The tunnels were created due to the Navy not wanting the fleet bottled into Norfolk if the bridges were attacked. We travel over that system to see Cape Charles, VA. Its a great little town.
At the Cape Charles KOA recently I was talking with a guy working on the new tunnel project. He told me the current ones sit on the sea floor and that they are digging (boring) the new ones 80 feet below the sea floor...said they were running into all sorts of "debris" that has been unexpected, like ship hulls and anchors sunk down into the sand.
If you'll notice you have two tunnels and the reason that is is so ships will never be trapped in the Chesapeake Bay when the Navy wants to get their aircraft carrier out it's going out so that's why it's not a bridge it spans the entire length of the Chesapeake Bay so instead of the ship's going under a bridge they go over a tunnel that way nothing can ever trap them. This is one of the greatest engineering marvels in the world.
I love it, a little bit of an Aaron rant! I agree one hundred percent. I will add one more item. When GPS wants you to make a left turn from a stop sign on to a four lane busy road in rush hour traffic. It is impossible and will break your neck constantly looking right and left. It is like you are at the middle of the court watching a fast paced ping pong match.
That was pretty great - you showed us the two sides of a deeply analytical brain in one video! The benefits of someone testing out the slide hitch in a controlled environment and the crankiness that comes with split second decision making with limited or bad information!!! 😆 once again, proving what an awesome team you two are!
About your GPS issue, I have driven the area you had that confusion with the Apple directions vs the RV Life GPS. I use the Garmin 890 RV GPS. I didn't have three issues you did. I update it regularly and it does the things in your list..... which land to be in... not just verbally but with graphics as well. The road names rarely of ever are incorrect. I put my faith into it, with common sense to be cautious. It hasn't let me down yet.
Right through my neck of the woods. The interchanges from Rt. 13 to 95/295 can be confusing. With the nav, the thing that I have found confusing (and often stressful) is that it tends to treat "keep" or "bear" left the same as a turn. Basically, it's just saying - "hey, don't take that exit right there" - but that isn't clear.
Thanks for the toll pass info - those completely stress me out too. You are such an amazing driver “Cool”. I don’t think I could even be a passenger in that tunnel. I’ve boated on the Chesapeake & I’ll stay up there thank you.
Beautiful ride through/over the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel. We have done that with our rig as well. Super fun actually. Main reason for the tunnel sections is your US Navy. With Naval bases located in Chesapeake Bay, they did not want to take the chance of the enemy blowing out a bridge and blocking the channel for navy ships, so by having tunnel sections that danger is eliminated. Really such a beautiful area... continued safe travels.
First of all, your wife is adorable. She is very cute driving that big truck. Also, you must give her credit for her great jokes. If I told those they would be considered dad jokes lol. “I can’t believe how tight this is “that’s what she said. How many that’s what she said lines can we find in this video? Ha ha ha. Michael Scott would be proud of both of you.
We travel the CBBT every weekend. As you passed the toll booths at the Northern end and look to the left you would have seen the Sunset Beach KOA. That's where we have a seasonal site. Proudly flying the National Ensign.
You definitely should of taken the ferry. Little expensive but worth the experience. The ferry has 3 levels and most is in doors or under cover so rain is no issue. It saves alot of miles utilizing it. You can book online in advance to hold your spot which on some days is necessary.
You are exactly correct, it’s not only frustrating it is borderline dangerous if you are a solo RV’er. I’ve gone so far as writing out the turns and road numbers the night before I travel.
You two are awesome! We bought a 36', class A in March and before that, I've always had a fear of driving over tall/narrow bridges. I can't even imagine going through those two bridges and tunnels! Last weekend we went to Niagara Falls, NY. When we left our campground, the gps was telling us to go the opposite way that we came in. Double checked on my phone with Google maps and it was the same so, we followed their path. It took us over Grand Island bridge, which there are two, one way bridges so I didn't even have cars coming at me. Once we got over, I pulled onto a side street and worked through my panic attack and checked our new route using our tablet, which showed we were traveling over several more because we were on islands! I took the least evil route and went back over the other bridge to go the way we came in. I'm 62 by the way. Safe travels to you and enjoy your travels!
I travel the Hampton Roads area all the time. The other 2 tunnels across the Chesapeake Bay require RVs to stop at the inspection station before the tunnel to physically show the inspector that your propane is off. I don’t have propane on my class A but I still have to stop every time to tell them no propane. Not a big deal, but merging back on the Hwy can be challenging.
I pulled off at the observation area just before the bridge and got out just in time to see a navy battleship go OVER the tunnel! I was in such awe, it was gone before I thought about shooting video or photos!
Chris is correct about how stressful going through construction zones with concrete barriers in California. A few times, I just held on tight to the steering wheel and hoped for the best.
Thank you again for a great video. We have been over the CBBT many times, but the most memorable time was when we did it in a hurricane. We had just entered in Va, beach and it was storming with super high winds. The wind was pushing us around a bit, but we were lucky enough that there were no other vehicles near us. When we made it to the Cape Charles side, we pulled into the visitors center parking lot to take a break and just heard they banned car pulled trailers. The wind was so strong at one point, it pushed the rain thru the weep hole on the dinette window and sprayed water onto the table.......All-in-al it was one for the records......Haaaa
Love following your travels! You mention on the last video that you would explain or say what happen at the last camp ground with the sheriff being called. Did the situation get settled / resolved ?
New subscriber here from the lower half of upstate New York! We have a few campgrounds up here and we always get huge amount of campers coming into town, especially around the end of summer, heading into the fall season the ultimate view of the leaves changing for all the leaf peepers! I hope that one day I can get myself into a RV or motor home however you wanna call it I never really got into it until one of my good friends has one and he always talks about taking me on a road trip down south. Great video great video guys. I absolutely love your guys chemistry with each other during this trip. Absolutely great driving by the way especially heading into New York and New Jersey.
