Community Forums

cimplexsound · 06-29-2015, 04:56 PM

I in particular like La Paz county park near Parker and the sandy flats surrounding Parker and Yuma. La Paz park has electric and water hookups available. The more isolated of an area your in, the less of a problem you will likely have with theft and the more you can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the dessert. I have lived in the desserts of Utah and Arizona my whole life. Rattle snakes and scorpions very from area to area. Your likely to encounter a rattle snakes during the intense summer heat this time of year, then you would in the winter months. Rattlers don't much care for the cold, and go into hiding during the winter. So seeing a snake in the winter months are rare. Scorpions are always on the loose. You have to check your rv regularly, fridge vents, furnace vents, sewer vents and so on. Although again they don't like the cold winter nights either so actually seeing a scorpions during the winter months is pretty rare. They are solitary creatures so it would be very rare to see more than one of them at a time. Flys and mosquitos are more of a problem than anything else. But doing regular pest control is always an excellent idea. A can of WD 40 is excellent, even snakes hate the stuff and it will kill most bugs on contact. A nice substitute to regular bug spray. So I agree with the other. Check out the campsite you want to stay at quite thoroughly. The more rocky the area with streams and rivers, the better chance for snakes, the more soft and sandy, they less likely you will see any kind of insect or reptile life. They like the barren dessert as much as people do. (So don't ever leave food out to attract hungry bugs and animals) Rocky areas are hard on the tires to and prove to produce a gut wrenching ride anytime you want to go anywhere, so I like areas that are easy to get in and out of even for a car. Also keep your pets supervised, coyotes do roam loose in the dessert at night and have a very good sense of smell. I keep my dog indoors at night and have no problems. Although their more afraid of you then you are of them as a general rule. Always check the long term weather forecast before you come. Life in the dessert?? All flat areas are a flood plain. In AZ an inch of rain can mean a massive flash flood, so in the shade and on high ground might be a better choice when the weather looks doughty. We had a lot of rain and a major snow storm in Lake Havasu City this last winter. very rare to see snow in this part of the world. But always expect the unexpected. the weather can be erratic even in southern AZ. This is just life in the dessert. So just a few small precautions and you will find dry camping in AZ during the winter is quite enjoyable, relaxing and very, very peaceful.

1979 Dodge Tioga Class C 24 foot. 1987 Fleetwood Bounder 34 Foot.

cimplexsound · 06-29-2015, 07:11 PM

I forgot to mention one other thing you should keep in mind. The wind. It is constantly a problem child. If you have any light weight items you plan on keeping outdoors. Tie it down. If the wildlife doesn't carry it away Mother Nature will, that is if you don't take time to it down. That's life in the dessert LOL. Yuma and Parker are not so bad. But Lake Havasu and further north the wind is always blowing. On my way back to Utah during the spring from Havasu the wind was constantly rocking my rig around on the highway. Also during my winter time at Crazy Horse campground in Havasu I stayed on one of the beachfront rv sites. There wasn't day one when the wind wasn't blowing like a bat out of heck. So be prepare to slow down and take a little more time getting here. Because it doesn't matter what time of year it is. The wind will be your constant companion. All in all the dessert has it's flaws like any other place you live. But I love the year round sunshine, the dryer air which easier on my health and beautiful mountains. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

1979 Dodge Tioga Class C 24 foot. 1987 Fleetwood Bounder 34 Foot.

Alan Wilson · 06-30-2015, 04:58 AM

@Cimplexsound, thanks for the tips. I am not so afraid of the snakes or scorpions but I have a wife that is petrified so all the comments of them not being around are good. Helps to reduce her fears of running into them. I would much prefer being out of a flood plain. I had family that lost their motorhome to a flood. They happened to be on an excursion at the time so they were never in range but it was devastating for them to come back and see their only home sitting in a lot of water. They were full timing at the time and had been for several years. That ended soon after that. Insurance company didn't total it so the constant electrical problems were a nightmare and The warranty is only good where it was repaired. As for the wind, we spent a winter in the valley in Texas so we kind of know about the wind. It is something to tolerate for sure!

Alan Wilson

2001 HR Scepter 38 PBD

Alan Wilson · 06-30-2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reed Cundiff

Elaine is the bold one in our family. We would never have gone to Alaska, Baja, and Yucatan/Belize/Guatemala with our 5th wheel had it been up to me. They were the best trips we have ever taken.

Reed and Elaine

I would be very interested to hear how those trips came about and how they went. Especially the trip down south to the Yucatan. I like adventure but I'm not sure I could do that one. Alaska would be a great trip but it s a little too adventurous for my other half. Maybe you could tell by my posts! Lol!

