1st Time Snowbirds

[Bigwave]

Hi,

We are new to towing an RV this year and are planning our first snowbird trip to Florida from northern Ohio (Toledo area) with our 2021 Solitude 2930RL fifth wheel. We are staying for 3 months (January thru March) in Florida and will be leaving home a couple of days after Christmas. We are not going to be in a hurry and are planning to do it over a 4-day period. I have a couple of general questions for all you experienced folks out there as we start planning our trip.
1) What is the best method to use to check for the weather ahead in the areas we will be travelling? Would like to leave when it appears we have a couple days of clear weather ahead.
2) Is there an alternate route that is the best way to get around the worst traffic areas in Atlanta when travelling south on I75?
3) We are planning to put some food staples in our refrigerator (12 cu. ft.) in the RV the day that we leave and turn it on using the propane while on the road and turn it off when stopped for the evening/night. We don't plan to open it until we get to our destination as we will have a cooler in the truck for the trip. Is this what most other people do when travelling a long distance (during the winter months)? Can we expect that the refrigerator will keep the food cold enough when we turn it off in the evening? Is there a problem with running the refrigerator when the outside temperatures can be near or below freezing at times?
4) What RV Apps are best? for Pre-planning? While on the road to avoid getting yourself in trouble with low bridges, dead ends, etc.? Locating RV friendly gas stations and motels?
5) Any other general advice would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Dave

 

[DougW9876]

For weather I use the weather app on my smart phone, just put in the name of the city we are approaching to see what is ahead.


I never shut off the refrigerator at night, just let it do it’s job automatically.

I use RV Trip Wizard, some people don’t like to pay for a trip planner, but this one always seems to suit my needs as it shows estimated fuel stops, has gas stations on the maps and can be changed to satellite view so I can make sure a fuel station has plenty of room for me to get in and out. It does a good job of showing campgrounds so planning our entire trip is quite easy.

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

Hi,

We are new to towing an RV this year and are planning our first snowbird trip to Florida from northern Ohio (Toledo area) with our 2021 Solitude 2930RL fifth wheel. We are staying for 3 months (January thru March) in Florida and will be leaving home a couple of days after Christmas. We are not going to be in a hurry and are planning to do it over a 4-day period. I have a couple of general questions for all you experienced folks out there as we start planning our trip.
1) What is the best method to use to check for the weather ahead in the areas we will be travelling? Would like to leave when it appears we have a couple days of clear weather ahead.
2) Is there an alternate route that is the best way to get around the worst traffic areas in Atlanta when travelling south on I75?
3) We are planning to put some food staples in our refrigerator (12 cu. ft.) in the RV the day that we leave and turn it on using the propane while on the road and turn it off when stopped for the evening/night. We don't plan to open it until we get to our destination as we will have a cooler in the truck for the trip. Is this what most other people do when travelling a long distance (during the winter months)? Can we expect that the refrigerator will keep the food cold enough when we turn it off in the evening? Is there a problem with running the refrigerator when the outside temperatures can be near or below freezing at times?
4) What RV Apps are best? for Pre-planning? While on the road to avoid getting yourself in trouble with low bridges, dead ends, etc.? Locating RV friendly gas stations and motels?
5) Any other general advice would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Dave

Welcome! We full-time, so here is a little bit:

1. Any weather app. All weather predictions are good for no more than 5-7 days out, more often only 2-3 days. For Wind, I use the Windy app on Android.

2 and 4. I use the RV Trip Wizard from RV Life. It is a subscription service and is well worth it. I also bought the LowClearances.com POI database which I have loaded into my Google Maps and my Garmin RV 870 GPS. I also purchased the Mountain Directory, which shows all of the "steep grades" in the country.

3. Turn on the refrigerator at least 24-48 hours before you intend to put cold or frozen goods in it. As for the propane, there are two schools of thought. 1. Leave it on and drive with it on (I'm in this camp). 2. Turn it off because of the potential explosive fire hazard it poses if you get into an accident. I think it will be a personal preference for you. As for turning the propane off at your destination, you should be able to set the refrigerator to AUTO and it will switch between electric (110VAC) and propane automatically. When it has 110VAC, it will use that, when it doesn't, it will use propane.

5. There is a bunch here, but it would take much more room than I have here to write everything out. You can search the forum and find all sorts of good advice. Just be specific in your searching.

 

[traveldawg]

...
1) What is the best method to use to check for the weather ahead in the areas we will be travelling? Would like to leave when it appears we have a couple days of clear weather ahead.
As others said - most any weather app. I use WeatherUnderground for the forecast; MyRadar to see current rain conditions; Windy and Ventusky to see wind speeds and their forecasts.

2) Is there an alternate route that is the best way to get around the worst traffic areas in Atlanta when travelling south on I75?
We pretty much decided to stop going through Atlanta. While longer, we get off I-75 south around Calhoun, GA and take Hwy 53 to Rome and then take US27 all the way to Columbus, GA; then I-185 to US280; and 280 back to I-75 south - much more relaxing. We stop in Chattanooga, TN, then Columbus, GA (Lone Pines); then wherever you like on I-75/I-10/I95 depending on your FL destination.

