What would you take....?

[Jez1966]

We're planning a 1 year US road trip with our 2021 Ducato based Kon-Tiki.
I think we've covered the bases but as a catch all, WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE/THINK YOU'LL NEED.
The Ducato is not a model sold in the US. RAM sold petrol variant Rxxx until 2015.
Estimate 35,000 Miles
We're looking for items to cover Motorhome and Ducato mechanical stuff, we're good for underwear, no "food" products permitted, etc.

Not wanting to stifle creativity but I'll clear some of the basics.
Shipping - Sorted
Visa - Sorted
EPA Letter - Sorted
US/Canda Motorhome insurance - Sorted - Progressive RV Residential cover
International Driving Permit - Obtained
Diesel & AdBlue - readily available
Propane - readily available: Adaptors to GasLow
Generator/Step up transformer/surge protecter - Bought

What would you take....?

 

[Tombola]

Mint is Ryan Reynolds company?

flogged it, maybe wrexham football club is taking its toll on his finances


yeah I found hot spotting an issue, but strangely not all the time, I assumed it was my settings ??

 

[Jez1966]

flogged it, maybe wrexham football is taking its toll on his finances

Around 15:00 this afternoon it would seem.

 

[j Beardsmore]

Have you looked into Cellphone/Mobile while your there?
From speaking with a couple of Swiss couple travelling there is a French Network that gives 20GB in USA for €15 per mont.
Red by SFR
https://www.red-by-sfr.fr/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9suYBhBIEiwA7iMhNHZJEAfvqXjFXLwF4KcbGOjnRW6wr8zNbWmBOFWVE9sXq5y3n2J6YxoCUvcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Seems it requires a French address/Crdit Card so no use for us it seems.
Or have you chosen a US Network?

21st 9-10 Days to Baltimore? + 2 Days for "customs" etc + 7 days free storage Easter weekend seems OK.
Or does crossing to Baltimore take longer.
We chose Halifax as is stop, minimise delays.

Have you looked into Cellphone/Mobile while your there?

Because of our more limited time we felt into Baltimore and out of Halifax was best option and thought Baltimore might be warmer in April !

There is good roaming with EE for USA so will use that and see how we get on with it - you are there for so much longer it will be different

 

[Jez1966]

There are also business than permit overnight parking.
Multiple site give same list: https://www.greenvango.com/what-stores-allow-overnight-parking/
Walmart being one, in most large towns/cities you could stay a few days moving between different store locations

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[Tombola]

There are also business than permit overnight parking.
Multiple site give same list: https://www.greenvango.com/what-stores-allow-overnight-parking/
Walmart being one, in most large towns/cities you could stay a few days moving between different store locations

and dont forget cracker barrell retsuarants, about 700 locations throught USA, loads just off the main highways or interstates. They have designated RV spots for overnighting no problem.
I can recommend the "sampler" brekkie and the meatloaf dinner, if you get sick of USA fried junk, then the slow roast beef dinner is as near as you will get to a english sunday dinner. Prices are good too.

edit sorry, i didnt fully read your link above and assumed it was just wal marts and the like, so mentioned cracker barrel.
great link though thanks

 

[Jez1966]

and dont forget cracker barrell retsuarants, about 700 locations throught USA, loads just off the main highways or interstates. They have designated RV spots for overnighting no problem.
I can recommend the "sampler" brekkie and the meatloaf dinner, if you get sick of USA fried junk, then the slow roast beef dinner is as near as you will get to a english sunday dinner. Prices are good too.

edit sorry, i didnt fully read your link above and assumed it was just wal marts and the like, so mentioned cracker barrel.
great link though thanks

And 3 Gym brands if you want to work off some of the calories as well.

 

[Tombola]

And 3 Gym brands if you want to work off some of the calories as well.

showers

 

[Otter Spotter]

For you guys who are going to the states take a look at ’keep your daydream‘ on Utube, Lovely family who have 6 or 7 seasons of videos on their travels including Most of the US National Parks, Harvest Hosts and other places of interest. They are instructional as well as entertaining.

 

[Reallyretired]

I carry a spare internal water pump even in the UK!
I'm on my 3rd in a 2018 van

It would appear they have a 'life' of about 18 months.
Whilst they are available on line, there is a delivery time measured in weeks which can seriously mess up your holiday if you need to rely on bottled water for the loo, sink and 'shower' for a couple of weeks.
(I speak from experience)

Next day delivery from Amazon.

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[Jez1966]

Next day delivery from Amazon.

Ordered on E-Bay £10 cheaper and with spare connectors, CARAVAN FLOJET WATER PUMP 30PSI 5.6LPM PRESSURISED SELF PRIMING PUMP R3426504B, arriving today.
Also ordered on E-Bay, as per an earlier suggestion, OBDII Fault scanner, Fiat Ducato OBD2 Car Diagnostic Tool Erase Fault Code Reader Scanner Kit AD410.
Hoping we'll not need to use either.

