Community Forums

Mekanic · 04-08-2019, 05:53 PM

To the OP.
What do I look for? No matter whether I am in a are to “stay a while”.(like a week) Or just stopping for the night. I want electric, water hookups and above all a good price.

I think if I’m on the road and might stay some where for only 8-10 hours. I want a deal it should NOT be the same price as a 24 hour stay.

One my fave from last year was campground in shamrock Tx. With full hookups for,,,,,,$14. PER NIGHT!!
(No office, just a drop box w/envelopes for the money).

Mike_Cathi · 04-08-2019, 07:09 PM

There are two relevant ages - Human - may be restricted to over 55. Rig, May not be accepted if over 10 yrs. You might have to send a photo of your lovely well matained 1999 rig.

Teamfoxy · 04-09-2019, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don A.

Regarding campgrounds and if you haven't purchased a RV yet - I'll give you a great piece of advice like I provide a lot of people retiring outside of the US right now and that is *Rent Before You Buy* . If you are heading out on the road and investing maybe 100K$ or more on a motor home or as much or more in a house in another country, make sure you know what you are doing.

It seems basically crazy that most people spend the kind of money they do on a RV without knowing anything about it. And while retiring and locating out of the country, one can lose a fortune when selling in taxes and depreciation when the home doesn't work out, you can easily do the same when retiring into full-time RVing. In a RV, like any automobile, you lose a major percentage of your purchase price when you drive off the showroom floor. You're not financially safe with a used one either if you lose something major like an engine or tranny. Also once you start full timing, you'll likely give away all your hobbies and tools and clothes and a lifetime collection of toys for pennies at a yard sale and what will you do if you you've done this blindly and soon discover this lifestyle isn't for you? For those who brag "we sold everything and moved on the road" if it doesn't work out - then what are you going to do?.

I think you are both right and wrong in this advise. A couple of weeks in a rented RV is not like spending a long time in one. Whether you have a good or bad time, it won't give you the full picture of what it is like.
When we were looking for our first RV, we thought about renting but found a small used Class C that we could buy for the price of renting something for a month. We decide that even if we didn't like it, we could sell it and come out no worse off. Five years , and many enjoyable adventures, later we sold it for what we paid for it. Over the years we have been RVing, our needs have changed and types of RV's with it. The one constant in our RV lifelstyle has been to never spend what we could not afford to write off and walk away from. You will never be able to sell an RV and buy back your current house and/or lifestyle from the proceeds. Just accept it and plan your exit around that.

pamelawick · 04-09-2019, 08:58 AM

We look for parks that are truly RV parks. A lot of parks in Florida are actually mobile home parks with permanent residents with lots of ‘junk’ on their sites. We use internet sites with reviews to guide us depending on our need - just overnight or staying for a while. Of course everyone has their opinion on the best RV park, but really it’s your preferences and plans, but level sites are important as is space between you and your neighbors. We prefer full hook ups for convenience but if we’re only there for a night or two, not as important. You’ll have to stay in a few parks to find what you like and don’t like and start your own database for reference.

OlJB · 04-09-2019, 01:44 PM

Our experience is that it is difficult to find a vacancy in an RV Park on either coast during Season, unless you book at least 6 months ahead. Finding parks in the middle of the state during Season are much easier, but, even then, sometimes you can't stay as long as you want.
As far as campsite amenities, decide what you want to do at your destination. Most of our destinations were not about the park, but about something(s) we wanted to do in the area. Also, the number of amenities you want could depend on the length of your stay and the size of your fresh water, grey water and black water tanks. With our 37' 5er, we could stay up to 7 days in a campground without sewer hookup. Being close enough to a faucet to refill the fresh water tank is important if we were staying more than 3 days. With a 2200 watt generator, power was not a problem, if we didn't need AC. So, your "necessities" are going to change, depending on your wants/needs.

fergy1939 · 04-10-2019, 07:30 AM

OIJB, It's been a while since we have been to California but even in the early 80s, they should have put up a sign at the border saying, "Welcome to California, Camp Grounds Full".

Ret.LEO · 04-12-2019, 04:36 PM

Something with 25ft between trailers with a row of evergreen trees between also. They don't exist and that's why we will boondock only. So many CG's seem more like ghetto camping, those that don't are "resorts" and forget those!

Panama465 · 05-08-2019, 08:05 PM

Took two seasons for me to get us in one of the FL Keys State Park. You have to book 11mths in advance (then cross your fingers). The private CGs are easier to get into, but very pricey. Also, I use Campgroundreviews.com for honest opinions regarding parks. The further away from water and theme parks, the less planning you need to do. We don't focus on CG amenities, because we only sleep there. Quiet and clean are our only requirements.
http://www.campgroundreviews.com