Never even been in an RV before - need you help please

[juligrl]

2- Be prepared for sticker shock at the gas station. We spent about $600 on fuel from MI to FW and back last spring.

Wow! I've suddenly lost my RV envy. I'll stick to tenting.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Dont give up on it juligrl...fuel cost me te same round trip from new orleans...and I was only driving a full sized van!!!! It aint the rvs....its the gas companies

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Wow! I've suddenly lost my RV envy. I'll stick to tenting.

I just got back 2 weeks ago and spent $800 in diesel fuel from Mid Michigan to FW and back. My truck gets around 10.5 mpg pulling our travel trailer, loaded its around 9000#.

I use Flying J mostly for fuel since they are RV friendly, they have seperate gas and diesel pumps just for RV's and they have pay at the pump at most places.

I agree with most fo whats posted already, familiarization with that size of vehicle is the most important aspect, you will need to use the mirrors a lot on the E-way. There are some very aggresive truck drivers these days, some are not as courteous as days gone by. Remember when the E-way is 3 lanes that they can only travel in the right 2 lanes, the middle lane is their "fastlane" if you stay in that lane while truck traffic is heavy they will push you hard. Personally I try to run 60-65 and stay in the far right lane. The biggest problem I have is inattentive drivers who think that I should move to the left to allow them to merge, my rig is 57 feet long and oppurtunities to move over are sometimes limited, I try to be courteous but I can only do so much. When the person on the ramp has had 1/2 mile to find a spot to blend in and has spent that time talking on their phone and not paying attention I have little sympathy for them.
Unfortunately the roads are a lot like society in some places, rudeness has become the order of the day.


Scott

 

[amjl2]

wrongagain - I was wondering if you could share the route that you took? I've been reading about tunnels and bridges that I would need to detour around because of the propane so I'm just curious on the best route from Boston to Orlando - thanks!!

 

[ejmbibb]

I am pretty sure that the tunnel laws are for trucks carrying whole loads of gas, am not positive, but if the gas is in 20 or 30 pound dot approved tanks then you are ok, I have taken our trailer through the Chesapeake bay bridge and tunnel, and you do have to stop and turn off the tanks, but that is all. Anyone in the know, please let us all know.

 

[clkelley]

The biggest problem I have is inattentive drivers who think that I should move to the left to allow them to merge, my rig is 57 feet long and oppurtunities to move over are sometimes limited, I try to be courteous but I can only do so much. When the person on the ramp has had 1/2 mile to find a spot to blend in and has spent that time talking on their phone and not paying attention I have little sympathy for them.
Unfortunately the roads are a lot like society in some places, rudeness has become the order of the day.


Scott

I've found that's my biggest problem also, and I've only got an extra 16 feet behind me, so I find myself slowing down to let folks in. I am (was) a big cruise control driver. I'd look for a speed where I could settle in and pretty much keep up with traffic (and would change lanes when folks were coming in off of interchanges), but find it harder to do that with the camper, and it's frustrating.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

For bypassing the Fort McHenry tunnel in Baltimore, Tulirose is right that you need to take the Key Bridge off of I-695. This is a LEFT hand exit off of I-95!! I know its hard to change lanes if you are unfamiliar with the RV so give yourself plenty of time when you start to see the signs. When you pay the toll at the bridge, ask them which exit to take to get back on I-95 South.

And practice that backing up!! Have fun!

 

[DznyRulz]

...if the gas is in 20 or 30 pound dot approved tanks then you are ok, I have taken our trailer through the Chesapeake bay bridge and tunnel, and you do have to stop and turn off the tanks, but that is all.

That is a true statement for the CBBT however, if you come down I95 the Baltimore tunnels do not allow propane tanks. The Baltimore beltway is 695. Some folks take 695E over the Key Bridge (2 lanes wide) but I prefer 695W. There is no bridge crossing, something to consider for a newbie, it is at least three lanes wide, sometimes four lanes, and it is only about 8 miles longer than going over the bridge.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

That is a true statement for the CBBT however, if you come down I95 the Baltimore tunnels do not allow propane tanks. The Baltimore beltway is 695. Some folks take 695E over the Key Bridge (2 lanes wide) but I prefer 695W. There is no bridge crossing, something to consider for a newbie, it is at least three lanes wide, sometimes four lanes, and it is only about 8 miles longer than going over the bridge.

I have to agree. I grew up in Annapolis and traveled to PA on a regular basis. 695 is more "user friendly." It may be shorter to go east, but it always takes me longer.

 

[ejmbibb]

I live near pittsburgh, the land of tunnels and bridges, but I have never been over that way. I know around here, you see trucks full of gasoline in the tunnels right next to you. All the tunnels on 77 are open to propane as well, the only thing limited is explosives. I wonder what the DOT regulations are? Any other opinions?

John

 

[LONE-STAR]

I just got back 2 weeks ago and spent $800 in diesel fuel from Mid Michigan to FW and back. My truck gets around 10.5 mpg pulling our travel trailer, loaded its around 9000#.

