getting ready to make a cross country trip renting a 20' TT just me and the So and of course the dog.
VA to CA not really interested but she wants to visit the daughter. Any tips or tech for anyone that has made this crossing. Might take a northern route or ?
TIA for any info/tech
Greg

Make sure you have the tools needed to change out a flat tire for the spare. I'd get a plug kit and an air compressor as well. I'd have two spares for the trailer, but I see you are renting it. I would imagine such a trip will take you into areas with limited cell phone coverage. A good tire pressure gage, keep the trailer tires at max pressure and the speeds under 70.

I won't go into my dissertation on trailer tires, but the above advice is based on experience with two flats, three blowouts, and the joys of fixing/getting them fixed with and without the proper tools in rural cell phone limited areas as well as urban areas.

Have you pulled trailers before and do you know how to operate a camper trailer or are you looking for route suggestions? This would be a huge undertaking for someone without previous experience with campers. There is a lot to learn.

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Have you pulled trailers before and do you know how to operate a camper trailer or are you looking for route suggestions? This would be a huge undertaking for someone without previous experience with campers. There is a lot to learn.

Yup pulled trailers for few years CDL up until a year ago. Mostly route suggestions and camping spots. KOA yes /no options?

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Make sure you have the tools needed to change out a flat tire for the spare. I'd get a plug kit and an air compressor as well. I'd have two spares for the trailer, but I see you are renting it. I would imagine such a trip will take you into areas with limited cell phone coverage. A good tire pressure gage, keep the trailer tires at max pressure and the speeds under 70.

I won't go into my dissertation on trailer tires, but the above advice is based on experience with two flats, three blowouts, and the joys of fixing/getting them fixed with and without the proper tools in rural cell phone limited areas as well as urban areas.

Tools are at the top of the list. Tire plug kit included.

This time of year, be ready for all four seasons to present themselves during your journey.

Back in 2010, same time of year, I was rerturning from a trip to watch the last launch of the space shuttle Discovery. The launch scrubbed Anyway, we were traveling through Wyoming and I was attempting to pass an empty flatbed semi. It was raining, which suddenly turned to slush...I lost all traction, just as I reached the back end of the flatbed trailer. My wife remembered the sound of my hands slapping the steering wheel as I tried to regain control but over corrected several times. My nephew was in the back seat, playing his Nintendo video game, oblivious. We literally came within inches of colliding with the trailer. Fortune smiled upon us and I was able to regain control.

Other than that, not knowing your expertise with travel trailers -When dumping your waste water: 1. PULL THE BLACK WATER HANDLE FIRST AND LET IT DRAIN COMPLETELY. 2. DRAIN YOUR GRAY WATER, LET IT DRAIN COMPLETELY.

I wish you luck and safe adventures on your journey!

Hold the black, flow the grey. Catch grey for a bit before a black dump to use as a hose rinse.

Don't haul water unless there isn't any available at the destination. Weighs too much to be worth the spent energy.

You can run the fridge on propane while going down the road.

Don't forget to fold up your steps. Make it one of your last checks.

Safe travels...

edited typo sare safe

I've never gone cross country to Commiefornia before, but at this time of year I suggest a southern route, snow and ice in the mountains can be treacherous.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
I've never gone cross country to Commiefornia before, but at this time of year I suggest a southern route, snow and ice in the mountains can be treacherous.

I was going to suggest a southern route, and I will add that the food in New Mexico is amazing.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
...
Don't haul water unless there isn't any available at the destination. Weighs too much to be worth the spent energy...

Possible exception is if it's really windy. Water in the tank would make for a lower center of gravity and less likely to get blown over.

quote:

Originally posted by will347wax:

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
I've never gone cross country to Commiefornia before, but at this time of year I suggest a southern route, snow and ice in the mountains can be treacherous.

I was going to suggest a southern route, and I will add that the food in New Mexico is amazing.

It sure is. I just looked and unfortunately the 2020 Balloon Festival is cancelled. Ugh!

You should travel with some water in the fresh and dirty tank. Keep a little in the fresh water tank for toilet use, especially if unfortunately you are broken down or shut down by weather.

Always keep some water in the dirty water tank. Even after draining and flushing out the dirty tank, and you're done with that, add 5 or 8 or so gallons of water to the dirty tank. If it's completely empty, and someone needs to use the toilet, well that's not good, as "things" will not be in the water and they can "dry up" and "set up" in the tank, and that is really a big problem soon.

Have fun, enjoy, take your time.
.

Flatulence absolutely will set of the propane leak detector. Not joking. Don't put the dog bed near the alarm.

Make sure that you have a great hitch, with great sway control. Dont forget to grease the ball. Bring tools, and bring an up to date road atlas.

Be ready to hit all 4 seasons of weather, maybe even in the same day.

If you are bringing a firearm into CA, make sure you know the rules. No magazines greater than 10, unloaded and stored in a locked case. Do not have a loaded magazine in the gun even if there is not one in the chamber.

If your trailer hitch is a bolt on , to the frame,
Please consider checking the bolts after 175 miles ,
To confirm that they are secure.

Then again at 300 miles.

Is your pull vehicle equipped with a trailer cooling package ?
( Engine oil, trans. Fluid and radiator ? )

I kept a couple 2”x6” x4’board segments in the truck to level side to side. There are plastic commercial products available too.

quote:

Originally posted by greg1147:

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Have you pulled trailers before and do you know how to operate a camper trailer or are you looking for route suggestions? This would be a huge undertaking for someone without previous experience with campers. There is a lot to learn.

Yup pulled trailers for few years CDL up until a year ago. Mostly route suggestions and camping spots. KOA yes /no options?

KOA: While traveling they are usually convenient but they are crowded, pricy and sites are close together.

If you plan ahead it would be worthwhile to stick with state parks instead. In my experience they are less expensive, roomier sites and much nicer.

Check out Campendium.com. Safe travels.

We’ve taken I-40, 80 and 90 on our trips out West depending on the weather. As was said before the Southern Route (I-40) might be a good option. As far as camping goes look for Corps of Engineer (COE) campgrounds if you can. They are usually on a water way of some sort and are nicely spaced apart. If you have a “Geezer” Pass (the National park pass), they campgrounds are 1/2 off and usually in the $8-15/night.

www.recreation.gov will show you many federal campground options and allows you to reserve and pay for them remotely. We used it a lot.

Is this going to be a leisurely trip across country or a we just need to get there trip?

If it is a get there trip, just stop at truck stops, Cabela's, Bass Pro shops, or Walmart's to get some sleep and back on the road. We do that on most trips, then get to the destination and set up camp for the longer term.