Alan Wilson

2001 HR Scepter 38 PBD

Forest Grump · 07-03-2015, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbridinger

I agree with Reed's comments. Quartsite is not an option. I have lived in AZ for 40+ years and there is always somewhere cool in the state. When it is 115 in Phx I spend time near Flagstaff, Williams, Showlow or pinetop area. A toad is a must for exploring and seeking out a better spot to park. I always camp in National forest service, state parks, national parks. I have not tried BLM, Yet! last week I was in flagstaff and it rained for 16 hours and it took 24 hours to dry out. I have 100 galllons of water, 130 amps of solar and have stayed out for 10 days so far. Do not worry about snakes and for the ones with 2 legs there are no laws in AZ preventing you from carrying a firearm. It is legal to carry a concealed weapon with no permit. This is the wild west!

AZ is an open carry state, you need a permit for concealed carry.

MonkeyClaw · 07-04-2015, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forest Grump

AZ is an open carry state, you need a permit for concealed carry.

Your info may be a little dated. As of July, 2010, AZ allows concealed carry in most places without a permit.

From Wikipedia:
In Arizona, a person over age 21 may legally carry a concealed firearm or deadly weapon without a permit within the state, except for certain prohibited locations, and must disclose the fact to a law enforcement officer if questioned.

Forest Grump · 07-04-2015, 01:41 PM

My bad, I have an AZ CCW TOO,

MonkeyClaw · 07-04-2015, 03:50 PM

As to BLM land and guns, I've stayed in the BLM land just North of Lake Pleasant several times (at 'The Old Airstrip'). I've had people drive by very late at night and shoot off into the distance for no apparent reason on more than one occasion. I'll admit, it's made me a little nervous. Not because of the guns, but I have no idea what they are shooting at and a stray bullet or ricochet could really ruin the day.

dsbike · 07-04-2015, 04:03 PM

I realize you want to get away from it all, but there are some places that are not off the grid But are still BLM land near Tucson Mountain Park in west Tucson. If you are trying to see just how well your rv will do without hookups you could try casino parking, several will allow several days stay at a time.

Nomad Mike · 07-04-2015, 05:13 PM

In addition to sat radio's, and SPOT there is also Delomre's inReach. Last time I checked, there was a $10/month service fee. Cheaper than a sat radio, less bulky and has navigation.

There are also PLB's (Personal Locator Beacons) which have no monthly fees but no communications other than "Send Rescue Now to My Location". The kind that send GPS signals are best, otherwise they get a general location and use the beacons homing signal to find you. You register them every two years with NOAA for free and they give precise GPS locations(on GPS enabled PLB). When you register, add a note that says your an RVer on adventures in the wild. They get other info in the registraion such as medical needs. These PLB's are monitored by NOAA and AFRCC(Air Force Rescue Coordination Center) and are first responder and they also delegate to closest rescue services. They are not really for getting a tow truck though, but lost or medical emergencies where self-rescue is not possible.

Edit: Wow the Delorme pricing went through the roof with the recreation plan $25 a month and a limit of 40 texts and .50 cents each after that. I will stick with my cell phone and a PLB.

Alan Wilson · 07-04-2015, 07:55 PM

Everyone I appreciate all the input from everyone but my other half I am finding out after 43 years of wedded bliss that she has no sense of adventure. At all. It looks like we will be staying in a crowded RV park where she feels safe. I give.

Thanks,

Alan

2001 HR Scepter 38PBD 330 Cummins

UncleBilly · 07-04-2015, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Wilson

Everyone I appreciate all the input from everyone but my other half I am finding out after 43 years of wedded bliss that she has no sense of adventure. At all. It looks like we will be staying in a crowded RV park where she feels safe. I give.

Thanks,

Alan

2001 HR Scepter 38PBD 330 Cummins

Shame too hear that Alan. My sister in law thinks I'm nuts for looking forward too staying out in the New Mexico deserts later on this year. She goes "Nope, I won't do it" 😜 My brother says they will do it when he retires. Sometimes you just have to drag them out of their comfort zone, so they can learn new things...

1996 Country Coach Intrigue 😜

Nomad Mike · 07-04-2015, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Wilson

Everyone I appreciate all the input from everyone but my other half I am finding out after 43 years of wedded bliss that she has no sense of adventure. At all. It looks like we will be staying in a crowded RV park where she feels safe. I give.

Thanks,

Alan

2001 HR Scepter 38PBD 330 Cummins

Nooooooooooooooooo! This thread must continue, I'm taking notes.

Please

Alan Wilson · 07-05-2015, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleBilly

Shame too hear that Alan. My sister in law thinks I'm nuts for looking forward too staying out in the New Mexico deserts later on this year. She goes "Nope, I won't do it" 😜 My brother says they will do it when he retires. Sometimes you just have to drag them out of their comfort zone, so they can learn new things...

1996 Country Coach Intrigue 😜

I've been thinking and I think you're right that some people have to be drug from their comfort zone. I have done that on occasion in the past. Many times I have paid dearly for it as well!! LOL! I am getting so much resistance ATM that I felt it better to stop trying to convince her how much fun it might be, could be or should be. I think I will need to do something she wants to do and THEN I can ask her to return the favor and do what I want to do. Even if only a couple of nights. 😎

Alan Wilson

2001 HR Scepter 38 PBD