Big Trip Jitters

[Babe2201]

No matter how well you planned I think it is normal to be a little nervous thinking your forgot something. Like someone else said there are stores everywhere if you did not bring something or not enough of something. I find myself checking my pockets for wallet, phone, and any keys I might need shortly into a trip even though I checked before we left.

Chargers are one of the things I never like to forget.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Here's another one: The last few longer trips we've taken, the day before, when I'll hook up the dolly and load our Kia on it, along with any other last-minute preparations, several family members will stop by and want to hang out. My stepson will come over with his now 5-year-old twins, who want Grandma to play with them. My sister in law will stop and give my wife a card, sometimes with a few $$ in it for us to get a drink on her. My step-daughter will stop by to hug and kiss her mom, but decides to stay because the other people are here. Then someone will suggest, "Hey, why don't we order a pizza?" There have been times when I've found myself doing last-minute prep at 10 PM in the dark.

 

[Boat Bum]

and they wonder why sometimes we have trouble remembering what we were doing...

 

[Isaac-1]

My problem at the moment trying to get loaded up is rain, it has been raining off and on for a week now. I was about to go try and load some stuff in the RV 3 hours ago and it came a torrential downpour. Sure it only lasted for 15-20 minutes, but then it is a heavy drizzle until the next torrential downpour hits, we are now on our 3rd or 4th such downpour today, and the forecast is still calling for rain to hit in about another hour.

Though my real concern is getting out of the driveway on wednesday morning, as in order to avoid hitting our neighbor's mailbox I have to make a sharp turn out of our driveway putting the back right tires onto the grass by a foot or so. Hmm where did I put that chainsaw....

 

[Jackiemac]

Make sure you have the right tools to change a wheel. Lug nuts correct size etc

 

[RayIN]

There use to be checklists for items to take, Items to check on the RV before departure and a host of other things to do in order to get around. My advise is to pull those check lists you deem good, then modifiy them to your methods of travel.

I didn't see an itemized list of items you might take but I'm sure some of the Sysops (can I say that) can or will direct you.

Yup_ RV Checklists: 6 Printable Packing Lists | Campanda
With a search one can find lists for virtually every detail of RVing.
IMO checklists take the adventure out of going anywhere.

AD, the best advice I can offer is to camp in your driveway for a week, without going to the house for something you want/need.
On the other end of the spectrum; if you haven't used an item in 12 months, you don't need it-or the space it occupies nor the weight.
Did'ya ever wonder why WalMart is so popular with RVers_.

 

[Isaac-1]

For those that are wondering what I call torrential rain, this photo from in front of the local Wal-Mart was posted online earlier today.

 

[winona1]

My trips aren’t trips unless I’ve forgotten one … or two … or more things. Which means I’ll remember them next time — like my toothbrush and paste last year. And my trips aren’t trips without a few wrong turns or missed exits. Ya gotta go with the flow and enjoy the ride!

 

[grashley]

I plan just like the OP. We have taken a few 1 + month trips.

My system is this: On my computer (portable brain), I have a Notes file for the trip. I started this list a few months before our first trip. One list is things TO DO before we leave. Fill Propane, Lube Wheels, etc. I have a second list of things TO PACK. It includes specific clothing items, toothbrush, compressor, lawn chairs, CPAP, pros and pans, sheets and blankets, laundry supplies, you get the idea.

All type starts black. As I complete items or pack items, I change the color to light pink. I may change critical items to red.
Before the next trip, I change the list back to black type to be reused. Items left permanently packed may get deleted. Tasks that do not need done, i.e. propane tanks already full, get pink immediately, but stay on the list.

I have a separate Notes file with specific travel plans.
Jun 22 - 29 Jones Campground FHU CATV NO WiFi 280 mi from home
$ 385 PAID IN FULL Site #21
June 30 - July 7 Smith Campground WE Dump WiFi Pool 235 mi from Jones
$312 $100 Paid Site #42

I may also include interesting nearby sites and / or restaurants.


It works for us. I hope it helps.
Gordon

 

[CamperAL]

Hi RayIN and all,

There used to be check lists on the forum someplace. I am guessing they are still accessable and I should have said that in the first place. Your links are good ones. I can also post mine but it is from other lists that I have modified for us.