Love the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. What a beautiful drive at night and day time. We’ve done both. It was a beautiful full moon that night. Have fun in the North East. Former NY’er living in FL.
When I was younger I was on a flight that flew over the Chesapeake bridge and seeing it from the air was pretty cool but I had no idea what I was looking at! I couldn’t figure out why the bridges stopped in the middle of the water or even if it was a bridge! 😅
If you have a truckers Rand McNally atlas it lists all low clearance places. Or if you have a GPS that you put in your dimensions then with care it is helpful too.
This is so crazy watching this video. You two were on coastal Highway and you passed our road. So when we moved here 9 years ago we lived in our Rv at Indian river camp ground and that is the big bridge you crossed over. So cool and I wish I would’ve have know this you would have been more then welcomed here as we have full hookups. Enjoy your journey my friends.
History on the campground, it was once a hunting lodge and also a horse training ranch. There used to be a 1/4 and a 1/2 mile horse track at the far end of the property along with a small plane landing strip. In the early 70s it became a campground where you bought your campsite. It met with financial troubles and one of the partners split with much of the financial assets. It went into the court system and remained that way into the 80s. When it first opened in the 70s there was a huge home by the pool as well as a larger barn near the horse track. Inside the barn was a horse drawn fox hunting carriage. There used to be a small apple orchard there as well next to the putt putt course. Tall oaks bordered this area from the campground area. As kids we explored every inch of that property as well as the associated building which included a couple houses in the woods. The place used to have Chincoteague ponies that they would give kids rides on. Before Thousand Trails bought the property no longer had any of the old amenities. The old mansion house has been razed, the barn with the carriage was razed, the marina silted in again, the old sport fish boat that served as the gate house was removed. The entire race tracks and landing strip was allowed to return to nature by 2009 or so. Yes it was awesome at one point but no longer has any of that charm and attraction. I imagine it still is a nice place to get away if the horse flies and mosquitos don't eat you up. Nearby Willis Wharf used to have fresh seafood. Wachapreague, Onancock, and Cape Charles are nice to see if you like history and seaside rural areas.
Aside from the Sunshine Skyway bridge in Florida the Chesapeake Bay bridges & tunnels are my fav drives with or without the RV but also by Harley Davidson. I could drive each of them back and forth regularly.
Well, that was fun! I grew up in Baltimore and am familiar with all of the area you were driving. It was quite nostalgic. Kit and I are planning on fall colors in the north east this fall if everything goes as anticipated. Hope you’re having amazing and fascinating travel.
Before the bridge tunnel there was a ferry service. The concrete ships were placed for a break water for the ferry. The pier is still there and located inside the state park. In fact upon entering the park you can see where US 13 used to go to the pier. There is an old motel sign in the state park back in the woods.
The reason it says turn right to Wilmington and Delaware is because that is the overhead sign you are looking for, confusing yes but that is the reason.
It said Wilmington/Baltimore. Confusing because they are in opposite directions. But what it actually was doing was putting you on Route 1, which takes you to 95, where you would then have the option of going south to Baltimore or North to Wilmington.
The two tunnels allow large ships to go to Baltimore, Philadelphia, etc. I run an old Garmin stand alone and Waze on my iPhone. The difference in directions which helps most of the time. The Garmin does a split screen showing the correct lane to be in. Also some apps allow generic directions like turn left at the next turn or turn left onto I295.
That Moride Hitch saved your back window in your shallow truck bed! You lucked out, I know several people that blew the window out of the back of their pickup truck!
One of the best videos you’ve made. The CBBT is building two more tunnels so there will be two lanes each way. They have very strict wind restrictions for tall vehicles since trucks have been blown into the water. I think you missed a great opportunity to take the Cape May-Lewes ferry. Love my Sunpass and VA Ezpass. Just over a year ago, the Sunpass was extended to many other states on the East Coast.
It’s easier when you have a copilot obviously but don’t always rely on e-maps and get yourselves a Rand McNally Road Atlas. I’ve never seen one be wrong.
We did the bay bridge tunnel 3 weeks ago and stayed at Virginia Landing too. You are right, it has so much potential. Where else can you see both the sunrise and sunset over water! Wish you had time to see more of the Eastern Shore. It's one of my favorite places, Kiptopeke State park and the ghost fleet, Cape Charles, Barrier Island Center, the very from Orocoke to Tangier Island, one of the sinking islands of the Chesapeake. And of course Chincoteague. I also feel your GPS frustration and it's nice to know it's not just us newbies not knowing what to do.
I was on the other end of the tunnel. On top sailing over on USS NASSAU LHA-4, USS CARL VINSON CVN-70, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT CVN-71, And USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN-73. I only drove over it once but sailed over it all the time.
Ive wanted to check out the bridge/tunnel for decades and finally got the chance a few days ago. Its an impressive bot of engineering. I went southbound on 7/2 and northbound on 7/4. The view of the gap for the tunnel that you pointed out is on the northbound side.
Not sure what alternate route you looked out, but going around it and getting to 95 - if going up to the North East - only adds around one hundred miles. The two alternate paths will either take you over the Bay Bridge (which many people hate) or up through the DC/Baltimore path (hated by many for OTHER reasons). The CBBT is an awesome site, though - but not for everyone!
We live in VB and head up to places north by using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel frequently to include towing our 30ft travel trailer. The tunnels are a bit tight but it does make it better than going through DC and Baltimore.
Your on the money with the GPS in that area. We just did that run at Easter time and watching was reliving it. I get off over the bridge on Route 40 and i still forget what lane I need to be in. Unfortunately heading North it doesnt get any better! We're making the journey north to MA & CT in August so we will be reliving it again.
