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09-13-2017, 11:50 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
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Make reservations now or Wing-it??
Hello all,
We're newly retired and planning to take our new rig through southern states for the winter. Usually we like to take our travels as much day-to-day as possible without reserving future stays too much ahead of time, ... wondering how feasible that is with RV'ing, especially if we want to stay in a lot of nice state parks which I suspect have most sites are already heavily reserved??? Appreciate any advice.
Rgds/- Steve
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09-13-2017, 11:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 831
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When we were still in a 30' 5th wheel we didn't book ahead unless it was over long weekends or there was a major event in the area but now with a 43' trailer we need to know exactly what we're up against. Unfortunately some parks are just not accessible anymore for us.
__________________
2018 Ram 5500 with 2021 Arctic Fox 1140
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09-13-2017, 11:59 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 1,793
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Hit the state parks during the week and boondock on the weekends if you must.
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09-13-2017, 12:11 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cypressloser
When we were still in a 30' 5th wheel we didn't book ahead unless it was over long weekends or there was a major event in the area but now with a 43' trailer we need to know exactly what we're up against. Unfortunately some parks are just not accessible anymore for us.
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Ya I can imagine its a lot tougher to wing-it with a big rig like that. Our TT is only 27' so hoping its a little easier to find places to stay.
Thx/- Steve
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09-13-2017, 12:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,799
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I think everyone without reservations should consider the effects of hurricane Irma. There will be no RV parks in the Keys this winter. All of those transients are going to be looking to stay on the mainland. Presumably any damage in south Florida should be repaired by then.
Wait at your own risk.
__________________
Scott Brownstein
Palm Island, Florida
2015 Georgetown 335DS
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09-13-2017, 12:28 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77Travco
Hit the state parks during the week and boondock on the weekends if you must.
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Sounds fun. Are there normally lots of decent, safe places to boondock?
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09-13-2017, 02:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wandering below the Gnat Line
Posts: 1,995
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You need to make reservations unless your idea of camping is Walmart. Seriously. We didn't need to make them far in advance just last year but this year is different.
We generally don't stay at state parks because they're rather expensive and in the winter booked up a year earlier. Corps of Engineers parks have worked out well for us especially with the half-price old-farts discount.
__________________
-jbh-
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09-13-2017, 02:57 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 3,542
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If 'southern states' includes Florida, then most of the state parks book out a year in advance (which is as far out as they are allowed to book).
Exceptions for some of the parks in the middle of the state where it's a bit less touristy.
This excludes damages caused to parks from Irma that will make some site unavailable for some length of time as yet to be determined. And for all of the full timers whose sites were damage or destroyed by Irma who are now looking for a place to park.
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2013 Winnebago Sightseer 36V
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09-13-2017, 03:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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Figure all the,places that fill up from Nov. to April will be looking toward the center of the state or another. In Between destinations you met be able to not need reservations during the week. I am not even sure about southern Texas. A lot of snowbirds there. Claen up in both states may make CGs unavailable. I would start calling now.
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09-13-2017, 03:49 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Grasonville, MD -- Golden, CO
Posts: 6,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanCruiser
Hello all,
We're newly retired and planning to take our new rig through southern states for the winter. Usually we like to take our travels as much day-to-day as possible without reserving future stays too much ahead of time, ... wondering how feasible that is with RV'ing, especially if we want to stay in a lot of nice state parks which I suspect have most sites are already heavily reserved??? Appreciate any advice.
Rgds/- Steve
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Those who do - Do ..
Those who don't - Don't ..
Simple and True - But in your Case the operative word is WINTER so for the most part you will be good (Grand Canyon, might be an exception - in the park) You will learn what works for you and get into your routine.
When we first started we were on a Schedule - . Not Fun . - now we get a rough plan and just wing it - usually calling about 2-3 hours before we arrive to be sure we can get in - worst comes to worst - Wal*Mart will be fine (30 years without an issue) - then we see if we can get in or change plans.
Where do you want to go this first winter ?
We have done - Colorado - Utah - Nevada - California - Arizona - Texas and New Mexico in the South West during the Winter - Loved it. We did all this in the last two coaches - 37' and 42+ ' so really not that hard.
So I say go for it and adjust as you go/learn.
Best of Luck,
__________________
Busskipper
Location - Grasonville, Maryland - and/or - Superior, Colorado
2005 Travel Supreme 42DS04 - GX470 Toad
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09-13-2017, 09:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,848
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It would help a lot if you were to define "southern states"
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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09-14-2017, 06:12 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1
It would help a lot if you were to define "southern states"
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Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, SoCal.
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09-14-2017, 06:19 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,494
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We use to go to FL to visit my parents and my wifes family. Early on it was easier to wing it now not so much. Too many people competing for limited spots. Also, a number of communities have implemented no parking rules for Walmart and similar stores. This compounds the problem and makes it difficult to wing it.
__________________
Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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09-14-2017, 06:21 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Busskipper
Those who do - Do ..
Those who don't - Don't ..
Simple and True - But in your Case the operative word is WINTER so for the most part you will be good (Grand Canyon, might be an exception - in the park) You will learn what works for you and get into your routine.
When we first started we were on a Schedule - . Not Fun . - now we get a rough plan and just wing it - usually calling about 2-3 hours before we arrive to be sure we can get in - worst comes to worst - Wal*Mart will be fine (30 years without an issue) - then we see if we can get in or change plans.
Where do you want to go this first winter ?
We have done - Colorado - Utah - Nevada - California - Arizona - Texas and New Mexico in the South West during the Winter - Loved it. We did all this in the last two coaches - 37' and 42+ ' so really not that hard.
So I say go for it and adjust as you go/learn.
Best of Luck,
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Winging it certainly fits with our typical approach but we've never had any problems booking a couple of days in advance. Scary thing is this doesn't seem to be quite so feasible with nicer camping parks, esp state and national parks. But its great to hear about the success you've had!
We're thinking of spending most of our time in the SW, ... Arizona, SoCal region, but may drive there via TX, NM and Louisiana since we'll be coming from the Northeast.
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