3) We are planning to put some food staples in our refrigerator (12 cu. ft.) in the RV the day that we leave and turn it on using the propane while on the road and turn it off when stopped for the evening/night. We don't plan to open it until we get to our destination as we will have a cooler in the truck for the trip. Is this what most other people do when travelling a long distance (during the winter months)? Can we expect that the refrigerator will keep the food cold enough when we turn it off in the evening? Is there a problem with running the refrigerator when the outside temperatures can be near or below freezing at times?
Other covered this pretty well

4) What RV Apps are best? for Pre-planning? While on the road to avoid getting yourself in trouble with low bridges, dead ends, etc.? Locating RV friendly gas stations and motels?
RV Trip Wizard is our go-to for planning. Garmin RV890 gives us our daily drive route. Allstays Camp and RV will show low clearance (although with an RV GPS you could be OK - just check Allstays as a double-check; iExit is handy; AllStays Rest Stops Plus is handy (but if you use the Garmin you can pull up rest areas along your route pretty easy; Open Roads (TDS Fuel Card) is handy as is Gas Buddy (for finding cheap fuel when disconnected from the RV).

5) Any other general advice would be appreciated.
First things first - do you have a reservation already? FL fills up fast almost a year ahead of time.


Best Regards,

Dave

Welcome to the group and welcome to FL for the winter.

 

[WhittleBurner]

1) What is the best method to use to check for the weather ahead in the areas we will be travelling? Would like to leave when it appears we have a couple days of clear weather ahead.
Like others I use the app on my phone

2) Is there an alternate route that is the best way to get around the worst traffic areas in Atlanta when travelling south on I75?
Leaving a few days after Christmas be prepared for a sea of RVs running south and potential very heavy traffic.. We left after Christmas our first time, never again. Now we leave in October. Going around Atlanta can be just as bad as going right through. We have found early as you can on a Sunday morning on a non game day the best time to scoot through. If it's a game day anyway you go may be slow , usually traveling through Atlanta sucks once everyone wakes up regardless of the day.

If you haven't reserve your overnight stops NOW!

3) We are planning to put some food staples in our refrigerator (12 cu. ft.) in the RV the day that we leave and turn it on using the propane while on the road and turn it off when stopped for the evening/night. We don't plan to open it until we get to our destination as we will have a cooler in the truck for the trip. Is this what most other people do when travelling a long distance (during the winter months)? Can we expect that the refrigerator will keep the food cold enough when we turn it off in the evening? Is there a problem with running the refrigerator when the outside temperatures can be near or below freezing at times?
We leave the fridge on the whole time
4) What RV Apps are best? for Pre-planning? While on the road to avoid getting yourself in trouble with low bridges, dead ends, etc.? Locating RV friendly gas stations and motels? Toledo to FL you won't have any issues with low bridges even staying just off the freeway (you'll find open campgrounds along the way not far off 75, we haven't had issue with bridges at all on the way down.
Like others suggested the RV Trip app is good for mapping, Finding Camping and low bridges. How far into FL are you going, we go from just north of Detroit to Bradenton in 3 night, thats with 1 long day (about 8 hours) and 2 shorter days.

For gas stations google maps will give you a good view from above of the gas islands and ability to navigate

5) Any other general advice would be appreciated. If anything comes to mind I'll chime back in

Best Regards,

Dave

​Welcome to the forum!

 

[FlyStar]

For campground info I use the Allstays App. Free and has served me well for years.

I run the fridge in auto all the time and in all weather. Works great. I added a temp display so I can keep things from freezing in there.

Just came down I-75 from Michigan. The highway is in good shape and no big construction zones. We zipped through Atlanta (stayed on 75, not the bypass) around noon on a Monday. One minor slow down on the south side but no big delays.

Favorite stops along the way include
: KOA in Lebanon, OH, Walnut Meadows in Berea, KY, Holiday Travel Park, Chattanooga, KOA Tifton, GA, then Florida where you can ride your new eBike all winter long. Ha.

Note that many RV resorts on Florida’s Gulf Coast around Fort Myers and North Port are closed due to Ian. Which has caused the open ones to be super busy.

Have a great trip. Suggest you only roll during daylight hours on dry road days which means be ready to adjust plans as you go. If it’s really cold (below freezing during the day) you might consider leaving the antifreeze in your plumbing until you get far enough south to have above freezing while driving. This since it’s probably not a good idea to run the furnace while rolling. In our rig it won’t stay running when towing. Flame blows out. I know this only because I forgot to turn it off one time.