 

[Jez1966]

You can order physical SIM on Amazon.com for collection from collection point in US for $65 that is credit to account.
Unlimited calls, Text & Data with unlimited tethering. Just installed Google Fi app so know it can be installed on UK phone.
Available on Amazon.co.uk £71 no idea about credit and as it can't be activated until in US not sure of benefit getting before leaving.

For data only largest offer https://www.airalo.com/global-esim $90 20GB valid for 180 Days top up if used same price/validity.
Benefit is you can install and register before leaving so you know you have something that works.

 

[Jez1966]

FYI, Best to create an Amazon.com account:
Shipping to an Amazon.com Locker/Collection point is a little different to Amazon.co.uk.
You have to find Locker/Collection point using https://www.amazon.com/ulp/view, you can add them to your delivery addresses, listed in "Your Account" BUT you have select +Add a new address and manually type in the address to us it.
You may need to drop some of the location name to get it accepted: Amazon Hub Counter - Orono Alltown #641 is Orono Alltown #641.
You can't select from drop down as you can with Amazon.co.uk
You've got to love the internet!
Instructions: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GP8S4R8AY85XHYGT

 

[Widge]

You have probably mentioned it somewhere but comprehensive health insurance, i think it costs about $200 just for somebody to put a plaster on a small scratch.

 

[Jez1966]

You have probably mentioned it somewhere but comprehensive health insurance, i think it costs about $200 just for somebody to put a plaster on a small scratch.

Oh yes, does not hurt to mention something twice, just in case.
$800 for repair to broken tooth 20 Years ago while on business trip to Flint Michigan.
Company may have gotten a little Suspicious as a few years later I claimed for another broken tooth
when on a trip in Berlin.
I did pay for the balance of the root canal work when I got back to UK though.

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[Jez1966]

I think I'll be signing up for Harvest Host and RoadPass Pro just before we leave.
RoadPass Pro give you access to RoadTrippers, ToGo RV & Campendium.
Campendium not only over night stops but waste (Dump) stations so Water Stations but ensure you sanitize the faucet thoroughly before use.

 

[Jez1966]

A US Parkpass is probably worth getting, $104 shipping to UK, for access to 2,000 locations "Free".
Looking most National Parks are $35 entry with free re-entry for a week, going into more that 4 and your saving.
Estimated UPS delivery 15 days.
https://usparkpass.com/

 

[Jez1966]

Posted a separate thread "Anyone used Google My Maps"

Anyone used Google My Maps?

A work in progress but below is a link to a Google Map I've created in prepartion for Ang & I heading across the pond. It's quite easy to mass imported locations to create a custom overlay to google maps. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1-0yZzW9BjWOv6E29aUjjdNPmU-HU0cI&usp=sharing If...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

=================================================================================
A work in progress but below is a link to a Google Map I've created in prepartion for Ang & I heading across the pond.
It's quite easy to mass imported locations to create a custom overlay to google maps.

Sign in - Google Accounts

If you get a valid address or coordinates you can add, then use those and other google point to plan a route.
I was thinking we could on a daily basis uploaded location to show progress.

 

[Jez1966]

Because of our more limited time we felt into Baltimore and out of Halifax was best option and thought Baltimore might be warmer in April !

There is good roaming with EE for USA so will use that and see how we get on with it - you are there for so much longer it will be different

If your planning to use UK phone roaming in US, it will could be expensive unless you have roaming add on, Smart or
Max which includes US.
I went to Australian GP 2018 on EE and in 7 days, just using basis was £85.

 

[Jez1966]

A credit card with plenty of capacity.

"Many a word of truth is spoken in jest".
Had a letter today that after having had my Jaja card for several years they were withdrawing it May 2023,
guesss they don't like people who clear balance every month.
Now looking for replacement thatdoes not charge a fee for overseas transactions.
Upside it happened before we left.

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[j Beardsmore]

A US Parkpass is probably worth getting, $104 shipping to UK, for access to 2,000 locations "Free".
Looking most National Parks are $35 entry with free re-entry for a week, going into more that 4 and your saving.
Estimated UPS delivery 15 days.
https://usparkpass.com/

You can just get one at the first park you visit and not pay for post to UK

 

[Jez1966]

You can just get one at the first park you visit and not pay for post to UK

I could not find information on buying in person on US Park Pass website.
There is a TripAdvisor post saying you can.

 

[Jez1966]

Additional free camping, boondocking on Bureau of Land Management land

ArcGIS Web Application

blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com

Majority west side