WDW has pushed me to really learn how to drive/hook up/un hook our high wall pop up camper by myself. I generally don’t drive our Expedition even without the camper and I’m usually navigator on our trips.
Last week I drove the pop up 6 hrs, 331 miles all highway to upstate NY on my own with my rescue dog and set up camp.
Everything went smoothly. I was nervous about driving and staying around 60 mph on PA and NY state highways posted with 70 mph speed limits.
I actually left on a Wednesday morning at 1:15 am to avoid Philly, Allentown, Scranton and Binghamton morning traffic.
With sway bar installed, I never felt the camper behind me. Even when she was passed by big rigs.
I ended up not making a planned stop at the Hickory Run Service Plaza by the Poconos because of construction cones set out that had a ridiculously small opening to get off on. But I recognized I couldn’t make it and figured I’d find a trucker stop further down on 81, and I did.
Even though the camper felt solid behind me, and the tires are rated to 80 mph. Staying just above 60 felt safe at night.
Going around one of the curves felt a little tiny amount of sliding, even with backing off that speed. Everything seemed more bouncy a few times I drifted over 65 - I think my natural instinct to want to keep with traffic had been kicking in.
I did feel the tires during re fueling and the tire pressure before leaving. No hot spots or issues.
Now I feel truly ready to share driving down from DE to WDW. And I especially like the idea of going overnight. Since I work night shift, taking the overnight drive is easier. And since my partner has more experience handling the trailer, he can take the morning shift to DIsney when we get in FL.
After he drives through the bay bridge tunnel outside of Norfolk, l’ll take over when we get back on 95 so he can sleep overnight. He’s blessed with the ability to instantly fall asleep in a moving vehicle and be sawing logs in no time.
We have our E Pass Xtra which works through all of the tolls. So no stopping to pay.
Feeling mostly prepared and ready to go!
Packing and list making is my specialty so I’m right at home with the organizing now.
13 days!
Side bonus to this trip is my new reassurance I can handle all the camper stuff except backing up. There’s a group called Sisters on the Fly that has state chapters for women who want to camp together. Lots of cute, decorated vintage canned ham trailers, but they invite all who want to camp to hang out. Now I know I can go by myself on a posted girls camping weekend with potlucks and socials if I want to! And he can go on his guys hunting trips.