How far to travel each leg of trip?

myredracer · 08-01-2012, 12:58 PM

We are nearing the end of our first long distance camping adventure. 18 days, 7 campgrounds and something like 1200 miles. We're relatively new to towing a trailer and I have to say that some legs of our trip have been very exhausting. We've been travelling up and down Oregon and Washington and some of the roads have been VERY twisty and hilly and sometimes, bumpy. Forever slowing down, speeding up, keeping on top of the braking, hanging onto the steering wheel with two hands, watching other vehicles around you, etc. ...... Buffeting from the wind seems to be particularly tiring. Am dragging a shorter TT at 20' and it is easy to handle and manouver and I can almost fling it around corners now. The hard part is keeping the truck solidly planted in the center of the road at all times with all the corners, bumps and wind.

A couple of the legs of our trip ended up being about 5-6 hours. Still under 60 yrs old (just), but am finding this can be a real grind. Seems to take a day to recoup at the destination campground. Oh, my aching body and tired head at the end of a drive.....

Just wondering if some people have a rule of thumb for driving time and distances? Does a self-imposed mandatory stop somewhere for a rest help that much? We're hoping to do some much longer trips in the future.

ps: Regardless, we are having the times of our lives. What a hoot a camping holiday towing a TT is!! Have seen some great sights and met some great people.

SaskCampers · 08-01-2012, 01:11 PM

We plan our days when traveling based on start at 6am and drive till 5 PM if possible. We vary that depending on where we want to stop and sight see. Our days for the FROG rally in Indiana are basicaly setup to be 8 to 9 hour days both ways. BTW I am 55.

MtnGuy · 08-01-2012, 01:23 PM

We plan on doing a couple of 400+ mile days to/from the F.R.O.G rally in Goshen.....plus 1 lesser day each way. I figure 400 miles with rest stops, meals and fuelings should end up being 8-10 hours per day....that is a plenty for this 59 year old.

J_KHawthorne · 08-01-2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

...I figure 400 miles with rest stops, meals and fuelings should end up being 8-10 hours per day....that is a plenty for this 59 year old.

Excellent advice!!!! I'm 66 now, and 7-8 hours behind the wheel is enough for me! (This equates to 350-400 miles/day.

OldCoot · 08-01-2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_KHawthorne

Excellent advice!!!! I'm 66 now, and 7-8 hours behind the wheel is enough for me! (This equates to 350-400 miles/day.

I am 72, DW is 71 and we try to drive 250-300 miles OR until one of us says enough. We are never in a hurry now that we retired. Took too many of the planned/necessary long hauls when our boys were young and we only had 1,2 or 3 weeks vacation and wanted to see everything out west.

Wildwood Danny · 08-01-2012, 02:37 PM

We try to travel between 350 and 425 miles each day with a little break for a quick lunch around midday, this will get us into most campgrounds around 4 to 5 in the afternoon, let us get set up, grill some dinner, and set outside for a cool glass or bottle of your favorite beverage. We sometimes go further the first day we leave from our home port as we are loaded and hooked up and eager to get going. We also sometimes make longer days to get to our destination park and sometimes we have to go longer to find a park-not all parts of this great country of ours has parks every few miles. We also make some 150 to 200 mile days to get to a new location we want to visit and to also keep the rest of the legs in balance.

Whatever you do, make it a comfort for all and keep enjoying the RV experience.

2Susan · 08-01-2012, 02:41 PM

It is not about the distance! Weather and road conditions play a bigger role. My biggest suggestion is to switch off drivers every two hours. NO you aren't tired after only two hours of driving and that is the whole point. We have no problem with 14 hour days in clear weather on interstates when trading off. The person not driving hands out snacks, starts new activities. With the children ect.

The OP mentions "we" but doesn't mention changing drivers. Do it! Yes there is a learning curve if the other adult isn't used to the rig, but take the time to patiently practice.

Wildwood Danny · 08-01-2012, 02:50 PM

We also trade off, not every two hours, but depending upon the road conditions the DW with drive, the only place she NEVER ask to drive is in the mountains. The break helps everyone, driver and passenger.

myredracer · 08-01-2012, 02:59 PM

2Susan, that's a good comment about switching drivers. In my case though, DW can't drive because she has Meniere's disease which is an inner ear disorder that causes vertigo. She hasn't driven on her own in about 3 years and gets to work by carpooling so that she always has a co-driver available in cae of a vertigo attack. In any event, she`s the type of person who just isn`t comfortable driving a truck let alone towing a trailer. I`m sure that`s common.

So, I do all the driving and DW does all the co-piloting. In fact, I rely 100% on her to read the road signs, check the maps, watch for gas stations, etc. I get to focus on the road and mirrors and whine about how tired my butt is getting...

I find it hard to stop sometimes when I know I should, and instead take the press on regardless approach thinking I can set up camp and rest sooner at the cg. If there is one thing I have learned now, it's to drive at whatever speed you are comfortable with and not to worry about the traffic behind you. No need to ever push it to the limit.

ynott96 · 08-01-2012, 03:06 PM

We have a 2008 Georgetown 374 towing a 2000 Saturn and usually drive 200-300 miles a day max.....I am the sole driver and at 68 feel that distance is enough and we are all set up at our campground by early afyernoon and can relax then. We have been extremely fortunate with weather over the last five years.....traveling an average of 4 months...with great weather conditions.

