Quartzsite 2011

[rvgrandma]

Anyone planning to attend this year? we are currently in Yuma and not sure if we will drive up with the MH or just the car.

A couple questions:

Is there going to be a place where National RV owners gather?

Are there power gear people there? We still have the old power gear touchpad (pre 2004) and probably needs replaced. We also need to find out where the ground is for it. I think it is on the firewall near the well, but not sure what I am looking for. About 5 years ago my hb was shown but he has not been able to find it.

We have always wanted to go to Quartzsite and south for the winter, so this is the year. It may be my hb's last time to travel a lot. Yuma has turned out to be too dry and dusty for him so next month will start the slow trek north.

[Vegasdan]

i'm thinking of going for a few days in January just to see the swap meet and vendors.

[wa7hra]

rvgrandma, if Yuma is too dry and dusty, you will hate Quartzsite. I spend the whole winter in QZ, dry camping on Bureau fo Land Mangement land. The wind blows here and there is nothing to slow it down. Most of the dirt was blown away centuries ago, but what there is left regularly gets recirculated.

The show in the "big tent" happens the last week in January. My suggestion is to make a day trip from Yuma. It's only 80 miles.

The Dolphins RV Club used to have a rally here every year, but that seems to have fizzled. Something new may have started up. Send me email at wa7hra@escapees.com and if I find out about something new I will advise you.

Bob, wa7hra

[jimpat4649]

rvgrandma,
Just wanted to share and give you an idea about Quartzsite. We were there two years ago, I don't recall a single RV "parts manufacturer" as a Vendor. The vendors at Quartzsite reminded me of a County Fair/ Home Show selling all sorts of gadgets etc. Outside of the "big tent" area there are permanent type vendors and there were only a few who sold RV parts: mostly small stuff like cabinet hardware, light fixtures, sinks, occasional piece of RV furniture etc which appeared used or traded. I was disappointed as I thought Quartszite was THE place to find RV parts or accessories but found repeated vendors with (ginszu type) knife sets, food choppers, magnetic therapy beads, vitamins, the latest & greatest of "As Seen on TV" etc.

Since we're having problems with our Power Gear electric jacks, we'd attend a Rally almost anywhere if we found out PG would be attending! They were not at the FMCA International Rally this past August in Redmond OR as an example of their Rally attendance.

And by the way, anyone reading this- please don't hesitate to share if you know or hear Power Gear will be offering service or even a Seminar!

[keninvic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvgrandma Anyone planning to attend this year? we are currently in Yuma and not sure if we will drive up with the MH or just the car. A couple questions: Is there going to be a place where National RV owners gather? Are there power gear people there? We still have the old power gear touchpad (pre 2004) and probably needs replaced. We also need to find out where the ground is for it. I think it is on the firewall near the well, but not sure what I am looking for. About 5 years ago my hb was shown but he has not been able to find it. We have always wanted to go to Quartzsite and south for the winter, so this is the year. It may be my hb's last time to travel a lot. Yuma has turned out to be too dry and dusty for him so next month will start the slow trek north.

We are planning on being there, but have never been to Quartzsite. If someone has a favourite boon dock spot where we could all meet, lets do it.

[rvgrandma]

We drove up to Quartzsite today and looked around. It surprised us that for a Saturday the number of vendors that was closed. Unless things change we have decided to head up that way next month. Our month is up here on the 5th. wa7hra let us know where you are - we may try to find you. We drove around the free area south of town as we were heading back to Yuma.

We may try the BLM boondocking since that was the reason we bought a motorhome that is self contained. the hardest will be not having TV all the time. Our 12V plus on the passenger side stopped working about 6 years ago and no one can find the problem - unless we want to pay mucho bucks. My hb took out the reading light just behind the passenger seat and put a 12V plug there but it doesn't seem to have enough juice to run the inverter. Weird!

We are adjusting to the dryer air and dust.

[wa7hra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvgrandma . wa7hra let us know where you are - we may try to find you. We drove around the free area south of town as we were heading back to Yuma. We may try the BLM boondocking since that was the reason we bought a motorhome that is self contained.

Hope you make it to QZ. It's an experience you won't have anyplace else. It's the third largest tourist attraction in AZ according to the state visitors office. Only the Grand Canyon and the Sedona Artist Community are any larger. The last week in January is the peak of the season. It includes the Recreation and RV Show in the "Big Tent" which was not here when you made your day trip.

