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Cross Country RV Vacation - Crazy during COVID? (1 Viewer)

The Z Machine

The Z Machine

Footballguy
OK, here's the setup:  I live in Maryland and would like for my family to visit my folks this summer, who live in Los Angeles.  My father has an autoimmune disease (MG) and is taking all necessary precautions not to contract COVID.  I'm particularly worried that me or my family might be asymptomatic carriers and bring COVID into his house if we were to visit.  So that got me thinking, how can my family and I quarantine ourselves for 14 days prior to meeting him such that we are not likely to infect him?

What about a cross-country RV trip?  Drive from MD to SoCal in 10-14 days, and take in the beauty of our country.  Plus, I'm on furlough until Aug 1, so I don't have to worry about work.  This might be the only time I'd contemplate such a trip.

More info: My kids are 7 year old twins.  We've never done any camping or RV trips, although we did stay in a friend's trailer in their driveway a few years back and had a good time.  We like short 1-2 hour hikes, but nothing day-long or full-on backpacking.   I've never seen the Grand Canyon or any of the national parks out west aside from those in California.

Is this crazy? 

 
My wife looked into it for a trip to New Mexico (where her parents live) from the DC area. But the RV rental company would charge $0.35/mile for every mile over ~250 miles. So, price was going to be end up too much.

 
This sounds awesome.  I wish I had the time.  Just a suggestion, you don't say whether you plan to rent or if you already own an RV.  Maybe consider buying a nice, mechanically sound, fully depreciated used RV and then sell it after your trip.

 
We don't own an RV and ib was thinking about trying to do a one way rental.

Also, any suggestions on routes? When we moved out here from NorCal, we came across on 80 nearly the whole way.

Any suggestions on sites to see or places to stop for the night?  How often do I need to stay at a hookup? I heard you can park in WalMart lots for free.

Finally, I've heard that the seatbelts in the rear of the RV are only lap belts and thus can't be used with a booster seat.

 
Lol wife and I were just talking about this and we also live in Maryland! 
 

Let us know about the rental prices and maybe a PM after you’ve confirmed your RV if you find a viable option.  

 
The Z Machine said:
We don't own an RV and ib was thinking about trying to do a one way rental.

Also, any suggestions on routes? When we moved out here from NorCal, we came across on 80 nearly the whole way.

Any suggestions on sites to see or places to stop for the night?  How often do I need to stay at a hookup? I heard you can park in WalMart lots for free.

Finally, I've heard that the seatbelts in the rear of the RV are only lap belts and thus can't be used with a booster seat.
Click to expand...
My wife has been on an RV kick lately (no way in hell we buy one...will rent one at some point).  She's been really into this one RV couple on YouTube that's pretty popular.  I think they are called the RV Odd Couple.  You'll probably learn a lot by watching some of their videos.

 
The Z Machine said:
We don't own an RV and ib was thinking about trying to do a one way rental.

Also, any suggestions on routes? When we moved out here from NorCal, we came across on 80 nearly the whole way.

Any suggestions on sites to see or places to stop for the night?  How often do I need to stay at a hookup? I heard you can park in WalMart lots for free.

Finally, I've heard that the seatbelts in the rear of the RV are only lap belts and thus can't be used with a booster seat.
Click to expand...
80 seems a bit north versus the parks in the southwest like the Grand Canyon.  I'd probably do I-81S to I-64W at Lexington, VA then take that to St. Louis.  From there, either take 70 to Denver and beyond (then south to the Utah parks and Grand Canyon).  Some of the Colorado scenic drives are supposed to be pretty cool and been on my wish list for awhile. 

Alternative from St. Louis is to dip down to 44 then 40 to go through Albuquerque (take a picture of the RV in front of Walter White's house), and then to the Grand Canyon from there.  If you do 40, I could suggest some NM stuff like Chaco Canyon or driving a bit further south to Carlsbad Caverns.  It's a lot of desert driving through NM and AZ though.

If it were me and I had a couple of weeks to kill, I'd probably take 70 and drive through the heart of the Rockies.

 
Here are a few cautions for your trip:

  • Wally World will be closed by the time you get there. 
  • Don't ask for directions in St Louis
  • Be careful of a hot girl in a Ferrari that keeps showing up while you are the road.  She won't bring you food while she is naked in a pool even though she is the swim up waitress.
  • Don't agree to take Aunt Edna to your cousins house in Flagstaff.  It will only cause delays and problems.
  • Make sure you keep your credit cards in the car and not with your wife's diaphragm on the roof of the vehicle
  • Whatever you do, if you are bring a pet don't leash him to your bumper while you are loading the car.  You are only asking for trouble.
  • Don't walk through the desert to find a gas station.  You will be picked up shortly if you stay with your family by a nice man on a horse. 
  • Don't eat the sandwiches from the picnic basket.  Don't ask just believe me.


