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Bluetick · 10-31-2021, 05:35 AM

We'd like to travel down to Southhampton, NY to visit some relatives. We can shorten the trip by about an hour if we take the Cross Sound Ferry. Anybody that's driven their Airstream onboard a ferry? I'd like to hear about the experience with any advice. How difficult is it?

DaveP · 10-31-2021, 06:24 AM

Following.

tjdonahoe · 10-31-2021, 06:48 AM

We went from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island with our 31’ Classic….was great

BigSxyWhtGuy · 10-31-2021, 06:51 AM

We have done a few ferries. No issue, you’re charged by the foot and basically it’s first come first serve so get there early and be okay waiting. All the ferries we have been on is pretty straight forward “drive on, drive off”. We have heard of some of them that require you to back off but we have never seen that before.

We have done ferries in Washington state, NY state, and the crossing to Nova Scotia. All were easy with Nova Scotia being the longest and priciest (they show movies, provide wifi, and require you to exit your vehicle).

eagletoo · 10-31-2021, 07:10 AM

Living on Long Island we have ridden the Cross Sound ferry several times.
The crew will guide your entrance/exit onto the ferry. I always drive in 4x4 when entering/exiting. SLOW is the operative word. Not a difficult maneuver.

Usually, they will send you down the middle lane which is where the 18 wheelers go. You have the option of staying in your truck or going topside.

**azflycaster** · 10-31-2021, 07:14 AM

Been on numerous ferries, never a problem. The crew knows what they are doing, follow their instructions.

pjshier · 10-31-2021, 03:24 PM

Approach angle may depend on the tide like it does in some ports here in AK. Low tide means a steep approach down the ramp and maybe dragging the rear bumper. Might not be a thing in NY - but may want to call ahead.

Wayne&Sam · 10-31-2021, 03:51 PM

Done the PEI ferry and a fw stops on the Alaska Marine Highway. As said before, the crew knows who to do. Don't second guess them.

GetawA-S · 10-31-2021, 06:27 PM

Bluetick,
I suggest you add your trailer information to your profile to get better answers.
As I recall, your unit is on the small side. The ferry companies handle much bigger. don't sweat it, but do the Boy Scout thing: call ahead or go online to "be prepared".
Happy Camping!

**Janet H** · 11-01-2021, 12:56 PM

I second the advice about avoiding low, low tide if possible to keep the approach angle more reasonable.

You will likely be loaded with the trucks (wider loads) and in the center body of the Ferry and the ferry crew will be helpful.

Also check out the associated fees. In my part of the world a ferry ride with an Airstream can run into some $$$. Is the cost worth the time savings?

**azflycaster** · 11-01-2021, 02:15 PM

Not all ferries are the same...

**Janet H** · 11-01-2021, 02:27 PM

Here's a video about loading onto a WA state ferry (cute kids as well). It's taken from the driver perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYucZZqR2NA&t=524s

Bluetick · 11-02-2021, 04:18 AM

I checked the monthly tide charts and we're avoiding low tides.

panamerican · 11-02-2021, 06:36 AM

Agree with everything folks have said, esp follow the crews instructions, they've done this millions of times.

We went to Washington Island, WI this past summer. Inbound to the island, Lake Michigan was very cooperative ride smooth as glass.....outbound on the way back home, there were some swells that really made the rigs seem questionable in terms of stability, I actually applied the brakes to help thinking it might, but doubt it did much. Watched my brake controller apply more brake power each upward swing of the swell that hit the boat, then less power as the ferry went over the wave. Kind of comical, yet unnerving for a second ferry trip with the rig. Something very unnatural looking out the door of your Airstream and seeing open water.

drmox · 11-02-2021, 09:49 AM

I've loaded my 31ft Sovereign onto the Washington Island ferry in Door County, WI more than a few times. I just let them know I have a long overhang and that I have a short departure angle. They have the ability to adjust the height of their ramp as you move forward...works like a charm.

thewarden · 11-02-2021, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjshier

Approach angle may depend on the tide like it does in some ports here in AK. Low tide means a steep approach down the ramp and maybe dragging the rear bumper. Might not be a thing in NY - but may want to call ahead.

Yes, this. Approach angle will differ from crossing to crossing and whether low or high tide in the case of tidal water crossings.

We attempted the Upper Arrow Lake crossing via the Galena Bay ferry in B.C.. Getting on was no problem, but the steep angle departing was a very different story. We will never go that way again.

pmclemore · 11-02-2021, 12:13 PM

We've been on a bunch of ferries all over North America. Never any worries.

Pat

SSquared · 11-02-2021, 12:28 PM

Extreme tides are the only worry I've had. I've been on one ferry where the tide ranges 11 feet from low to high. At low tide, any but the shortest AS trailer would scrape the rear end, and maybe the dump outlet.

The tide tables I found for New London-Orient Point show a range of about 4.5 feet, so it's probably fine.

Also, you will probably be required to turn off your propane tanks for the trip. For people with propane fridges, that can be a concern for a long crossing.

Bluetick · 11-03-2021, 03:34 AM

While I was careful to avoid booking a reservation at low tide, this is not my biggest concern. As I mentioned we'll be crossing the Long Island Sound in late November. I'm hoping it will not be a rough crossing. The Sound is shallow and thus produces a good amount of chop. Anyone here made a ferry crossing in rough water? How was it?