As for boondocking, there are five FREE 14 day areas in and around QZ. Comming from Yuma, the first one you encounter is the Road Runner. Entrance is immediately after you turn off onto the La Paz Valley rd at about Mile Marker 98 and 1/2. (The Big Tent is at MM 104)

Closest to town is Scadden Wash. Turn right at the first stop light at Hwy 95 and Kuehn Rd. Go about 1 1/2 miles east on Kuhen. There are two more north of town on 95. They are Hi Jolly and Plamosa Road. They will be easy to spot because of the collection of RV's. The 5th 14 day area is called Dome Rock. Go west on Interstate 10 and turn off on the Dome Rock Exit. This one is a little tough to navigate because of the terrain.

We are parked in the first Long Term Visitor area you will see on your right as you come from Yuma. It's at MM 102 and is called La Posa South. The advantage to the LTVA's over the 14 day areas is the availability of dump, water fill, and garbage disposal. The fee for the entire winter is $180. A two week permit is available for $40 and it can be extended.

To get to where we are parked, go through the gate at La Posa South (you don't need to stop) , go past the outhouse at about one mile and in appoximately 100 yards you will come to the 579 Road on your right. We are about 1/2 mile in on that road. We have a white Dolphin with a tall amateur radio antenna on it. Washington license plate WA7HRA. There is normally a white Toyota RV-4 parked next to it. Our Verizon cell phone number is 360-490-9910.

Hope you can make it.

Vegasdan, if you read this, come on by.

Bob, wa7hra.........

[Bill Davis]

We will be returning to Quartzsite next year for our tenth and possibly last visit, motorhome is for sale. Our usual plan is to stay at the Road Runner till our tanks fill up, then go to a LTVA to dump. We have found there is less dust there, mostly crushed rock on the ground. The Old Yuma Road will take you into town, avoiding the traffic on Hwy. 95.
Quartzsite is something every RVer should do at least once, and for many that is enough. We have friends that live in the city, and they say things are changing. The city is trying to discourage tent vendors, forcing them into storefront buildings. The Main Event is smaller than it used to be. Space rental prices are going up, discouraging vendors. I think they refer to it as "progress".
There will always be a Quartzsite, as a Winter destination. We take our Jeep back in the hills to gold mines and ghost towns. Geocaching and "desert golf". Telling tall tales around the campfire. These activities will continue.
Go, and take pictures. You will see things (and people) there you wont see any where else. Enjoy.

[hdl261olds]

Check this website to see if PowerGear will be at Quartzite.

Power Gear

[wa7hra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Davis We will be returning to Quartzsite next year for our tenth and possibly last visit, motorhome is for sale. Our usual plan is to stay at the Road Runner till our tanks fill up, then go to a LTVA to dump. We have found there is less dust there, mostly crushed rock on the ground. The Old Yuma Road will take you into town, avoiding the traffic on Hwy. 95.

Hi Bill. Anne and I will be at Road Runner the last week in January. We will be with the amateur radio group that meets approximately 1/2 mile in on the road that runs past the host. Last year we had about 130 rigs parked in the area. You have probably driven through our camp. You can't miss us because of all the big antennas on the RV's. Stop by for a visit. My Washington State license plate is my radio call sign, WA7HRA. My white Dolphin has a 23 foot tall, white antenna on the LR slide. Look around for us or ask at our registration RV at the camp fire circle. The toad is a white Toyota RAV4.

Bob Hart, wa7hra............

[Bill Davis]

Will do. Have driven past "intermod alley" several times. Would be interested in seeing your ham gear. Thanks.

[UFO Pilot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa7hra Hi Bill. Anne and I will be at Road Runner the last week in January. We will be with the amateur radio group that meets approximately 1/2 mile in on the road that runs past the host. Bob Hart, wa7hra............

I drove by your site a number of time last year. We were with the Beaver group that camps about 1/2 mile further in. We will be there again in January.

[sgtjoe]

If any of you need anything for your National RV's, check out The Gambler. They are one of the folks who bought out a lot of the stuff when National folded. I picked up two basement latches for 7.50 each and saw original awnings also.

[rvgrandma]

We have been in Quartzsite since 1/5/11. We have loved it here. My only negative is the water in the park we are in. Due to my hb's illness I felt boondocking would be too stressful for him. We are at Patty's RV park - not a fancy one but furnishes full hookups and good wi-fi. A lot here are long term but a few are here just for the winter months. Oh, and having to drive to Parker or Blythe to do major shopping is a pain. But, overall we like it and are considering staying for February since I have yet to find cheap RV parks further north.