How do you plan your breaks or stops while towing a travel trailer?

[PatchManager]

I recently towed a U-Haul trailer ~2,500 miles. It was full on the way there and empty on the way back. The trailer was 18 feet long from the back of the trailer to the rear bumper, and the total weight was 5000 pounds when full, so a smaller trailer. Although I have towed many times over the years, this was the first time I towed all day for multiple days. Before starting the trip, I realized we would need to be selective with where we stopped, so I could comfortably park the trailer during our break (lunch, bathroom, etc.). Although not a significant stress factor, this was a more stressful than I anticipated even though I wasn't towing a large trailer.

For those you that tow larger trailers, do you plan ahead of time precisely where you are going to stop to accommodate a trailer, not stop until you get to where you are going to park, stop only at truck stop like locations, just try to find a suitable location when you decide to stop like I did, or something else? I think I would do things a little differently if I were towing a larger trailer next time. I would appreciate any tips you might have.

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[capkmo]

I wouldn’t say my trailer is massive but it’s 22’ long. I just park further away and look for an area that has an easy way to exit (no one-way streets or dead ends). Sometimes I’m a block or so away from the restaurant I’m breaking at but it’s much lower stress
Street parking is normally easy or a business parking lot with multiple driveways in case I get blocked in

 

[UncleFester]

Haul a 40 foot boat a few times every summer and we just stop when we need to, no planned stops.

 

[Buyer2021]

I don't plan ahead, just stop and park pretty much when and where I want using common sense to scope-out the space / layout in smaller gas stations or eateries as I pull in. Never found myself 'jammed up'.

Granted, being comfortable / practiced with maneuvering the rig is a plus.

Rig pic is in my signature block below.

 

[mxwrk]

When I was 20, I got hired for a "dream job" and ended up drivin a freightliner toter home (52 ish feet) cross country long before iPhones. I printed up Mapquest directions and hit the road. I stopped when I was tired. I'm sure I ran into some issues finding places to park and rest, but nothing that I can remember specifically.

 

[UGADawg96]

I plan out every ~2 hours gas locations when towing our 6500lb travel trailer. I do recon with google maps and the aerial view and program the locations into our garmin rv gps.

 

[VGraves]

There may be others. but we use a phone app called iExit. It shows all the food/fuel/lodging options at each exit on the interstate along with the rest areas. You can search for those that are truck or RV friendly.

 

[Tone]

We use iExit as well. Great App.

Our route is well planned. With the 36 gallon tank, stops are not as frequent but they are planned by using the App. We start planning the next shortly after a stop. One App shortfall is it does not report carried fuel grades. We use Top Tier 93 when towing.

We try to avoid local gas stations for truck stops or interstate rest stops. It can be a bitch to navigate in and out of a street corner gas station even with a 24 footer. However, sometimes it's the only gas.

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