As part of the not-so-risk-free trial for transitioning towards the full-time RV lifestyle, a shakedown trip just isn't enough. So we now go on our first real trip: One week in North Carolina. To get there, though, a travel day, or in our case days, is needed.
As was mentioned in the previous trip, driving with the RV is quite a bit different from just driving a car, or even a pick-up truck without something in tow. However, the fuel costs were quite exorbitant. Merely going approximately 650 miles one way made quite a dent on the pocketbook for fuel. And that's with the mistake of both filling AND splashing the tank in a high priced state. There wasn't much of a choice because of how much of the trip was done there, but some clever planning can help. Know what states are relatively cheap for gas, and try to do fill-ups there, with large or small splashes elsewhere.
The traffic was quite the interesting dynamic. When you have one person who hates heavy traffic, a driver who thrives in it, an easily anxious pup, and then add an additional 25 feet of length to the back, you can have an interesting travel day. Usually you want to avoid rush hour times on your trip if you can help it, but why not experience the Capital Beltway during the evening peak, even if it's only for masochistic tendencies? Surprisingly enough, the pup did just fine with it, but you really must have potentially different habits when driving with a trailer. You're not going to be able to weave through traffic, so commit yourself to a lane. Try to get a feel for how things flow. Make sure you allow for more room from the guy in front of you, but be ready for "that driver" who will cut into the spot and slam on the brakes. Also be sure there's enough room in the back before you switch lanes. And don't get too annoyed if everyone's passing you; you're not necessarily going to be able to get up to full highway speed when pulling, and some states will have a lower limit.
With our first trip came our first "boondock", courtesy of a popular gas and travel station chain. We filled up to make sure we were a customer, and were able to secure a spot in the lot to park for the night. Needless to say, the trailer was quite warm on the inside, despite a cool breeze outside, and the shock of southern workers turning on the heat and wearing sweatshirts in 60 degree weather. Opening some windows to get the air flowing certainly helped, and although it wasn't as comfortable as a few times during our car camping days, we made it work.
Posting here from North Carolina, it is a bit on the hot side, but a very nice place, and a great journey to get here. More on the area will come in a later post, but for now, remember to follow your internal compass.
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