Planning the big one

[MyronL]

Last week here at home the question of a big vacation trip for 2007 arose over coffee and a cookie. My first thought was Nova Scotia. The Blue Nose, puffins, the Cabot Trail, Fort Louisburg, etc., etc. Ah, the maritimes...haven’t been there in many moons. Dear One responded, “Great!” When Dear One answers with brevity like that something’s up.

I knew instinctively other plans were afoot.

Dear One lived in Albuquerque in her prime, and hasn’t seen beloved old uncle Ted in 15 years. She also hasn’t guided me around the big balloon festival in 15 years. Remember how you loved those fat, two-dollar breakfast burritos we had at dawn? she says to me. So today, our long-range vacation thinking is about a 2-week drive to New Mexico. Well now, since we will be towing our Burro from New Jersey and only have two weeks, this will take some careful planning. Need a little guidance on that.

I have had this old Burro two years but it took me a year to make it functional again. Have used it on three trips so far, and the first trip was a mechanical disaster. I am confident we are ready to do this, but my practical road experience is junior league. Regardless, for me the thrill is not the destination; it’s always been the journey itself.

I figure, get to Albuquerque fast as I can. Maximize the little time we’ll have out there. It is a region that’s still as romantic to me as an old Gene Autry movie but being an easterner of course I have zero comprehension of true distance on a western scale.

Have 13 ft Burro and ’92 Explorer, both in v. good shape. Here’s our rough plan thus far:

Hope to average 10 hours of driving each day getting to Albuquerque, our prime destination. We’ll take I-80 to the middle of Ohio and our first stop for the night. I’m guessing the Columbus area. (Sure, we'll be making the obligatory pit stops. Whenever she says I need to stop, we stop.)

Can we overnight it at a traveler’s rest stop along the way? No hassles? Would like to do the same thing again the next night, probably somewhere near St. Louis, or Joplin? Our third night in transit would likely be in Oklahoma, or maybe someplace in the Texas panhandle.

Once in Albuquerque, probably October 4th or 5th, we’ll park the Burro at a campsite for 2 or 3 days while doing our visiting, catching the balloon festival, etc. Haven’t reserved any campsites yet. Gosh, is it too late? If so, know any secret, alternative places to park it? I know the balloon festival is a really big thing.

We then will go north, probably pausing for an hour or two at Santa Fe, Taos, and on to the San Juan Mountains, ending eventually somewhere north of Denver, I guess. By then, whatever day it is, we probably will have to point it east and rip it to get back home by day 14. My Colorado experiences are limited to one fateful day in Pagosa Springs, but that’s a story for another day.

The Ford has the 6 cylinder 4 liter engine and runs strong. Tranny has been rebuilt. New tires all around, including the Burro. This rig will climb a mountain, right?

All advice, personal opinions, cautions, etc., gratefully appreciated.

[Nancy]

Frankly this doesn't sound like fun at all. I would not want to do 5,000 in 2 weeks without a trailer.

You must be a lot younger than we are. Even in our early years we did not attempt that long of a distance in 2 weeks. We are in the midwest and have gone to one coast or another in a 2 week trip, driving 16 hour days in our youth.

Also it is possible you could run into snow in October in the mountains.

Why not fly to out, enjoy the visit and activity, fly home, and save some of that vacation time for more leisurely exploring.

Just my opinion. We do 3,000 in 3 weeks with the trailer and that is exhausting enough. If you do go be sure to pick up a WalMart map and look for their lots along the way.

Also remember that trailer tires are not meant to go 70mph down the road.

Good luck.

Nancy in No. MN

[John Perry]

The Ford has the 6 cylinder 4 liter engine and runs strong. Tranny has been rebuilt. New tires all around, including the Burro. This rig will climb a mountain, right?

All advice, personal opinions, cautions, etc., gratefully appreciated.

Myron, that is quit a trip, hope you and the boss enjoy it. Tranny has been rebuilt so I assume it is an automatic.
My one bit of advice, if you do not have an add on transmission cooler get one. Heat is the biggest killer of automatic transmissions and you are heading for hot country.
If you have rebuilt your burro then you can probably install a cooler your self. It is not a difficult or time consuming job.

Enjoy,
John

[Gary Lynch]

Like John says, get a trans oil cooler. I just did it. They are not expensive and super easy to install. Less than $100.

Do you have new bearings on the Burro? Pack those super well.

Oh yes, make sure you bring your credit card............and a good assortment of tools.

Last but not least...........a great travel mug for the 30 weight truck drivers coffee you will be needing.

