Do most of you stay in campgrounds or do you just stop at rest areas while you are on a trip. Now, I'm not talking about you lucky guys that can spend months on the road. I'm talking about when you take a trip that's maybe 1000 miles. I'm sick of trying to find a decent motel and I've thought about getting some kind of camper. I don't know anything about campers at all except that I know my truck will pull one. I assume the camper has batteries and will keep things running throughout the night without draining the truck batteries.

I'm not dum! I just don't know! (misspelled on purpose )

 

I stop in rest areas on the way to and from Florida. I don't "camp" there, just stop for a few hours or so. The camper batteries will power the rig overnight unless you are using the furnace...and then you still shoud be ok. Leave the camper plugged to the truck and you should be fine.

 

The camper should have it's own battery which is isolated after turning off the truck. This will power your lights etc. Forced air furnaces can place a significant draw on battery power, but are usually fine for just one night and travel teh next day.

I camp anywhere. Rest areas occasionally, sometimes an RV park, but usually boondocking or campground. I've never seen RV's capped on for staying at rest areas as long as they don't get a lot of paraphanalia out.

Do realize that with a trailer, most states have a 55mph speed limit, so travel is slower (and should be).

 

We used to stay in rest areas between Mi and Fl. when we had our motor home. I used to pull in and start the generator. I turned the gen. off at about 11p.m. and let the batteries take over for the balance of the night. it was actually pretty comfortable but you have to put up with some noise. We used to park in next to the big rigs. The sound of the deisels put me to sleep. I think a TT would work about the same. I have been thinking about getting another older model Motorhome just for the occasional trip. Take the Dogs etc... without all the hassels.

 

I think the tractors running next to me would help me sleep too but what about all the other noise from traffic in and out all night? What about truck stops? Does anybody stay there or do you stay away due to the Lot Lizards!

 

Hay Dodgezilla Win we went to Yellowstone ,glacier,grandteetons,Sturgis we would pull in to truck stop or rest area for quick nap 3-4 HR no hassles at all. Have fun/safe trip. And yes the sound of the diesel dos help you go to sleep.

 

With my camper I'll stop at rest areas for a few hours.....I try not to take any space that a over the road driver mite need to take his rest break
I have stopped overnight many times at a Wal Mart or Home Depot parking lot while traveling.....just be sure to park in the lest used area of their parking lot
Some rest areas allow overnite parking of campers some don't

 

Wife and I do quite a bit of dry camping (not many hookups in Wyoming), we get a 3 dayer out of our batteries even with using some heat. We are kind to them and only use as little light as needed ect.....
Also, I have been told the Wal-Mart welcoms campers/RVs in the outter edges of it's parking lots. Much less noise and well lit, again not camping but quick rest over night.

Enjoy

 

What states have speed limits of 55 for trailers besides Ca? I've pulled mine in Nevada, arizona, Utah, Co, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho,Wyoming and none of these states had a 55mph limit for trailers.Unless I didn't notice the signs, but in Ca I see the 55 signs every few miles.

 

Not sure of others but Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado, S Dakota do not restrict towing other than normal posted speeds (some steep grades have lower towing limits but they are well posted)

 

around here it is 55 if you are over 4 tons empty...

 

1. Speed limit in Texas is the same as for cars unless posted otherwise. 65 MPH in EPA non-attainment areas; otherwise, 70 MPH in East Texas, 75 MPH in sparsely populated areas of West Texas. The differentiated speed limits (70 MPH cars/60 MPH trucks) disappeared a few years ago.

2. Unless the 3rd generation has changed, the Dodge does not come equipped with a battery isolator. This means that the +12VDC connection in the 7-pin plug remains hot at all times. One needs to be aware that, unless he/she unplugs the RV, the RV is drawing from the truck batteries as well as its own coach battery (batteries), and there is a risk of discharging the truck batteries.

3. If you plan to pull over in areas with no hookups (i.e., rest areas, truck stops, etc.) in the south during the summer, be advised that the coach battery/batteries will not run 120VAC loads such as air conditioning, TV sets, microwaves, etc., although an inverter can run some lighter 120VAC loads for a short time. You might consider buying/ordering an RV equipped (or set up for) a generator. Alternately, you could carry a quiet portable generator such as the Honda EU3000 in the bed of the truck and use it when parked.

Rusty

 

I'll pull in at a truck stop and line up w/ the trucks and catch some zzzz's... I usually see a group of RVers piled up on one end of the lot... Sure beats paying $50+ for a hotel when you have a nice bed sitting right behind you! Most truckstops are free to park at too! Besides, I'm usually fueling up there either when I get there or when I head out in the morning... plus you can usually get a decent meal and/or some snacks for the road!


Tony

 

Illinois is a 55 mph state for trucks and vehicles with trailers. See the signs everytine I sneek across the border.

 

Good idea about the quiet generator Rusty. Thanks for all the replies guys. I just wish you could let the family ride back there so they could be more comfortable..