 

[DutchmenSport]

There's no reason to be overwhelmed when planning a longer duration trip. Planning a longer duration trip is no different than planning a short one. The only difference is the length of time.

First and foremost, you need your finances in order and you need to always be aware of your financial position. How much cash do you actually carry with you, how much do you have available on your credit cards, and what is your bank balance if you use debit cards. This is paramount for any road trip. The longer the duration, the more important you keep a tight reign on your finances. After that, everything else is simple.

Think of your long distance journey as a group of short distance trips. The only difference is, they are all back-to-back without returning to "home base" first.

Look at the overall all journey, and then simply break it down between your starting point and point A, then point A to B, then point B to C and so on.

You will find, the planning from your starting point to point A is going to be the same for A to B, and B to C. That's all!

If you approach it this way, you can "plan" months and months in advance. If you plan on a 3 month trek, then you simply have 90 (days) of minnie vacations, they are all just put together in one flow.

When you look at it this way .... it's not over whelming at all!

 

[Isaac-1]

Well all, I want to wish best of luck to the OP, I am pulling out on my own circa 3,400 mile 40+ day trip to Wyoming in a few minutes, and I too hope everything this ready with the coach, and I have everything important packed. I am doing the boring (hopefully) part of the trip solo and my wife is flying up to meet me in Casper next week.

Now just to make a final decision on a route based on the weather, starting in Louisiana there is only a difference of about 100 miles between the route through Waco and Amarillo vs the route through Texarkana and Joplin, MO. Though with all the tornadoes they have been having this week in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, I think I will opt for the more western route through Waco Amarillo, Limon, Cheyenne, etc. Where they are only having straight line wind forecast for the weekend (thankfully it will mostly be a tail wind)

Ike

 

[DutchmenSport]

Hey Isaac-1.... I understand the weather you're having. We have been up at St. Francisville, parked at the Audubon State Historic Site since March 1 (this year). We were here a year ago also (same time frame). Last year in June, the weather here was almost drought conditions. This year, it's raining every day, sometime during the day. The humidity is beyond belief too, especially after those downpours.

We leave Louisiana a heading for South Dakota on June 28. We'll be there for a week and then head back home to Indiana. We'll be returning to Audubon for Oct, Nov, Dec, and Jan again too.

We absolutely love this park. I have a full hook-up campsite, but there is no "campground" here, and I do Plantation House tours, black smithing demonstration, 1800's style wood working demonstrations, talks on enslaved life on the plantation through the 1800's time period and do lots and lots of fix-em-up wood working projects, and build or repair a bunch of historic wood craft items. It's a great experience.

But this weather.... sheesh! I totally understand what you are saying. I wanted to touch-up, re-calk the roof of the trailer. Between all the sweat on the roof, and then the rain, the roof is never dry. I finally had a break in the weather for 2 days and was able to get it done, just in time for another torrential downpour.

Be patient there my Louisiana friend. You'll get it all done!

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Well I tried to quote a couple of Dutchmans excellent post, but the insert quotes is having an off day. Great post. Finances, once you're on the road my DW and I feel finances and our monthly income supports our travels almost no different than home. Fuel costs are a constant of course, but one great part of planning a trip in advance is many of the booked campgrounds are already paid for.

I also like Dutch's point that an extended trip is a bunch of mini trips joined together, great analogy!

I also wanted to comment to Grashly, but same issue with the quotes. I essentially do what he does, only using pen and paper. I find it easier to make notes alongside my computer as I move along with the trip plans. Later, I look at the destinations and sit with a glass of wine and drill down a bit more of things to see in an area that we'll be visiting for just a day or two during travels.

A follow up to my last post, today is the day before departure (06/19) and just as I thought the step-son and 5 year old twins will be over about 6 PM. My wife is down a bit with hopefully only allergies so she's not looking forward to the mini-mayhems. Step-daughter coming over a bit later with her two teenagers. We did clear the SIL yesterday, but she may still show up with the $$ for a couple of drinks like usual.