But other than those things it should be a good trip.  Enjoy

-Clark Griswold

 
Ron Swanson said:
This sounds awesome.  I wish I had the time.  Just a suggestion, you don't say whether you plan to rent or if you already own an RV.  Maybe consider buying a nice, mechanically sound, fully depreciated used RV and then sell it after your trip.
Click to expand...
There is no such thing as a mechanically sound RV. I could not wait to sell my 35' Class C....worst investment of my life😏$1000 minimum anytime you take it to the RV dealer. Crap was always breaking or deteriorating. Of course it didn't help that I broke most of stuff on my own. I have a great surveillance video of me crashing my awning into a grove of cypress trees because I forgot to detract it after cleaning it then driving away. That was a fun fix. What else? Auto levelers only work when you don't need them.  I busted the AC unit on top cuz tree branches are real. The interior molding, "wood" & plastic fade and crack just sitting in place. Make sure you know which fill port fills the water tank and not the one that fills the waste system cuz if you do, the waste system will back up through the shower drain and soak the carpet with piss and poo. Finally, always remember to take those crab legs out of the freezer before you take it in to the dealer. Things thaw out when the electric system is not plugged in and they won't look in the freezer even if the stink gets so bad that it could be mistaken for a dying corpse. 

If you aren't a mechanical putz like me, you and your family could make some truly great memories on a cross country trip of a lifetime. Best Wishes GB!!

 
Weird....now that we've been hiding out in MD the last two months, we started talking about the exact same idea after seeing the RVs camping at Assateague. Must be in the water here.

I think it's a great idea. May never have the opportunity again, and it's a way to see your folks. And now that there's readily available testing, you can get it done after you get out to CA to make sure you're not going to infect your dad.

 
just saw an article earlier today that said spread of covid-19 by asyptomatic carriers has been debunked. 

gonna see if i can find it again.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/08/asymptomatic-coronavirus-patients-arent-spreading-new-infections-who-says.html

Government responses should focus on detecting and isolating infected people with symptoms, and tracking anyone who might have come into contact with them, Van Kerkhove said. She acknowledged that some studies have indicated asymptomatic or presymptomatic spread in nursing homes and in household settings. 

More research and data are needed to “truly answer” the question of whether the coronavirus can spread widely through asymptomatic carriers, Van Kerkhove added.

“We have a number of reports from countries who are doing very detailed contact tracing,” she said. “They’re following asymptomatic cases. They’re following contacts. And they’re not finding secondary transmission onward. It’s very rare.”

 
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@mr. furley, I think there's still some debate on that topic.

My wife is getting nervous about the rises in cases and hospitalizations in Texas and Arizona, plus the restart of casinos in Vegas.

Another plan we've discussed it's flying to Seattle and taking an RV down the coast to LA. However since I grew up on the west coast, this isn't as interesting for me.

 
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The Z Machine said:
OK, here's the setup:  I live in Maryland and would like for my family to visit my folks this summer, who live in Los Angeles.  My father has an autoimmune disease (MG) and is taking all necessary precautions not to contract COVID.  I'm particularly worried that me or my family might be asymptomatic carriers and bring COVID into his house if we were to visit.  So that got me thinking, how can my family and I quarantine ourselves for 14 days prior to meeting him such that we are not likely to infect him?

What about a cross-country RV trip?  Drive from MD to SoCal in 10-14 days, and take in the beauty of our country.  Plus, I'm on furlough until Aug 1, so I don't have to worry about work.  This might be the only time I'd contemplate such a trip.

More info: My kids are 7 year old twins.  We've never done any camping or RV trips, although we did stay in a friend's trailer in their driveway a few years back and had a good time.  We like short 1-2 hour hikes, but nothing day-long or full-on backpacking.   I've never seen the Grand Canyon or any of the national parks out west aside from those in California.

Is this crazy? 
Click to expand...
So you plan on making a bunch of stops and then visiting someone in the most at risk demographic (elderly with a/i) of dying?  Interesting.

 
The Z Machine said:
Finally, I've heard that the seatbelts in the rear of the RV are only lap belts and thus can't be used with a booster seat.
Click to expand...
What kind of sick, twisted parent would keep 2 seven year olds buckled up in an RV during a cross country trip?   ;)

 
tjnc09 said:
So you plan on making a bunch of stops and then visiting someone in the most at risk demographic (elderly with a/i) of dying?  Interesting.
Click to expand...
The goal is to stop, see some sights, but remain as isolated as possible for 10-14 days.  I thin the risk in getting infected with this plan is likely lower than almost any other.

