Traveling Solo

I'm aiming this subject at Patricia. We belong to a large rv group, There are a number of solo travelers, most are women. These women are not young by age, just young at heart. They travel coast to coast and Alaska. They are strong willed and determined  to enjoy there lives. Patricia, I recommend you ask as many questions as needed on this forum. You will make friends on the road, RV rallies is a way to stay in touch with friends who have a common interest. Good luck.

   Lynn 2018   2400

Well said!

That's why I have a fairly specific location listed... HOPEFULLY anyone that needs help will ask if nearby...and for an RV 'nearby' is within 200 miles, right? 

I am a member of a VW forum called The Samba, and there has been several times members 'passing thru' would contact me for problems, or just to see the face behind the name.

Well if I had considered traveling alone when we made the decision to trade for the phoenix cruiser I think the unit design would have been different. The 2910T had a lot of set up with 3 slides. So set up can include parking, leveling, connecting the electric & turning it on in that order. Opening the slides and adjusting whatever needs to be set in place inside once these slides are out. And all this is after I disconnect the tow car and park it off to the side.

So as a one man band it can seem like a lot unless you are working on automatic pilot and just hop to it and get it done. You must have it all organized in your head and have your list in the same place. There may be cable line to connect, or water if your system needs water.

This unit has worked well for two of us traveling with Miss dog. And was enough room to be comfortable. And now getting out of the house and seeing other places is even more important. The walls close in. So its about travel time soon.

See  ya.

Hello Patricia--Feel free to pm me if ya want to chat about solo'ing on the road.  Been full timing over four years now in my PC 2351.  While I don't have the technical expertise that so many on this forum have, I have the traveling side well in hand (hope I didn't just jinx myself).  There are several solo women on this forum, at least one of whom also full-times and has a larger rig plus toad, like you.  Wishing you good luck and great joy in your travels--Carol

Patricia

I am one who Carol referred to.  I have the 3100 so I have the length but only one slide out.  FT with a dog and 2 cats. And tow a Chevy Sonic.   My official residence is Bushnell but I am up north right now.  I have only been FT since March and the lessons keep appearing. as I go.   I have a checklist on my phone of all the things I need to remember to check (and double check) before I pull out each time.   As others have offered - if there is anything I can try to answer for you or just someone else to connect with, feel free to send me a message.  I counted on carol and others from the forum to help me understand and get started.  As you go along just remember stuff does happen.  You have to just breathe and then look at what your options are at that time. The groups are a good idea too.  I am in a women's RV group.  The members list gives you access to people in different areas who can and will come to your aid if you get in a real mess.
Diana

Condolences  Patricia . RIP Jim.

Ford builds reliable trucks that will get you there and back safely. Keep the tires and brakes maintained, and change the oil , atf  and  coolant on schedule. But just in case, always have an emergency towing and roadside assist policy like Coachnet or Good Sam.

Phoenix USA builds a solid and reliable coach using quality components and common systems. Look over the system manuals that came with your owners manual and carry them with you. Browse the excellent how to videos on the Phoenix website that Earl and Kyle made. Most importantly, monitor and maintain the coach batteries. Buy a simple  4 digit voltmeter that pugs into any one of your 12v cigarette lighter style plugs that Phoenix installed for adding a television, not one of the plugs on the dash. You can buy them from Amazon or Ebay. Monitor the coach battery voltage so you are aware of any potential problems  ahead of time !!

Carry a small basic tool kit including screwdrivers, pliers, needle nose pliers, scissors, a  box cutter knife, a  crescent wrench, a small socket set, electrical tape, zip ties, duct tape, flashlights, extra batteries,  and an auto ranging volt-ohm meter. It’s actually quite simple to  learn how to measure for 12V DC voltage and to check for continuity and open fuses if something fails to turn on. Just be sure to switch  off the coach batteries prior to checking for continuity or open fuses with the ohm meter.

