Cross Country "Camping" Trip in January

TRNewtown

Joined
Apr 5, 2007
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187
Location
Moorestown, NJ
Bike
2004 ST1300 ABS
In January I am taking a week to drive an RV from Phoenix to Orlando for my brother. If anyone has any experience with this type of a trip, I have a few questions:
- Weather - Assuming I take the southern most route (I-10) is there a chance of ice or snow in early January?
- Texas Fuel Availability - I almost ran out of fuel on a motorcycle along a stretch of I-10 in West Texas a while back. Is fuel (diesel) readily available along I-10 in Texas?
- I-10 Information - Are there restrictions for overnight stays in rest stops along I-10? Are there Walmarts located along I-10?

I have experience with RV's, but my travels were mostly limited to the East Coast. Any information or suggestions related to a trip like this would be appreciated.
 
There are Walmart's on I10 all across the country. There are many Pilots and Flying Js on I10. In West Texas, if you get to 1/2 tank, fill up at the next available Diesel. I got stuck in Junction for 3 days in January this year because of ice, I was on my bike. I make the trip from San Diego to Stockton AL every year for the Stagecoach event the end of December. On the bike I had to stop every 200 miles for fuel and I didn't have any problems with running out. I don"t know what the miles per tank you have on the RV, but with ours we get close to 300 miles per tankful. There is fuel in Lordsburg, Deming, Las Cruces, El Paso, Van Horn, Fort Stockton, Ozona, Junction, Kerrville, San Antonio. From there east you shouldn't have any problems.
 
Thanks for the info on fuel availability. The RV I am picking up is a 32 foot 2006 Winnebago Journey diesel pusher. I will have to check on the size of the fuel tank and the expected miles per gallon. I still remember coasting into a rest area on gas fumes on I-10 in Texas on a BMW F800ST. It had a smaller tank and my GPS sent me to gas station that had closed years ago. At the rest area a guy was pouring gas from a 5 gallon jug into his pickup and I was able to get a 1/2 gallon from him to make it to the next gas station.

I am not a big fan of truck stops (Pilots / Flying J's) if I am trying to get some rest because of the noise of the idling trucks. On the East Coast I would use Walmart parking lots, Cracker Barrel parking lots, or rest stops (if allowed).

The plans for this trip are to fly from Philadelphia to Phoenix, pick up the RV from the dealer, spend a week driving to Orlando, pick up my brother in Orlando, and head north to NJ. My brother is dropping off his old RV (a 34' 1997 Winnebago Adventurer) at a dealer in Orlando. It should be an adventure.
 
Your theme seems to be camp free at Walmart:

Wilcox Az, has a Walmart
Deming NM has a Walmart
Las Cruces NM has 3 Walmarts.
El Paso has Walmarts,
Fort Stockton TX has a Walmart
Kerrville TX has a Walmart,..............About every 50 miles has a Walmart east of there. They even sell an Altas (at Walmart) that has a star for every Walmart location in towns!!

Your set. Does that RV have a tag that says When I die bury me at Walmart so my wife will visit me? HAHA

There is an empty "burg" 5 miles into NM that has lots of empty parking lots, was just thru there last week. Lots of free RV parking in the entire old gas station on the east side of NM80 just off I10.
 
ZIAMON said:
Your theme seems to be camp free at Walmart:
Click to expand...

Guilty as charged. I will be traveling over 2,100 miles in about a week, so I will not have time for or need a full service campground most nights. The RV should be self sufficient with a generator, propane, water, hot water, microwave, and a refrigerator. I like Walmart parking lots for RV travel because they tend to be safe, well lit, and you can pick up most things you need for the trip. I will be flying out to Phoenix with only a carry-on bag with me and will need to buy food and other items for the trip.

If the weather cooperates and I have the time, I would like to see some sights off of I-10 as well. I will check on RV sites in the New Orleans area.
 
T_C said:
I found from experience that there is a no-parking WalMart Super in El Paso. Always check before crashing...
Click to expand...
Good point, some Walmart's don't allow overnight parking. If you see big rigs parked, you can stay. I've never been rousted from one yet.
 
Just booked one way airfare to Phoenix. Arriving in Phoenix on Monday (Jan 4th), picking up the RV, and then heading east. The only changes so far are that I will be picking up my nephew in Houston, and then will be heading to Valdosta, GA (not Orlando) before heading north to NJ. Hoping for good weather and some good BBQ in Texas.
 
I am packing for this cross country camping trip and am trying to decide if I should pay an extra $25 to take a checked bag. My clothes should fit in a carry-on bag, but I will either need to bring another bag or need to buy things on my trip like utensils, protein drinks, sleeping bag, pillow, and cooking gear. Are there airline restrictions on metal utensils, knives, and fluids (protein drinks) in checked luggage?
 
I haven't heard of a restriction on items in your checked luggage... except things that can or be made to go bang...

Pillow, pillow case would be important to me on your kind of tour... I'd use the trip to augment your motorcycle camping gear with utensils and backcamping pots and pans! :)
There is an REI close to the PHX airport in Tempe. :)

Stop in Wilcox AZ for gas at the same offramp as Stout's Cider Mill and get some apple pie (really).

Enjoy!
Mark
 
No restrictions in checked baggage with the exception of compressed gas canisters and or flammable liquids... ;)
 
We went out camping as my girls called it for many years in the RV. Now they are all grown up. Not really camping, motel on wheels. February is usually the worse month. You should do just fine. Happy camping.
 
Its looking like rain for most of the trip. Not a big deal, but just need to make sure that the RV is ready to roll. I have decided to pack a 2nd bag that needs to be checked. No flammables in the checked bag, but have some sharp objects and some liquids.
 
I'm finally on the road after camping at the RV dealer for two nights. All the repairs are completed and I am in Las Cruces tonight staying at a Cracker Barrel. The RV dealer in Mesa was great and this version of camping suits me fine (now that everything works).

I need to be in Valdosta GA early Saturday morning, so it looks like I will not be able to do much other than travel at high speeds along I10 for the next few days.
 
Hi Jim. Thanks for the welcome to Las Cruces. I didn't think I would need to turn the heat on being so close to Mexico.

I will do my part of stimulating the local economy by eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel tomorrow morning. But then it's back on the road.
 
Just arrived at the RV Park in Valdosta GA. Holy Cr*p that was a long drive on I-10!! The good news is that the repairs on the RV were made and there have been no mechanical issues so far. The bad news is that the 2 and 1/2 day delay for the repairs took up any time I hoped to go sightseeing. However, I was able to go out to dinner with my nephew who lives in Houston when he's not on a rig in the Gulf of Mexico. He was very interested in seeing the new RV from Arizona his dad had purchased over the internet.

I saw a few bikes on my travels (mostly Harleys with luggage) and some of the days were fairly pleasant with highs in the low 60's. I understand why the snowbirds come to the SouthWest in Winter.

For those keeping score, I stayed zero nights at Wal-Marts, two nights in the RV in the dealers parking lot, two nights at Cracker Barrels, and tonight at a RV park with Wi-Fi. There was too much activity at the Walmarts which were open 24 hours (lights, shoppers, cars, etc.), while Cracker Barrels close at 10pm and have a designated RV/Bus parking area. I did pick up supplies at Walmart when I was delayed in Arizona.
 
Hopefully the next time I am back in Arizona I will be on two wheels (not six wheels). I rented a car while waiting for the RV to be fixed and saw the positive influence of the University on the area. Not sure I am ready to be a SnowBird, but I would certainly like to visit again.
 
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