Boondocking from LA to NYC. Any Advice!?

[GuitarmanFL]

If your passing by Indian Casinos, I've stayed at them for free. Outside of OK city, there are some very nice facilities. I've stayed at a couple of them several times on my way from FL to CA. They will often let you stay for free, if staying for only a night or two. Plus they have 30/50 amp service, dump station, water, and naturally, if so inclined, a casino.

They also sometimes have their their own RV camping area. Not all are free, so call ahead.

And like several folks have mentioned, get one of the popular apps for R camping . They were really getting very detailed...

[Atsushi]

My recommendation:

Mercerator pump
Short garden hose
Water jug

Attach mercerator pump on the waste water outlet. Pump can be run by the trailer battery. Put waste water into a dedicated waste water jug through a short garden hose. Bring the jug to a restroom at rest area.

You may have to repeat the process twice or three times until the tank is empty, but you can dump without going to a dump station.

[Silvr_Bullet]

I wouldn’t use this method..by the time you get to filling the 2nd or 3rd container you would loose pressure that would leave solids behind.

[Lily&Me]

And, why go thru this to empty your tanks without using a dump station? Then you have to store a garden hose that has been used for sewage.

In addition to truck stops mentioned, most campgrounds for a small fee will allow non campers to use their dump station.

Maggie

[suncoasteng]

Travel tips - try not to travel on Friday night or Sunday in rural areas. If you breakdown or need tyres, you may have to wait a while for help or stores to be open.
Travel on interstates thru major metropolitan areas, while in rural areas use either interstates or four lane truck routes. Same issue, plenty room to pull off road and change a tyre.

Use Rest Areas to rest - just like the truckers do. Just dont take up the space of a tractor trailer, take up two car spaces in the auto lot. Arrive late (after dark), then spend the night getting your rest. Also you can usually stop at major truck stops where there is a large parking lot for you to rest.

Find a park or shopping center in the morning to stop and cook breakfast or just play tourist in the mornings, when the weather is good. Reserve the afternoon for driving.

LA is a long trip, plan on hitting a motel for one night in rural area - low price, hot shower, cable TV and a soft bed will make the trip enjoyable

[Rzrbrn]

All very good info. Do #25. At least until you get the hang of things.
Beware of construction zones. Narrow lanes and bridges. Narrow country roads can also be challenging.
If on the road for months buy toll passes in advance.
Take extra gas for TV.
Drive slow. The life you save may be mine.

Oh, have fun.

[Lily&Me]

I have to say this....

I don’t believe that taking major interstates and avoiding rural roads is the best way to travel across the country, unless you must do it as quickly as possibly.

I consider driving off and down on a dirt road perhaps risky in terms of finding yourself stuck without services in case of an emergency, but otherwise taking state 2-lanes that run across the country, going thru historic towns, past farms and orchards and basically through America is perfectly safe and the best way to go.

Avoid truck stops, rest stops and Cracker Barrel...with a 16’ trailer you can find many places to pull over for a night, and there are threads here on those.

Stop early, get the baby out of the car seat, have a glass of wine and take a breath.

Places where you can get up in the morning and be surrounded by nature, turn your kids loose to rip and run and explore while breakfast is prepared and before they have to be strapped in for another day of travel.

Don’t be afraid, don’t feel you must stick to just what is known, busy and familiar.

This is an adventure!

Maggie

[Rzrbrn]

Maggie has given good suggestions, except we also do truck stops, Walmart, fairgrounds, rest stops, Lowe’s, Home Depot, as needed.

But for sure take back roads, etc. after the first few dings and scrapes, such will become a rite of passage, or badge of honor...the wide bodies are difficult to maneuver sometimes.

But wish AS produced a 7’ wide model, than could sleep 4 adults, have a dinette for 4, and a couch.

I know, drop the TT off, but we don’t like to back track.

[GuitarmanFL]

"The US Interstate system is a wonderful thing it makes it possible to drive all the way across America and see none of it".

Forgotten quote attributable to someone other than me.