I agree, living in the north east, traveling with our fifth wheel in the area up to Maine makes me anxious, but we LOVE the CBBT ! Folks should know that there is a wind factor on the Chesapeake, so if you’ve got a fifth wheel or are on a motorcycle you need to stay off .
Should have taken the Lewes Cape May Ferry. I’m really glad I did last Fall especially watching you all driving in heavy traffic with confusing GPS for hours. Ferry was very efficient, fun, and relaxing. Always part of the adventure.
Yes! We planned to months ago... but after taking 2 ferries already, we decided to drive around on this one because the time and cost was about the same for an RV. But I regretted it!
I live in the tidewater area of Virginia and have taken our 37’ travel trailer across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel more times than I can count; no issues ever. BTW, we camped at Cherrystone RV Resort in Cheriton every single time.
This was a great video, we came through that tunnel on our way back from Florida a year ago. Could not agree more with you about the various map apps that all use that vague direction about merging versus turning onto a new highway. Can be very confusing at times.
When we travel with the fifth wheel I always have the Garmin GPS set up for the route. Shows me the turns and what lanes to be in. Plus it’s an RV specific GPS so I can input height weight and length. Google or Apple Maps can’t match it.
We run an rv Garmin with google maps running on a phone plus an atlas tucked in next to the seat. We often need to compare differing routes and the atlas gives us a good picture of the area in ‘dispute’ 😅 Besides we are old enough to be your parents and drove during the era before gps and can still decipher an atlas pretty well 😊 We enjoy your videos! Safe travels.
Always smart to have a paper map or atlas! We carried one in the Van for 2.5 years..but never used it! Actually I think it was a gift from one of our parents! 🤣 Appreciate you guys watching. 😊
Yeahhhhhh 🎉 wind is the issue there! I always hold my breath when I cross and tunnel the Bay bridge but what helps is they have a audio tour of it too so if you check Google you can download it and listen to it while you're crossing and tunneling. Stop in the middle and have lunch and photo oops 😂.😂
A year ago, when we came over the CBBT, we saw a pod of dolphins feeding along the bridge at the DelMarVa end. Love the views from the bridge which you captured nicely.
Google maps normally does really well, telling me what lane to be in for a turn - especially if I need to be prepared for another turn right after… much better in high population areas. however, learned the hard way to review the route when in the middle of nowhere.. I’ve been taken down to roads that don’t exist anymore
I just bumped into this. A couple of things. Water dripping from the roof of a tunnel? We lived 40 miles north of London once on a work assignment. There is an expressway, M25, the ring road, that circles London. On the east side it crosses under the Thames in a tunnel. There is, or was at least, water dripping from the roof of that tunnel. I wonder if you get that in the Channel Tunnel? 😮 In this video you talk about getting your bearings repacked. Six months later you lost a wheel while driving. There's probably a connection between those two events but hard to say exactly what it is.
You just passed my place 4 miles away! Happy travels up the eastern shore. Great short cut to NY from Norfolk. Just watch the changes on the speed limits. Each tunnel is only 1.1mile long from opening to opening!
I've driven over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel many times in my life(40's?) and pulling a travel trailer probably 16 times? You just have to focus and stay between the lines, even when you see a tractor trailer coming your way! When they say 13' 6" for clearance, it's probably closer to 13'10"!
I think it was in 2017. We stayed the night on the bridge by the tunnel entrance. At that time they had the restaurant and store and fishing Pier. It was so cool. Now I don't think you are allowed. This was right when they started to build the other bridge and tunnel.
I learned the hard way. If you use your SunPass pro on EZ pass bridges and tunnels in NY and NJ, you’ll pay the cash price vs the EZ-Pass price. It’s worth it to have both.
Aww. . . . you guys went through my stomping grounds - Virginia! I hope you waved to me as you passed me by! Actually after those tunnels, a great camping spot is at Kiptopeke State Park. They have 9 old concrete ships lined up to break the water and a dog beach and hiking trails of course. We like to camp there and visit Cape Charles too. Maybe next time you pass bye, give it a try :o)
PS - I did a 6K mi. trip last summer and used my Garmin for RVs. I love it because it gives you plenty of notice and tells you which lanes to be in on busy freeways. Never gave me a problem from UT and up the PNW coast, Vancouver Island, BC and Alberta. Back home through ID, MT, WY and CO. I think you might be driving yourselves crazy with 3 GPS system running all at once. Personally I've never liked Google maps and not an Apple fan so never tried that.
It was so nice to meet you at the campground in Bar Harbor! I’m sure it’s odd when people come up to you like they know you but you are meeting them for the first time! Lol. I meant to ask Aaron where you got the sewer steps- I haven’t been able to find them anywhere!
Yes getting meeting you guys as well! It’s still a trip every time! 😂 I got those sewer supports on Amazon amzn.to/3VXHuu6 Looks like they’re outta stock right now though….. bummer we really like them!
Biggest gripe is where 300ft to intersection can be different on another intersection. Turn right at 300ft may actually be 50ft while another intersection is 500ft. If there is two intersection close together, one can easily turn into the wrong street.
I didn't notice in this video, but a couple videos back we did show the RV TPMS alert. It startled us at first, but the battery on the transmitter at the wheel died and it throws an alert of no transmission. I should have changed all the batteries, because no their slowly going one by one and setting of the alarm ! 🤣
What is the height of your 5th wheel trailer? You need to put your height and width into your travel GPS system, so it does not take you under bridges that will take your top off!
