I could use some help please...

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

We've drove to WDW before (from Texas) -once. But we've never drove taking the travel trailer. This time we're driving and staying at FW a week before going on the cruise at the end of May.

Here's the problem- usually I'm the driver when we drive long distances- primarily because DH can't drive except maybe in the middle of the day without getting sleepy. When he's driving I'm sure not getting any rest because I'm on "watch" to make sure he doesn't start dozing off at the wheel! The last time we drove- he drove probably about a 1/3 of the trip during the day- I'm the one that drove all evening, all night and into the morning. I'm the nightowl- I can drive overnight without getting sleepy even without sleep during that day... he can't. The PROBLEM is that anytime we've gone camping/etc. (meaning pulling the travel trailer) he drove. I am not sure I can drive pulling that huge thing. We've never drove long distances with the trailer- obviously. LOL

so.... should I try to practice driving the trailer to see if I can drive it overnight on the way there? Or I was thinking maybe we could just take longer to get there but stop at an RV park somewhere and just all of us sleep in it just overnight. But I have no idea where to guestimate that we'd be or how to find an RV park in that area- and the times we've stayed in RV parks when camping and stuff it's always been like they weren't open too terribly late and I'm not sure there are any places we could get there late and just stay overnight and leave in the morning. If we have to arrive early for office hours and leave in the morning once the office opens- that's way more time than we want to spend there. We'd only want to spend the time that DH needed to sleep- yanno?

DH said we could just stop at a rest stop overnight- but we don't have a generator on it and in May on the way to Florida from Texas might be awful hot in there.. don't you think? I don't think that we'd be able to sleep that way. LOL We just need a place to hook up to electricity so we can actually be comfortable enough to sleep overnight. (a hotel is not really feasible- our family of 5 in hotel rooms would cost more than just staying over night at an RV park and that's the reason we're driving and all that- to make it the least expensive as possible for this vacation! We're saving for the 2010 vacation also LOL)

So what would you do? If you'd stay at an RV park- how would you figure out where you'll be by the time you'd need to sleep (at night) and then how would you find an RV park there? I assume once we figured those two things out- we could call and find out if they take late arrivals/early departures just for an overnight? Do RV parks even do that? we've always stayed days and days everywhere we've stayed at before.

I need some help figuring this out please and I figured more experienced RV travellers would know! thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

 

[kaguilbeau]

Oh - it's gonna be fun!

I helped my DH drive our 5th wheel when we took it to WDW. When we got ready to switch drivers, he would pull off at an exit, pull over to the shoulder and then I would just have to gradually pull back onto the exit ramp before entering the interstate again. Did that make sense? We pull a 28' 5th wheel with a crew cab truck. It isn't hard at all - the trailer just follows the truck.

I know that didn't answer your actual question. We travel from Louisiana (off I-10 around Lafayette/Baton Rouge). Depending on where you're coming from in Texas will depend on where you want to stop. There aren't alot of campgrounds just off the interstate in the Miss/Alabama area. You might want to stop overnight at an inexpensive hotel? I remember arriving at Fort Wilderness in the wee hours one morrning and pulling into the overflow lot to sleep. All the bunks were loaded down with stuff and the bikes were packed on the fold-down dinette - there was only room for one to sleep in the camper - and three in the cab of the truck . . . not fun

We've pulled the camper down there 4-5 times, driving straight through. DH was just so exhausted upon arrival that he would sleep - not even go to the park that first day!

There are others here I've read that pull their campers from Texas - hopefully they'll come along with more other points for you to consider.

