Two week trip with DW, DS, DS, DS and DS's friend

[dfonner]

Hello - we are in the process of planning a two week trip with us and 4 boys that will start next July from St. Louis and take us through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and parts of Baja California. Can anyone offer any "Must See" locations, CG's, Dry Camping locations, etc? We still have not purchased a PU, but plan on doing so in the next month or so so we can get used to it prio to taking it on the road for two weeks.

Comments? Questions?

Thanks!

[AustinBoston]

It would be really helpful to know how old DS, DS, DS, and DS's friend are.

Make sure paperwork is in order before bringing anyone (especially non-family members a.k.a. DS's friend) into Mexico.

Travelling in those areas in July DEMANDS an air conditioner.  Unfortunately, it won't run while dry camping unless you bring a generator.

Austin

[dfonner]

It would be really helpful to know how old DS, DS, DS, and DS's friend are.

Make sure paperwork is in order before bringing anyone (especially non-family members a.k.a. DS's friend) into Mexico.

Travelling in those areas in July DEMANDS an air conditioner.  Unfortunately, it won't run while dry camping unless you bring a generator.

Austin

DS1 - 5
DS2 - 9
DS3 - 13
DS3's friend - 13

I have been looking at some of the smaller gen's to take, but not sure what the smallest one is that will run the AC.

Thanks for the input.

[JimQPublic]

I have been looking at some of the smaller gen's to take, but not sure what the smallest one is that will run the AC.

I think you should plan on hookups anywhere that nighttime temperatures require AC.  That means at least as far as Texas.  Once you get west of there you can camp up in the mountains and get cooler temps.  Pretty much no campground will allow running a generator overnight anyways.

Ditto the above post on the document suggestions.  Do a quick search online for medical release forms and parental authorization forms.  You could need (hopefully not) them in the states.  For Mexico I think there are some standard forms that must be notarized & signed by both parents.  Obviously this one needs to be in spanish.

Baja California is mostly desert so summer temps on the interior are hot.  The Sea of Cortez coast is hot.  The Pacific Coast is much cooler.  Border areas are not a good place to spend time.  So unless you have specific destinations in mind & at least several days I would advise against crossing the border just to say you've camped in Baja.  That said I love camping in Baja and three weeks this spring wasn't nearly enough time!

[wavery]

I have been looking at some of the smaller gen's to take, but not sure what the smallest one is that will run the AC.

It depends on the A/C unit that you have.

Chances are you may need about 3,000w to run the A/C.

I have a Honda EU20001, 2000w generator
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=eu2000i#
 and it runs my A/C fine (others have reported that the EU2000I will not run their A/C). I have a Carrier AirV with heat pump. If I plug it directly into the generator (not using the camper's internal wiring) it will run the A/C fine (barely). I used it this weekend, all day on Saturday but it was only 80 degrees out. I don't know if it would last through the cycling at 100+ degrees. I've never exposed myself to those temps while camping.

The nice thing about the Honda EU20001 is that it is very light (46#) weight and you can hook 2 together to get 4000w. Most 3000w generators weigh more than 2 of the EU20001, cost more than twice as much and produce less power.

Yamaha makes this 70 pound, 2400w unit:
http://www.yamahagenerators.com/product.php?productid=4

That should be adequate but pound for pound, the Honda is a better deal IMO. I like the fact that I only have to take one generator (46#) on most trips. However, in your case, the Yamaha may be a better deal because of the length of your trip. Both of these generators are top quality and extremely quiet.

[JimQPublic]

For some reason I first read it as four weeks.  With only two weeks I really suggest paring it down a bit.  That's a long itenerary with six bladders in the car.

[dfonner]

For some reason I first read it as four weeks.  With only two weeks I really suggest paring it down a bit.  That's a long itenerary with six bladders in the car.

That is why I am asking - our usual vaca is in Destin FL at the family condo; we make that trip in 12 hours and 2 stops with all of us, but then again, that is only a 12 hour drive there and a 12 hour drive back...

Great insight, thank you!

Fonner (aka CAPT. Fonner, aka the Jar Head)

[dfonner]

It depends on the A/C unit that you have.

Chances are you may need about 3,000w to run the A/C.

I have a Honda EU20001, 2000w generator
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=eu2000i#
 and it runs my A/C fine (others have reported that the EU2000I will not run their A/C). I have a Carrier AirV with heat pump. If I plug it directly into the generator (not using the camper's internal wiring) it will run the A/C fine (barely). I used it this weekend, all day on Saturday but it was only 80 degrees out. I don't know if it would last through the cycling at 100+ degrees. I've never exposed myself to those temps while camping.

The nice thing about the Honda EU20001 is that it is very light (46#) weight and you can hook 2 together to get 4000w. Most 3000w generators weigh more than 2 of the EU20001, cost more than twice as much and produce less power.

Yamaha makes this 70 pound, 2400w unit:
http://www.yamahagenerators.com/product.php?productid=4

That should be adequate but pound for pound, the Honda is a better deal IMO. I like the fact that I only have to take one generator (46#) on most trips. However, in your case, the Yamaha may be a better deal because of the length of your trip. Both of these generators are top quality and extremely quiet.

Excellent information, thank you!

[dfonner]

I think you should plan on hookups anywhere that nighttime temperatures require AC.  That means at least as far as Texas.  Once you get west of there you can camp up in the mountains and get cooler temps.  Pretty much no campground will allow running a generator overnight anyways.

Ditto the above post on the document suggestions.  Do a quick search online for medical release forms and parental authorization forms.  You could need (hopefully not) them in the states.  For Mexico I think there are some standard forms that must be notarized & signed by both parents.  Obviously this one needs to be in spanish.