George

SaskCampers · 08-01-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myredracer

2Susan, that's a good comment about switching drivers. In my case though, DW can't drive because she has Meniere's disease which is an inner ear disorder that causes vertigo. She hasn't driven on her own in about 3 years and gets to work by carpooling so that she always has a co-driver available in cae of a vertigo attack. In any event, she`s the type of person who just isn`t comfortable driving a truck let alone towing a trailer. I`m sure that`s common.

So, I do all the driving and DW does all the co-piloting. In fact, I rely 100% on her to read the road signs, check the maps, watch for gas stations, etc. I get to focus on the road and mirrors and whine about how tired my butt is getting...

I find it hard to stop sometimes when I know I should, and instead take the press on regardless approach thinking I can set up camp and rest sooner at the cg. If there is one thing I have learned now, it's to drive at whatever speed you are comfortable with and not to worry about the traffic behind you. No need to ever push it to the limit.

Same here, sole driver as the DW gets dizzy spells and very rarely drives anymore.

Cmmjmoore · 08-01-2012, 03:30 PM

Most of our lives we have a 600 mile rule and that is what we tried to make, But since I rolled over the 60 year old speed bump it is more like 400 miles a day. Like others here I like to get in around 4:00 to 5:00 pm and have time to relax and look around a little before dinner. Most of our married lives I have driven on our trips, On our trip to Colorado last month my leg was bothering me after the first hour and my wife took over. She didn't stop tell we got to Amarillo 670 miles later. Who knew that no only could she drive so well but she was such a trooper. This realization may change how we travel in the future. Still think 350 to 400 miles a day is enough.

**Herk7769** · 08-01-2012, 03:33 PM

I flightplan a 4-5 hour driving day now that we are retired.

I like breaking camp after rush hour (like 9 AM) and getting into camp before 3 PM. So with gas and lunch stops (and an occasional shopping/sightseeing side diversion) it works for us.

concours14 · 08-01-2012, 06:43 PM

I also believe what type of TV you use is also a determining factor. I am not talking brand here but using a TV that is well equipped for the trailer being towed. Before our MH we towed a 30 ft 7000lb trailer with a 05 Durango (8900lb rating) after arriving at the CG I was usually tired. I then bought a 3/4 ton ram (diesel) for my work and started using it. It made the driving much more relaxed and could drive 8 plus hrs and still feel great. For us the MH is perfect and is quite relaxing while driving. I also agree with setting a pace you are comfortable with and not being in a hurry.

dimurrrw · 08-01-2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

I flightplan a 4-5 hour driving day now that we are retired.

I like breaking camp after rush hour (like 9 AM) and getting into camp before 3 PM. So with gas and lunch stops (and an occasional shopping/sightseeing side diversion) it works for us.

I'm the same as Lou, for the same reasons. Also, you have time at your destination to walk around, relax, take a swim, imbibe, cook, etc. This is as opposed to paying good money just to park for the night.

Iggy · 08-01-2012, 07:07 PM

I'm 62 and I have a motorhome and pull my car. I'm retired so getting there is not a scheduled event so we enjoy the scenery and that controls the days mileage.
I have driven on long trips as little as 250 miles all the way up to 425 miles (thats my extreme limit). This is also stopping every few hours to eat or fuel up my house. LOL
It also depends on if you can find a place for the night to camp.

mike54 · 08-01-2012, 08:17 PM

5-6 hrs is about it for me

Mark and Linda · 08-01-2012, 09:13 PM

We are preparing for our first long haul trip next month to Tybee Island, GA from Smyrna, TN. I have a list of the Pilot Truck Stops on the way just to be a little prepared. We have to go through Atlanta, our first big obstacle. We have been planning a stop overnight at Forsyth, GA. I think I might need it. Our first day should be about 350 miles. I will know after this what I can take. When I was young I could drive, drive and drive, but now...at 62 I have to take it a little easier, plus I am not in a hurry like I used to be.

Iggy · 08-01-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark and Linda

We are preparing for our first long haul trip next month to Tybee Island, GA from Smyrna, TN. I have a list of the Pilot Truck Stops on the way just to be a little prepared. We have to go through Atlanta, our first big obstacle. We have been planning a stop overnight at Forsyth, GA. I think I might need it. Our first day should be about 350 miles. I will know after this what I can take. When I was young I could drive, drive and drive, but now...at 62 I have to take it a little easier, plus I am not in a hurry like I used to be.

That's the way..
Slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Life is good!

Chuckinca · 08-01-2012, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concours14

I also believe what type of TV you use is also a determining factor. I am not talking brand here but using a TV that is well equipped for the trailer being towed. Before our MH we towed a 30 ft 7000lb trailer with a 05 Durango (8900lb rating) after arriving at the CG I was usually tired. I then bought a 3/4 ton ram (diesel) for my work and started using it. It made the driving much more relaxed and could drive 8 plus hrs and still feel great. For us the MH is perfect and is quite relaxing while driving. I also agree with setting a pace you are comfortable with and not being in a hurry.

I Agree!

Driving the 1 Ton 6.7 L diesel megacab is a dream compared to the 1/2 ton 5.4 L extended cab V8.

We have been driving back and forth from Norcal to Central Fla for two years now and usually do about 350 miles/day starting around 9 AM and off the road near 5 PM. Try to stop for 20 minutes or so every two hours with an hour for lunch and refueling. Also break-up the drive by staying for a few days or so every third day. We have been doing the 3K+ mile trip in three weeks with about 9 days on the road.

.

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