 
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There's a lot to learn about how to use an RV.  Start studying now.

Friend of mine told me this when we bought our camper a few years ago... "if your marriage can survive parking a camper in a campsite, you're set for life."

 
Ned said:
There's a lot to learn about how to use an RV.  Start studying now.

Friend of mine told me this when we bought our camper a few years ago... "if your marriage can survive parking a camper in a campsite, you're set for life."
Click to expand...
I always remember a friend telling me when he was a kid his parents would give him and his brother a roll of quarters and send them to the game room every time they got to the campground.   By the time they got back, the camper was set up but mom and dad didn't talk to each other until the next day. :lol:

 
Tom Hagen said:
I always remember a friend telling me when he was a kid his parents would give him and his brother a roll of quarters and send them to the game room every time they got to the campground.   By the time they got back, the camper was set up but mom and dad didn't talk to each other until the next day. :lol:
Click to expand...
That's awesome.  :lmao:  

 
The Z Machine said:
@mr. furley, I think there's still some debate on that topic.

My wife is getting nervous about the rises in cases and hospitalizations in Texas and Arizona, plus the restart of casinos in Vegas.

Another plan we've discussed it's flying to Seattle and taking an RV down the coast to LA. However since I grew up on the west coast, this isn't as interesting for me.
Click to expand...
don't get me wrong. i'm not certain enough about any of this to be taking chances with anyone.. whether there's some belief that it can't be spread by asymptomatic carriers or not.  i'm just assuming everyone has the plague.

though, if i had to make this trip.. i'd feel a lot more comfortable driving vs. flying.  and i'd mask up around the old man to be safe.

 
Tom Hagen said:
I always remember a friend telling me when he was a kid his parents would give him and his brother a roll of quarters and send them to the game room every time they got to the campground.   By the time they got back, the camper was set up but mom and dad didn't talk to each other until the next day. :lol:
Click to expand...
Almost divorced my wife after putting up a sun shade canopy together at the beach once.  Nightmare.

 
mr. furley said:
don't get me wrong. i'm not certain enough about any of this to be taking chances with anyone.. whether there's some belief that it can't be spread by asymptomatic carriers or not.  i'm just assuming everyone has the plague.

though, if i had to make this trip.. i'd feel a lot more comfortable driving vs. flying.  and i'd mask up around the old man to be safe.
Click to expand...
I'd keep the 6' going and not go in his house...given pops' condition.

 
The Z Machine said:
We don't own an RV and ib was thinking about trying to do a one way rental.

Also, any suggestions on routes? When we moved out here from NorCal, we came across on 80 nearly the whole way.

Any suggestions on sites to see or places to stop for the night?  How often do I need to stay at a hookup? I heard you can park in WalMart lots for free.

Finally, I've heard that the seatbelts in the rear of the RV are only lap belts and thus can't be used with a booster seat.
Click to expand...
Walmart might be an option.  But if you plan to stay at any National Parks or campsites, make sure you do some research and check ahead.  Things are different with COVID - I live in CO and they are very slowly opening up the public campsites, most are already fully booked, they aren't allowing campfires, you can only drive through Rocky Mountain National Park right now with a reservation, etc. 

 
My wife really wants to rent an RV for either a long weekend or a week to go find a camp site and just hang out. We go tent camping all the time, and to me this seems like a waste of money if we are not going to go far away, to multiple locations, or for an extended period of time. I have no idea why she is so intent on RV camping, but every now and then she just gets some obsession and will not let it drop. I have no idea how much the total cost of renting an RV would be between gas, but I am guessing a week would run >$1000? 

Seeking the opposite, help me convince my wife it is not worth the effort to rent an RV to go camping somewhere that will probably end up being less than 200 miles away for a week max. What are all of the negatives?

 
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huthut said:
My wife really wants to rent an RV for either a long weekend or a week to go find a camp site and just hang out. We go tent camping all the time, and to me this seems like a waste of money if we are not going to go far away, to multiple locations, or for an extended period of time. I have no idea why she is so intent on RV camping, but every now and then she just gets some obsession and will not let it drop. I have no idea how much the total cost of renting an RV would be between gas, but I am guessing a week would run >$1000? 

