See the thread about the fire in a fiver. Read about the broken hitches and trailer accidents. I would love my family to be more comfortable on long trips, too, but I have heard and read too much about the mishaps that would likely kill them. Someday maybe I will get a motorcoach, then they will have the comforts they deserve. For now, they have to tough it out like their old iron bottomed patriarch!

 

Your '03 has a manual isolator (called a plug)...lol

I hardly ever tow outside of CA, so I guess it should read some states rather than most states. I would suspect the state trouper will give less slack to a TT going 80 mph than a corvette though. Some people drive these things entirely too fast IMHO.

Oregon..not sure if 55 for towing, but I do know it's right hand lane only unless passing for all RV's even without a trailer.

I guess the point is...dont expect to make as good of time on the road, but you won't waste your time having to find a town with a vacancy. I'm hardly ever in the heart of significant towns when traveling.

Another savings is meals (both time and money).

If you do any extended traveling..I HIGHLY suggest a fridge over an icebox. Tons more room when you dont need ice, no buying ice, and food dosn't get soggy or swimming.

 

Pulling a trailer on a long trip has +/-. Speed is one. You just are not going to make time. Simple stops become adventures in parking.

But, if you have a wife or kids that need to urinate, frequently, pulling is a blessing. Your wife knows there is a clean toilet with PAPER about 15 feet behind her. The bed is comfortable and clean. Plenty of food and snacks to take back up the truck with you.

We have stayed a few hours in truck stops/rest areas and we were lulled to sleep by the deisels. We have never had any problems with lot lizards or anthing like that. Just be warned rest areas fill up with semis quickly at night anymore.

James

 

Dodgezilla,

All good points indeed! Here in Florida we definitely need a generator when "dry camping", not to mention hurricanes.

Your basic trailer or 5th wheel without a generator, will provide you with lights, running water for sinks, toilets and shower, hot water. Limited heat (furnace), refrigeration, oven and stove. All powered by propane or battery. Microwaves and A/C is where the generator comes in.

We have found most Wal-Marts allow over night stays, unless prohibited by local ordinances. Haven't tried the truck stops yet for over nights.

Have fun with your new/used RV. There is nothing like it.

Alan

 

Oh boy. I hate to say this, but I gotta. I wish every cheap sob with a RV would just spend the 12 - 20 bucks and stay at the campground. If you can afford the camper, you can afford the campground. When I'm coming in to a rest area, I don't need to be dodging kids moving back and forth. Furthermore I am required by law to quit driving at a specific time each and every day. If the rest area is full, I am in Violation if I keep moving down the road. So if there are 5 campers in there, thats 5 more trucks on the road that should be parked. In my opinion (and I had it before I went back to driving for a living) campers belong in campgrounds. I have never and will never overnight in a rest area or a truckstop. My kids don't need the "atmosphere". (Read exhaust fumes.) The campground has areas for their amusement like playgrounds, pools or just large grassy areas. Just go to the KOA. This doesn't apply to stopping at the rest area to prepare lunch or whatever, but don't spend the night. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

 

I don't think anyone is condoning "camping" in a rest area. A camp ground for longer stays or a WalMart for a cheep sleeping would be much better and likely safer as well. However, nothing wrong with pulling over in a rest are if you are to tired to proceed safely. After all everybody pays fuel and other taxes that provide roads and rest areas (everyone to a diffrent extent) and everyone should have the right to use them. Just as important no one should abuse them (like actually camping or otherwise hogging the areas).

Planning ahead should be the responsibility of everyone taking a trip, earning a living or just having fun. A bit of forthought and trip planning makes everything easier.


Can't we all just get along?

BTW: My work truck is a old cabover with a 425 Cat and fuel tanker

 

It is a "REST" area by the way.

 

With all respect, the last time I checked the Interstate rest areas in the state of Texas, the parking signage said "Trucks and RVs". I normally stay in campgrounds, but when I have to drive long distances straight through (like Knoxville, TN to Houston, TX) in an emergency, I'll pull into a rest area, grab 4-5 hours sleep and hit the road again. If that inconveniences you, I'm sorry, but regardless of what you seem to think, OTR truckers don't OWN the highways and rest areas.

