Camp Freightliner - Campground Costs

[W8RLM]

I attended Camp Freightliner on Sept. 16-17. My hat is off to Mike Cody. He is certainly knows his stuff and makes things enjoyable. I've already put several ideas from Mike to use.

There was one negative and it had to do with the KOA Campground. The campground itself is great and well maintained. My beef is with their policy of charging $4.00 per hour for each hour past the 11:00 checkout time. By the time that we got back to the campground and disconnected, we had run up $28.00 in additional charges.

Mike and the Camp Freightline rmanagement know that they will be running to 5:00 or 6:00 on the second day. I feel that Freightliner and/or KOA should be prepared and allowances made for the late departure. We had to be down the road to see friends the following day, so staying over was not an option.

Again, my hat is off to Mike Cody and his team for an excellent school.

W8RLM - Bob

[MaverickBBD]

Glad to hear the class is still going strong. Would love to get back there and take a part deux .

By the time I got back to the park on the second day it was past seven o'clock and I felt like a wrung out dish rag. Luckily we had plans to stay the night for service the next morning. The only other option would have been to find a place at the service center for the night. Might have been an option for you if you had to take off right after class.

[Triker56]

So you didn't know the check out time and rules at the KOA? They should have given you that information at check in.

Or you thought KOA would give you a extra 7 hours past check out time FREE? Get real. You think KOA cares how long the Freightliner classes run.

Sounds like you didn't plan meeting your friends right.
You should have delayed the meeting of your friends a extra day.
Or was it a emergency meeting with them?

Quote:

Mike and the Camp Freightline rmanagement know that they will be running to 5:00 or 6:00 on the second day. I feel that Freightliner and/or KOA should be prepared and allowances made for the late departure.

I think the ones attending the classes are the ones responsible for the late departure. And Freightliner & KOA are not responsible for anyone wanting to check out late. Did you try to get your $28 back from Mike?

[W8RLM]

I thought that this was supposed to be a "friendly" forum. Apparently not.

First, as far as how we schedule to be with our friends, its none of your business.

Second, both the campground management (I told them when I made the reservation that I was attending Camp Freightliner) and the Freightliner people knew ahead of time that the school runs well past the checkout time. Either one could have said that the chance of additional charges was possible.

Third, we could afford the additional cost. It was the fact that it was a surprise, and anyone in the future who attends the school in Gaffney should probably plan on staying over. If I had known the late conclusion on the second day, I probably would have rescheduled the trip.

Triker, don't bother to reply. It's not worth it.
W8RLM - Bob

[Catch and Release]

I attended Camp Freightliner on Sept 13 and 14. In defense of Mike Cody, the Camp Freightliner materials clearly showed the schedule plus the fact that you got a "free lunch" on both days should have been a clue the class was going past 11:00.

The Spartanburg KOA (Old Pine Cone Campground) has vastly improved their facility with the advent of new owners. We stayed there in 2007 and vowed we wouldn't go back. This time it was much different. The staff was very helpful when we had an unexpected issue and needed to stay a few extra days.

[Triker56]

Quote:

Triker, don't bother to reply. It's not worth it.

Hummmmm! Is that a order?
Maybe a request?
It's no bother at all, and best of all it's FREE.

It takes planning to make a trip without surprises. Next trip do more research and have a stress free one.

[bigdog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickBBD Glad to hear the class is still going strong. Would love to get back there and take a part deux .

Just as a matter of info,they had two of them this year at Harrisburg,Or and they were both full. They had the FOCC rally there after the FMCA in Redmond and then two classes. It was at the Riverbend Resort and RV park,which is really trying to make a go of it.Everyone there stayed over tuesday nite and we had some good get togethers. Some people left as soon as the class was over and there was no problems with the late checkout.

[Elkhartjim]

Another alternative for those attending Camp FL, knowing full well that the class runs late both days and that most campgrounds will have a late check out policy (and to me 7 or 8 pm is pretty late), break camp and drive the motorhome to the service center the last morning of class. There seemed to be lots of parking available when I was there a few weeks ago.

I think it would be a given to expect to be charged a full day if you don't leave until 7 or 8 at night. Especially being a Friday night. It could have caused them to not be able to sell that space that night and what about the poor soul that had reservations to arrive at 6 and found the only place left was the space the late check out rig was occupying.

[historyljc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catch and Release . . . The Spartanburg KOA (Old Pine Cone Campground) has vastly improved their facility with the advent of new owners. We stayed there in 2007 and vowed we wouldn't go back. This time it was much different. The staff was very helpful when we had an unexpected issue and needed to stay a few extra days.

Do they actually have water pressure now? Have they mowed the grass, leveled the sites, picked up the garbage and repaired the common facilities?

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by historyljc Do they actually have water pressure now? Have they mowed the grass, leveled the sites, picked up the garbage and repaired the common facilities?

When I was there the campground was neat and everthing worked just fine. WE especially liked the large dog run.

[W8RLM]

I agree with Driver and others. The campground was very nice, and I probably would stop there again if I was in the area. I was only surprised by the extra charge.

I think that this tread is over.

W8RLM - Bob

[JVJ]

No one likes a surprise that removes cash from there wallet in an unexpected fashion.
However, a word to the wise. I have started to read a few like post from RVers who have arrived earlier than the posted check in time of a campground and have been charged a per-hour fee for the extra amount of time due to the early arrival. At first I thought what a bunch or "Bull"...but, then I thought about if from the camp ground owners point of view. If you are early, you are using electric, water, sewer, cable all of which are an expense to the owners bottom line.
As for a late departure, the same should hold true.

[pawpawboyce]

hi bob, does freightliner have these camp freightliner meeting often and it's sounds interesting. if you could let me know, i would appreciate it.
boyce and lisa
06 meridian 39k
06 jeep unltd tow

[pawpawboyce]

hi bob, well dud-------all i had to do was google it. got what i needed. thanks.
boyce and lisa