Towing routes in the East

[starr]

about to tow our r25 from Vermont to Hilton head Sc.from the Albany area south can anyone suggest a non-interstate non-nail biting route(s)? Forget rt 95. Have done rt81 to rt 77. May be our only option.Starr

 

[RProffer]

In my opinion, you will be better off "towing" on an interstate than a lessor roadway because the lanes are wider and other traffic will have another lane in which to pass you - or you pass them.

I don't know about up North. But from Virginia South, you can take U.S. 17.

In Virginia, close to Fredericksberg, is U.S. 17. You can take 17 south all the way to Hilton Head. It is a pretty good road most of the way. It can get a little congested around Norfolk, VA. There are lots of Walmarts along the way where you can spend the night. (Walmart allows RVs to park overnight for free). There are also a number of marinas along the way if you want to take your tug for a dip. Beautiful rivers and scenery.

You will have to get out a road atlas to figure out the rest of the trip. OR, you can go to Google Maps at http://www.google.com/maps and click on "Get Directions" on the left side of the window. After you put in the start and end points, Google will draw you a map. Magnify the map to where you can see state and federal highways. You can then drag the planned route to another highway. Make sure you print it out when you are done. If you have a Google gmail account, you can save the custom maps for future use/access.

 

[captain's cat]

Why "forget 95"? I've used 81 but the trucks there are even more numerous and agressive than on 95. If you travel on weekends on 95, and it's not beach season, 95 IMO is the way to go. Just pulled a TomCat (11,200#) up 85/95 from Pensacola to VA and (except for two trailer tire blowouts 😱 ) had no issues, even in heavy rain. Have made the Rt 17 run too with the TC and it's no picnic. Not very wide, traffic as bad too.

Charlie

 

[ozoner]

I agree with RProffer and Starr. I would much rather tow a heavy load on the interstate, as long as you aren't going to be stuck in stop-and-go (which I know 95 suffers from time to time). Better services, truck stops and other places to pull off with a large load when needed, better grades, fewer sharp turns/blind corners/35 MPH zones, etc.

Certainly a lesser highway would be more scenic, but also many more chances for bad things to happen. Lots of parking lots for people to suddenly turn onto the highway in front of you, lots of slower speed zones and stoplights as you go through populated areas, narrower lanes, more chances of a deer running out.

 

[Levitation]

Agree strongly with using the interstate over using secondary roads... I have driven some 6000 miles so far pulling our R25 and appreciated the interstate highways as the easiest driving and the easiest access to truck stops... My advice is to stay in the right lane, drive 60 mph maximum, lock the cruise control, and smile...

I just drove my newly purchased combine part way across Michigan at 11 MPH taking up one and a half lanes at a time (fourteen and half feet wide)... The portion of the trip on multi lane highways was vastly more relaxed driving than the 2 lane roads where I was constantly having to pull over (with my right wheels upon someone's lawn) for passing cars and conversely having to move over and completely block both lanes when tree branches and sign poles crowded the right side...

 

[eric]

Any Tuggers passing by Harrisburg Pa area on RT 81. , If you need a safe harbor for a night, we have a small cottage that is open to use. Plenty of parking and my sailboat shop is within walking distance . If you need to use tools etc.
We dont charge anything...its just support for our boating friends. Cottage is about five miles from 81.
Eric