fizikpal
East Northport NY USA
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Joined: 03/24/2004
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Anyone take an RV on the ferry crossing from Wisconsin to Michigan? I just checked their site and see it will cost a pretty penny so know I will have to convince the DW (and myself) that it is worth it.
thanks
tom
The Lynch's
2002 Shasta Cheyenne 308
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BettynLen
Hendersonville, NC
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Joined: 07/16/2006
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I just did a rough calculation for a 30' Motorhome, toad, and 2 Passengers it came to $332!!!!! Think I'll pass on that one.
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Online Camper
Westminster Colorado
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Joined: 01/27/2004
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Several Years back, we went across Lake Michigan on the Badger, it was OK, and as you say, Costly, but I guess it all depends on how much time you save ... Driving around the top of the Lake will take about 8 hours, driving around the southern part of the Lake will be in Heavy Traffic, so, you will make the decision, they loaded my rig LAST, and it was First to come off, the only problem was BACKING the rig down the curved gangway.... A real TEST for ME......
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countrykids
Minnesota
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Joined: 08/04/2004
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We took the ferry last September and had a great time. Our rig is a truck camper, 20+ ft, and total cost for the two of us and the camper was around $140.00. That included a "senior" discount and another $20.00 discount from a coupon we got from some place in Michigan.
Remember that you have to get around Lake Michigan some way and the extra miles at todays fuel prices aren't free either. Also, the ferry company allows boonedocking at the Michigan end. Not sure about the Wisconsin side.
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Jrebhun
Western Pa
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Joined: 03/29/2004
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Took the Badger from Wisc to Mich end of last July. Traveled the 'night' trip leaving at 1am to take advantage of discount fares at night. Saved a little money vs driving around Chicago to go to PA. Surprised at how many people crossed at that time- it was booked full. Some people paid extra for a state room to sleep in during the 4 hour trip but we toughed it watched TV, movies and finally slept in an easy chair. Being both "landlubbers" we had to take dramamine and that put us out for 3 hours. Groggily, drove to a local walmart directly from the badger in the morning and crashed for a couple hours before traveling on. Did it really for the experience and not to save that much on time and gas.
HOWEVER, at night they required their 'drivers' to back our 5th wheel onto the Badger. We were the next to last to board. Lastly, the driver backed a large semi right beside our RV and got too close and scrapped our side slightly. Didn't notice until we were in PA at a truck stop later in the day. Not much damage but wouldn't do it again.
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lilhowlinwolf
MB/Pan/Iceland
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Joined: 12/09/2006
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fizikpal wrote:Anyone take an RV on the ferry crossing from Wisconsin to Michigan? I just checked their site and see it will cost a pretty penny so know I will have to convince the DW (and myself) that it is worth it. thanks tom
Hi Tom, well you need to think about the alternatives - going north at slow speeds to cross the top of Michigan; going south and doing battle in the Chicago Metro area. It depends on how much aggravation you and dw are willing to put up with. I always take the shortest route - there's a reason why the ferry gets so much biz.
Wolf
46ft Frers Racer 7.5°N-80.8°W //home 56.8°N -96.9°W. Eureka 6 man egyptian cotton tent ~ Off on a new journey Iceland 63.4°N 20.3°W~ Mitakuye oyasin!
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tallyo
Fort Myers,Florida
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Joined: 06/12/2007
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lilhowlinwolf wrote:fizikpal wrote:Anyone take an RV on the ferry crossing from Wisconsin to Michigan? I just checked their site and see it will cost a pretty penny so know I will have to convince the DW (and myself) that it is worth it. thanks tom
Hi Tom, well you need to think about the alternatives - going north at slow speeds to cross the top of Michigan; going south and doing battle in the Chicago Metro area. It depends on how much aggravation you and dw are willing to put up with. I always take the shortest route - there's a reason why the ferry gets so much biz.
Yes,, 420 miles around through Chicago or 520 Miles up through Mackinaw.
I sure wouldn't be a big fan of skirting around Chicago, unless you tried it in the middle of the night.
Having said all this, we are taking the northern route this summer because we have never seen that part of the world.
Tallyo
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Old Bird
Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/11/2005
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I have taken my motorhome on the Badger. It is expensive buts beats a trip through Chicago. One thing to note, you do not drive your own vehicle on board. They have professional drivers to load the ferry, everything from cars to semis gets loaded by the Badgers drivers.
Phil
1983 Blue Bird Wanderlodge FC35
Wisconsin
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frank henn
jackson, mississippi
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Joined: 08/18/2006
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I did the trip in 2001 would do it again, any thing bets driving in the Chicago traffic. The stuff is a nightmare unless you go thru Chicago around 1 to 2 in the AM.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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We thought it was fun. Don't recall cost, but we have 21' ball to bumper TT pulled by SUV, 2 people. Pro drivers put rig on and off for you (cars done by kids), so no issue there.
When figuring cost be sure to ALSO figure cost to drive it, then subtract that figure to get additional cost for ferry.
Chuck
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I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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