Rusty

 

I really don't have a problem with sharing the rest area. Stopping for lunch, or a break is what they're for. I'm talking about the people who "camp" for the night. And there are more and more of them. Honestly, the main offenders are driving $200,000+ motorhomes. Most rest areas also have a sign that states "NO Overnight Camping" right by the one that says <Cars-Trucks/RVs>.
I'm not arrogant, and I am not the guy 3 feet off your back bumper trying to make you go faster. Not my style.
But not being able to park for my mandatory 10 hour break because the truck parking is full, 25% with RVers gets to me. If you wanna spend the night, park on the car side at least. The authorities won't bug you like they bug the trucks, and there will be plenty of room in most cases. Very seldom more than 4 or 6 cars in there in the wee hours.
So, as I said; If you are stopping for the night, not just a break, GO TO THE CAMPGROUND. Thats how I feel about it, and I offer no apologies.

 

Are you aware that Flying J is actively soliciting the RVers' business? An RVer can get a fuel discount with a Good Sam card, and they are encouraging RVers to "take a break" (as in, grab a nap) at their facilities.

Actually, I agree with you more than you might think. If one is truly going to camp (i.e., roll out the awning, run the slideouts out, pull out the lawn chairs, etc.), he/she should be in a campground. It doesn't do much for the rest of us RVers' image to see these rigs in rest areas, Flying Js or Wally World parking lots - which RVers call "Wallycamping".

Rusty

 

Hi Rusty. Yes I am aware of that. And they have a seperate lot for the RVs. But wait until the legislators get a hold of this one. Campground operators are required to provide services and facilities by law. Flying J is offering free overnighting with no such facilities. Sewage dumps and such. I figure it's only a matter of time before the various states Campground Assoc. grieve this. And they should. For the J its only a sideline, for Campground operators, its their livlihood. . So as I stated, I overnight in campgrounds when I have the RV, and thats how I support free enterprise. (Even though it isn't free.)

 

greatwhite,

Yes, over on iRV2.com where I'm a moderator, there have been a lot of discussions about this, especially in the campground owners' forum. Just to balance the discussion, let me give you the other side of the story.

Do campgrounds have a provision for RVers who are on a long run and want to pull in at, let's say, 10:00 PM and leave at 7:00 AM? Many offices are open from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, so there's no way to check in or pay out. Furthermore, the last thing the other RVers want is someone rolling into the campsite next to them at 10:00 PM and setting up, then firing up the Cummins at 6:30 AM or so to hitch up and pull out.

This really says that, if campground owners want the "overnight" business, they're going to have to set up office hours and separate areas to accommodate it.

Rusty

 

While driving my truck back home, I pulled into a campground around 10:30pm... there was an envelope to fill out, and the sign said you could just pull in and park, and pay later.

I took a shower, and being unable to get comfy inside my truck, I left out at 3am... (sorry!)

I left the fee for overnight camping in an envelope in the manager's door... Figured it's the right thing to do...

 

Great white..
IMHO you are a bit over the top on you opinion about where a RVer gets a bit of rest ..

my reasons are ...
a state controlled rest area is for ALL drivers cars, trucks and rv'er.. they are for tired drivers to get rest from the road grind and of course relieve themselfs..

just because Federal and State laws were passed to govern your driveing time gives you no "right" to the rest areas over a RVer or cars .. you too have park areas called truck stops just as a RVer has campgrounds.

many of the posters here pull long 5ers or trailers that will not fit in the car areas and are not safe there anyway, therefore must park in the truck lanes as designed by the state planners hence the sign truck/RV parking.

as to the Flyinh J's and proper facilities..most that I have been in have RV dump sites and well as shower facilities that can be purchased by all paying customers...and the drivers of the RV are trying to ease the state rest stop over use...[you can't have it both ways]..

a 3 to 5 hr rest is just that not a overnight camp...maybe your opinion is a bit out of line as to the states intended use of the rest areas Sir.

I / we are respful of your plight but in all honesty would you rather a RVer drive till he / she falls asleep at the wheel and causes you or I to wreck.

former OTR driver also so I know from where you come but disagree with your post.

Gary

 

IMHO...OTR's can make the same provisions for "planning" A 10 hour off cycle is not a "rest". Why is a rest area more attractive to you than a bonofide truck stop? Sure there are going to be times when due to traffic, etc. that you don't make your intended destination in time and need to use a rest area for lagalities sake.

Why should OTR's get to spend 10 hours and yet an RV should be there just to make a lunch or catch 40 winks?

FWIW...I've never seen any animosity between RV's and truckers at rest stops. Some OTR's have been quite helpful in fact. RV'ers that are using rest areas should be cognisant that they too are just a guest.