Consider using the Uber app on your phone  instead of a toad. A ride is only 10 minutes away anywhere there is cell phone service.  Don’t extend all 3 slides on shorter trips if you don’t need them all.

Maybe look into getting a Thousand Trails annual camping pass. Non-members can make online reservations at rvonthego.com. Get a feel for the amenities, friendly people,  and benefits of their network.  I have not yet  purchased an annual pass , but we have met some nice friendly people at Thousand Trails resorts  who travel extensively within the network.

Keep on truckin’ !!

I had a look in the bins and I have a full line tool kit. and I have other things under the sofa...
have all kinds  of things ... I got rid of the over abundance of washing brushes and made one bin my safety equip. which is the DOT road obstacle triangle set ,heavy duty jumper cable, safety glasses, a 27 ft wench... no plans to use but I have it so put it all rolled up in the big bin. I will re evaluate things soon as I get the garage in better order. I moved out of Jims shop so now to get things in some kind of order and see what is useful where.

have re-upped my coach net service. Had it ages so may as well. I did not come across my machete yet. I had put it in once when some lady said we would be on the edge of the woods... and where we were going that meant palmetto's which are often home to rattle snakes... I do want to find it again though. I can be the Great White Hunter then....

I will feel better about  going on my own if I can get the Jeep gear shift into the correct stop to tow. I had asked for direction but did not get that instruction... now it is up to me. Not my first go at shifting gears. So that will be my
big test.

If the HOA "Get outta here" letter arrives I may indeed be on the road going to visit here and there.
Thanks for the assist. with this Ford unit  is lower than the Class A I drove for many years, shorter too and no Jake brake, which can be very handly in hills. So there are less cant go there places with this unit. And that is good. See ya  on the road I hope. Thanks so much, Patricia  (HenryJ)

Sounds like you have things under control, some of us may need to ask you for advice. Keep us informed of your travels.

   Lynn

Patricia,
I purchased my PC2552 after my husband passed away because I did not think I could manage towing and setting up our trailer on my own.  I have had the PC for less than a year, but find I can manage it solo.  I have not tried to tow a car yet, maybe next year, but I did add a bike rake to my hitch, which gives me an option for getting around when I want to leave campground.  The checklist is a great idea, I use one for set-up and pack-up.  I have the HWH leveling system, which is a lifesaver.  I found a great truck service center that takes care of routine maintenance of the chassis.  I wash mine on own due to the lack of a local service, but would think about using one if available.  The one feature I wish I had traveling solo, is Bluetooth connecting my phone to the stereo.  I view this as a safety feature I forgot to add.  A new stereo, may be a Christmas present to myself in the future.  I can’t say that traveling without my best friend is not lonely, but no one yells at me while backing into a site. . My sincere condolences on your loss. 

Erin

Update. I left 11 a.m. Wednesday 22nd.. later than my usual but had to make an appt. Then I said if I am ever going need to get at it and I did. When I returned Sunday 5:45 pm I had done 1488.6 miles  to Tennessee and stopped in to see former neighbor now 97 who was in a rehab place after a bad fall. Then back south a stop in traffic nightmare Atlanta and another stop in small old town also in Ga. then home again. Went well. Now I reevaluate my skills and organization at getting things done. But looks good.

Patrica, you're a fast learner. I've been rving for years and wouldn't think of going through Atlanta. Safe travels.

  Lynn

Ha ha. Ive gone through several times and several with a 41 ft Allegro Bus... that was un nerving to say the least. I did it this time because of the stops I had to make. And my son said take the by pass... well we did 10 miles at 5 mph or less so it took ages to get where I was going. And I have new instructions from a friend who does not have a rv but her travel route is more enjoyable than Atlanta by far... so I printed it out so I can add it to my route next go round. I usually skip all the way over to Alabama and skip ga all together... See ya. P

PS  Nashville is not good either. But it is difficult to skip all the horrid city driving. Just pick your time to pass through and that makes a world of difference.