we would probably cabin it at that time of the year. You never know when you might run into an ice storm or snow. That would really bother me driving through the mountains pulling a trailer. Maybe not DH, but definately me. If you didn't have the snow factor I would say go for it. That's just my 2 cents.

 

[bord1niowa]

Illinois is about the only state along the way that has a 55mph for trailers that I recall. Others are 65 - 70. If you're only going to use it for a day or two though, would it be worth the extra fuel? Also that weather can get nasty too, wouldn't want to be stuck pulling a trailer in february in 10 inches of snow or worse yet, ice that you get in your area. There can be snow south most of the way till you hit florida.

 

[allie2]

Thanks for the advice!
If we take the TT we will be sleeping in it at our relatives, if we don't take it we'll stay in a hotel.
The weather factor does bother me as well. Not sure whether to chance it. Then again whether we pull the TT or not, weather could be a factor.
I didn't know the towing speed limit was 55 in Illinois! I will have to check that out!

I would appreciate any other advice or comments!
Allie

 

[MrKTI]

We have driven our 40' motorhome from N IL to FW about 6 times in the winter. Never had a problem, but we watched the weather, and would just sit tight if things looked iffy. You may not be able to do that.

Ice always scared me more than snow, but both are show stoppers for me. Ice is the deal in Tn and Ky, more than snow, not that it matters.

You will have to winterize, but that is no biggie if you do it a few times.

We have seen TT's and 5'vrs in the ditch, and I assume these folks had to chance it ... not worth it.

You won't average anything close to 75 mph, especially if you are new to pulling a trailer, and I would stay at a campground (I hate Walmart camping). You know you have a place to stay.

This is a crap shoot, but you do have some control ... watch the weather channel and prepare to move yours plans around. If you can't, then leave the trailer.

Cabins are cool too ...

Finding a spot in S FL might be trickey ... definately arrange this before you go, although this furthers complicates your changeing plans if the weather is bad.

John

 

[KingTryton]

Not sure I would bother hauling a TT for 1 day at FW. The money you save on fuel would be more than enough for a Disney Cabin. You may want to check on availability for a 1 night stay in Feb!
As far as the additional work involved with Winterizing and avoiding the TN/KY weather, you would add at least 2 days of fun to your vacation by not towing a TT.

JMO

 

[allie2]

Thanks for the advice! We are planning to stay in our TT the entire 10 days, only camping 2-3 days at Fort Wilderness, so it does make a difference on the economics of this trip!!

John,
Do you take the interstate route (I-24 to I-75) from Nashville down to Atlanta or go a different route? Are the mountains difficult to tow through or are the roads pretty good? Where do you usually stay on the way down?

Still worried about weather, but leaning toward planning on taking the TT! Can adjust if bad weather comes along.
Thanks,
Allie

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I would get as many hours towing experience as I could before I tried this winter trip. It is a whole different experience in ice and snow towing a trailer.

 

[MrKTI]

Sorry for the delay ... don't get on here much ...

We come from Rockford, and pick up I24, go thru Nashville to Chattanooga (sp?) then thru Atlanta. If you hit Atlanta mid morning thru mid afternoon, just go right thru downtown, we do. Do not try Atlanta during either rush hour.

You can also take I65 south from Nashville and go thru Birmingham to 231, and diag down to I10. About 100 miles further for us, but no mountains and no Atlanda.

Don't know where you are coming from, so I can't suggest where to stay. The Flying J post here is interesting, you could stay at one of those maybe.

PM if you like with further questions, I will try and check here more often.

John

Thanks for the advice! We are planning to stay in our TT the entire 10 days, only camping 2-3 days at Fort Wilderness, so it does make a difference on the economics of this trip!!

John,
Do you take the interstate route (I-24 to I-75) from Nashville down to Atlanta or go a different route? Are the mountains difficult to tow through or are the roads pretty good? Where do you usually stay on the way down?

Still worried about weather, but leaning toward planning on taking the TT! Can adjust if bad weather comes along.
Thanks,
Allie

 

[djbogue]

We go to Florida every winter leaving around January 1 to go the the Fort Myers area. You have to watch the weather and adjust your schedule. We are from Bloomington, Il area and go I-57 - I-24 - I-65 thru Alabama. We take 231 to I-10. You go south quicker and less hilly. As stated it is about 100 miles longer but worth it to us. That is the way we went to Disney also.

 

[allie2]

I think we may go the route through Alabama to I-10, it makes sense to get south and warm faster when traveling in February! Also like the idea of no mountains!

My in-laws also winter in the Ft. Myers area, we will be visiting them after a few days at fort wilderness.

Thanks for the replies!
Allie

 

[djbogue]

Allie2,

When you get to Montgomery, Al on I-65 take I-85 east to Exit 9 (Taylor Rd-rt 271) go south to 231. Besure you are in the left lane when you get close to 231. This is the easiest way to get to 231 and it is all 4 lane. You will not regret going this way. I learned of this going around Montgomery from the RV.net forum.

Have a save trip.

Dennis