The dollys on, Kia on the dolly (even washer the dolly) bikes loaded, washed and shining and packed with everything but my shaver and morning meds for a hoped for 7 AM departure. Time for a glass a wine and wait for "the company" to arrive.

 

[grashley]

Sounds like you have learned from past trips to have all of today's tasks done by 3PM, get a quick rest and prepare for company!

Have a great, safe trip!

 

[Isaac-1]

Well I made it a little past Waco today, roughly 300 miles form home and about 40 miles short of my intended stop for the night when my TPMS over temperature alarm started going off on the back right corner. I found a spot to pull off the road long enough to let it cool down, then limped on another 7 miles to a local roadside RV park. TPMS was registering 167F when I stopped it then peaked to 190F before it started going down, It appears my right rear caliper slide is sticking and the brakes were dragging. So I have spent my evening pulling the right rear dually wheels off, and re-greasing the caliper slide. Unfortunately the local auto parts store only had those house brand $2 squeeze packs of brake caliper lube, so that is what I had to use. I finished right at sunset about an hour ago. I guess tomorrow morning we will see if this fixed the issue or not, that is asssuming my back will let me move in the morning.

 

[jymbee]

Well I made it a little past Waco today, roughly 300 miles form home and about 40 miles short of my intended stop for the night when my TPMS over temperature alarm started going off on the back right corner. I found a spot to pull off the road long enough to let it cool down, then limped on another 7 miles to a local roadside RV park. TPMS was registering 167F when I stopped it then peaked to 190F before it started going down, It appears my right rear caliper slide is sticking and the brakes were dragging. So I have spent my evening pulling the right rear dually wheels off, and re-greasing the caliper slide. Unfortunately the local auto parts store only had those house brand $2 squeeze packs of brake caliper lube, so that is what I had to use. I finished right at sunset about an hour ago. I guess tomorrow morning we will see if this fixed the issue or not, that is asssuming my back will let me move in the morning.

Ah, the never ending joys of RV travel!
I feel your pain. Hope you get all issues resolved.

 

[House Husband]

Come Dec. 26th we'll head out to Death Valley. 4-5 days from Kansas City, MO., depending how my tired ol body holds up.
No planed stops. There is always some place to pull over for the night. Don't use camp grounds when going from point A to point B. We do have wireless security laying next to the bead.
The head of the house has a marvelous check list for packing. I throw my stuff in the MH and then check the list. She packs from the top of the list.
Packing is easy for us. The MH sits on it's own full hook up pad, next to the house. When I don't say "yes dear" properly, The bed in the MH is comfy.

Richard

 

[Kirk]

and packed with everything but my shaver and morning meds for a hoped for 7 AM departure.

Give us an update on where you are now and how the trip is going! We are all waiting with bated breath.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Update from beautiful Wisconsin Dells.

I'll try to summarize, but not my strong suit. Also, using a tablet, harder to type.

First day on the road heading a Harvest Host outside of Toledo, OH on I-80. Pouring rain and my wipers blow apart, the plastic adapters to lock onto the arms. I'm stands on the shoulder trying to remove the hanging blades while semis are blasting by at 75 mph. DW finds a NAPA store 18 miles away. I drove there with no wipers, great gents install new blades for me and won't take my tip!

Arrive at American Winery and Brewery an hour later than planned, no big deal and enjoy a great stay.

Heavy traffic and an accident on I -80 outside of Chicago (of course) delay our arrival at Kankakee River SP in Bourbonouis IL, but still good on time. Lazy camp host doesn't tell us what loop we're in "its one way you can't miss it", neglecting to tell us there are 3 loops, so 3 site number 5. Maybe she could've mentioned also there is no water in the loops, you might want to fill up at the dump station across from her site? Dirtiest bath/shower rooms we may have ever encountered in 18 + years camping.

My wife's cousins wedding in near by Wilmington was a blast, groom 78 (cousin), bride 70. DWs whole WNY family was present.

Next stop was Cliffside County Park in Racine, Wisconsin. Great harbour area in Racine, and the next day spent in Milwaukee's 3rd Ward and Market.Good time, great people.
Tomorrow we leave Wisconsin Dells, heading West. I'll try to review the Dells later.