RV Help

[Marshall Family]

To All Those in the know, We are travelling from Winnipeg,MB, Canada, in March of 09, We will be crossing the border in the Grand Forks ND area travelling through Minneapolis then south through Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, then finally Florida. One thing we have no idea about is stops along the way, we are travelling for the first time in our Coachman Mirada, I believe 32-34', we obviously will have to stop for gas and to empty tanks and what not. Also we will be leaving an area that will still be far below the freezing mark probably (-15) - (4 )degrees so we will need to stop in probably southern Illinois to fill the water as it would freeze up. I have no idea where some of these RV/truck stops will be or what they are called so I can research them and get locations prior to leaving. I am assuming I cannot pull up to a regular Gas station to fill up, it is not a diesel!Any seasoned RV'ers who can help we are new to this RV life!
Thanks in advance
Marshall Family

 

[kc5grw]

Here are links to the major truck/travel centers, they all have locations listed so you can look along your route:

http://www.tatravelcenters.com/
http://www.pilottravelcenters.com/
http://www.flyingj.com/
http://www.petrotruckstops.com/
http://www.loves.com/

There are also several publications out there that list exit info and truck stop locations.

The Next Exit, http://www.thenextexit.com/, is one that gives pretty complete stop information on the interstate highways. There are several others that you can find in most truck stops or online.

 

[Tnbob]

"The Next Exit" is a must for us, we just got a new book called "Exit Now" same idea but arranged a little better and its spiral bound which makes it easier to use when traveling.

 

[BradyBz12]

We love "The Next Exit" - it's really helpful to us in locating WalMarts for our "nap/shopping stops" along the way.

 

[Tigger1966]

Your RV isn't very big and most regular service stations can accommodate you. I am only 20' but with my trailer I am at least 35' and we get through fine.

 

[cjalphonso]

I have a 30' coachman Mirada and have no problem at 90% of all gas stations. Most just off the interstate gas staions should accomodate your rig. Not familier with your route so I can't make suggestions there. Happy travels.

 

[Cindy F]

I love our TomTom GPS and it was a life saver this past trip! Just put in what you want to find near you: either category- campground, gas station, shopping, or by name- Wendy's, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut and it maps you right to it.

I also like that I can map our route from here to Fort Wilderness and then tell it to map out every "fill in the blank" on the way. It also came in handy on the route from the campground (not Disney) to Magic Kingdom to plug in "find Wendy's along the way" since Ms. Picky Pants Who Never Eats can always be counted on to eat Wendy's chicken nuggets if nothing else. It also lists the address and phone number of your selected point of interest.

I also like how it warns you of construction/traffic jams, plays MP3s, and you can load your pictures on it.

I highly recommend it, you'' love it!!

Here's a video review-mine has a bit more on it than this one but you can get the idea.

 

[69RoadRunner]

The Flying Js have RV lanes with a dump station. They might have water at some, but I'd rather fill up at a campground. Also, the Flying Js have a lot of room for the diesel lanes, but usually the gas lanes are like a regular gas station, but you'll have plenty of room to scope out the lanes and decide if there's enough room to fill up. Keep in mind I've only been to a few of them.

You'll find lots of regular gas stations where you'll have plenty of room, just not all of them. Take your time, pause before entering and you won't break rule number 1 of towing (never enter a place where you can't get out).

Will you have to re-winterize your RV before making it back to The Great White North?

 

[BradyBz12]

Will you have to re-winterize your RV before making it back to The Great White North?

Ah - good question!

We're from NH and go to FW in December. This year we came back 12/21 to 3 feet of snow and the aftermath of a major ice storm (power was out for a week) and had to PLOW a spot in the yard to get the TT in as the usual spot was piled high with branches that had fallen and frozen to the ground.

We usually make sure everything is drained when we leave FW, and then finish up the winterizing once we're home, cover the TT ...and then go pout for the rest of the winter.

 

[LarryJ]

Ah - good question!

We're from NH and go to FW in December. This year we came back 12/21 to 3 feet of snow and the aftermath of a major ice storm (power was out for a week) and had to PLOW a spot in the yard to get the TT in as the usual spot was piled high with branches that had fallen and frozen to the ground.

We usually make sure everything is drained when we leave FW, and then finish up the winterizing once we're home, cover the TT ...and then go pout for the rest of the winter.

That's what we do, but it's at the last CG, usually in NC before getting home. Drain FW, HW tank, open low point drains and all faucets, etc. and let the road work most of the water out. At home close the low points and fill lines with antifreeze.

Instead of pouting, we just plan and look forward to our next trip

Larry