Seeking the opposite, help me convince my wife it is not worth the effort to rent an RV to go camping somewhere that will probably end up being less than 200 miles away for a week max. What are all of the negatives?
Click to expand...
From a women's perspective, there probably are no negatives...  Since you'll be the one driving the behemoth the entire trip, spending 45 minutes trying to park it, repairing the water hose leak, draining the sewer line, fixing the patio cover that blew off, and trying to figure out why the shower water's not hot enough.  Meanwhile they go on a 7-mile hike in the wilderness and you could have joined them if you just pitched a tent.

 
Thought about doing something similar. Every summer, my kids have their calendar packed with stuff allowing about a 5 day window for a vacation.  While this summer they are free, there is NFW my wife would go for a camping trip of longer than 2 hours. 

 
huthut said:
My wife really wants to rent an RV for either a long weekend or a week to go find a camp site and just hang out. We go tent camping all the time, and to me this seems like a waste of money if we are not going to go far away, to multiple locations, or for an extended period of time. I have no idea why she is so intent on RV camping, but every now and then she just gets some obsession and will not let it drop. I have no idea how much the total cost of renting an RV would be between gas, but I am guessing a week would run >$1000? 

Seeking the opposite, help me convince my wife it is not worth the effort to rent an RV to go camping somewhere that will probably end up being less than 200 miles away for a week max. What are all of the negatives?
Click to expand...
Camping in an RV isnt like you see on TV. You are not going to be parked on a beautiful spot next to a lake with no one else in sight. You are most likely going to be packed like sardines into a giant paved parking lot next to 500 other RVs. No idea why people spend good money to do this.

You have to be able to get a secluded cabin somewhere within 200 miles for the same price, if not cheaper. 100X better without all the hassles of an RV.

 
I’ve driven cross country twice.  A loop incorporating I-70 and I-40 is the way to go. The problem is, the plains states are all pretty terrible. We took a detour north on I-29 to I-90, as S Dakota, Wyoming and Montana are a heck of a lot nicer than OK, NE and KS. You can cut back south at I-25 or 15 and still hit a lot of national parks.

You’ll need at least two weeks, but preferably 3 or more. Switch drivers every two hours, whether you feel tired or not.

ETA Agree on renting cabins/air b&b along the way. Rent a big SUV like a Suburban instead of a camper.

 
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Terminalxylem said:
I’ve driven cross country twice.  A loop incorporating I-70 and I-40 is the way to go. The problem is, the plains states are all pretty terrible. We took a detour north on I-29 to I-90, as S Dakota, Wyoming and Montana are a heck of a lot nicer than OK, NE and KS. You can cut back south at I-25 or 15 and still hit a lot of national parks.

You’ll need at least two weeks, but preferably 3 or more. Switch drivers every two hours, whether you feel tired or not.

ETA Agree on renting cabins/air b&b along the way. Rent a big SUV like a Suburban instead of a camper.
Click to expand...
Normally, I would agree with you, but the thought was to reduce COVID19 infection risk and staying at AirBnBs doesn't seem the wisest right now.

With the case and hospitalization numbers trending in the wrong direction in breast all states we'd pass through, I think the likelihood of this happening now are dropping rapidly.

It's a shame because I'm not sure when we'll get another chance like this.

 
The Z Machine said:
Normally, I would agree with you, but the thought was to reduce COVID19 infection risk and staying at AirBnBs doesn't seem the wisest right now.

With the case and hospitalization numbers trending in the wrong direction in breast all states we'd pass through, I think the likelihood of this happening now are dropping rapidly.

It's a shame because I'm not sure when we'll get another chance like this.
Click to expand...
I would be wary of hotels, but not private residences. Time it so you check in late and bring extra wipes if you're worried.

My biggest concern would be getting sick (any reason) or injured and ending up in an overwhelmed hospital, but I think that is pretty unlikely.

 
E-Z Glider said:
Camping in an RV isnt like you see on TV. You are not going to be parked on a beautiful spot next to a lake with no one else in sight. You are most likely going to be packed like sardines into a giant paved parking lot next to 500 other RVs. No idea why people spend good money to do this.

You have to be able to get a secluded cabin somewhere within 200 miles for the same price, if not cheaper. 100X better without all the hassles of an RV.
Click to expand...
This was a compelling argument, especially when we stayed at a secluded cabin 9 months ago and she enjoyed it. And by secluded cabin I mean a 3000 sqft house with a pool and hot tub. Sounds like the RV thing might be put on the back burner. Now let me tell you about the time she was convinced we needed guitars and would not stop talking about it for a month, borrowed one from a friend and she played it 30 seconds total and lost all interest.

 
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