Trailering a 21 CC to Florida

[Coachescrew]

I apologize if this is not the correct forum to use.

I am considering towing my new 2011 21ft. CC down to Destin Florida from Maryland and going out in the ocean with a buddy of mine who lives down there already.

Trying to get an idea of what kind of expense in gas anyone has encountered towing this distance.

I will be towing with a F150 4x4.

Look forward to your comments.

 

[Megabyte]

If you know the MPG while towing with your truck, run a Mapquest from your start to your destination to get the mileage.
Once you have the mileage, doing the math using your trucks MPG should get you in the ballpark.
Take that figure times the average price for a gallon of gas, and you have your estimated cost for the trip.

Catch some fish!

 

[jeffnick]

Sounds like a fun adventure.

Mokee has dragged his 2120 all over the country...maybe he'll toss you some of his numbers?

 

[Mokee]

Coachescrew - Of three possible routes, I-95, I-85 and I-81, I'd choose I-95 as the major part of the trip would be in the low country and flat. The trip looks to be approx. 1000-1100 miles, depending on the route. That said on that type of trip I'd be looking to get 11-14 mpg overall with my F-150 2X4 with the 5.4 and 3.73 rear end. The two major factors in play on gas mileage for me are speed and wind. Towing above 60 puts me in the single digit mpg and headwinds really affect mpg as the PH on a 2120 sits as high on the trailer as the cab of an 18 wheeler.

Hope this helps. The only other advice I can offer is check your trailer's tires, bearings, brakes and safety equipment before the trip and check the tires and bearing temp every time you stop. Good Luck and safe driving.

 

[Mokee]

Check out South of the Border in North Carolina. You can't miss it. I suspect you'll find the best gas prices in South Carolina.

 

[jeffnick]

Check out South of the Border in North Carolina. You can't miss it. I suspect you'll find the best gas prices in South Carolina.

And gas up at the Ga/Fl boarder in GA for the best price in that area.

Also, don't hesitate to overnight in a Walmart parking lot if you've a mind. We've never been run out, even at Daytona.

 

[Brent]

Gasbuddy shows low prices, has a trip cost calculator and mobile apps
http://www.gasbuddy.com/

 

[Coachescrew]

Hey Thank You to everyone for their input!

I will let you know how things go!

 

[Coachescrew]

Coachescrew - Of three possible routes, I-95, I-85 and I-81, I'd choose I-95 as the major part of the trip would be in the low country and flat. The trip looks to be approx. 1000-1100 miles, depending on the route. That said on that type of trip I'd be looking to get 11-14 mpg overall with my F-150 2X4 with the 5.4 and 3.73 rear end. The two major factors in play on gas mileage for me are speed and wind. Towing above 60 puts me in the single digit mpg and headwinds really affect mpg as the PH on a 2120 sits as high on the trailer as the cab of an 18 wheeler.

Hope this helps. The only other advice I can offer is check your trailer's tires, bearings, brakes and safety equipment before the trip and check the tires and bearing temp every time you stop. Good Luck and safe driving.

How do you go about checking your tire and bearing temperature exactly?

Tks.

 

[Phil]

I have this, works great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... 93984.html

 

[Mokee]

How do you go about checking your tire and bearing temperature exactly?

Sorry I missed your question as I was out of the country and not keeping up with the forums. Check temps every time you stop by putting your hand on the tires and hubs. If they are too hot to touch than you got trouble and need to investigate for tire, brake or hub problems. Tires on the sun side are usually warmer. These days I also use an infared thermometer (available from Sears or Harbor Freight) by getting readings off the hubs and tires. I establish a baseline at the first stop and monitor for abnormal change in temp.

A third alternative if you plan on long distance towing on a regular basis is a tire pressure monitoring system like the TireTraker TT-400C for $219 at technoRV. I just ordered this system at Nick's suggestion. The last blowout I had was on I-95 in Georgia, and it took a while to unwrap the tread from the axle. I didn't know a tire had gone until another car pulled up next to me and started signaling. I was lucky that the hull wasn't damaged or worse. The system may not tell hub and brake temps, but low pressure or high temp warnings signal a stop is in order to look for possible problems.

 

[jeffnick]

http://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... m.html?m=1

I've since used them on the boat trailer. Such a comfort to be able to cycle through the trailer tires on the display seeing the pressure and temp of each. The display can handle up to 22 sensors, so you can put some on your truck too, even if it's a dually.

 

[aknoxclark]

i just towed my 21SE from New Orleans to Destin on flat I-10. 7 mpg at an average cruise of 65-70 mph in a '98 Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser usually achieves 16-17 mpg on the highway going 70 mph. Destin is great fishing. Once you launch your boat early in the morning in the pass, go on VHF channel 69 and see where "jughead" is anchored in the pass with live bait. We went out to the mohawk sunken vessel about 18 miles due south of Destin and caught all sorts of Amberjack and Snapper (had to throw back since not in season). Snapper are in season now but Amberjack no longer. You will love the caribbean clear, blue water.

 

[wflgator]

Come on down to the Emerald Coast!

 

[Coachescrew]

How do you go about checking your tire and bearing temperature exactly?

Sorry I missed your question as I was out of the country and not keeping up with the forums. Check temps every time you stop by putting your hand on the tires and hubs. If they are too hot to touch than you got trouble and need to investigate for tire, brake or hub problems. Tires on the sun side are usually warmer. These days I also use an infared thermometer (available from Sears or Harbor Freight) by getting readings off the hubs and tires. I establish a baseline at the first stop and monitor for abnormal change in temp.

A third alternative if you plan on long distance towing on a regular basis is a tire pressure monitoring system like the TireTraker TT-400C for $219 at technoRV. I just ordered this system at Nick's suggestion. The last blowout I had was on I-95 in Georgia, and it took a while to unwrap the tread from the axle. I didn't know a tire had gone until another car pulled up next to me and started signaling. I was lucky that the hull wasn't damaged or worse. The system may not tell hub and brake temps, but low pressure or high temp warnings signal a stop is in order to look for possible problems.

Great information! Thank you!