Community Forums

Durango Dave · 05-04-2017, 12:50 PM

I spent months trying to plan my trip around the USA starting middle of June. Bought a 5th wheel, bought a truck, but now that im starting to pack up it seems my hopes may be dashed.

My 5th wheel is in storage right now because i cant afford to park it at a RV camp site because i cant afford $1200 a month, and i cant find any other rates cheaper than that. Every place around albuquerque here is full up, or they dont want 1 or 2 month rentals.

I also had to get a storage place 25 miles out of town for the RV to be able to afford that. So i have to travel 25 miles all the time as im packing it for the trip.

But once i get on the trip i guess im not gonna be able to stay anywhere other than boondocking because its too expensive and most state parks wont let you camp overnight, they dont here either.

So i guess its either boondocking at walmart or on the road. Maybe ill just forget about the trip cause it seems way too expensive to even try as i only make so much on disability. I never realized being a full timer was just for rich people. I cant afford $50-$60 per day to park this thing.

KennyGolub · 05-04-2017, 12:55 PM

Do you have to stay there?
There are many locations that cost less. If you want to full time, try other states.
If you're over a certain age, many locations offer senior discounts.
Load her up and hit the road. Download an app on your smart phone to find locations along the way.
Good luck in your travels !!
BTW: God bless John Wayne

bruceisla · 05-04-2017, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durangod

I spent months trying to plan my trip around the USA starting middle of June. Bought a 5th wheel, bought a truck, but now that im starting to pack up it seems my hopes may be dashed.

My 5th wheel is in storage right now because i cant afford to park it at a RV camp site because i cant afford $1200 a month, and i cant find any other rates cheaper than that. Every place around albuquerque here is full up, or they dont want 1 or 2 month rentals.

I also had to get a storage place 25 miles out of town for the RV to be able to afford that. So i have to travel 25 miles all the time as im packing it for the trip.

But once i get on the trip i guess im not gonna be able to stay anywhere other than boondocking because its too expensive and most state parks wont let you camp overnight, they dont here either.

So i guess its either boondocking at walmart or on the road. Maybe ill just forget about the trip cause it seems way too expensive to even try as i only make so much on disability. I never realized being a full timer was just for rich people. I cant afford $50-$60 per day to park this thing.

Never heard that before ... Florida allows overnight stays for 14 consecutive days. I've camped overnight in State Parks in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina and probably other states I don't remember. And that doesn't include Corp of Engineer Parks and National Parks.

gerdutch · 05-04-2017, 01:03 PM

Hint: summer sites are high everywhere except not near the beach! Winter sites are cheaper further north you go.
Seems your exchanging a Mtg. Or rent payment for lot stays. Should be possible.

shovelhead86 · 05-04-2017, 01:05 PM

I think you have to research it some more. I am certainly not rich and have never paid $50.00-$60.00 per night. You must be limiting yourself to 1st class RV resorts with all the amenities. i have volunteered at many state parks and most close their office at 4 or 5 PM. The gates are not closed until about 10.00PM. Most have instructions posted for late arrivals and they have overflow parking lots. If staying in the overflow lot pay in the morning at the minimum rate or get assigned a campsite. A long extended trip may not be cheap but it is doable.

EdInArk · 05-04-2017, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Never heard that before ... Florida allows overnight stays for 14 consecutive days. I've camped overnight in State Parks in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina and probably other states I don't remember. And that doesn't include Corp of Engineer Parks and National Parks.

Include Arkansas on your list. And if you happen to be over 65 you can stay for half price on week days. Not all our parks have full hookups, but many do.

I bet if you post your destination here you'll get people in the area willing to help you find affordable sites for a few weeks at a time.

Best of luck to you.

gentilebrian · 05-04-2017, 01:18 PM

Have to stay at state and federal parks for it to be cheap but you need to move every few weeks.

BuzzWolfAR · 05-04-2017, 01:28 PM

Do more research. Lots of places are inexpensive, remember though that you get what you pay for.

State and COE parks are terrific, but we are paying for them.

Chuck_Hammer · 05-04-2017, 01:34 PM

find smaller parks ( city and state owned) or company owned... ones that do not advertise in papers away from large cities...

on one trip. 2 summers ago in South Carolina... $14 a night, for 14 days. state owned. small maybe 20 sites.. on a small lake.. super clean. electric and water hookup.

I spent the past winter in south Texas... 300 a month.. plus electric (40) (full hookup)
nice place...

oldmattb · 05-04-2017, 02:04 PM

We spend nine months over six years seeing the US. Lots of Walmarts, Flying Js, and free spots. We probably averaged $50-75 PER WEEK for campgrounds.

Travel is not really cheap, but we found that we spent less on the road than we did at home.

Matt B

**NLOVNIT** · 05-04-2017, 02:16 PM

Don't give up so soon. As others have stated, you just have to do more research & plan accordingly. You will also have to budget for unexpected breakdowns or repairs & where you will go when your RV is out of commission due to those "unexpecteds". Many of our full-timers spent years planning their lifestyle. I'd suggest visiting our Full-Timers Forum to get more info on how to make this happen for you. It's doable, you just have to think outside the standard commercial campground for your accommodations.

Good luck.

Lori-

Waiter21 · 05-04-2017, 02:50 PM

I'm a part timer snowbird. We pay $450 a month (plus electric) in Phoenix, AZ in Jan and Feb. (peak months for Phoenix area.)

We're limited to two weeks at any one site in the AZ parks, but can move to another site, Cost about $30 a night.

We've spent time in BLM lands around Quartzite, no cost.

Keep looking,,, you'll get there...

twogypsies · 05-04-2017, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durangod

But once i get on the trip i guess im not gonna be able to stay anywhere other than boondocking because its too expensive and most state parks wont let you camp overnight, they dont here either.

I don't understand your comment. State parks have campgrounds and you surely can stay overnight in them. New Mexico's state park certainly allows you to spend the night. In fact, they have a very good yearly pass for very reasonable camping. It's good for 12 months and cost $180.

https://newmexicostateparks.reservea...ualPasses.html

We full-timed for 16 years and never paid $50-$60. Most of our campground stays were under $20 and we'd never paid more than the occasional $30 and that was only if we needed to be in a particular place such as visiting family. 95% of our stays were in public parks all over the country and up to Alaska. We also boondocked a lot on BLM and national forest lands. We didn't use WalMarts.

If you're 62+ get the Senior Pass for all national public parks (national parks, national forest campgrounds, Corp of Engineers and other perks). Right now the pass is $10 (going up in the future) which will give you 1/2 price on basic camping (electric optional) and free admission to those parks.

Look into Passport America membership. It's cheap and gives you 1/2 off on certain RV parks. A couple night stays will pay for your membership.

As stated by others.... you need to plan better. There are plenty of options out there for very reasonable full-timing and you don't have to stay in WalMarts.

winniman · 05-04-2017, 03:54 PM

We did a 6000 mile tour of the west and south-west last winter. We stayed mostly at nicer rv parks. Most were in the 30 to 40 dollar range. The only more expensive ones we stayed at were in SanFrancisco and Las Vegas, and Washington DC. They were more because we wanted to be close to the cities and were willing to pay the extra. There were lots of rv parks that were cheaper than the 30 per night, but we were being fussy and didnt want to travel too far off the interstate. If you want to save some money, dont be afraid to take the back roads. The closer to the interstate, the higher the price it seems. Dont give up on your dream. If you have to go to BLM lands for part of it to save cash, it can be done. My friend goes to South Padre in Texas every winter. I think its 10 dollars a day to stay right on the beach.