[jack maloney]

I second Nancy - ask your bride to fly out, visit and fly home. Her airfare will be less than your road travel costs (much less, when you figure gasoline + meals), and the whole thing will be easier on your bod.

Save your vacation time for Nova Scotia; you won't blow all your days fighting traffic. NS is a great place, wonderful campgrounds, and you already know the best features!

[David Schroeder]

My wife Bonnie and I are planning a long trip from our home in Michigan to Portland Oregon for this summer. I have the flexibility to take more time off than she does, so the dog and I will drive out and back together while she flies commercial. This will maximize the use of her vacation time and if booked ahead, airfare isn't to steep. If you have different amounts of time off this could enable you to have both trips?
Dave

Could also lessen the clean up time on those pesky blood stains inside the trailer!

[CarolnJim]

Hello Myron

5000 in 2 weeks. (Not for us) .. As I see it, you aren't going to have anytime to really see and enjoy anything. That's a lot of miles in such a short time and might be very tiring.

Pulling a trailer and driving 10 hours a day @ an average of 60 mph would be 600 a day plus gas stops, rest stops.. etc. Going through towns is slower.. Finding campsites too. It all takes time.

I'm sure we couldn't keep that up for long. We like to drive no more than 300-350 a day in order to enjoy the trip.

Please do drive careful on your planned trip and have fun.

[David & Leslie]

Hi Myron - well, I have to say we agree with those who say "fly". We love long trips with our Egg - in fact, we have been on the road since last fall, BUT we have no set schedule, don't have to BE anywhere at a certain time, etc. Since you have family in ABQ area, flying rather than tugging sounds like a better way to enjoy your vacation. Hmmm, perhaps you could fly one way and take the train back (at least part of the way?). Either way, have a great experience in the West.

If you decide to make it trailer travel, you have the right idea about Rest Areas on I-80 - we have used them quite a lot. Also, the reminder about Wal-Mart parking is a good one. In Oklahoma City, we have stayed at the KOA - it is really nice. Also, you might check out Corps of Engineer parks near your travel route; however, they are sometimes 'off the beaten path' and might take more time to locate than you have to spend.

Just a bit of rambling ... hope it helps. And when you do get to the Maritimes, have a wonderful time! Take care, L 'n D

[MyronL]

Ah, thanks, L'nD, for the reassurance on Interstate rest stops. I needed that. Back in '51, I think, before there were interstates, we were living in Calif. and had to rush back east for a family emergency. Mom and dad alternated at the wheel of dad's Packard and we made it home in 5 days. Gee, maybe long, boring drives across vast spaces are in my blood. I can still remember begging dad to stop when we passed Yosemite.

Actually, Nancy's family are in their 90's and would not be able to put us up. Call me nuts but flying kinda puts the kabosh on seeing-doing anything outside of Albuquerque. Not to mention the obvious, but if we fly we then must find/pay for places to sleep for the two weeks, be at the mercy of public transportation and/or would need to rent a car. I like mobility but these days am not that keen on walking. What’s 12 nights in a motel cost?

Hey, Gary, long time! After all that work and you sold your Burro? Holy great jumpin’ catfish!

I just checked and it looks to me like my ’92 Ford Explorer XLT has a factory installed transmission cooler, attached to front of radiator. Here are two pix. If that is right, Gary, are you guys suggesting I add a second cooler? Yes, Burro wheel bearings are all brand new. Would bring along replacement spare parts, flat tire repair kit and tools of course. I also liked what I have read earlier on this forum about Good Sam’s road tow insurance so after a bad experience with AAA, got Good Sam.

Say, this forum is about the joy of trailer touring, isn’t it? Hel-lo?

[Pete Dumbleton]

You already have the auxilliary cooler that folks are recommending (probably has the towing package, with the power steering cooler and the extra relay for the trailer lighting that my 98 Ranger with the same engine has).

Re-read your owner's manual about using your transmission -- Be esp careful to downshift if the transmission starts 'hunting' between gears on uphill or headwinds.

Get in the habit of checking the tire and hub temperatures of truck and trailer EVERY time you stop and you will be far less likely to be surprised by tire or bearing failures -- Keep all your tire pressures up to psi stated on sidewalls of all your tires.

Trailer touring is different than trailer racing... But for the kind of trip you are planning, campgrounds aren't much of a solution because you'll waste a lot of time looking for them. I recommend checking out the Flying J fuel stations (they have a web site and encourage RVers), Cracker Barrel, and of course WalMart (As suggested, get your Road Atlas there as it will be your WalMart Woodall's!).

