Asking a question is how we learn. New to living in a travel trailer (TT), 5th Wheel or Motorhome? There are a few questions I see pop up in all of the forums and chats, or that I get asked myself, repeatedly.

Question #1 “Can I drive on this road?”

Ok, I get it. Your rig is big and that’s scary. Let me help you with a few quick tips for navigating our roads. First, two words, “trip plan”. Yep, you are going to have to do some advance research and question some decisions before rolling out and boogying down the highway.

Get an Atlas!

I STRONGLY suggest you purchase a Motor Carrier’s Road Atlas. You can get these at any truckstop – usually towards the end of the year/beginning of the new year. These are designed to help semi-truck drivers not end up on roads that where there’s a low bridge, weight limit, etc..as well as turns too narrow. If you are a concerned about any of those things (and you probably should be!) this is where you start.

You can purchase a Motor Carrier GPS as well, if that’s your thing, however, those run about $500 to $800 a pop and that Atlas is under $20. The Atlas comes in many forms, I prefer the Rand McNally with the spiral binding and laminated pages. If you can’t find one, just question the cashier. It usually costs a little more, but it is easier for me to get to the right pages and not lose any roads in the binding. There is also a large print version for those of us a little long in the tooth and need a little bit bigger print.

Yes, bigger print dear readers. This is a book. You can not pinch and slide it open to make it larger. You need to know how to use an Atlas. The first page I’d like to introduce you too is the one with the entire US. This is our playground, our home and our adventure!

Get to Planning!

Once you have decided where you want to go, you’ll need to check out some routes and roads. Turn to the page with the state you are going to travel. I chose Missouri for this one. If the road is highlighted in Orange, Semi’s can legally (and safely) drive on it. The Federal low bridge requirement is 13 foot 6 inches. That means nothing is lower than that on those routes. Bridge width, road width, turning radius is all ok for a tractor trailer.

The “What if the road I want to drive on isn’t Orange” question

Ok, here is where it gets tricky. First I want you to find the part of the atlas with the restrictions by state. It is usually in the front before the giant US map. Check the state and road you want to see if there are restrictions. It will tell you the road, mile marker and type of restriction (low bridge, weight, etc). If the restriction does not apply to you, or there’s no restriction listed, then you have some decisions to make and questions to ask – like how much risk are you willing to assume!

Some roads are no Commerical Vehicles simply because they are State or Federal Parks…which are (mostly) designed for campers to get into and out of. It may simply be a local ordinance blocking Commercial Trucks (for instance, Commercial Trucks can not legally drive through Atlanta and must use the bypass!). You’ll have to use your best judgement if it doesn’t show up on that page!

Other Trip Planning tools

I often check Google Maps and use the image version rather than map – it helps to see a 5th wheel in that sattelite imagery! Commerical GPS is great, there are several camper apps and you can even often update your personal GPS with vehicle size and restrictions and it will assist. Nothing beats using your eyes and the computer between your ears. If your rig is 12 foot 7 inches and the sign says “12 Foot Bridge ahead” find a place to stop and regroup!

Question #2 How do I get WiFi?

I admit it, this one does not really apply to me. I am retired at a relatively young age and this blog and instagram are really the only internet I use and I can always wait until I have it. However, I do realize several people still work and remote work this requires a solution.

Several Full time campers use the satellite option. There are several providers, BUT – I am a tech guy by nature and trade. With the National 5G upgrade to the cellular system, it is causing interference in many places as the transmissions are overlapping. It’s causing “noise” and “static” which creates a lower chance of solid signal. That being said, it is probably the most reliable answer if you must remain connected at all times.

We use a hotspot through our cellular provider. Unlimited, and as long as there’s signal and data, we have run two phones, streaming video and an xbox simultaneously. We’ve only had a few locations with limited/no signal (largely a box canyon in Oklahoma, but we were too busy hiking to care!).

Question #3 Where do I put all of my stuff?

To quote the great Thoreau “Simplify, simplify, simplify”. I know, easier said than done. What a lot of people do not realize is that this is not a whim, constant vacation or joy ride, it is a lifestyle change. You have to decide what is more important, the 5 mismatched sets of dishes you’ve had for 13 years, or the chance to visit the darkest place in America with a telescope and see other galaxies. (New Mexico/Arizona border, between Winslow and Silver City)

Some of it is cathartic while some of the sorting and getting rid of can be painful. If your budget allows, put the decision off. Get a storage unit (we did), and then if you don’t miss it after a year, you don’t need it. Sell it, burn it or pawn it off on a relative!

This new life style is about finding yourself. It is about finding out what you do/need to be happy and grow. For us, it’s the woods, mountains, deserts, beaches – often secluded and underappreciated places. For some, it’s huge luxurious RV parks with a lot of people and things to do. That’s great – the important part is that you have to prune that which does not allow you to figure that out!

One more quote (another naturalist, Hans Hoffman – seeing a trend in myself here) “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak”. Live your life, and to do so, you have to get rid of the anchors and useless traditions that have been holding you back. I know, a bit harsh, but true.

My usual “Freebie”

“What is going to change and how hard is it on children?” Shoot, kids adapt constantly. That’s the advantage they have on us. And what’s going to change, that one is easy – everything! That is the great part. We had the pleasure of hanging out with our 11 month grandson for 3 weeks in a campground.

Coming to us, he waved with his whole arm, hand flapping freely, as babies often do. After 3 weeks, he now does the “camper wave” sticks his arm straight up in the air, and dips his head. It is hilarious, cute and indicative of the family community the camping world creates. He also got to see his first campfire, listen to cicadas at night, touch a frog and experience “outside”.

We took a short trip and spent the weekend near a really small town and watch a Symphony Orchestra perform. They were amazing. We’ve attended banjo competitions, Native American rituals and dances, hiked hundreds of miles of trails and seen the amber waves of grain and purple mountains majesty – and we’re just getting started.

Embrace the change and get out there! Say goodbye Waylon!