NC to WA
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Camping Adventures
Forum Discription: Post your camping adventures here for all to share
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4380
Printed Date: 05 May 2024 at 2:15am
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Topic: NC to WA
Posted By: P&M
Subject: NC to WA
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 2:13pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:00pm
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P&M, A few thoughts on your planned trip:
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 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:02pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:06pm
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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 |
Posted By: jj
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 3:42pm
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http://www.us-parks.com/camping.html - 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. |
Posted By: Kokopod
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 4:35pm
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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 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2014 at 10:57pm
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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 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2014 at 12:19pm
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Here's a recent post I made with more thoughts on staying at truck stops, Wal-Marts, etc. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4342&PID=42124&title=us-tour-west-midwest-states-2014#42124 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4342&PID=42124&title=us-tour-west-midwest-states-2014#42124 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2014 at 10:10pm
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If you are going 2600 miles figure 4 good days of driving, at 60 mph your average speed is 50 mph (stopping, starting, gas and potty stops)at 12 hours of driving will get about 600 miles. With the Jeep figure 10 to 11 mpg which has you stopping for fuel about every 3 hours or 150 to 180 miles, I don't like the fuel gauge get below 1/4 of a tank. I don't mind stopping so often as I get to stretch my legs, and check the rig out for any problems. With our Jeep (5.7 Hemi) it really does not matter if you travel 60 or 65, the mileage is about same. Traveling at 65 will get you closer to 600 miles a day in 12 hours or less.
For the type of trip you are taking I would drive the 12 hours and rest for 12 making sure that you get a good 8 hours of sleep, the other 4 hours will go by quick with meals, showers and wind down time. Drive it like a truck driver so that when you pull out in the morning you are refreshed and alert focused on the job of driving safely. Hope that this helps. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2014 at 8:16pm
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Using Google Maps it says 37 hours, times 1.25 = 46 hours. Driving no more than 10 hours a day I'd plan on 5 days. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Dawg Pod
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 9:06am
| Welcome back to Washington-in advance! |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 9:18pm
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Thanks to everyone for the insight and tips. Since it will be just me driving up, along with my dog Comet, I'll be able to put in longer days on the road ... M gets a little antsy after about 6 hours and she starts to whine. With that in mind I'm thinking it will take 5 days with 9.5 to 10 hours on the road drive-time each day, and around 12 hours total with stops. I've done long trips before with longer days of driving, including when we moved down here from Seattle (4 days), but that was without towing something behind me and so 5 should do it. However, I also know that things can change at any point in a trip like this, and I'll plan on extra time just in case.
I'll be sticking to the interstates the whole way (safety first) and am most likely going to use the truck stop method of overnighting. There are a ton of Flying J's and Pilot Centers from here to there which are very friendly to RV's and trailer towers, with an ability to get a hot meal and a shower at the end of each day. Plus they have an app that tells you where all of them are, how far the next one is, what amenities it has, and so on. Things are moving faster for us on the home fronts than I originally thought it would, and we have already made an offer that was accepted on our new home in Spokane which closes in 30 days. Our house here is going on the market in 2 weeks and should be priced well enough to get a quick sale. With that in mind I'm toying with the idea of packing and moving everything up except the Pod and Grand Cherokee, leaving them here for a bit longer either in storage or with friends, and flying back down on Memorial Day weekend for the drive back up. That would give me plenty of time and allow me to do some sight-seeing along the way, though it would be during a very busy travel week on the highways. Of course, I'd have to take more time to drive it if I do it that week because M would want to make the trip with me! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 9:36am
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I have confirmed dates now that have me leaving Charlotte on Friday 5/16 and hopefully getting into Spokane on Wednesday 5/21, which gives me 6 days travel time. I'm off the rest of that week just in case the going is slower for any reason.
