Lessons learned from camping at daughters house

[RVMichael]

Lesson #1 Amps -- Have daughter install a 30 amp plug. I had to compete with 6 Christmas outdoor blow up, each having their own motor drawing precious amps. Additionally, my other daughter had her brand new plug in hybrid-car plugged in, even though it will run on gas just fine. Non-RVer's just don't understand that amps coming from a socket have a finite quantity and one just can't plug in everything they want.

Lesson #2 Winds -- Know the winds and the potential for increasing winds near storms. There was about 30 to 35 knot winds out of the west with "pop-up" fast moving showers. Literally 5 miles after we left, a semi large bridge crossed the Manatee River over I-75. There was a shower moving toward the northeast with a breeze enhancer increasing the westerly winds to probably 50 to 60 knots. I swear we were on 2 wheels as we went over the apex of the bridge. Another spot near Tampa had what was close to a microburst and literally pushed the entire RV over 3 feet. Luckily I was in the slow land and there was a large size developed shoulder. I stopped at the next rest area about 4 miles up the road, put down my RV stabilizers and simply walked around the rest area until my hands stopped shaking. Never, never, never play with the winds in an RV!

Lesson #3 Don't always believe other RV'ers -- When heading northbound from Savannah, a fellow RV'er was packing up about 5 AM. After speaking to him, he warned me that he was late and in danger of being in the dreaded 2 lane I-75 traffic through South Carolina. Of course fearing what he said, I told the wife and we packed up and got out of there also. Not one traffic jam heading north the entire way. He said he had done it for 15 years and there was a traffic jam every year. We did see many jams heading south, but the north bound was fairly decent and we maintained 65 mph the entire way.

There's probably more lessons, but I will be putting in the 30 amp plug at my daughter's house so that I can have a cup of coffee and TV and space heater and refrigerator all on during the cold crisp DC mornings.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by RVMichael

There's probably more lessons, but I will be putting in the 30 amp plug at my daughter's house so that I can have a cup of coffee and TV and space heater and refrigerator all on during the cold crisp DC mornings.

For a few dollars more.. put in a dedicated "full meal deal" 50/30/20 amp RV wired RV box.

[K0LCB]

I’m glad you survived! I learn something new everyday

[TurnerFam]

I75 doesn't run thru South Carolina : /

[JamieGeek]

We have a dedicated line for the PHEV/EV including its own meter and own electricity rate. (For the cars it also charges them up about 4x as fast as plugging into a 120V 12A line.)

The installation was covered by a tax break to boot.

[Bob Denman]

Since you're adding electric: you might as well go top-shelf, and spring for some sewer & water connections as well...

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Since you're adding electric: you might as well go top-shelf, and spring for some sewer & water connections as well...

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by turnerfam

i75 doesn't run thru south carolina : /

i-95, lol.

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

For a few dollars more.. put in a dedicated "full meal deal" 50/30/20 amp RV wired RV box.

My son-in-law says he knows a guy . I have visions of a fire in the middle of the night or perhaps plugging in the RV only to have it explode.

I'll speak to him to ask about the upgrade and get a quote.

[Chuck and Mary Ann]

I-95 can turn into a nightmare at any time, only take one idiot to screw it all up! been in it too many times from FL to NC!

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by K0LCB

I’m glad you survived! I learn something new everyday

If in doubt, believe the wind forecast. It was one of the most harrowing experiences in my life, especially on the bridge.

"They reported minimum overturning wind speeds (perpendicular to the vehicle) of 24 m/s (53 mi/hr) for a 5.5 m [18 foot] travel trailer, 29 m/s (65 mi/hr) for a 9 m [29.5 foot] motor home, 33 m/s (73 mi/hr) for a 13,600 kg semi-trailer, and 45 m/s (101 mi/hr) for a 5 m [16.4 foot] camper van [class B]."

High wind article found here.

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by RVMichael

If in doubt, believe the wind forecast. It was one of the most harrowing experiences in my life, especially on the bridge.

"They reported minimum overturning wind speeds (perpendicular to the vehicle) of 24 m/s (53 mi/hr) for a 5.5 m [18 foot] travel trailer, 29 m/s (65 mi/hr) for a 9 m [29.5 foot] motor home, 33 m/s (73 mi/hr) for a 13,600 kg semi-trailer, and 45 m/s (101 mi/hr) for a 5 m [16.4 foot] camper van [class B]."

High wind article found here.

I'd love to here any advice regarding wind, especially from those out west where I have heard the winds can be very voracious. I will be traveling out that way once we go full time next year.

Thanks!

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chuck and Mary Ann

I-95 can turn into a nightmare at any time, only take one idiot to screw it all up! been in it too many times from FL to NC!

Yup! It only takes one of them:looking for the next "South of The Border" sign...

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by RVMichael

My son-in-law says he knows a guy...

I'll speak to him to ask about the upgrade and get a quote.

Perhaps the local KOA isn't so bad after all...

Doing it right the first time is always faster and cheaper; than later repairs on a "really good deal"...

[Mr Sunshine]

Originally Posted by RVMichael

I'd love to here any advice regarding wind, especially from those out west where I have heard the winds can be very voracious. I will be traveling out that way once we go full time next year.
Thanks!

You already know the best advice, park it! When weather is threatening, it's a good time to find a safe place to pull over and wait it out.

Websites like weatherunderground will give you projected wind speeds.

Years ago, I saw dozens of semis on their sides, blown off the road on I-80 in western Iowa. An image like that stays with you forever.

[Bob Denman]

Amen...

[Thehobe1]

Before instlling the 30A breaker, check the wiring path to the outlet you are going to use for the correct gauge wire or you may burn your daughters house down!

[RVMichael]

Originally Posted by Thehobe1

Before instlling the 30A breaker, check the wiring path to the outlet you are going to use for the correct gauge wire or you may burn your daughters house down!

If the electrician is certified, would he be obligated to check this aspect?

[Bob Denman]

If he doesn't: then he is certifiable...