If you don't already have CG reservations in ABQ during the Balloon Festival you may have difficulty finding a place to camp...

[Joy A]

Oh My!!!

Silly me

I put my "3 month" 12,000 mile trip East and back off until next year because just thinking about it made me tired.

[CindyL]

Myron,

Kevin and I often drive long distances to conferences and will be doing this in a couple of weeks. We are out in Pine Ridge, SD right now, having driven from Chicago to here in a day and a half. We feel just like you do. In two weeks, when we drive to San Antonio, we will have our car to go wherever we want and when we want. And be able to pick up our new Uhaul on the way home.
We know how easy it is to tow a 13' Burro. We will miss Lil Jenny (13" Burro) when we sell her.

Have a great trip!

CindyL

PS: I say this but, the truth is, Kevin does most of the driving.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Myron...This sounds like a possible case for over heated wheel berrings That far that fast Make sure there is time to "Stop and smell the roses along the way" even if they're in the green house Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Loren G. Hedahl]

Too many fears!

Take along some extra coin for whatever might come up.

Then just GO!

When you get back you'll have something to "write home about".

Loren

[Gary Lynch]

Myron,

Check your owners manual and make sure that is not a AC cooler. Many cars (most) come with an AC cooler up there. My Pre-Runner has a huge one. My old Tacoma had a small AC cooler up front that looked like a trans oil cooler but it wasn't. Just a heads up.

Yes sold the 13' Burro. It was fine for me but my wife wanted a bathroom and my dog wanted to sleep under the table instead of in the camper shell. I was told to order a Casita ASAP!

[Dan Meyer]

Mapquest.com reports New Jersey to Albuquerque at about 30 hours and 2000 miles. This means that three 10 hour days is doable. I would plan on either 4 days or longer days driving to make sure I made it in 3 days.

You can (usually) stay overnight in interstate rest areas, but the biggest problem that I've found is that with all the semi's doing the same thing it tends to get noisy. When my wife and I have travel across the country we have enjoyed overnight stays at KOA campgrounds. The service and amenities at KOA's are fairly consistent, reasonably priced and located almost anywhere you are going.

I don't think you will have any problems in the mountains, except having to slow down going up hill. Don't forget to use lower gears to control your speed while coming down any grade. If you use your brakes to control your speed they are likely to overheat and not work.

-- Dan Meyer

[Victor Benz]

Myron;

Hat off to you; this is a major undertaking. I would make sure you have some flexible float at the end. Many moons ago I did a cross-country jaunt of this size, tent camping all the way. Saturday night found us in Kenora, Ontario with both of us having to be at work in Edmonton, Alberta at 08:00 Monday! That's a distance of 1000 miles. We did it, but I would not want to repeat it.

The way we travel now, we plan to return home 2-3 days before reporting to work. That way if something happens en-route, we have a float. Another key item for us, we stay off the highways Friday after 12:00 and Sunday after 12:00. That's the time for all the crazies wanting to either get out, or get home in NASCAR time.

Vic

[Pete Dumbleton]

Check your owners manual and make sure that is not a AC cooler. Many cars (most) come with an AC cooler up there. My Pre-Runner has a huge one. My old Tacoma had a small AC cooler up front that looked like a trans oil cooler but it wasn't. Just a heads up.

Better still is to follow the hose/piping out of the cooler and see if they go to the radiator and back towards the transmission or if they go to the a/c compressor. My 98 Ranger (same basic Mazda platform as the Explorer) has *three* coolers plus the radiator (aux trans, power steering and a/c).

[MyronL]

I checked, and I read my Ford tech/service manual.

The 1992 Ford Explorer with the 4.0L gas engine comes with a factory installed auxilary oil cooler hooked up in series with the radiator. The pictures I posted earlier are it. Fluid travels through the radiator cooler, through the auxilary cooler, then back to the transmission. No AC cooler.

[Frederick L. Simson]

All advice, personal opinions, cautions, etc., gratefully appreciated.

I have done this. You can, too!

My advise, in no particular order...

This is a [b]Mission, be prepared, but most of all alert. Situations will crop up, and opportunities will come at you from the most [b]UNexpected phenomena. The best use of your time while driving will be communicating with your partner. You will be a captive audience for each other, but you must also really rely on each other to get you through this. Engage and involve [b]the both of you in every aspect, beginning NOW in the planning stages.

Do not judge. Do not criticize. Remember the scene in The Long, Long Trailer when Desi says something to cause Lucy to get into the back seat and sit in stony silence with her arms crossed. [b]This is a very real pitfall. I have stumbled into it more than once.