Arizona Trip - 1200 mile in my 40'MH

[Securit24]

The last time I posted - my concern was driving a 40' MH. Well last week I traveled in my MH to Gold Canyon, AZ

My trip was from Seabrook TX to Gold Canyon Arizona approx. 1200 miles one way. I split the travel into two days. There was so much to learn, about driving, the handling of the MH, night driving, fueling, resting...my brain was on overload! I forget to mention WEATHER!

Fueling was done mostly at truck stops because of the length of the MH and I was pulling a jeep which added to the issue. Every truck stop had different payment procedures. No major issues once I got this down, only one note is to have gloves & old sneakers - fueling diesel at truck stops is a dirty job.

Driving E/W or W/E on I-10 - There are strong cross wind signs - and they mean strong cross winds!!! When those cross winds hit, hold on with both hands - tight! Taking curves doing 65-70 mph is still unnerving but I will get used to it. Night driving is a whole new experience - there are no lights on these roads and you can't see anything along side. It's just you, the road and whatever crosses your path.

I pulled over about the half way point in a rest area to eat and then sleep until morning - I was alongside the trucks that were doing the same thing. At first I was very uncomfortable due to being out in the middle of nowhere with little or no cell signal...but soon fell asleep anyway - my pups were on guard duty.

I've always traveled by plane so the only weather that concerned me was the origin and destination. NOW.. I realized I must check the weather throughout the route - 60 and sunny when I left Seabrook - 50's at the midway point - until 1am then 30 deg (rain, snow and sleet) mountain weather changes fast!! Arizona beautiful 70-80 degrees!!

1st Long (to me) Trip, 1st Night driving, 1st Strong Cross Winds, 1st time Driving in Rain, Sleet and Snow... oh yeah... Mountain driving in Arizona 7% winding roads were a little scary coming down. Ok very scary - the MH and Jeep pick up speed fast!

My MH has so much equipment - so much electronics - maintenance - One day at a time learning!

All these firsts...and new experiences. Now being home I can't wait to do it AGAIN!!

[Birdie]

WOW! I have never had my rig up to 70, and only a couple of times have I touched 65. At that speed it would take a very long way to get stopped. Sure hope no deer or other wild thing gets in front of you on the highway.

Hope you enjoy you visit in AZ. This is a great time to be there.

[Bethers]

65 is the max I'll drive, and my rig is much smaller than yours. You do not have to go the high speeds. I'm comfortable at around 60 and that's where I stay. I know how long it takes for me to stop, etc. And if the winds pick up, I get off the roads. I don't drive in strong cross winds (did once, that was enough to learn my lesson). BTW, check your toad - mine says it is not to be towed at speeds beyond 65.

Glad you made it - but was there a reason to get to AZ so fast? My word of advice, unless you HAVE to do that - stop and smell the roses. Take your time. But don't get me wrong - congrats on what you've done - it is all a big learning curve.

[WickedLady]

Good for you! And ditto what Beth said.

[MelissaD]

Wow, lots of new experiences there. While I'll drive 600 miles per day as a truck driver for work when I'm in vacation mode it's more like 250-300 miles per day and I set the cruise at 60 mph. Less stress and I get better fuel mileage there. Also the tires on my trailer are only rated at 65 mph. Some "brands" of truck stops are cleaner than others. Flying J always seemed to put forth the effort to keep their fuel islands clean. I also dislike night driving because I miss all the scenery. A lot less traffic at 1 am but I can't see the country side.

You should also have an "engine brake" or Jake Brake on that rig which should keep your speed in check coming down the hills, keeping your brakes cool for an emergency.

Good luck and enjoy

[Securit24]

For now I use my MH to get to the destination. One day I will be able to enjoy more of the traveling (smelling the roses) - I'm limited with time. I will learn as I go how to judge the distance between stopping points a little better. For now I try to get to the destination quickly - safely.

I got to enjoy fun times with friends in Sunny Arizona the weather couldn't have been any better. Biking, Hiking and Just Enjoying

I was comfortable at 70mph but did reduce my speed at night and during inclement weather. Sometimes a great reduction!

I did look up my tow vehicle - Jeep Wrangler - I don't see any restrictions.
http://roadmasterinc.com/pdf/dtg_2014.pdf

I appreciate all the input and even doubting my choices - Never to young or to old to learn from others!!!

[Securit24]

Wow, lots of new experiences there. While I'll drive 600 miles per day as a truck driver for work when I'm in vacation mode it's more like 250-300 miles per day and I set the cruise at 60 mph. Less stress and I get better fuel mileage there. Also the tires on my trailer are only rated at 65 mph. Some "brands" of truck stops are cleaner than others. Flying J always seemed to put forth the effort to keep their fuel islands clean. I also dislike night driving because I miss all the scenery. A lot less traffic at 1 am but I can't see the country side.

You should also have an "engine brake" or Jake Brake on that rig which should keep your speed in check coming down the hills, keeping your brakes cool for an emergency.

Good luck and enjoy

Yes I have and used an exhaust brake it did slow it down - just a little scary!

[avalen]

enjoy your time in Arizona

[Rufflesgurl]

Renee - What a beautiful coach! Love the Tiffin Phaeton. I have a 35' Class A Holiday Rambler and usually do not go much over 62. Those winds are real scarey!! What year is your Phaeton? Pretty comfy huh? Glad you had a safe trip.

Linda

[Securit24]

Renee - What a beautiful coach! Love the Tiffin Phaeton. I have a 35' Class A Holiday Rambler and usually do not go much over 62. Those winds are real scarey!! What year is your Phaeton? Pretty comfy huh? Glad you had a safe trip.

Linda

Hi Linda,

It's a 2014 - Yes very comfy but tight until you open the slides. Then it's great!!

Thanks

[BirdbyBird]

Have fun, be safe and remember your camera next time..... We love pictures. How do you think some of us make out our list of places to go "next" time?

[gingerK]

Congrats on your first trip!

[Bethers]

My restrictions to tow at 65 or below are in my vehicle handbook. Just a fyi.

[JudyJB]

You are definitely very ambitious and energetic! Isn't it amazing how you can go from being worried about driving these huge beasts to jumping behind the wheel and taking off??

I 10 through Texas can definitely be scary. Luckily, the last time I drove it (west to east) I had a nice even tail wind instead of a side wind, which I had had before. With a strong side wind, I slow down to as much as 50 MPH. I have good brakes, but I also start down long, steep grades at a slower speed than I might normally drive. I also brake periodically if I start gaining a little speed.

Glad you enjoyed your first trip and hope you can take a little longer on your next one!

[MelissaD]

On long hills we use "stab braking". We pick a gear that the engine brake can almost hold you back all on it's own. As the speed gains 10 mph over your desired speed you apply the brakes firmly to drop your speed back down and then get off the brakes to allow them to cool. If you have the right gear it will take about a minute or so for your speed to build back up. It may mean going down the hill at 35 mph but it works. Some hills like Grapevine the speed limit is posted based on your weight. Riding your brakes (or slow steady pressure) just over heats them and causes them to fade in effectiveness.

An ole driver once told me " you can go down a hill many times to slow but you'll only go down it to fast, once." I was on I-70 heading east from the Eisenhower Tunnel to Denver. Some jerk was giving me grief on the CB for going to slow down the hill and the other driver chirped in to give me some moral support. Been passed by more than one truck on a grade to watch him later smoke his brakes and even set them on fire.

People need to remember that RV's and big trucks do not handle like cars and back it down. I remember when WV turned their speed limit up from 55 mph. Worked ok for the cars but for more than one RV and big truck it ended badly. Remember one driver complaining on the radio he was having a hard time controlling his big truck at 70 mph on the twists and turn in WV. Finally some ole boy got on the radio and flat out told him he was not driving a car and even though the speed limit was posted at 65 or 70 mph, he was being an idiot to try and drive his truck that fast.

Sorry, did not mean to get up on my soap box. After 20 years I've seen some stupid stuff on the road and after a while the out come is rather predictable.