Low-cost and Pricy TOLLS (Tips, Observations and Lessons Learned) from the Road

It’s been 60 days since the Wandering Crabbs hit the road in our new mobile home we call Big Lewie, named after the explorer Merriweather Lewis of the famed Lewis & Clark duo. We’ve already had some pretty incredible experiences and met some amazing people in just the short while we’ve been on the road. We’ve traveled over 2000 miles, been through five states, stayed at seven different sites, and have knocked off two state high points thus far. We’ve also learned some great lessons and even saw a few things we felt were worthy of sharing, especially if you’re considering any kind of long-term U.S. travel in your future. These are in no particular order and are more of a stream of consciousness than anything else. Hope they can help you in some way and perhaps keep you from making similar mistakes should you decide to take on a such an adventure.

– Interstates with even numbering are East to West routes and those with odd numbering are North to South. I’m sure some of you will say “duh, I knew that” but for those that didn’t know this it may feel a little bit like an epiphany (it was for me).
– On travel days things go smoother when one person prepares the inside of the coach and the other person focuses on the outside. Tara ensures all items inside the coach are put away, washed, cleaned, folded, and secured so they do not move while in transit, while I disconnect all electric, water, sewer, and cable as well as pick up the levelers and all associated blocks. This approach also minimizes conflict, while giving each of us purpose to get us onto the road heading to our next destination that much sooner.
– Tow vehicles are referred to as toads. Our toad vehicle is a Jeep Gladiator and we’ve learned that it’s not always best to tow it on all travel days. Some days are better tow days than others and may require the Jeep to be driven separately depending on the route of the day. Towing a vehicle can put additional strain onto the motorhome, especially when going up steep mountains. Best days to tow are when we will be on interstates for extended periods and preferably flat.
– Motor coach fluid levels are important (Fresh, Grey, and Black) to monitor and for different reasons. We have a 60-gallon freshwater tank, 45-gallon grey water tank, and a 25-gallon black water tank. For those not versed in tank color speak, fresh water is just that while grey water comes from the two sinks and shower. Black water is what comes from the toilet. Fluids have weight attributed to them and therefore must be factored in when traveling for fuel efficiency. Ideally, when we travel, we like to have both grey and black empty with 1/3 of the freshwater tank full for washing hands, flushing the toilet, or filling dog bowls between stops. The same holds true for when we tow the Jeep, being mindful that gas weighs 6 lbs. per gallon and can add extra weight quickly which puts additional stress on the motorhome which leads to burning more fuel.
– Our puppy Jax is still not ready to be left alone in the RV when we go out for a few hours at a time. Several times now we have attempted to leave her in the RV with Henry while we grab some food or explore the area for a bit only to come home to something that Jax had decided to demolish. Just the other night she destroyed several pillows and a magazine. Back to the crate for her I suppose.
– Propane is used for the stove and can also be used to make hot water in lieu of electric. Obtaining propane can be a bit of trick, mainly because ours is onboard or in other words fixed to the motorhome. We have to physically drive our coach somewhere to get propane which is easier said than done. Propane should be obtained at a campsite BEFORE you check in and setup camp. This is because when you check in the camp site personnel are usually A) available to assist and B) you are likely already in proximity to the propane fueling station.
– Coach batteries need to be routinely checked for fluid levels as they will fade over time as a result of use. We learned an expensive lesson and had to replace all 4 of ours as a result of this failure. Now we have a bi-weekly reminder to ensure we check our battery water levels and fill them when levels become low.
– An air compressor is an invaluable tool to have onboard. Tire pressure is so important when driving a 20,000 lb. vehicle with everything you own inside and driving around looking for an air compressor sucks and finding one that will apply the 90 lbs. our tires require is even more difficult. We bought one early in our travels, and while it takes up a bit of space in the “basement”, it has proven to be invaluable, not only for our RV tires, but for our Jeep as well as our bicycles too.
– Big Lewie makes wide right turns. One morning in Denver, NC after getting gas I pulled out into the street and made too tight of a right turn sending the back wheels into a drainage area. Tara watched from across the street as the entire RV rocked back and forth and appeared for a moment as if it were going to tip over as I pulled forward to get out. I managed to dodge a major bullet here winding up with only minor damage to the storage doors underneath.
– Rest Areas are great places to stop and take breaks along busy highways. They are very accessible and offer generous spacing to park (in the camper / truck area). Living in a motorhome has its advantages, one of which is the onboard restroom which has proven to be invaluable particularly since many public restrooms at rest areas are closed due to COVID-19. Apparently, truckers just don’t care where they pee. Most rest areas we’ve been to wreak of urine and can be quite overwhelming when you step out of the coach.
– We have definitely come to appreciate everything we have onboard because each item has purpose and adds value to our lives every day. Relinquishing many traditional household items has been extremely liberating and has caused us to see the world in a different way.

We continue to learn and grow personally and spiritually while on our journey. COVID-19 has made things challenging for us to travel but not impossible. States are re-opening for business and doing it cautiously while also relying heavily on its patrons to do their part to be responsible in order to control the spread. We are now in Florida and will likely be here through the end of the month before heading north through portions of the Midwest to include MS, AR, MO, IL, MI, and WI. An updated itinerary should be available by the end of next week.