Question: The route I'm driving takes me north to where I pickup I-90 at Sioux Falls, and then on I-90 across South Dakota and Montana and on into Spokane. Does anyone know what the weather is usually like in those 2 states at that time of the year (mid-May)? Does it stay cold enough that I should not be de-winterizing the Pod yet? ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 12:01pm
| I've seen snow in Missoula, MT the last day of May, 14 inches. You never know! |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2014 at 9:37am
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Would love some final thoughts on my itinerary before I book reservations for my moving trip a month out from now -- too aggressive? should be do-able? Have decided to stay at KOA's that are located w/in what I think my driving range is for each day, and that are right off of the freeway for easy access (this way I have electricity for c-pap, laptop, coffee maker, etc). Friday: Charlotte to Nashville KOA -- 408 miles, @ 8 hrs road time Saturday: Nashville to KC/Oak Grove KOA -- 530 miles, @ 10.5 hrs road time Sunday: KC to Kennebec SD KOA -- 552 miles, @ 11 hrs road time Monday: Kennebec to Billings KOA --- 549 miles, @ 11 hrs road time Tuesday: Billings to Spokane -- 542 miles, @ 12 hrs road time (couple of passes to go over on this section) -- if tired at this point I have no problem with pulling over and spending another night somewhere, finishing up on Wednesday ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2014 at 10:21am
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I believe that I would add a couple of hours to your drive time each day, it generally takes us 13 plus hours to travel 550 miles all on pretty flat land. I stop about every 180 miles or when the gas gage gets 3/4 empty to fill up and to walk a little. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2014 at 10:57am
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Thanks Goose ... I think that is what I needed to hear, and those would be just too long of days for me 5 in a row. I think I am going to go back to my original 6 day trip plan with @ 450 miles per day. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2014 at 12:14pm
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I agree with Goose, You need time to eat, get gas & other stuff along the way. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2014 at 8:40pm
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550 is pretty doable, depending on your dedication, but I think you'd be a lot better off with a 6 day plan. If it were me, I might map out some daily goals like you did but I'd keep going if I made a goal and felt like I had another hour or 2 or 3 or 4 in me and put those miles in the bank for a later day. Aside from flat tires and stuff like that, there's no telling what you might want to linger over along the way. KOAs and electricity etc are nice, but you might not need them every night. Walmarts or truckstops can be mighty quick and easy. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2014 at 8:45pm
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I disagree that the times are too short, based on the advice I gave on the prior page. Google maps says Charlotte to Nashville KOA is 6.3 hours. Multiply that by 1.25 and you get almost 8 hours. That 1.25 multiplier is based on my own experience and includes gas stops, getting behind trucks, etc. I agree that that many days in a row of 10-11-12 hour days is a bit much.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2014 at 8:44am
I completely agree and had planned to do so in the first place. However, I use a cpap for sleeping and if I don't then I really do not get good sleep, which is okay for a night or two but after 3-4 nights without it then I would be a real mess and, quite honestly, a danger behind the wheel. Gotta have electricity to run it w/o getting into a whole 12v setup for it, which I don't have. Plus the wife will feel much better about me doing this than hitting the truck stops ... and that counts for a lot!  ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2014 at 8:15pm
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Truck stops are safer than Walmarts - again, my personal experience. Nobody messes with the truckers. We've been messed with at Walmarts. If your CPAP won't work from 12 volts, consider an inverter. You can't use a preheater from a battery (either directly or via an inverter), but just the pump is ok. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Dawg Pod
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2014 at 10:15pm
| Will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way for travel blessings. Stay safe! |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2014 at 10:32pm
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P&M, you might want to consider something like this: http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-dc-12-converter-s8-machines.html - http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-dc-12-converter-s8-machines.html It's what I use sans the humidifier. Very little drain on your batteries. I've run my s8 two nights off a little 18ah battery. Pod 12v system will easily handle it. Sleep well! fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2014 at 10:58am
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Thanks for the suggestion and link fwunder ... I will definitely be looking into this! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2014 at 10:59am
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Thanks Dawg Pod! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2014 at 12:47am
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Just a few thoughts. We stayed at the Oak Grove/KC KOA last year. Pull thrus were perfect for not unhitching and the bathrooms were clean. I've spent some time in SD - you should be fine in May for weather in terms of cold nights. Consider the KOA in Hardin MT. Not far from the freeway. Less than an hour before Billings. Easy stay. We did a long distance trip last summer. You can break up the long/short days. Some states lend themselves to easy driving. Save your extra time for the mountains.
------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |