Keith M
Cle Elum
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Joined: 07/28/2002
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Its really a no brainer if the choice is between a fuel efficient vehicle and a gas guzzling truck-stay in a motel. That is a very long pull with a trailer for a relatively short period of time. You could pack your kids into a mini-van and easily cover 650 miles in a day. You cannot do that pulling a trailer. My wife and I recently made a couple of "motel" trips of only about 150 miles each way and that was while we were staying in our trailer. It didnt make sense to me to even pull the trailer 150 miles.
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JAXFL
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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My thought is this; you need to drive 475 miles a day to make 1900 miles in 4 days. That is 3 overnight stops each way. With the TT you are looking at a 10 hour day each day, with the car you can make 6 hours a day. After 10 hours of driving are you goig to be in any mood to set up the TT and then get ready the next morning to leave? If you think you will enjoy setting up and taking down each day then go with the TT. If not then for this short amount of time go motel. It is a labor of love. Also when at the family and friends where are you going to stay/eat? Motel or TT or thier house?
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Pauljdav
Everett, Wa
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Not to mention that when driving long distance each day I get there a lot faster without the TT.
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Chuck Roder
High Springs, FL
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StanleyandIris wrote:After driving a car full of bored kids while towing a TT nearly 500 miles per day (4 driving days - 1900 miles) and being the only driver, will you have the energy to locate a CG, unhook, set up camp, cook, clean, get everyone bathed, then breakfast, clean up, hook-up and break camp every day while en route? Sounds like a lot of work to me. Aren't you supposed to have fun too? Campgrounds are rarely on the side of the interstates, so there is a bit of roaming side roads to boot.
I think it would be easier on you and the kids to stay at a decent hotel, pack a cooler for drinks, snacks and lunches at rest areas while en route and you don't even have to make a bed. Pack swim suits and enjoy the pool, order pizzas, and get some rest at night.
They are hotels chains that offer free nights after X amount of stays. Comfort Inns have great beds, Holiday Inn Expresses always have pools. Bed bugs are not nearly as omnipresent as we are lead to believe. Do some research at Travelocity or another reservation site for cheap rates.
It will be more costly, but I don't think it will be overly expensive compared to the hassle of CG's and towing. Unless, of course you were planning to lot dock at Wal-Marts along the way.
JMHO
Iris
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Dianne and Tom
New Bern,NC
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Joined: 12/18/2002
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StanleyandIris wrote:After driving a car full of bored kids while towing a TT nearly 500 miles per day (4 driving days - 1900 miles) and being the only driver, will you have the energy to locate a CG, unhook, set up camp, cook, clean, get everyone bathed, then breakfast, clean up, hook-up and break camp every day while en route? Sounds like a lot of work to me. Aren't you supposed to have fun too? Campgrounds are rarely on the side of the interstates, so there is a bit of roaming side roads to boot.
I think it would be easier on you and the kids to stay at a decent hotel, pack a cooler for drinks, snacks and lunches at rest areas while en route and you don't even have to make a bed. Pack swim suits and enjoy the pool, order pizzas, and get some rest at night.
They are hotels chains that offer free nights after X amount of stays. Comfort Inns have great beds, Holiday Inn Expresses always have pools. Bed bugs are not nearly as omnipresent as we are lead to believe. Do some research at Travelocity or another reservation site for cheap rates.
It will be more costly, but I don't think it will be overly expensive compared to the hassle of CG's and towing. Unless, of course you were planning to lot dock at Wal-Marts along the way.
JMHO
Iris
Well after driving all those miles with a car full of kids she will still have to find a motel,one that will sleep all of them comfortably,find a place to eat supper and still get those kids a bath and in bed. And unless you are lucky enough to snag a motel with a contential breakfast you will have to find somewhere to eat breakfast. THe cost of just a bowl of cereal and juice for each child at most restaurants would buy enough milk,cereal and juice for a week if you ate in the rv. We just don't do motels anymore,had to stay in one when out of state,we had a transfer switch almost catch the rig on fire. I had to wear shoes from the shower to the bed the carpets were so gross and I know they don't change the bedspread every day either. I prefer my own bed,if there are any stains I know who or what caused them!
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JAXFL
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Just figured a trip from Florida to MO by flight, MH and car/hotel. MH $865 fuel at 8MPG and staying at WallyWorlds 1 night each way, Car/hotel $398 fuel and hotel with free breakfast at the 2 hotels for a round trip, flying $526 on the day I want to be there and leave to come back. PRICE WISE car/hotel wins. Time wise flying.
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ntar827
Bay Village, Ohio, USA
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Joined: 09/02/2003
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Can't disagree with any of the arguments presented.
One other thing to remember is that at the end of the day, a night in a campground is much better for the kids than another night in front of the TV in a motel room.
Meeting other kids to play with, the outdoor experience and hopefully a campfire will be memories that will stick with the kids.
Forget costs and go with the TT. If concerned about pulling, rent a pop-up.
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Star Gazer
Nicholasville, Kentucky
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I say go by car and get there a day quicker. That means only 2 nites in a motel. Setting up and tearing down the TT 3 nites in a row would not be fun after driving all/each day. Kids will be fine for a couple nights at a motel, and maybe you will find one with a pool for them.
If you get 10 mpg pulling the TT, and 20 in the car or minivan. Each way is about 190 gals pulling vs 95 gals driving the car. 95 gals fuel is the savings, or perhaps more if your car does better. More than enough to cover the cost of 2 nites at even a decent motel. And don't forget the 3 nights at a campground could be upwards $20-30/ nite too.
good luck.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
I doubt that the differential in costs between towing and only driving would cover the costs of restaurant meals and motels. I'd take the RV route myself.
Regards, Don
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Pokey2
Bel Marin Keys, CA
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X2.
However, there are other factors, as others have mentioned. Personally, I would take the TT.
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