Sorry to say pulling a 13' 4" 5th wheel Apple maps and Google maps (NO GOOD) get a Garmin Nuvi for RV's I cant tell you how many times I have gone the wrong way with Google it's very frustrating. Since buying my Garmin it's been smooth sailing. Like you guys I have a 5th wheel that's 13' 4" the best thing about the RVGPS you can put your height and length. makes traveling less stressful. happy trails be safe
Use Waze. It is great and you can set how much information it gives you. We lived in Northern Virginia for 40 years and love the Outer banks. You are past it now but there is a campground named Cherrystone as far south you can going by the Baybridge Tunnels love it😊
Aaron, Cris.... Axle, frame tip... The harder , tighter you turn the more torque you're putting on your axle brackets, bushings, which inturn causes uneven tire wear.. Alignment, Tracking issues. Keep an eye on your bushings and tire gaps.
Not sure what time of year you were driving through, but you need to get some corn from the eastern shore in Maryland. Best corn you will ever eat, in my opinion:)
Sorry, the Cape to Cape Ferry is the best option every time! Worth the time and price. We take the ferry multiple times a year. Next time hit me up when you are in MD/DE area.
Google Maps is the same and can be rather confusing, especially when you're not familiar with the road or route which you're taking, and you are required to rely on the GPS. There are a few intersections, forks in the road and doglegs in my city that it's confused about and gives confusing instructions. It doesn't really include instructions for merging, when a lane ends, though; you need to pay attention and read the road signs.
The bay bridge and tunnel was designed that way as a matter of national security. The US Navy ships could get trapped in the bay if an enemy destroyed the bridge in a conflict!
I have RV Life Pro Trip Wizard and a Garmin RV 765 that works well together most of the time. I trust my Garmin RV GPS more than I trust the Trip Wizard.
Do you guys take the Cape May- Lewes ferry when approaching Cape May? It is a little pricey but they put the price point just at the place where you'll pay it because you save drive time, fuel and tolls to get all the way around! Plus, it's a pretty cool experience, I've been on it probably 50 times in my life!
What tires are you running on your trailer? The tires we have raised our rv so that the top if our air-conditioning unit is 13'6". I don't think we'd make the tunnel or the ferry.
Ironically, you could take 295 south or north and they re-emerge again together. The people we were traveling with went south and we went north and we ended up right next to each other!
The Thousand Trails were mostly referred to as Preserves at least in the earlier years. They were long-term leased or something and supposed to be only minimally improved (to preserve them?). Maintaining what improvements were done has been a problem many times since the late 70s, but the parks have persisted. I have what they call an Alliance membership and still pay dues for the day when I can be free to travel again--soon. I had to chuckle when you were talking about being out in the boonies to find the park. With few exceptions, such as Las Vegas, they are all way out of the way, such as Pio Pico not exactly in San Diego.☺
If you follow gps here in the U.P. you never know what logging road it may take you down. We had Google maps take us through subdivision to bypass Madison Wi. Now I take Google with a grain of salt. Hats off for taking your rig down some of those roads. I'd be a nervous farter the whole way. Enjoying your adventures so far, it nice to see other parts of the country. We wanted to do P.E.I. this year, but it will have to wait till next. Safe travels guys.
Chris, when baby gets crabby they need burped, changed or fed. Keep a snickers on hand for all four of them. Don’t worry about construction cones. They are made to run over in a pinch situation. Biggest gripe with rv specific gps over other gps formats; why can’t I take the other route??, is there a bridge with a weight rating, is there a height obstacle, too steep of a grade, too sharp of a curve etc etc.
I went through those tunnels and across those bridges a number of times when i was trucking, and it was a bit un-nerving each time.. :) Be careful up there!
I've done the CBBT 5 times, 2 round trips and a 1 way. I've yet to take my camper van across but glad its only 9'5" tall. They have 2 tunnels to allow separate northbound and southbound ship traffic. Have you looked into the Delaware Bay Ferry? Its a great shortcut to southern New Jersey. They allow RVs with trailers up to 13'6" height per the cmlf web site.
Thanks! Yes, we were going to do the Cape may Lewes ferry, but decided to drive around. It was about $100 for the truck and RV I think and about the same time to drive around. But that would have been a better route on this one as we did hit some traffic!
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The tunnels were created due to the Navy not wanting the fleet bottled into Norfolk if the bridges were attacked. We travel over that system to see Cape Charles, VA. Its a great little town.
Thats so interesting! Thanks for sharing that!
At the Cape Charles KOA recently I was talking with a guy working on the new tunnel project. He told me the current ones sit on the sea floor and that they are digging (boring) the new ones 80 feet below the sea floor...said they were running into all sorts of "debris" that has been unexpected, like ship hulls and anchors sunk down into the sand.
If you'll notice you have two tunnels and the reason that is is so ships will never be trapped in the Chesapeake Bay when the Navy wants to get their aircraft carrier out it's going out so that's why it's not a bridge it spans the entire length of the Chesapeake Bay so instead of the ship's going under a bridge they go over a tunnel that way nothing can ever trap them. This is one of the greatest engineering marvels in the world.
I love it, a little bit of an Aaron rant! I agree one hundred percent. I will add one more item. When GPS wants you to make a left turn from a stop sign on to a four lane busy road in rush hour traffic. It is impossible and will break your neck constantly looking right and left. It is like you are at the middle of the court watching a fast paced ping pong match.
That was pretty great - you showed us the two sides of a deeply analytical brain in one video! The benefits of someone testing out the slide hitch in a controlled environment and the crankiness that comes with split second decision making with limited or bad information!!! 😆 once again, proving what an awesome team you two are!
🤣 Yes! Thats a great way to describe it Carman! 🤣
About your GPS issue, I have driven the area you had that confusion with the Apple directions vs the RV Life GPS.
I use the Garmin 890 RV GPS. I didn't have three issues you did. I update it regularly and it does the things in your list..... which land to be in... not just verbally but with graphics as well. The road names rarely of ever are incorrect.
I put my faith into it, with common sense to be cautious. It hasn't let me down yet.
