Newbie campers looking to plan a road trip - where to start?

[BlueFairy]

Hi,

So I'm sure this isn't a new question, but I'm unfamiliar with the Camping board, so here goes.

We are DH, myself (early 40s) and 2 kids (at time will be 7 and 10) looking to plan a long distance 2 to 3 week trip, probably west during summer. We do not currently own an RV. We realize this is ambitious, and like any good DISer, I'm starting with planning a year ahead and doing lots of homework. So the biggest question is where do I start? Here? Is there a respected forum elsewhere on the web with friendly reliable folks to ask? We are debating all pros and cons, from cabin rentals, to motor lodges, picking up a rental travel trailer (we have a Tacoma for towing) vs. possibly buying a very small used one, flying and picking up a motor home for rent, etc. I want resources on just about all aspects. We are willing to consider budget, travel season, comfort levels, and of course do a weekend trial run to be sure we can cut it.

The kids have tent camped over short weekends in improved areas. DH has some experience. I took 2 such trips in travel trailers as a teenager, along with countless weekend primitive camping trips.

Please throw in your 2 cents and get me pointed in the right direction. I know all you FW experts will have some ideas for us.

Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Please throw in your 2 cents and get me pointed in the right direction . . .

1) My 2¢ may not be worth much.
2) The problem is trying to figure out what you really want.
3) One the surface, it sounds simply like a long vacation.
4) If so, just drive and then stop when/where you feel tired.
. . . look for "resort" type motels, those with pools and other activities maybe
. . . drive only 4-6 hours per day so you have lots of sightseeing time
. . . have a map, but do not pre-plan more than one-day in advance
. . . just roam and discover
. . . remember, you are not lost if you call it exploring
5) If the idea is to go RVing,
. . . rent one and see how it works for you
. . . buying-before-trying seldom works
. . . get a map, and pan 2-3 days in advance, since you need to find/reserve campgrounds
6) In other words, you first need to decide your goals.

 

[WDWCP96]

I agree with everything that RustyScupper said. My SIL and her family did a road trip similar to your idea. At first they were going to tent camp along the way but realized that setting up/tearing down the tent each night was too timely so then looked into renting an RV to drive but they didn't like not having a vehicle to drive around (they looked into CruiseAmerica or similar). Ultimately they decided on borrowing my IL's (very) old and (very) small camper. This way they could unhook their car to explore the area and they didn't have a lot of set up break down as they would with a tent and it was less expensive then staying in hotels. It didn't have a bathroom but did have a small fridge. SIL says she would do it again but would prefer a bigger camper with a kitchen and a bathroom.

My DH and I are planning on taking a similar trip with our 3 kids which is one reason we bought a bigger camper 2 years ago. When we do this our plan is to outline the route we would like to take and look at various campgrounds along the way. Our goal is to not drive more than 6 hours in a day but no less than 4 so that we have time to take in the sites. We will look at the campgrounds along our route and find 2 or 3 that we like so we have options as well as proximity to things we want to see.

Those are just my thoughts on how we are planning our trip now mind you ours won't be for probably 2 or 3 more years.

 

[BlueFairy]

Well, we did some more discussing and I think the goals are to disconnect from routine a little more than we would with a hotel stay, see some national treasures like national parks, get the kids involved with the planning and keeping camp, and have an extended trip (hopefully saving money vs. what a 2-3 week trip would cost with hotel and dining out expenses).

I agree on the tent, especially since we'd be restricted to summer with school calendar. Husband wants to tow, and I agree that motor home will limit our ability to explore without disconnecting from our site. Also, Cruise America seems expensive when you get down to adding miles and fuel. I'd prefer a small travel trailer with a kitchen and bathroom, but if we have to buy I'm concerned that budget would dictate a pop-up. Of course, a rental weekend here in town would help clarify some of that.

My biggest issue is the mileage. Renting here at home could easily be 800 miles or more away from the first destination on our list. I think DH wants to see the west (and has only some idea of the scope) and we are in the deep south. Locally I am finding resources for motor homes but not rental trailers. It seems flying in somewhere would confine us to a motor home rather than towing.

I guess my struggle is finding a balance between our wants (trailer with bathroom, A/C, kitchen, towing preference, budget) and limitations (availability of rentals, distance to destination, rental costs).

Again, I was mainly asking for resources or forums elsewhere on the web, but I'll take any advice here if we're not straying too far off topic.


Thanks guys.