Towing across the bay bridge tunnel

RollingDownTheHighway · 08-06-2013, 07:32 PM

I'm heading to the KOA in VA beach in 2 weeks and I mapped it out and it takes me over the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel. Has anyone crossed that while towing? Does anyone have any recommendations or should I find another route? I'm heading down from CT.

dalford · 08-06-2013, 07:47 PM

Yes, I crossed it in July. 30' Rockwood travel trailer. Had to turn off propane. No problems, just make sure you have your sunglasses off when you enter the tunnels.

LJ_Sha · 08-06-2013, 07:52 PM

We just came across on Sunday heading down to Myrtle Beach, its not bad at all. I have EZPass but still had to stop at a booth and I believe its $20 (with EZPass). They will ask you to make sure your propane is turned off before you proceed. I'm not sure why since the tunnels aren't that long. The other way of going is straight down I95 which takes you toward DC and is not fun at all with a camper. Good luck and have fun!

HarleyBill · 08-06-2013, 07:53 PM

We're not towing yet...but we used to live in Va Beach and crossed that bridge many times. If there are high winds, they close it down! There is another route, 301 from Maryland which takes you to Fredericksburg, VA. Then take I-95 to I-64 (follow signs-they've added some new roads since we lived there- to Va Beach for highway travel. There are also great back roads, but that will be the very long slow way...but all in all, best to take the bridge! If its not safe, you can't cross!

Jjsav · 08-06-2013, 07:54 PM

I was wondering the same thing, we are thinking of doing Williamsburg, VA next year and was gonna take that route from NY. Let us know how your experinece is....

**ependydad** · 08-06-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyBill

We're not towing yet...but we used to live in Va Beach and crossed that bridge many times. If there are high winds, they close it down! There is another route, 301 from Maryland which takes you to Fredericksburg, VA. Then take I-95 to I-64 (follow signs-they've added some new roads since we lived there- to Va Beach for highway travel. There are also great back roads, but that will be the very long slow way...but all in all, best to take the bridge! If its not safe, you can't cross!

Wouldn't that route take you over the Harry P. Nice bridge across the Potomac from MD into VA? I have more issues with that bridge than I do the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in MD.

HarleyBill · 08-07-2013, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

Wouldn't that route take you over the Harry P. Nice bridge across the Potomac from MD into VA? I have more issues with that bridge than I do the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in MD.

YES, but is is shorter!

Oaklevel · 08-07-2013, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJ_Sha

We just came across on Sunday heading down to Myrtle Beach, its not bad at all. I have EZPass but still had to stop at a booth and I believe its $20 (with EZPass). They will ask you to make sure your propane is turned off before you proceed. I'm not sure why since the tunnels aren't that long. The other way of going is straight down I95 which takes you toward DC and is not fun at all with a camper. Good luck and have fun!

They make you turn your propane off as a safety factor..... They did have a RV completely burn up in a short tunnel a few years ago on I77 in SW Virginia....Closed the tunnel for a few months for repair........

TomStacey616 · 08-07-2013, 06:38 AM

it's fine.. been there, done that. unless it's windy and they shut it down... We come from Richmond and do the other tunnel and they have a turn off right before the entrance to check/turn off propane..
When are you going to be there? We will be there August 25-29!!

Bryan2503S · 08-07-2013, 06:48 AM

How often does the bridge/tunnel close due to high winds? It would not be good to drive the whole way down 13 only to have to turn around, come back across the the other Bay bridge and down 95.

That being said. I've driven across the bridge-tunnel a few times(no camper) going between Va Beach and Chincoteague. Never had a problem. It is really cool and a landmark worth seeing on it's own.

RollingDownTheHighway · 08-07-2013, 06:48 AM

We'll be there from the 17th to the 25th.

RollingDownTheHighway · 08-07-2013, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan2503S

How often does the bridge/tunnel close due to high winds? It would not be good to drive the whole way down 13 only to have to turn around, come back across the the other Bay bridge and down 95.

That being said. I've driven across the bridge-tunnel a few times(no camper) going between Va Beach and Chincoteague. Never had a problem. It is really cool and a landmark worth seeing on it's own.

Yeah right, I've driven it a few times but never towing anything. But yeah going all the down and find out its closed to trailers would not be fun.

Geri · 08-07-2013, 07:00 AM

Aside from all the convenience of the bridge tunnel, the trip down the eastern shore is worth the toll. We've crossed it several times towing and other than sticker shock at the toll booth, its great. Even the bridge itself, sort of gives one the out in the middle of the ocean feel

LJ_Sha · 08-07-2013, 07:34 AM

If you take this route I would go down USRT 113 and not USRT 13. You would get on USRT 113 in the City of Milford. There are 17 less lights on 113 then 13 which takes you through Salisbury, MD where it's one light after another. Living in this area (southern Delaware) its a pain hitting all the lights.

RollingDownTheHighway · 08-07-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJ_Sha

If you take this route I would go down USRT 113 and not USRT 13. You would get on USRT 113 in the City of Milford. There are 17 less lights on 113 then 13 which takes you through Salisbury, MD where it's one light after another. Living in this area (southern Delaware) its a pain hitting all the lights.

Yeah I used to live in southern de and they're light happy on the main highways.

TomStacey616 · 08-07-2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagged123

We'll be there from the 17th to the 25th.

Just going to miss ya... shucks... could compare 3200's...

If you get sick and tired of VA Beach and want something a little quieter... go to Sandbridge.. (if you haven't been)... small 4-5$ to park but reminds us of Misquamicut... (oh bring your boogie boards...)

MtnGuy · 08-07-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geri

Aside from all the convenience of the bridge tunnel, the trip down the eastern shore is worth the toll. We've crossed it several times towing and other than sticker shock at the toll booth, its great. Even the bridge itself, sort of gives one the out in the middle of the ocean feel

Agree with Geri......the Eastern Shore drive is great. The bridge tunnel was no problem for us.

We had some friends that gave us all sorts of nightmares with their towing through the tunnels in the Tidewater area. I was a bit skittish the 1st time through 1 of those puppies, but found it was no big deal. The hardest part with the Hampton Roads Tunnel is getting back out into traffic after the propane tank inspection.

Like others, I was just asked if my propane was off at the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel. Stop a couple of miles before the tunnel, and turn the propane off beforehand.

HarleyBill · 08-07-2013, 09:15 AM

You may want to google the bridge and look for a contact number. Call and see how far out they give the weather report - safe to go or not!

**ependydad** · 08-07-2013, 09:21 AM

The times that I recall them closing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (not the same one as being discussed- but same concept- long bridge over open water). It was no surprise that it was going to be closed - the weather was just *UGLY*!

Bryan2503S · 08-07-2013, 09:35 AM

this link sums it up pretty well

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel --News Alert

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