What would you take on a 2 year road trip?

Lots & Lots of great advice here ... way more than I was anticipating!  Thanks so much!!

Originally posted by hogone Terry:  Just curious.  Did you guys spend time in the northern states during the winter months during your 6 years, or hang south?  You also mentioned the number of RV's wintering, does it get pretty chaotic finding spots in the southern states?  I guess it just takes alot of planning ahead with wanted locations.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, if I was venturing out for this length of time, I would definitely want to spend some time north during the winter.  Also, did you find it difficult finding good available spots with a 38 footer.  Thanks,  hogone

We headed south in the winter.  Northern campgrounds close for the winter because they have to drain water lines.

In Florida we get the "Snow Birds" in winter.  Texas has "Winter Texans".  They are people that are not full timers but they take their RV's south for the winter to escape the cold.  Between the 2 types that is a lot of RV's.  Most campgrounds get pretty full.  Yep, a lot of planning.

We never really had any problems with our length.  Some of the older campgrounds in national forest etc. have smaller sites though.  There are a couple of books that list campgrounds.  One of the things they put in the books is site length. 

Terry

 

we are currently on the road-been traveling since Sept 6 and will return around the end of November.  We left NC and traveled west-Rocky Mtn Np,Colorado,  then Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and currently in Calif.

we love traveling in the Pod.  Certainly traveling for 2 1/2 months is not like 2 years-but here is what we have learned----

One of the main things that we have found beneficial is an auxillary ice chest-we bought a Engel high performance 65 quart unit.we keep veggies, drinks and fruits in it and it lives at the back of our Ford Expedition.  buying 20 pound block ice lasts about 6 days if we drain the water off each morning. we also have a small ice chest that is available during the day for our lunch, drinks and snacks-it lives between the front and back seats and is easily accessible as we drive.

I think one of the best thing we did was to increase our capacity for boondocking.  There are lots of places in the west to free camp on gov't land (IF the gov't isn't shut down !!).  We added a second battery, a 700 watt inverter (for cell phone and computers primarily)and changed all of the lights to LED.  We also use an LED clamp-on desk light that is plugged into the inverter. I also added several 12 volt receptacles throughout the Pod-there is an amazing array of 12 v accessories and appliances available in both RV and boat/marine stores.

we also use a small, Coleman gas cylinder powered grill almost every night. It is quite compact and stores easily.

We definitely take our bikes with us on our trips.  We also have binoculars, cameras, a small selection of bird books, travel guides and maps in a box.  Day packs, hiking poles and shoes are a must for us.

One of the hardest parts has been to control ourselves and NOT accumulate more stuff in our travels. there are lots of things to buy and take home if you want to.

 We have tried to pack the Expedition with as much as possible(small outside chairs, folding table, bike gear, cold/foul weather clothes, tools) and leave the Pod with only the necessary eating,cooking and sleeping equipment.  We pack our food in the pod in square , lidded containers marked breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and staples-this helps in our organization.

we find that between the cell phone(with apps) and our Garmin GPS we have plenty of info regarding camp sites, gas, directions, etc.  The cell phone and computer are essential for communications, banking and email. A reliable internet access is important for bill payments.  Records in digital format(and a paper backup) are essential.

we  try to boondock as much as possible. we usually stay at an RV park/resort about every 4 or 5 days for showers, laundry and refilling/dumping. sometimes more frequently depending on location, weather and how we feel.

I think a major part of any long distance or long term endeavor would be a road side assistance plan.  We have the Good Sam Club plan, have used it and wouldn't be without it.

I think you will also need an assortment of electrical adapters(110, 30 amp/50 amp, etc), an electrical extension cord and 2 water hoses.  some sites have the services further than the standard 25' cords/hoses will reach.  Take several flashlights including the type that has an elastic band that goes around your head to make it hands-free.

that's about all I can think of right now--good luck and safe travels
Vann

Decked out class C Sprinter Van would be my choice.