EDITED: Just re-read that you didn't want to consider a hotel due to five people and costs.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well thanks for replying!
We're near the DFW area in Texas btw.
So it's really not hard to pull it? I suppose atleast I don't have to worry about the weather (I do not like driving on ice or snow at all- DH is the one from Mi/Wi area so he's also the official driver when it's ice or snow LOL I get anxiety doing it- mostly because of the other people in Texas that drive like idiots on it! LOL) I thought it would be hard.... or scary. LOL

It's very different for us. The first time was so different (the first and only time we've drove- stayed offsite, kids much younger, everything different). Since then we've always flown and stayed onsite. Very different to drive and stay at FW- we're excited about it though. But we keep thinking of more and more advantages- no more packing leaving things we'd rather have with us due to luggage limits on the flights/etc. Wait- do they have limits on the cruise? I can't remember. I never paid attention to it because I figured it can't be less than what we can bring on the plane! LOL

It will also be nice to stay in our trailer- and we're also looking forward to cooking for ourselves instead of every meal having to go to some restaurant- yanno? AND anything we want to do at FW will not require hours of bus rides and such- we'll already be there! LOL

I have a feeling that after this trip we won't want to go to WDW any other way. It's the GETTING there that's got me worried. We're kinda on a time crunch too- the most we can take out of driving time is just overnight. We have to use a weekend to get there, 2wks off for DH's vacation (WDW then cruise) and a weekend to get back. The first time when we drove straight thru (or I should say *I* mostly drove straight thru) we only stopped to eat somewhere once (quick meal at an IHOP) and snacked the rest of the time- only a few quick stops at rest stops or gas stations to get gas and take bathroom breaks- pretty much straight thru and it took us over 24hrs. I'm sure we can't drive as fast pulling the trailer and if I drive- we'll be going even slower with the trailer I bet. LOL it won't be a lazy leisure drive- that's for sure. LOL

 

[fla4fun]

Has your DH tried one of those over the ear alarms to keep him from going to sleep? I can't remember what it's called, but my sister and I bought my dad one because he drives from Orlando to Ohio straight through twice a year, so we wanted to be sure he stayed awake. If he even tilts his head funny, the alarm goes off. Even if he didn't drive more than he does now, at least you might not feel you have to be watching him every minute. That's probably more stressful for you than doing the driving yourself!

As far as where to stop, I would figure out how many hours you would comfortably be on the road before you need a break, multiply that by about 60 (miles), and that would be approximately how many miles you should go before stopping for the night. So if you feel comfortable at 7 hours (drive time, not including meal breaks, etc.), then you would be able to travel 420 miles before stopping, and should look for RV parks in that vicinity. We've found this to be a pretty good way to estimate where our overnight stops should be on road trips.

 

[des1954]

Even if you weren't making the trip to FtW - you need to learn how to do everything related to pulling the trailer. You need to know how to get the RV prepared to hook up - then to hook it up - and how to drive & back it up - as if you were making a solo trip without the help of your DH.

If you can - go for several test drives so that you are comfortable with handling the trailer. Go to an empty parking lot and practice backing. Drive it at night. Do everything you can think of in regards to driving before leaving for that long drive to FtW. Especially - get some interstate driving in. Some semi drivers love to "swoosh" people driving RV's and a trailer can get pretty squirrely & start swaying - even with sway bars and stabilizers.

In other words - practice a lot before leaving. Don't learn as you go.

It's a good idea to know these things ahead of time in case DH is not able to drive & you HAVE to.

 

[disney4dan]

Even if you weren't making the trip to FtW - you need to learn how to do everything related to pulling the trailer. You need to know how to get the RV prepared to hook up - then to hook it up - and how to drive & back it up - as if you were making a solo trip without the help of your DH.

If you can - go for several test drives so that you are comfortable with handling the trailer. Go to an empty parking lot and practice backing. Drive it at night. Do everything you can think of in regards to driving before leaving for that long drive to FtW. Especially - get some interstate driving in. Some semi drivers love to "swoosh" people driving RV's and a trailer can get pretty squirrely & start swaying - even with sway bars and stabilizers.

In other words - practice a lot before leaving. Don't learn as you go.

It's a good idea to know these things ahead of time in case DH is not able to drive & you HAVE to.

I would agree (and frequently do) that it's important for you to know how to set up and tow the trailer. As much as I would like to think that by natural selection and genetic make up that all men were born with the natural ability to tow, it's not true. Having gone through the learning process, all I can say is really get familiar with the set up before the long trip. It can become remarkably easy and second nature with enough practice.