Right through my neck of the woods. The interchanges from Rt. 13 to 95/295 can be confusing. With the nav, the thing that I have found confusing (and often stressful) is that it tends to treat "keep" or "bear" left the same as a turn. Basically, it's just saying - "hey, don't take that exit right there" - but that isn't clear.
This looks fun and scary at the same time 😬. Chris you are so calm and collected driving through that tunnel! Awesome work!
Thanks for the video. It gave me the nerve to take our 13’4” Riverstone 39RKFB across and through the bridge and tunnel yesterday.
Thanks for the toll pass info - those completely stress me out too. You are such an amazing driver “Cool”. I don’t think I could even be a passenger in that tunnel. I’ve boated on the Chesapeake & I’ll stay up there thank you.
Beautiful ride through/over the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel. We have done that with our rig as well. Super fun actually. Main reason for the tunnel sections is your US Navy. With Naval bases located in Chesapeake Bay, they did not want to take the chance of the enemy blowing out a bridge and blocking the channel for navy ships, so by having tunnel sections that danger is eliminated. Really such a beautiful area... continued safe travels.
First of all, your wife is adorable. She is very cute driving that big truck.
Also, you must give her credit for her great jokes. If I told those they would be considered dad jokes lol.
“I can’t believe how tight this is “that’s what she said. How many that’s what she said lines can we find in this video? Ha ha ha. Michael Scott would be proud of both of you.
We travel the CBBT every weekend. As you passed the toll booths at the Northern end and look to the left you would have seen the Sunset Beach KOA. That's where we have a seasonal site. Proudly flying the National Ensign.
You definitely should of taken the ferry. Little expensive but worth the experience. The ferry has 3 levels and most is in doors or under cover so rain is no issue. It saves alot of miles utilizing it. You can book online in advance to hold your spot which on some days is necessary.
You are exactly correct, it’s not only frustrating it is borderline dangerous if you are a solo RV’er. I’ve gone so far as writing out the turns and road numbers the night before I travel.
You two are awesome! We bought a 36', class A in March and before that, I've always had a fear of driving over tall/narrow bridges. I can't even imagine going through those two bridges and tunnels! Last weekend we went to Niagara Falls, NY. When we left our campground, the gps was telling us to go the opposite way that we came in. Double checked on my phone with Google maps and it was the same so, we followed their path. It took us over Grand Island bridge, which there are two, one way bridges so I didn't even have cars coming at me. Once we got over, I pulled onto a side street and worked through my panic attack and checked our new route using our tablet, which showed we were traveling over several more because we were on islands! I took the least evil route and went back over the other bridge to go the way we came in. I'm 62 by the way. Safe travels to you and enjoy your travels!
I travel the Hampton Roads area all the time. The other 2 tunnels across the Chesapeake Bay require RVs to stop at the inspection station before the tunnel to physically show the inspector that your propane is off. I don’t have propane on my class A but I still have to stop every time to tell them no propane. Not a big deal, but merging back on the Hwy can be challenging.
Agree with your gripes. Navigating can be difficult at times 😂
I pulled off at the observation area just before the bridge and got out just in time to see a navy battleship go OVER the tunnel! I was in such awe, it was gone before I thought about shooting video or photos!
Chris is correct about how stressful going through construction zones with concrete barriers in California. A few times, I just held on tight to the steering wheel and hoped for the best.
Thank you again for a great video. We have been over the CBBT many times, but the most memorable time was when we did it in a hurricane. We had just entered in Va, beach and it was storming with super high winds. The wind was pushing us around a bit, but we were lucky enough that there were no other vehicles near us. When we made it to the Cape Charles side, we pulled into the visitors center parking lot to take a break and just heard they banned car pulled trailers. The wind was so strong at one point, it pushed the rain thru the weep hole on the dinette window and sprayed water onto the table.......All-in-al it was one for the records......Haaaa
Oh wow! Thats a memory!
Love following your travels! You mention on the last video that you would explain or say what happen at the last camp ground with the sheriff being called. Did the situation get settled / resolved ?
New subscriber here from the lower half of upstate New York! We have a few campgrounds up here and we always get huge amount of campers coming into town, especially around the end of summer, heading into the fall season the ultimate view of the leaves changing for all the leaf peepers! I hope that one day I can get myself into a RV or motor home however you wanna call it I never really got into it until one of my good friends has one and he always talks about taking me on a road trip down south. Great video great video guys. I absolutely love your guys chemistry with each other during this trip. Absolutely great driving by the way especially heading into New York and New Jersey.
Love the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. What a beautiful drive at night and day time. We’ve done both. It was a beautiful full moon that night. Have fun in the North East. Former NY’er living in FL.
When I was younger I was on a flight that flew over the Chesapeake bridge and seeing it from the air was pretty cool but I had no idea what I was looking at! I couldn’t figure out why the bridges stopped in the middle of the water or even if it was a bridge! 😅
You should see it from a boat . It looks as if the road ends and then it starts again .
If you have a truckers Rand McNally atlas it lists all low clearance places. Or if you have a GPS that you put in your dimensions then with care it is helpful too.
Yes! Our RV Life Pro does that too. Still wondering why it wanted to route us around the bridge-tunnel. We have it set to 13''6'... in the gps....
Always trust the RV specific GPS. NEVER try to listen to more than one GPS at a time!
This is so crazy watching this video. You two were on coastal Highway and you passed our road. So when we moved here 9 years ago we lived in our Rv at Indian river camp ground and that is the big bridge you crossed over. So cool and I wish I would’ve have know this you would have been more then welcomed here as we have full hookups. Enjoy your journey my friends.