I use Flying J mostly for fuel since they are RV friendly, they have seperate gas and diesel pumps just for RV's and they have pay at the pump at most places.

I agree with most fo whats posted already, familiarization with that size of vehicle is the most important aspect, you will need to use the mirrors a lot on the E-way. There are some very aggresive truck drivers these days, some are not as courteous as days gone by. Remember when the E-way is 3 lanes that they can only travel in the right 2 lanes, the middle lane is their "fastlane" if you stay in that lane while truck traffic is heavy they will push you hard. Personally I try to run 60-65 and stay in the far right lane. The biggest problem I have is inattentive drivers who think that I should move to the left to allow them to merge, my rig is 57 feet long and oppurtunities to move over are sometimes limited, I try to be courteous but I can only do so much. When the person on the ramp has had 1/2 mile to find a spot to blend in and has spent that time talking on their phone and not paying attention I have little sympathy for them.
Unfortunately the roads are a lot like society in some places, rudeness has become the order of the day.


Scott

Good post I totally agree with you about people geting on the highway. Why is it so hard for people to merge on to the highway we do it pulling 20'-30'-40' trailers but OH NO here comes a 12' honda.

 

[LarryJ]

I am pretty sure that the tunnel laws are for trucks carrying whole loads of gas, am not positive, but if the gas is in 20 or 30 pound dot approved tanks then you are ok, I have taken our trailer through the Chesapeake bay bridge and tunnel, and you do have to stop and turn off the tanks, but that is all. Anyone in the know, please let us all know.

The following is from the below site

http://www.mdta.state.md.us/mdta/servlet/dispatchServlet?url=/TollRates/rates.jsp



Vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using both the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels. In addition, vehicles in excess of 13 feet, 6 inches, in height, or 96 inches (8 feet) in width; and all double trailers are prohibited from using the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles carrying Class 1 explosives and radioactive materials require an escort at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. For additional information regarding these restrictions, please call 410-537-1374.

Like you I think MHs and Trailers are exempt, but it would be smart to call that number and confirm what is and not allowed. I had the same experience on the CB tunnel, I just had to shut the tanks off during transit.

Larry

 

[mamaloya]

What about the tunnel on I-10 in Alabama? All of our previous towing experience was coming down I-95 from NC. Now it will be from Lake Charles way on I-10.

 

[stacktester]

I totally love the quote by Scott about how these idiots with a cell phone in one hand and a Starbucks in the other and a knee steeringthe car come flying up the accelaration lane and when they have to slam on brakes they're screaming at you. If I had a dollar for every bullet I wanted to fire at these freaks I wouldn't be pulling a trailer, I'd have a Prevost lol. Cell phone laws should be enforced way better than they are but I see cops on em too so what can you say. These days no matter if you are driving or pulling your camper you better be watching every car around you because they don't care what they're doing or who else is affected.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I totally love the quote by Scott about how these idiots with a cell phone in one hand and a Starbucks in the other and a knee steeringthe car come flying up the accelaration lane and when they have to slam on brakes they're screaming at you. If I had a dollar for every bullet I wanted to fire at these freaks I wouldn't be pulling a trailer, I'd have a Prevost lol. Cell phone laws should be enforced way better than they are but I see cops on em too so what can you say. These days no matter if you are driving or pulling your camper you better be watching every car around you because they don't care what they're doing or who else is affected.

I have a funny cell phone story that relates to what you said.
about 1 1/2 yrs ago I was driving one of our squads on a call (an M2 Freightliner) These things are about as stealthy as a baseball bat upside the head, at least 20 Halogen flashing lamps, a siren and 2 huge airhorns. I was overtaking a small pickup that was pulling a 20 ft boat, the truck didnt move over for quite some time and I followed him, straddling the inside and turn lane on a 4 lane highway. After about 1/2 mile he finally pulled to the right and let me pass, when I drove by it was one of the Police officers that works in the Twp that I work in. the moral is that I HATE people who drive and talk on phones.

rant off !

 

[stacktester]

I almost ran a guy over tonight driving a little Honda Accord. We're in a 55 mph and he decides he's going to come in my lane at about 30 mph. Luckily I knew he was going to do it (I've just seen enough stupidity to know it's coming) and I had already put my brakes on. I blow the horn at him and he almost hit me because he's looking over to see who's blowing but that cell phone wasn't comin off that ear. No sirreeee bob.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I almost ran a guy over tonight driving a little Honda Accord. We're in a 55 mph and he decides he's going to come in my lane at about 30 mph. Luckily I knew he was going to do it (I've just seen enough stupidity to know it's coming) and I had already put my brakes on. I blow the horn at him and he almost hit me because he's looking over to see who's blowing but that cell phone wasn't comin off that ear. No sirreeee bob.

I have a ginormous electric airhorn in my garage that came off of a wrecked truck, I just have to figure out where I can shoe horn it into the truck, rest assured it will be there BEFORE the next trip.