Big Trip: Statistics and Lessons Learned

Now that we've been back for a few days and I've had time to get my thoughts together, I thought it would be interesting and/or useful for future reference to do a run-down on some trip data and lessons learned.

Facts and Figures
  • We were gone for 22 weeks and 5 days - just over 5 months
  • We traveled 16,018 miles
  • We traveled through 25 US states (TN, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, NM, AZ, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, AK, MT, WY, SD, MN, WI, IL, IN, MI, NY, OH, KY)
  • We traveled through 4 Canadian Provinces/Territories (BC, YT, AB, ON)
  • We crossed the US/Canadian border 10 times
  • We stayed at 53 different campgrounds 
  • We went over our budget by less than 11%, mostly due to the cost of repairs for the brake issues 
  • Not including the Alaska RV Caravan portion, we spent an average of $25/ night on campgrounds
  • We boon-docked at 8 different Wal-Marts and 1 Flying J
  • We ran the generator about 152 hours
  • We used 6 water filters
  • We weighed in at 16,200 lbs, which is just 300 lbs short of max capacity
  • We averaged 8.3 MPG, fully loaded on various types of terrain
  • The average price of gas during the Alaska / Yukon / British Columbia portion of the trip was $4.65/gallon
  • We spent a total of $6,713 on gas - about $220 was spent on gas for the generator 
  • Average gas cost per mile driven was $0.41
  • The Trek had 4 oil changes 
  • The Trek burned a total of 5 quarts of oil between oil changes over 16,000 miles
  • We cleaned the air filter three time
  • We had two flat tires - both due to faulty extender valves
  • Aside from the brake repair issue, we spent $557 on parts and maintenance for the Trek
  • We had two instances of a dead vehicle battery
  • We bought one new vehicle battery
  • We put less than 400 miles on the scooter
  • We spent $176 on propane for heating and cooking
 Trek Performance
  • Overall, the Trek was very reliable 
  • While the Trek held her own on mountain climbing, I think we would have struggled if we had been pulling a tow
  • The size of the Trek (28 feet) allowed us to take it places where other coaches could not go - the relative agility of this little coach is a big plus
  • I kept the tires inflated to around 92 lbs
  • I kept the suspension airbags inflated to around 75 lbs
Trek Livability
  • Plenty of storage space, and generous galley and bathroom spaces
  • Very ample 'fridge space
  • We lowered and raised the MagicBed more than 300 times without any trouble
  • Sleeping on the jacknife sofa is uncomfortable
  • We used the space under the jacknife sofa to store bulky cold weather clothes, gym bags, etc
  • Drawer space in the bathroom is not sufficient for folded clothing for a 5 month trip. But got around this by hanging t-shirts, etc, in the wardrobe and ended up with more than enough overall space for clothing
  • The AC and furnace, and a little heater fan for cool nights, kept us very comfortable
  • The original Microwave/Convection oven manufactured in 1997 worked great until it died. I could not find a replacement combo unit. So, I bought a counter top convection oven and a regular microwave which I installed above the range top - this approach is not as good as a single, quality combo oven
  • Before we left home, I installed a A/V switch box, an HD converter, and an inexpensive DVD player in the cabinet next to the TV. So we used the TV antenna and a converter to pull in stations in the US, enjoyed the cable hookup offered at numerous campgrounds, and watched movies on DVD. There was no need to spend money on a satellite subscription
  • We ended up replacing the DVD player half-way through the trip. I think the vibration from the less-than-great roads in the Yukon and Alaska was just too much for the delicate mechanics of the DVD player
Lessons Learned

I think the biggest lesson learned is that it would have been good to have a car with us.  If/when we do another big trip like this, I think a car will be a must-have.