Looking for advice

[4Hammers]

We are heading down to the Fort in August for two weeks of family fun. We know it will be mighty hot, but we are up for the challenge.

We have two questions that we are hoping to get some input on.

Question #1 - the route. We have driven to Disney twice without the trailer. We live in NW New Jersey (almost on the PA border). The first trip we took 95. It was during the Easter rush & it was pure torture. Second trip we went the inland route. 81 t0 77 to 26 and finally 95. It shaved 5 hours off of the trip. Of course the second trip was not during Easter. That may explain the 5 hours.

Now that we are taking the trailer, we wonder if it would be better to head back down 95 (much flatter). Any opinions on which route would be better? Any suggestions on campgrounds for a quick overnight break?

Question #2 - the awning. August is part of hurricane season. We figure daily storms are a sure thing. One of us says don't put the awning out. The other says secure it well while away from the site. What do you all think?

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

Can't help with the directions. As per the awning we always leave ours out. Although, if it looked like it could rain hard I would attach the legs back to the TT and drop one end to drain water.

 

[motofamily]

We live in Va and we are really close to 81 and we hate it we actually go down through NC and hit 95 as for traveling and quick overnight stay SOUTH of THE BORDER is good I here it is in SC.

 

[kc5grw]

Question #2 - the awning. August is part of hurricane season. We figure daily storms are a sure thing. One of us says don't put the awning out. The other says secure it well while away from the site. What do you all think?

Roll the awning up when you are away from the trailer. Somewhere here is a thread I started in June 2007 showing what happens when a sudden FL t-storm comes through dumping buckets and buckets of rain. Just keep the awning rolled up when away from the trailer, it's the cheapest insurance you can buy.

Here's the link to post mention previously: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19325347&postcount=10

 

[stacktester]

I agree with Mike. If an awning get's torn away from the fiberglass and the screws tear out it is expensive to fix and IMO never the same again. It only takes a few minutes to lower the arms and put it up.

 

[Shan-man]

I would do I-95. And agree that South of the Border is a good overnight campground. Plus there are hundreds of signs to keep you informed how much further! Flatter is better, and there are fewer cities to get bogged down in.

 

[BradyBz12]

We pull our TT from NH and once we're into NJ we pick up 95. Good road, lots of easy access services just off the highway if you need them.

As for awnings... if there's any threat of a storm, we always roll ours up if we're not going to be there just to be safe. I've seen what a good wind can do twist things up, and in some cases, rip them right off the TT.

 

[4Hammers]

Thank you all so much for your input.

This is only our second season as trailer owners. We took a few trips last year and the farthest trip was about three hours from home. This will be our first long road trip.

It sounds like 95 is the way to go. We were leaning that way, but we keep having flash backs to our first trip down to FL. Putting the car in park at 2:30 am because of trafic is just plain wrong.

The awning is always a point of disagreement. Truthfully I'm just paranoid that it's going to get destroyed by wind & rain. A gentle breeze & 4 rain drops is enough to make me want to roll it up. Crazy. I know. Having some honest opions from more experienced and less paranoid campers should help us reach an agreement this time.

Thanks again.

 

[big kahuna1]

If it really bothers you that much I would purchase some awning tie downs. This will secure the awning except in the case of some severe, strong, windy storms. Heavy rain does not hurt anything unless you have not tilted the awning at an angle so the water will run off.

 

[SCCamper]

Question #2 - the awning. August is part of hurricane season. We figure daily storms are a sure thing. One of us says don't put the awning out. The other says secure it well while away from the site. What do you all think?

It takes losing just one awning to make you paranoid about losing another. I lost one during a strong cold front that pushed through the area where we were camping. I was new to owning an RV at the time and really didn't know any better. Now, I even put mine up if there is a brisk wind. I know that sometimes it can be a pain, but it's a bigger pain to have to deal with a destroyed awning and possible damage to your RV. If you do leave it out, I'd at least recommend having it tied off with one end lowered for water run off.

 

[datgrt@fw]

For the past 30+ years we have traveled to WDW from North Carolina and always take I-95. I am not sure how everyone else feels about the section of I-95 thru South Carolina but for me I think the road is in need of repair!!! We traveled this route this past Sunday and the road is so patched and bumpy it is almost dangerous! The State of South Carolina really needs to spend some money to repair it's roads! That is just my opinion! Safe travels!!!

datgrt@fw

 

[BradyBz12]

The SC stretch of 95 seems like it's been that way forever. You can be fast asleep and know when you cross the state line.

I'm just hoping that GA has finished the construction. Seemed like half their stretch of 95 was gridlocked from it back in December.

Of course from what I've read here, pretty much EVERY major road through GA is under construction...

 

[cyberdeb]

I agree with others opinions on the awning. Never really thought about it because husband takes care of that. As far as the route down. We ALWAYS take the Chesapeake Bay bridge. Not sure of the exact route since i am not driving, but it looks pretty straightforward on the map. The reason we take that route is to avoid Washington DC at all costs. THere is nothing that husband hates more than towing a trailer on the 95 beltway around Washington. So he takes that route through Delaware and on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge we pick up I believe 58 and take that across Virginia to stay at Brother in Laws home for the night very close to 95 and then we just take 95 from there. We live in a suburb of Philadelphia.

 

[aldebnj]

I would also vote for I-95. Last time we went down in our motorhome we took the I-81 route and it was tough. The hills are tough to get up and going down can be scary. If you avoid Baltimore and DC during rush hour, things should go smoothly. One warning, the Baltimore tunnels do not allow propane, so you have to take I-695 around the city. The fastest way is usually over the Key Bridge.

Happy Camping,
Al (on the Jersey Shore)

 

[4Hammers]

aldebnj thanks for sharing your experience.

I've never actually had the pleasure of towing the trailer. The man of the house would rather drive than be a passenger, but this time we'll be sharing the driving duties. We plan on hooking up the trailer one day soon and I'll just drive around locally until I get comfortable with it. Hopefully a few (maybe more than a few) test drives will do the trick. Given my lack of experience behind the wheel , it looks like we will be avoiding 81.

 

[mdoc]

I can't help you with the route as we come from Chicago, although we almost always try to stay on major highways with the camper.

As for the awning, I would definitely NOT leave it out if you're not at the site. I'd give that same advice no matter what month it was - I've seen enough awnings, including some that were tied down, blow over the RV roof (mercifully not ours) that I'm neurotic where the awning is concerned. We now have a power awning that is easy to put in and out, but even when we had our manual awning we always brought the awning in if there was any wind in the forecast OR if we were going to be away from the site for more than 30 minutes or so.