History on the campground, it was once a hunting lodge and also a horse training ranch. There used to be a 1/4 and a 1/2 mile horse track at the far end of the property along with a small plane landing strip. In the early 70s it became a campground where you bought your campsite. It met with financial troubles and one of the partners split with much of the financial assets. It went into the court system and remained that way into the 80s. When it first opened in the 70s there was a huge home by the pool as well as a larger barn near the horse track. Inside the barn was a horse drawn fox hunting carriage. There used to be a small apple orchard there as well next to the putt putt course. Tall oaks bordered this area from the campground area. As kids we explored every inch of that property as well as the associated building which included a couple houses in the woods. The place used to have Chincoteague ponies that they would give kids rides on. Before Thousand Trails bought the property no longer had any of the old amenities. The old mansion house has been razed, the barn with the carriage was razed, the marina silted in again, the old sport fish boat that served as the gate house was removed. The entire race tracks and landing strip was allowed to return to nature by 2009 or so. Yes it was awesome at one point but no longer has any of that charm and attraction. I imagine it still is a nice place to get away if the horse flies and mosquitos don't eat you up. Nearby Willis Wharf used to have fresh seafood. Wachapreague, Onancock, and Cape Charles are nice to see if you like history and seaside rural areas.
Aside from the Sunshine Skyway bridge in Florida the Chesapeake Bay bridges & tunnels are my fav drives with or without the RV but also by Harley Davidson. I could drive each of them back and forth regularly.
Well, that was fun! I grew up in Baltimore and am familiar with all of the area you were driving. It was quite nostalgic.
Kit and I are planning on fall colors in the north east this fall if everything goes as anticipated. Hope you’re having amazing and fascinating travel.
PS I’m right there with you on the whole gps thing - I’m the navigator.
Before the bridge tunnel there was a ferry service. The concrete ships were placed for a break water for the ferry. The pier is still there and located inside the state park. In fact upon entering the park you can see where US 13 used to go to the pier. There is an old motel sign in the state park back in the woods.
The reason it says turn right to Wilmington and Delaware is because that is the overhead sign you are looking for, confusing yes but that is the reason.
Yes very confusing! There are so many signs, so I just think it makes sense to say what road/hwy and sign thats coming up. 😊
It said Wilmington/Baltimore. Confusing because they are in opposite directions. But what it actually was doing was putting you on Route 1, which takes you to 95, where you would then have the option of going south to Baltimore or North to Wilmington.
Love hanging out with you two on a travel day! We’ve all been there. Great video!
The two tunnels allow large ships to go to Baltimore, Philadelphia, etc.
I run an old Garmin stand alone and Waze on my iPhone. The difference in directions which helps most of the time. The Garmin does a split screen showing the correct lane to be in. Also some apps allow generic directions like turn left at the next turn or turn left onto I295.
That Moride Hitch saved your back window in your shallow truck bed! You lucked out, I know several people that blew the window out of the back of their pickup truck!
We ave the same rig bought in March at Crowder Rv in
Johnson city Tn. It was right over border from Virginia. Excellent dealer
One of the best videos you’ve made. The CBBT is building two more tunnels so there will be two lanes each way. They have very strict wind restrictions for tall vehicles since trucks have been blown into the water. I think you missed a great opportunity to take the Cape May-Lewes ferry. Love my Sunpass and VA Ezpass. Just over a year ago, the Sunpass was extended to many other states on the East Coast.
It’s easier when you have a copilot obviously but don’t always rely on e-maps and get yourselves a Rand McNally Road Atlas. I’ve never seen one be wrong.
We did the bay bridge tunnel 3 weeks ago and stayed at Virginia Landing too. You are right, it has so much potential. Where else can you see both the sunrise and sunset over water!
Wish you had time to see more of the Eastern Shore. It's one of my favorite places, Kiptopeke State park and the ghost fleet, Cape Charles, Barrier Island Center, the very from Orocoke to Tangier Island, one of the sinking islands of the Chesapeake. And of course Chincoteague.
I also feel your GPS frustration and it's nice to know it's not just us newbies not knowing what to do.
I was on the other end of the tunnel. On top sailing over on USS NASSAU LHA-4, USS CARL VINSON CVN-70, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT CVN-71, And USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN-73. I only drove over it once but sailed over it all the time.
Ive wanted to check out the bridge/tunnel for decades and finally got the chance a few days ago. Its an impressive bot of engineering. I went southbound on 7/2 and northbound on 7/4. The view of the gap for the tunnel that you pointed out is on the northbound side.
It really is a marvel!
Wow! So close to my neck of the woods. Hope you're enjoying the East Coast. Lots to do and lots of tolls. 😄
Not sure what alternate route you looked out, but going around it and getting to 95 - if going up to the North East - only adds around one hundred miles. The two alternate paths will either take you over the Bay Bridge (which many people hate) or up through the DC/Baltimore path (hated by many for OTHER reasons). The CBBT is an awesome site, though - but not for everyone!
We live in VB and head up to places north by using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel frequently to include towing our 30ft travel trailer. The tunnels are a bit tight but it does make it better than going through DC and Baltimore.
Your on the money with the GPS in that area. We just did that run at Easter time and watching was reliving it. I get off over the bridge on Route 40 and i still forget what lane I need to be in. Unfortunately heading North it doesnt get any better! We're making the journey north to MA & CT in August so we will be reliving it again.
You will definitely be able to make a full 90 degree. I had to make a full 90 turn today. Love the Superglide been using one since 2006.
I agree, living in the north east, traveling with our fifth wheel in the area up to Maine makes me anxious, but we LOVE the CBBT ! Folks should know that there is a wind factor on the Chesapeake, so if you’ve got a fifth wheel or are on a motorcycle you need to stay off .
Should have taken the Lewes Cape May Ferry. I’m really glad I did last Fall especially watching you all driving in heavy traffic with confusing GPS for hours. Ferry was very efficient, fun, and relaxing. Always part of the adventure.