The early advice of going to backroads and open parking lots that are not busy are great tips. I did this with our first truck/trailer combination and every time I connect to a different trailer, I make several practice steps by backing up, turning, etc. It's better to have that understanding of how the combination will behave before the trip. The only other advice I could offer is to get used to looking further down the road and planning ahead due to the extra distance needed for stopping. Also, in a panic stop (if it ever comes to that), my only advice is to fight the urge to swerve around things). I'm no expert, but that seems to be the best advice I got at a camping expo. On our return from the Fort last year we had an inexperienced, determined, impolite, outlaw traveler (idiot for short) hit the brakes in front of us when he realized he could not make it to the off-ramp at the last minute. If I had tried to swerve around him, we would have lost control. The brakes did their job and noone was injured (I think our guardian angel had to do laundry after that incident tho' ).

There are many rest areas along the way where you can stop for a quick power nap. I would recommend that you take advantage of these. I usually am the only driver, and road fatigue can sneak up on you quick. I found that it was necessary to stop sometimes and take a quick nap in the trailer while the family went for a walk and explored the area (most of our travel was along I-81 near the mountains and rivers in VA).

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[aldebnj]

Look for KOAs along your route. They are usually a decent place to stop at and have a late check in system. We have arrived as late as 2 am and it is not a problem. They have a list of open campsites and a form to fill in with your billing information. You can either go to the office and settle up with them in the morning or if you need to leave before the office opens, they will just bill your card.

We also have stayed overnight at FlyingJ truck stops. Most of them have an area for RVs but not everyone is comfortable with that.

I hope this helps and happy camping.

Al

 

[clkelley]

Most campgrounds I have overnighted at I have arrived really late. If you have a reservation, they will have your site # and check-in information tacked up to a board, if you don't have a reservation, just fill out their form, put in some cash or leave your card # and you are good to go.

For your overnight, try to find a campground with pull through sites, and just pull in and plug in your electric. Don't disconnect or worry about stabilizers.

And as another poster stated if you have to travel with "stuff" on the sleeping areas it might be better to find a hotel for the night. Just make sure you have 1 bag you can just grab and go into the hotel with.

 

[Shan-man]

For finding campsites along the way I recommend RVParkReviews.com, they have scads of guest reviews of thousands of Parks.

 

[Specularius]

I would suggest that you plan on stopping somewhere around Pensacola, FL. That should be about 12 hours of driving, 13-14 hours of travel time. If you start out at 6am, that puts you there at 8pm. There is a campground at Milton, FL that has a respectable raiting on RVPark Reviews. The Milton / Gulf Pines KOA RV Park. Then leaving around 8am the next morning will put you in the park around 6pm. Driving with a trailer in tow on the Interstate system is easy, just follow the advise already given and pay alot of attention to what is happening further down the road in front of you and you will do just fine. That will put you there in two days without really pushing hard and you will arrive safely and not completely exhausted.

 

[testtubes]

If you would like to make the trip in 2 very very long days, I would suggest traveling as far as Lafayette, La. which would take about 8-9 hours from Dallas assuming you will be coming down I-49 from Shreveport. There is a KOA near Lafayette, but I would call for a reservation. The trip from there is about another 12 hour day. If you want to go longer the first day I would stay at Bay St. Louis (Hollywood Casino has a nice campground with pull throughs so as not to have to unhook). From there it is about an 8-9 driving day. Naturally, everything depends on traffic and how many stops you make along the way! The absolute worst part of the drive for us is having to go through Baton Rouge which should be avoided between 7-9 in the mornings and 4-7 in the afternoons. Good Luck.

 

[kaguilbeau]

There is a KOA near Lafayette, but I would call for a reservation. The trip from there is about another 12 hour day. If you want to go longer the first day I would stay at Bay St. Louis (Hollywood Casino has a nice campground with pull throughs so as not to have to unhook). From there it is about an 8-9 driving day. Naturally, everything depends on traffic and how many stops you make along the way! The absolute worst part of the drive for us is having to go through Baton Rouge which should be avoided between 7-9 in the mornings and 4-7 in the afternoons. Good Luck.

