Community Forums

khodgens · 05-29-2022, 11:26 AM

Here's the back story: In April the forest fire burning in NE New Mexico burned our house to the ground. We ended up buying a 2015 Gulfbreeze 30RBI to live in until everything is settled w/insurance and we find a house to buy in SW Colorado and no we're not building back in NM. I'm 74 and SWMBO is turning 70 later this year so we had planned on downsizing later this year but not to 240sqft! We're trying to maintain our cost outlay for services including park fees as much as possible. I'm a card-carrying veteran and we have senior parks pass but as we have found out so far about the only discount, we can get is $2/night. Since we're most likely going to be in this camper for a minimum of 3 months, we'd like to minimize our fees as much as possible. Paying out $1300-$1800/month really hurts. Looking for suggestions on options that may help us. Sorry, this is so long but we had a 5th wheel years ago when cost wasn't as much a factor as it is now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

TXiceman · 05-29-2022, 12:04 PM

Most campgrounds have a much lower monthly rate. Ask them, however discounts are usually only applied to daily rates.

Daily and weekly rates are much higher. A few of the parks in high demand areas are only offering daily and weekly rates. Overall, RV parks have increased their pricing, often too unreasonable rates simply because of the Law of Supply and Demand. You might try looking in an area that is in lower demand.

Ken

Bigceasar · 05-29-2022, 01:04 PM

Most homeowners insurance covers temporary housing costs if the loss includes the inability to live there. That would go a lot further towards making you whole than searching for a few dollars of discount. I think you are going to find many parks have eliminated or drastically reduced the discount on monthly stays. The vacation and travel market is too lucrative. Why would a park take $500 or so a month when the can easily get $60 to over $100 a night and still be full. Maybe in the late shoulder seasons, but not in prime time.

Zulu Kono · 05-29-2022, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khodgens

Here's the back story: In April the forest fire burning in NE New Mexico burned our house to the ground. We ended up buying a 2015 Gulfbreeze 30RBI to live in until everything is settled w/insurance and we find a house to buy in SW Colorado and no we're not building back in NM. I'm 74 and SWMBO is turning 70 later this year so we had planned on downsizing later this year but not to 240sqft! We're trying to maintain our cost outlay for services including park fees as much as possible. I'm a card-carrying veteran and we have senior parks pass but as we have found out so far about the only discount, we can get is $2/night. Since we're most likely going to be in this camper for a minimum of 3 months, we'd like to minimize our fees as much as possible. Paying out $1300-$1800/month really hurts. Looking for suggestions on options that may help us. Sorry, this is so long but we had a 5th wheel years ago when cost wasn't as much a factor as it is now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You could rent a house or apartment for $1,300-$1,800 a month.
If RV parks are charging that kind of money just to park, they're crooks.
I'd recommend coming up north for the summer
while your insurance situation is being worked out.
I can't imagine being cooped up in a camper all summer in the SW USA.
Here's a place in Evanston, Wyoming for $530 a month which includes electric:
https://www.phillipsrvpark.com/rates

tuffr2 · 05-29-2022, 02:00 PM

I stayed in a RV Park in Florida that was $40/night but $500/mo. I choose the monthly rate.

Marine359 · 05-29-2022, 02:26 PM

Does “card carrying veteran” mean you have full privileges, as retired or fully disabled? Your status and thus your privileges are printed on your DoD card. If you have full privileges, consider camping at a military base. Some are as low as $15/night with full hookups. Usually there is a stay limit of 14-30 days, but that might be waived considering your circumstances. That would be up to the base commander, so you should call the campground and ask. The lowest I’ve paid was $12/night (disabled rate) at Ft. Bliss in El Paso. Call around using Allstays to find the campgrounds.

Another option would be to camp on BLM lands for free. Two weeks before you need to move to another spot. All you’ll need is a generator, unless you want to invest in a lot of solar. You can make fresh water and propane runs with your tow vehicle, and dump uphill into a caddy in your truck bed using a macerator pump.

Sorry this happened to you. But glad you weren’t injured. Thank you for serving.

khodgens · 05-29-2022, 04:25 PM

I'm not retired from the Navy just a veteran who served his country. We live in a mountain region and don't plan to leave the area for several reasons. Insurance gives us money for temporary living expenses, but we still must be sure we're getting the most for our money. I'm not complaining just looking for options out there for discounts since we may actually be in a camper till the end of the year.

Isaac-1 · 05-29-2022, 07:03 PM

Those rates sound insane, we were on vacation in south east New Mexico in the mountains near Cloudcroft last September, and the place we were at (for just under a week) only charged $450 per month not including electricity for their full hookup monthly rate.