Yes! We planned to months ago... but after taking 2 ferries already, we decided to drive around on this one because the time and cost was about the same for an RV. But I regretted it!
I live in the tidewater area of Virginia and have taken our 37’ travel trailer across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel more times than I can count; no issues ever. BTW, we camped at Cherrystone RV Resort in Cheriton every single time.
This was a great video, we came through that tunnel on our way back from Florida a year ago. Could not agree more with you about the various map apps that all use that vague direction about merging versus turning onto a new highway. Can be very confusing at times.
When we travel with the fifth wheel I always have the Garmin GPS set up for the route. Shows me the turns and what lanes to be in. Plus it’s an RV specific GPS so I can input height weight and length. Google or Apple Maps can’t match it.
I thought you made reference to a situation that developed in your last video about the campsite or something like that was not good.
We run an rv Garmin with google maps running on a phone plus an atlas tucked in next to the seat. We often need to compare differing routes and the atlas gives us a good picture of the area in ‘dispute’ 😅 Besides we are old enough to be your parents and drove during the era before gps and can still decipher an atlas pretty well 😊 We enjoy your videos! Safe travels.
Always smart to have a paper map or atlas! We carried one in the Van for 2.5 years..but never used it! Actually I think it was a gift from one of our parents! 🤣 Appreciate you guys watching. 😊
Yeahhhhhh 🎉 wind is the issue there! I always hold my breath when I cross and tunnel the Bay bridge but what helps is they have a audio tour of it too so if you check Google you can download it and listen to it while you're crossing and tunneling. Stop in the middle and have lunch and photo oops 😂.😂
Ohh thats cool to know about the audio tour!!! That would have been awesome. And yes.... always photo ops! 🤣
A year ago, when we came over the CBBT, we saw a pod of dolphins feeding along the bridge at the DelMarVa end. Love the views from the bridge which you captured nicely.
I think everytime we come across or going home we also see dolphins. We stay at First Landing in VA Beach.
Google maps normally does really well, telling me what lane to be in for a turn - especially if I need to be prepared for another turn right after… much better in high population areas. however, learned the hard way to review the route when in the middle of nowhere.. I’ve been taken down to roads that don’t exist anymore
NJ native here that has traveled most of the east coast. Hope to make the trip with our RV someday. It will be a cross country trip from Washington.
I just bumped into this. A couple of things. Water dripping from the roof of a tunnel? We lived 40 miles north of London once on a work assignment. There is an expressway, M25, the ring road, that circles London. On the east side it crosses under the Thames in a tunnel. There is, or was at least, water dripping from the roof of that tunnel. I wonder if you get that in the Channel Tunnel? 😮
In this video you talk about getting your bearings repacked. Six months later you lost a wheel while driving. There's probably a connection between those two events but hard to say exactly what it is.
Another great video, we love you guys!
You just passed my place 4 miles away! Happy travels up the eastern shore. Great short cut to NY from Norfolk. Just watch the changes on the speed limits. Each tunnel is only 1.1mile long from opening to opening!
I've driven over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel many times in my life(40's?) and pulling a travel trailer probably 16 times? You just have to focus and stay between the lines, even when you see a tractor trailer coming your way! When they say 13' 6" for clearance, it's probably closer to 13'10"!
You should look at a Bulletpoint mount for that rear view camera. Have one in my Ram and love it. Nice video
I think it was in 2017. We stayed the night on the bridge by the tunnel entrance. At that time they had the restaurant and store and fishing Pier. It was so cool. Now I don't think you are allowed. This was right when they started to build the other bridge and tunnel.
I learned the hard way. If you use your SunPass pro on EZ pass bridges and tunnels in NY and NJ, you’ll pay the cash price vs the EZ-Pass price. It’s worth it to have both.
Aww. . . . you guys went through my stomping grounds - Virginia! I hope you waved to me as you passed me by! Actually after those tunnels, a great camping spot is at Kiptopeke State Park. They have 9 old concrete ships lined up to break the water and a dog beach and hiking trails of course. We like to camp there and visit Cape Charles too. Maybe next time you pass bye, give it a try :o)
PS - I did a 6K mi. trip last summer and used my Garmin for RVs. I love it because it gives you plenty of notice and tells you which lanes to be in on busy freeways. Never gave me a problem from UT and up the PNW coast, Vancouver Island, BC and Alberta. Back home through ID, MT, WY and CO. I think you might be driving yourselves crazy with 3 GPS system running all at once. Personally I've never liked Google maps and not an Apple fan so never tried that.
It was so nice to meet you at the campground in Bar Harbor! I’m sure it’s odd when people come up to you like they know you but you are meeting them for the first time! Lol. I meant to ask Aaron where you got the sewer steps- I haven’t been able to find them anywhere!
Yes getting meeting you guys as well! It’s still a trip every time! 😂
I got those sewer supports on Amazon
amzn.to/3VXHuu6
Looks like they’re outta stock right now though….. bummer we really like them!
Biggest gripe is where 300ft to intersection can be different on another intersection. Turn right at 300ft may actually be 50ft while another intersection is 500ft. If there is two intersection close together, one can easily turn into the wrong street.
Wondering about the warning on your tpms at about 12:40 in the video?
I didn't notice in this video, but a couple videos back we did show the RV TPMS alert. It startled us at first, but the battery on the transmitter at the wheel died and it throws an alert of no transmission. I should have changed all the batteries, because no their slowly going one by one and setting of the alarm ! 🤣
Props driving through that. I would have been so nervous.
😊
What is the height of your 5th wheel trailer? You need to put your height and width into your travel GPS system, so it does not take you under bridges that will take your top off!
You’re one hell of a chauffeur young lady👍😊 well done…..
