Hauling 5th wheel on I-95, NC to FW

[jimmytammy]

We just got into the RVing world with a 43' 5th wheel. Picking it up next Friday and going to spend a couple nights at home in it, then do some short trips near our purchase area to work out kinks before our 1st big haul to FW in Feb.

Which leads me too this...we are in NC, we will pick up I-95 in SC just north of Florence. Typically we go in our minivan 95 to I-4, then 417 toll road to avoid I-4 as long as possible, to get around the madness of I-4.

With a 5th wheel, any recommendations on a better way, go further South beyond I-4 then catch a westward highway to 417? Just an idea and I am game to read you veterans thoughts.

Also, thinking about scooting around Jacksonville by taking the western loop around I-95. I know how crazy out can be on 95 in J'ville with a minivan, thinking pulling a 5th wheel through there maybe not such a great idea. Any thoughts on this?

Any other pointers would be helpful!

 

[happycamper47]

Towing our 40' we always took 417 from I-4 or the reverse. We did the Eastern loop in Jax.

 

[Khokhonutt]

Not speaking from experience towing a camper, but I do have a fair amount of general experience driving to Florida from NC. We have taken the 295 bypass around Jacksonville in the past. It did avoid what can be a mess staying on I95. It's always tempting to take the shorter route, and what you see going straight through J-ville on 95 really depends on time of day. We're planning a trip down with our camper in the spring and for what it's worth, I'm planning to run 295 around Jacksonville.

I'm also planning to stay on I95 to 528, to avoid I4/Orlando. I've seen others recommend jumping west, towards Gainesville or 95 to 528. I know I95 can be a crap shoot, but I'm thinking leave as early as we can and see what we get. We are planning a stop in Savannah, on the way down and back, I'm hoping that helps us as well.

 

[Duane]

We live in the Raleigh area and have been traveling back and forth to the Fort yearly for the past 20+ years. We have traveled down in travel trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes. We have always done the I-40 to I-95 to I-4 route all but one time, where we traveled down past Daytona and came in by 528.

Once we got close to Orlando, and depending on what road construction was going on, especially when I-4 through town was all "chewed up" with construction, we took 417 around town and got off at 536. For the last couple of years, I continue on I-4 all the way to 536 and not bother with 417 at all... They did a really good job on highway construction through Orlando once they finally got it all completed.

 

[jbrostek]

Welcome to the RV world!!! I been towing from VA to FW many times with a 42' 5th wheel. I95 to the FL border you'll find the biggest issue is the frost heaves in SC. Though they did seem to address some of them last time we towed through in November. I used to take I95 through Jacksonville, but the driver are agressive and its quite twisty in some areas. So I started taking I295 around Jacksonville and the stress reduction was well worth it even with the agressive drivers.

I am one of the few that have always stuck to taking I4 to and from WDW. There are alternative routes, and much of it depends on the day of the week and time you pass through the Orlando area. I usually am comming through on a Saturday or Sunday and getting through there has never been an issue.

I don't even try to FW through Bonnet Creek Parkway, I found taking I4 exit 65 and following the signs to Magic Kingdom then Fort Wilderness to be the easiest entry pathway and zero lights now. Plus this greeting on Osceola Parkway is a must for us.