NC to WA - R-pod Owners Forum

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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1452

Topic: NC to WA
Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 10:57pm

To each his on regarding reservations, but Techntrek's point about campgrounds being 20 minutes off the interstate is well taken. We took a long trip last summer and had a reservation at a state park. We got there about 10pm in the pouring rain -- it was a good half hour out of the way -- and after about an hour of looking for the place and having to back out of a narrow wrong road we found the park. It was locked for the night with no way to get in. (They wouldn't refund our payment either.) We ended up driving another hour and gave it up at a Walmart. That's the only time we've overnighted at a Walmart, so far, but it saved us 30 bucks or so and made it easy to get on the road early in the morning. For point to point travel, Walmarts or truck stops, etc, are well worth considering in my opinion.

The points people have made about giving yourself plenty of extra time compared to Google Maps's estimates played into our little scenario, so learn from my experience and others' advice. If your schedule is off one day it can be very difficult to meet your reservations on succeeding days.

I like frequent short stops. The wife won't drive with the pod hooked up, but I'll go 12 or 14 hours from morning start to stop at the end of the day. There might be one or two 10 or 20 minute cat naps along they way. How far or how long you can drive depends on you and potential co-drivers and is really pretty personal. Just give yourself plenty of time, and take it.

It's really too bad you won't be able to dawdle along the way. There are a lot of places worth seeing between NC and WA!

TT

2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Kokopod

Senior Member

Joined: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Southwest WY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 113

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 4:35pm

When we took our big trip in Sept-Oct, we were usually pooped after 8 hours of driving, interstate or not. Much of your trip will be through open spaces, and it's a lot less tiring when there's not much traffic. We didn't make our plans for the night until about 2 hours before we planned to stop because we were off-season, as you will be. In the west, we've never had to worry about making any reservations at KOA's, etc. in March. Just be sure you know which are closed for the season. We loved Cracker Barrel - very camper-friendly. Didn't stay at any truck stops, but that's a great option, too (with the earplugs). We've seen some pretty sketchy Walmarts, so we're not that keen on them unless we're in a pretty high-end area. Sometimes in the high-end areas, we found that the Walmart didn't allow camping.

2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k
2013 Premier 19FBPR
Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE
2011 Dodge Durango
Love a good road trip

Groupie

Joined: 04 Dec 2013
Location: ca
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 42

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:42pm

National Parks Camping | US-Parks.com :: Get Outdoors

click on camp. it shows camp grounds along your way.

we drive and decide at what time to stop driving and find a campground, call the campground to hold reservation during the day or just choose one along the way.

Weather is also an issue while traveling if it will be a long or short day.

would reccomend earplugs if you have to stay close to interstate overnight.

Taking turns driving on the interstate would realy extent your driving range, one can rest while

the other drives.

do not forget indian casinos stay in the parking lot or casino camp ground.

stop every four hours or so at reststop to walk Comet and to strech your own legs.

Have a nice trip.

CharlieM

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:06pm

Doug,

From your post it seems like you've been there, done that, and got the Tee shirt. Big smile

Charlie

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:02pm

Someone from our church just retired near Seattle, near where their child lives. Seems to be a lot of coast-to-coast movement.

I would think more in terms of time than speed. When we toured the southern US last summer I took Google Map's time estimation between each leg and multiplied it by 1.25 which turned out to be very accurate. It takes into account extra fuel stops, getting caught behind slower trucks, and lunch & dinner stops on the longer hauls.

Personally I wouldn't want to do more than 10 hours a day of towing (plus meal stops). I can do much more w/o a pod pushing from behind but the extra stress and concentration takes a toll.

Your situation is perfect for a truck stop or three. Drive until you start to feel tired then pull in, ask where you can park, and go to bed. No driving 20 minutes off the interstate and paying $30 for 12 hours. Since it will be March you won't have to worry about a generator for A/C either.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

CharlieM

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:00pm

P&M,

A few thoughts on your planned trip:

Stick to the interstates. Usually the fastest because fewer deviations.
Stay at or under 60MPH and stay in the right lane. Easier driving, gas is available, and so is help if you need it.
If you plan the route with Google Maps or MapQuest you won't achieve the listed times because they assume speeds close to the posted speed limits. Leave yourself time.
Since you are driving at a maximum of 60MPH your average will be somewhat less depending on towns, gas/potty stops, etc.
I usually like to plan 6 hours per day, but you might plan 8 if you have the stamina, plan your stops, and do minimal setups. Remember, however long you plan, it will always take longer.
I like to plan stops and get reservations before I leave. That way I know a place will be waiting and I won't have to spend time looking.
Some Podders stay at Walmart/CrackerBarrel/TruckStops, but I never have. To minimize time and hassle I would look to commercial sites such as KOA, etc. Then the sites are ready and supplies/hookups/dumps are available when you need them even if you're late.
Plan on not uncoupling at night. If you carry some fresh water you can just stop and jump into the Pod, maybe hookup the electric if you want A/C or microwave. Otherwise the Pod can sustain you and your dog several days without hookups with an occasional waste dump every 3 days. Pull throughs are nice if available.
I always travel with the fridge on propane to maintain a fully charged battery. There is some controversy on this, but I don't think there are any issues and every RV with a fridge bigger than 4 cu.ft. doesn't even have the DC option.

Good luck on your trip and let us know how you progress.

Charlie

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

P&M

Senior Member

Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Location: Spokane, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 454

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 2:13pm

So the new year has brought a lot of changes for the two of us so far. We made the decision to move back up to Spokane to be closer to M's parents and help them out, got a new-to-us tow vehicle (2001 Grand Cherokee with the Hemi V-8) that will handle the job much better than our old Hyundai Veracruz, and I will be starting a new position with a new company March 1st.

I am planning on taking Comet with me and we will be making the trip up sometime in May with the Pod, and I've mapped out a route to get there that is around 2600 miles and keeps to the interstates. As much as I'd love to do some sight-seeing along the way, this trip will be a "get from point A to point B as quickly as possible" type of trip.

Since this will be the first time I've gone long-distance with the Pod I have some questions in my planning for the trip that those of you who have done it may be able to help out with.

1. What is an average MPH towing that can be figured on over the long-haul ... 50? 55? 60?

2. What have some of you done in terms of driving hours per day while towing ... 8 - 9 - 10? More? Less?

3. How did you handle where to stay overnight at ... plan it all out in advance, or just find a place once you got to the "I need to stop for the night" point?

Thanks in advance!

P & M ... and Comet too!
2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod
2018 Ram 2500

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Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1452	Topic: NC to WA Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 10:57pm
	To each his on regarding reservations, but Techntrek's point about campgrounds being 20 minutes off the interstate is well taken. We took a long trip last summer and had a reservation at a state park. We got there about 10pm in the pouring rain -- it was a good half hour out of the way -- and after about an hour of looking for the place and having to back out of a narrow wrong road we found the park. It was locked for the night with no way to get in. (They wouldn't refund our payment either.) We ended up driving another hour and gave it up at a Walmart. That's the only time we've overnighted at a Walmart, so far, but it saved us 30 bucks or so and made it easy to get on the road early in the morning. For point to point travel, Walmarts or truck stops, etc, are well worth considering in my opinion. The points people have made about giving yourself plenty of extra time compared to Google Maps's estimates played into our little scenario, so learn from my experience and others' advice. If your schedule is off one day it can be very difficult to meet your reservations on succeeding days. I like frequent short stops. The wife won't drive with the pod hooked up, but I'll go 12 or 14 hours from morning start to stop at the end of the day. There might be one or two 10 or 20 minute cat naps along they way. How far or how long you can drive depends on you and potential co-drivers and is really pretty personal. Just give yourself plenty of time, and take it. It's really too bad you won't be able to dawdle along the way. There are a lot of places worth seeing between NC and WA! TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

Kokopod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2013 Location: Southwest WY Online Status: Offline Posts: 113	Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 4:35pm
	When we took our big trip in Sept-Oct, we were usually pooped after 8 hours of driving, interstate or not. Much of your trip will be through open spaces, and it's a lot less tiring when there's not much traffic. We didn't make our plans for the night until about 2 hours before we planned to stop because we were off-season, as you will be. In the west, we've never had to worry about making any reservations at KOA's, etc. in March. Just be sure you know which are closed for the season. We loved Cracker Barrel - very camper-friendly. Didn't stay at any truck stops, but that's a great option, too (with the earplugs). We've seen some pretty sketchy Walmarts, so we're not that keen on them unless we're in a pretty high-end area. Sometimes in the high-end areas, we found that the Walmart didn't allow camping.
	2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip

jj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 04 Dec 2013 Location: ca Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:42pm
	National Parks Camping \| US-Parks.com :: Get Outdoors click on camp. it shows camp grounds along your way. we drive and decide at what time to stop driving and find a campground, call the campground to hold reservation during the day or just choose one along the way. Weather is also an issue while traveling if it will be a long or short day. would reccomend earplugs if you have to stay close to interstate overnight. Taking turns driving on the interstate would realy extent your driving range, one can rest while the other drives. do not forget indian casinos stay in the parking lot or casino camp ground. stop every four hours or so at reststop to walk Comet and to strech your own legs. Have a nice trip.

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:06pm
	Doug, From your post it seems like you've been there, done that, and got the Tee shirt. Charlie
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:02pm
	Someone from our church just retired near Seattle, near where their child lives. Seems to be a lot of coast-to-coast movement. I would think more in terms of time than speed. When we toured the southern US last summer I took Google Map's time estimation between each leg and multiplied it by 1.25 which turned out to be very accurate. It takes into account extra fuel stops, getting caught behind slower trucks, and lunch & dinner stops on the longer hauls. Personally I wouldn't want to do more than 10 hours a day of towing (plus meal stops). I can do much more w/o a pod pushing from behind but the extra stress and concentration takes a toll. Your situation is perfect for a truck stop or three. Drive until you start to feel tired then pull in, ask where you can park, and go to bed. No driving 20 minutes off the interstate and paying $30 for 12 hours. Since it will be March you won't have to worry about a generator for A/C either.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:00pm
	P&M, A few thoughts on your planned trip: Stick to the interstates. Usually the fastest because fewer deviations. Stay at or under 60MPH and stay in the right lane. Easier driving, gas is available, and so is help if you need it. If you plan the route with Google Maps or MapQuest you won't achieve the listed times because they assume speeds close to the posted speed limits. Leave yourself time. Since you are driving at a maximum of 60MPH your average will be somewhat less depending on towns, gas/potty stops, etc. I usually like to plan 6 hours per day, but you might plan 8 if you have the stamina, plan your stops, and do minimal setups. Remember, however long you plan, it will always take longer. I like to plan stops and get reservations before I leave. That way I know a place will be waiting and I won't have to spend time looking. Some Podders stay at Walmart/CrackerBarrel/TruckStops, but I never have. To minimize time and hassle I would look to commercial sites such as KOA, etc. Then the sites are ready and supplies/hookups/dumps are available when you need them even if you're late. Plan on not uncoupling at night. If you carry some fresh water you can just stop and jump into the Pod, maybe hookup the electric if you want A/C or microwave. Otherwise the Pod can sustain you and your dog several days without hookups with an occasional waste dump every 3 days. Pull throughs are nice if available. I always travel with the fridge on propane to maintain a fully charged battery. There is some controversy on this, but I don't think there are any issues and every RV with a fridge bigger than 4 cu.ft. doesn't even have the DC option. Good luck on your trip and let us know how you progress. Charlie
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

P&M Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 13 Aug 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 454	Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 2:13pm
	So the new year has brought a lot of changes for the two of us so far. We made the decision to move back up to Spokane to be closer to M's parents and help them out, got a new-to-us tow vehicle (2001 Grand Cherokee with the Hemi V-8) that will handle the job much better than our old Hyundai Veracruz, and I will be starting a new position with a new company March 1st. I am planning on taking Comet with me and we will be making the trip up sometime in May with the Pod, and I've mapped out a route to get there that is around 2600 miles and keeps to the interstates. As much as I'd love to do some sight-seeing along the way, this trip will be a "get from point A to point B as quickly as possible" type of trip. Since this will be the first time I've gone long-distance with the Pod I have some questions in my planning for the trip that those of you who have done it may be able to help out with. 1. What is an average MPH towing that can be figured on over the long-haul ... 50? 55? 60? 2. What have some of you done in terms of driving hours per day while towing ... 8 - 9 - 10? More? Less? 3. How did you handle where to stay overnight at ... plan it all out in advance, or just find a place once you got to the "I need to stop for the night" point? Thanks in advance!
	P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500