 

[huntindog]

Hi,

We are new to towing an RV this year and are planning our first snowbird trip to Florida from northern Ohio (Toledo area) with our 2021 Solitude 2930RL fifth wheel. We are staying for 3 months (January thru March) in Florida and will be leaving home a couple of days after Christmas. We are not going to be in a hurry and are planning to do it over a 4-day period. I have a couple of general questions for all you experienced folks out there as we start planning our trip.
1) What is the best method to use to check for the weather ahead in the areas we will be travelling? Would like to leave when it appears we have a couple days of clear weather ahead.
2) Is there an alternate route that is the best way to get around the worst traffic areas in Atlanta when travelling south on I75?
3) We are planning to put some food staples in our refrigerator (12 cu. ft.) in the RV the day that we leave and turn it on using the propane while on the road and turn it off when stopped for the evening/night. We don't plan to open it until we get to our destination as we will have a cooler in the truck for the trip. Is this what most other people do when travelling a long distance (during the winter months)? Can we expect that the refrigerator will keep the food cold enough when we turn it off in the evening? Is there a problem with running the refrigerator when the outside temperatures can be near or below freezing at times?
4) What RV Apps are best? for Pre-planning? While on the road to avoid getting yourself in trouble with low bridges, dead ends, etc.? Locating RV friendly gas stations and motels?
5) Any other general advice would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Dave

Do you turn your home fridge off at night?

 

[FlyStar]

I don’t. But my fridge is one of this “new high tech” (actually old school ammonia absorption)units that uses propane and very little electric power.

 

[Ynot4me2]

Just wanted to say welcome to the group. You got spot on advice from other members.

 

[Bigwave]

Thanks for the info. With regards to #3 . I won't have access to 110V/AC electricity the night before we leave as our RV is at a storage facility. I have read some posts that say your RV battery could go dead by running the refrigerator just on propane overnight or longer as the monitor panel uses some DC power. I can't imagine that it would be much of a drain on the battery just overnight for the refrigerator monitor panel when not connected to shorepower, but I have seen some posts regarding this. Maybe the persons posting this had a battery going bad to begin with.

 

[Bigwave]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Ynot4me2]

Thanks for the info. With regards to #3 . I won't have access to 110V/AC electricity the night before we leave as our RV is at a storage facility. I have read some posts that say your RV battery could go dead by running the refrigerator just on propane overnight or longer as the monitor panel uses some DC power. I can't imagine that it would be much of a drain on the battery just overnight for the refrigerator monitor panel when not connected to shorepower, but I have seen some posts regarding this. Maybe the persons posting this had a battery going bad to begin with.

We run it on propane when boondocking without any issues with the cheap dealer install group 24 LA battery. What will drain it overnight is the furnace.

 

[Bigwave]

Thanks for your post and information. Yes, we do have a reservation. We found that it fills up quick when we went down last March (via airline) to take a look at some resorts.

 

[Bigwave]

No, but I am connected to electricity. We are planning to stay in motels for our first trip down to Florida so I won't have 110V/AC and I have seen some posts about the battery going dead or getting very weak by running the refrigerator overnight on propane (supposedly the monitor panel uses some DC power). Based on some of the other replies I have seen it does not sound like it is a problem so I will run it.

 

[Bigwave]

Our destination is about 1.5 hours south of Winter Haven FL. So, from west to east it is pretty much straight across from Bradenton in the middle of the state near Wauchula at an RV resort in a rural area. Will probably take us about the same or slightly longer as going to Bradenton.

 

[FlyStar]

I wouldn’t worry about running a propane fridge overnight on the battery. Even for several days should be no issue. Best thing to do is get a volt meter and every day or so, flip the battery disconnect switch, wait a few minutes and then measured the voltage. If it gets down to 12.0 volts then it needs to be left off until you can charge it.

There is a small generator (1600 W) in the bed of my truck that I never use but need it for peace of mind. Mostly about the furnace, not the fridge.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Our destination is about 1.5 hours south of Winter Haven FL. So, from west to east it is pretty much straight across from Bradenton in the middle of the state near Wauchula at an RV resort in a rural area. Will probably take us about the same or slightly longer as going to Bradenton.

A friendly forum hint, if you use reply with quote (lower right of the post box) it takes the guessing game out of who you're replying to. Have a safe, non eventfulful trip down.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

No, but I am connected to electricity. We are planning to stay in motels for our first trip down to Florida so I won't have 110V/AC and I have seen some posts about the battery going dead or getting very weak by running the refrigerator overnight on propane (supposedly the monitor panel uses some DC power). Based on some of the other replies I have seen it does not sound like it is a problem so I will run it.

Pick yourself up a small Honda 2200 watt generator or similar brand and use it for overnight stops if you don't have access to electrical hook ups. You'll be able to run your propane furnace, your fridge, any lights you need and your water pump if dewinterized. Then you can stay in and "with" your RV on your way down to Florida and not waste money on hotels.

 

[traveldawg]

[MENTION=33519]Bigwave[/MENTION]

It helps is you use the "Reply With Quote" most time when responding to a post. That way everybody know who (or what) you are responding too.

I just thought I'd pass that info along.

It looks like you got a lot of good help and have things planned in FL. Safe travels.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

We are planning to stay in motels for our first trip down to Florida

A lot of hotels have rather challenging parking lots for RV's. Make sure you know the 'lay of the land'.