Sorry to say pulling a 13' 4" 5th wheel Apple maps and Google maps (NO GOOD) get a Garmin Nuvi for RV's I cant tell you how many times I have gone the wrong way with Google it's very frustrating. Since buying my Garmin it's been smooth sailing. Like you guys I have a 5th wheel that's 13' 4" the best thing about the RVGPS you can put your height and length. makes traveling less stressful. happy trails be safe
I used to drive my 18 wheeler across there when I drove
Use Waze. It is great and you can set how much information it gives you. We lived in Northern Virginia for 40 years and love the Outer banks. You are past it now but there is a campground named Cherrystone as far south you can going by the Baybridge Tunnels love it😊
Oh yea.. We used to use Waze years ago and liked it. It's been a while, so we'll have to try it again! Thanks for the info!
Aaron, Cris.... Axle, frame tip... The harder , tighter you turn the more torque you're putting on your axle brackets, bushings, which inturn causes uneven tire wear.. Alignment, Tracking issues. Keep an eye on your bushings and tire gaps.
Good reminder yes, thanks! We don't ever want to go 90, but I feel better knowing I can if we need to in a sticky situation. 😊
The one gps map is out of date, the intersection at rt13 and rt295 has been realigned in the last few years. I am glad I stumbled onto your YT
Thanks! Yes, exactly my point! These are all “internet based” applications and are as up to date as possible. But are still out of date! 😂
Not sure what time of year you were driving through, but you need to get some corn from the eastern shore in Maryland. Best corn you will ever eat, in my opinion:)
Sorry, the Cape to Cape Ferry is the best option every time! Worth the time and price. We take the ferry multiple times a year. Next time hit me up when you are in MD/DE area.
Sometimes the gps says turn and really the main road just bears left or remains straight. It is confusing.
Another wonderful video
Google Maps is the same and can be rather confusing, especially when you're not familiar with the road or route which you're taking, and you are required to rely on the GPS. There are a few intersections, forks in the road and doglegs in my city that it's confused about and gives confusing instructions. It doesn't really include instructions for merging, when a lane ends, though; you need to pay attention and read the road signs.
Maybe Garmin Rv unit or the ones truckers use, just another expense I guess. I would have been nervous in the tunnels.
Great video. Love our Alliance 310RL with PullRite hitch. Just wondering why Chris does all the driving? No judgement, just curious.
The bay bridge and tunnel was designed that way as a matter of national security. The US Navy ships could get trapped in the bay if an enemy destroyed the bridge in a conflict!
As proven with the key bridge in Baltimore
I have RV Life Pro Trip Wizard and a Garmin RV 765 that works well together most of the time. I trust my Garmin RV GPS more than I trust the Trip Wizard.
Do you guys take the Cape May- Lewes ferry when approaching Cape May? It is a little pricey but they put the price point just at the place where you'll pay it because you save drive time, fuel and tolls to get all the way around! Plus, it's a pretty cool experience, I've been on it probably 50 times in my life!
What tires are you running on your trailer? The tires we have raised our rv so that the top if our air-conditioning unit is 13'6". I don't think we'd make the tunnel or the ferry.
Ironically, you could take 295 south or north and they re-emerge again together. The people we were traveling with went south and we went north and we ended up right next to each other!
The Thousand Trails were mostly referred to as Preserves at least in the earlier years. They were long-term leased or something and supposed to be only minimally improved (to preserve them?). Maintaining what improvements were done has been a problem many times since the late 70s, but the parks have persisted. I have what they call an Alliance membership and still pay dues for the day when I can be free to travel again--soon. I had to chuckle when you were talking about being out in the boonies to find the park. With few exceptions, such as Las Vegas, they are all way out of the way, such as Pio Pico not exactly in San Diego.☺
If you follow gps here in the U.P. you never know what logging road it may take you down.
We had Google maps take us through subdivision to bypass Madison Wi. Now I take Google with a grain of salt.
Hats off for taking your rig down some of those roads. I'd be a nervous farter the whole way.
Enjoying your adventures so far, it nice to see other parts of the country.
We wanted to do P.E.I. this year, but it will have to wait till next.
Safe travels guys.
Oh, yeah I bet! Can't always trust those GPS's ! 🤣 Hope you guys do get to Canada next year....we'll have videos out on it in the meantime!
@@IreneIronTravels Nice
yea, 295 doesn't go to Baltimore or Wilmington. It goes across the Delaware river to NJ. Glad I don't use apple maps, LoL
Chris, when baby gets crabby they need burped, changed or fed. Keep a snickers on hand for all four of them. Don’t worry about construction cones. They are made to run over in a pinch situation. Biggest gripe with rv specific gps over other gps formats; why can’t I take the other route??, is there a bridge with a weight rating, is there a height obstacle, too steep of a grade, too sharp of a curve etc etc.
I went through those tunnels and across those bridges a number of times when i was trucking, and it was a bit un-nerving each time.. :) Be careful up there!
Yes! Thanks!
I generally follow Garmin if in doubt
i drive my wife crazy with multiple map apps. Pick one and pay attention. Really tough in the city. thanks
How did you get Apple Maps and the truck GPS to work simultaneously? My Ram kicks me off navigation mode. When I use Apple Maps via car play.
I've done the CBBT 5 times, 2 round trips and a 1 way. I've yet to take my camper van across but glad its only 9'5" tall. They have 2 tunnels to allow separate northbound and southbound ship traffic. Have you looked into the Delaware Bay Ferry? Its a great shortcut to southern New Jersey. They allow RVs with trailers up to 13'6" height per the cmlf web site.
Thanks! Yes, we were going to do the Cape may Lewes ferry, but decided to drive around. It was about $100 for the truck and RV I think and about the same time to drive around. But that would have been a better route on this one as we did hit some traffic!