Newbie on the road...

[cynthia]

Lost a wonderful source of info. due to jealous wife.He sent me to the forum so here it goes.Taking my first trip over a hundred miles,heading to the Grand Canyon from Sac.Got my route, got my rig ready,my 1yr.old 19ft.Bambi is ready.Any words from the wise?? Are there some must see or watch out for's in that area & Sedona?

[fireflyinva]

Wow, that sounds like a sweet trip. Not sure where the jealous wife (??) comes in, but you probably wouldn't have wanted her for company, anyhow! How long are you going to travel? Will you be alone? One thought--you may want to buy RV roadside assistance coverage. It'll set you back about $90 for the year, but we consider it money well spent (Good Sam, Camper World, and a couple of places sell it). Have a blast!

Mary

[robandzoe]

Grand Canyon, and Sedona. Wish I could Caravan with you. Memorial Day 99 I stopped at the Grand Canyon, ran to the bottum and back up to the top in 3.5 hours and got back on the road, as I was just passing through...what a workout and what an experience. Blew out two shoelaces on the way down.

Keep up posted while on the road. I'd get the RV roadside ins too. What is your tow vehicle? having towing on that would be a good idea too.

Rob

[AYRSTRM2]

Advice: Don't speed, don't over do it, if this is your first time out. Make sure you have mirror extenders, check the air in your tires before you go, double check this hitch, the chains, that the doors are all locked. Make sure your spares are good. Check and charge your batteries. And remember your cell phone charger! If you're going to be alone, make sure this is fully charged!

About a million other things I could think about I suppose. Food, water, alcohol. Corkscrew. Flashlight. Etc...

[Foiled Again]

Check the coolent in your radiator. If it hasn't been flushed lately, do it before you leave. Carry a lot of water. In the desert if you break down, water will keep you going until help comes, and ditto on the cell phone battery. Have someone you checkin with once a day at a set time. They should also know your route. If you're more than 3-4 hours late, they should alert the police in the area of your last stop.

Tin Lizzie

[Mike Lewis]

make reservations in the park for your campsite, see www.nps.gov for details--Pieman

[Janet H]

A new adventure - way cool!

Janets list of top 10 important stuff not to forget:

Map/s
Cell phone/charger
Gas money - lots - these days (preferrably plastic)
Merlot (the stores may not be open when you stop)
Spare tires for each rig
Jack
Propane
Partially full fresh watertank - (you may stop somewhere with no services)
Good tunes
Great attitude

[balrgn]

Don't forget
Something to level the camper.
(I hate sleeping on an angle)

There is a way cool Art Gallery in Sedona! Must see!!!

That red mud there is slippery too

The Mule deer at the canyon are a hoot.

Climb the tower, the view is worth the effort

Stay away from the edge it's a long way down

HAY!!! I wanna go back!!!!!!!!!!!

[moogie32]

I just did a road trip (without the Safari) this past November of Route 66 which you'll no doubt cross along the way. It's very cool in Arizona and we picked up "The Lonely Planet Guide to Route 66" and also a set of "Here it is" Route 66 maps off of Amazon. Well worth the price. If you go onto Amazon you might also see specific maps relating to exactly where you're going. Take your time and enjoy the little things. If you happen to enter or leave the park via rt 64 to 89 (on a map it's east of the park) be sure to stop at the numerous Navajo stands set up along the road. It's a great place to get nice jewlery and crafts very reasonably priced....Have fun and report along the way.....

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by cynthia

Lost a wonderful source of info. due to jealous wife.He sent me to the forum so here it goes.Taking my first trip over a hundred miles,heading to the Grand Canyon from Sac.Got my route, got my rig ready,my 1yr.old 19ft.Bambi is ready.Any words from the wise?? Are there some must see or watch out for's in that area & Sedona?

Your former source of info has my sympathies, I had the same problem. Anyway, this may sound like stating the obvious, but- Don't Forget The Trailer Is Back There. That is something of a problem with less experienced campers. They forget it's back there, and try to pass a car, or cut a corner too close.
Other than that, enjoy your trip, and have fun. Be sure to "report back" and let us know how it went, and what all you did. Pictures are always welcome...

[cynthia]

Thank you all for your input,I am getting so excited.Keep up your advice it is so very helpful for those of us who are just learning.

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by cynthia

Thank you all for your input,I am getting so excited.Keep up your advice it is so very helpful for those of us who are just learning.

Please give us an update upon your return!

[cynthia]

Made it to Barstow got a call my father in-law passed away on the 3rd hole at the golf course so I flipped it around & came back.I did 800 problem free miles thanks in part to all the great advice I received before leaving.However no one told me about the crazy side ways wind!They were pulling trucks over until it was safe,but I had to keep going.I can now say I can do wind,but don't want too!