Baja California is mostly desert so summer temps on the interior are hot.  The Sea of Cortez coast is hot.  The Pacific Coast is much cooler.  Border areas are not a good place to spend time.  So unless you have specific destinations in mind & at least several days I would advise against crossing the border just to say you've camped in Baja.  That said I love camping in Baja and three weeks this spring wasn't nearly enough time!

I have spent more than my fair share of time in the border towns from my Marine Corps days and have no desire to stay there longer than to pass through customs. My days of drinking cheap Tequila are long gone (and the kids couldn't keep up with me).

[CampDirt]

That does seem a lot for two weeks.  Maybe just a trip to see some magnificent places in Arizona and New Mexico.  Have you considered northern AZ, such as the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Williams (all much cooler in the summer)?  Then there's plenty to see in the Santa Fe/Taos area of NM (also cooler).  Baja seems to be just one giant desert with not much to look at until you get way south (Cabos San Lucas).  There's so much more to see on the US side.  Just something to think about, but hey, Mexico can be fun, too.  Personally, I'd go to Baja in the winter when the weather is much cooler.

[wynot]

Hello - we are in the process of planning a two week trip with us and 4 boys that will start next July from St. Louis and take us through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and parts of Baja California. Can anyone offer any "Must See" locations, CG's, Dry Camping locations, etc? We still have not purchased a PU, but plan on doing so in the next month or so so we can get used to it prio to taking it on the road for two weeks.
 
Comments? Questions?
 
Thanks!

Only general comment, pulling a popup, especially if you are camping nightly, you can give up on making distance per day.  Figure 300 miles/day camping, and 500-600 non-camping for a decent day's drive.  Any more, and you will really, really not enjoy it.
 
You will want an A/C for the camper and your TV will be running an A/C and pulling in some very hot areas, so that your tires and cooling systems will be stressed.

[Beerlifter]

I don't know your exact mapped drive but you seem to be skipping some great camping in the GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA!  Let me mention a few that would be right on your way down to Texas. Lake Tenkiller (I believe to be the prettiest lake in the state!), Greenleaf SP, Illinois canoe float tips in Gore, Ok, and that's just to mention a few. Just be sure to take your time and ENJOY your trip ...don't try to jump from one spot to the next trying to hit them all....take your time and enjoy each one....there is always next time. Have yourself some fun and enjoy the time.

[tlhdoc]

Figure 300 miles/day camping, and 500-600 non-camping for a decent day's drive. Any more, and you will really, really not enjoy it.

We have done over 800 miles in a day towing the camper, but it was just for one day.  Not several days in a row.  One long day at a time when camping, for us any how.

[AustinBoston]

Figure 300 miles/day camping, and 500-600 non-camping for a decent day's drive.  Any more, and you will really, really not enjoy it.

That really depends on the family.  Our kids were raised on long drives, so for us to do 500-600 miles in a day is nothing.  We have done a few days where we did 1,000 miles in a day while towing, and we have agreed that 1,000 miles is an extreme limit while towing.

We draw the line at 1,200 miles a day while not towing, but that is dependent on a number of factors.  Some we control, others we don't:

• Being able to travel 75 MPH without travelling faster than traffic.
• The understanding that the person who's turn it is can call "out" without being pressured to keep going.  "Out" means we stop for the night, NOW, even if we haven't made the 1,200 miles.
• We start early, on the road before 5 am.
• Nobody drives for more than two hours at a stretch.  This means it can go up to four hours with one break in the middle.  But then drivers must switch.
  
• The driver who is "off" must attempt to sleep before 8 am and after 3 PM.  This is usually successful after about 3 PM.
• We eat previously purchased or prepared food for two meals (am pasteries/donuts, pm sandwiches) eaten in the car.  But for one meal (aimed at mid-drive) we stop for a full sit-down meal.  These are usually at Cracker Barrel, because we know the menu and can order almost as we are seated.  This sit-down meal is often at off hours (such as 3PM) so there is no waiting.
• Know each other's weak spots, and plan driving appropriately.  For example, I am always too sleepy to drive for the first two hours after lunch, so PJay drives then.  PJay has a hard time seeing at twilight, so I drive then.
• At least two people must be awake at all times after 9 PM (including the driver  :yikes: ).  
• The person(s) who will drive after 9PM must have slept at least two hours during the afternoon/evening.
• No relying on "stay awake" substances (except coffee/pop).
• Do "power stops" where the moment the van is stopped, *everyone* runs to the restroom and *runs* back to the van.  This calls for planning stops to not encounter long lines.
• We must be able to avoid long periods of stop-and-go driving.  We both find an hour in stop-and-go is as tiring as three hours on the open highway.  We have driven hundreds of miles out of the way to avoid Chicago in the daytime, and as much as 100 miles to avoid New York City.
• Accept the fact that the next day we will not be able to maintain that pace.

There are more, but that's what I can think of now.

Doing these, we have been able to keep going for 20 hours, including stops.  Theoreticaly, we should have been able to do 1,350 miles or more, but it is almost impossible to avoid all traffic and to maintain that 75 MPH speed for every mile driven, so the practical limit is closer to 1,200 miles, and the best we've actaully accomplished is about 1,150.

Having said that, I would never attempt 1,200 miles in one shot with small children or preteens in the car.  Asking them to sit for that long really is cruel, and you deserve whatever grief they give you.

Austin

[beacher]

AustinBoston's, those are a roadwarrior's words of wisdom!

Let's see....two weeks, hmmm??  Try and take four!

AZ: Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater
CA: Sequoia NP, Hollywood - Universal Studios City Walk, Disneyland, Camp on a Beach!, SeaWorld.
BAJA: Rosarito, La Bufadora , Surfing