The only time we made it from Lafayette in 12 hours was when we weren't pulling the 5th wheel. Those times took us closer to 14! Were you pulling when you made that good time? Maybe it was the time of day we went through certain cities?


The KOA is Lafayette is very convenient to the I-10 (and costs 45.00 per night). And you would need a reservation because alot of locals visit over the weekend. For that $, I'd rather pick a hotel whenever I got tired enough to stop.

There just aren't too many campgrounds between there and the one in Milton FL that are close to the interestate.

See this thread for someone a while back looking for the same thing.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2043560

 

[Shan-man]

I have not stayed here, but Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, Louisiana has good reviews and is only a couple of miles off the interstate. And it's cheap!

And this one in Baton Rouge looks interesting, also cheap!

 

[Specularius]

the Farr arena is just a pasture with a bunch of electrical and water connections. Their rate just went up to $20 a night. It is a little out of the way and could be hard to find for some people. The bath house is not very good either. It is a good stop over if you know where it is.

Traveling from the DFW area, you would be better off to go to Jackson, MS and take Hwy 49 to Hattiesburg, MS and then Hwy 98 to Mobile, AL.

 

[testtubes]

Dear Kaguilbeau, I may have underestimated driving time with a camper/trailer. However, we have made it to Mobile in 4 hrs. and another to the exit off the Turnpike in another nine hours and we live about 45 miles north west of Lafayette. This also included stops for gas and changing drivers, but we were in a motorhome. I also realized that we were not at DW right off the Fl. Turnpike. The most crucial part was going through Baton Rouge at 6:00 in the morning and never really had to slow down for traffic or road construction. We haven't always been so lucky on previous trips.

For those people coming from Texas, much has to do with driving conditions and traffic along with the day of the week that one is traveling. I would really push it that first day and get into Mississippi(at least) or farther to Pensacola if feasible with driving conditions. There are also very nice rest areas in Florida if you can make it that far! Good Luck.

P.S. We only travel I-49 and I-10 until we get to the Florida Turnpike.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I have not stayed here, but Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, Louisiana has good reviews and is only a couple of miles off the interstate. And it's cheap!

And this one in Baton Rouge looks interesting, also cheap!

Fountainebleau is just a couple of miles from me...we go there fairly often..very nice...no frills kinda campsites.....but clean and historically beautiful.

 

[kaguilbeau]

The most crucial part was going through Baton Rouge at 6:00 in the morning and never really had to slow down for traffic or road construction. We haven't always been so lucky on previous trips.


P.S. We only travel I-49 and I-10 until we get to the Florida Turnpike.

Baton Rouge can be a killer! Do you usually leave in the wee hours of the morning? We've tried leaving after school and driving through the night (that was probably the trip it took us closer to 14 hours!) And left around 3:00 a.m. once arriving mid afternoon.

And if I were driving through Baton Rouge today - I'd take Hwy 190 since the basin bridge is down to one lane both ways. I'm just inpatient like that.

 

[kaguilbeau]

Fountainebleau is just a couple of miles from me...we go there fairly often..very nice...no frills kinda campsites.....but clean and historically beautiful.

I also like Fairview Riverside in Madisonville. It's a beautiful state park - but is not right off the interstate.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Fairview is probably one of the smallest state parks in LA...but the river fishing is really good. The Otis house is really interesting.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

The I 10 stretch from Pensacola to Tallahassee, about 3 hours in car at 77 mph, is a piece of cake. There are no large towns, just interstate. There is a beautiful and very large rest area at Chattahoochee just outside Tallahassee, which is a great place to change drivers. All the rest stops are very easy in easy out. Tallahassee is usually easy as well, but there is construction on I 10 right now, it's only for about 10 miles of construction, but it's a lot of lane shifting and narrow areas. Hence the reason you might want to change drivers than smooth going until I 75. Hint, you wouldn't find the Florida Turnpike until you get to Wildwood which is past Ocala which is past Gainsville which is past Lake City which is a few miles from the I 75, I 10 interchange.
Good luck with your venture. Be safe.