RE: What is workamping?
Be careful where you go for work camping...or as careful as you can based on the propaganda a park puts out. We just walked away from our first...and probably last...work camping experience. We were at a park in S TX that had a sister park, both of which covered 80 acres. We signed on for grounds keeping since we have property and know a bit about this type work. We were promised tools, a golf cart to carry what we needed to do the job(s), etc., etc. What we found was a dismal 1970s park unlike what was pictured on their web site (which is all too common...you DON'T get what you see!)and NO tools to do the job and NO gc to get around with what few rakes, brooms, clippers that we were able to scrounge up or "steal" from a full time worker who had even less to work with. In short, it was an unpleasant experience at a park that was poorly maintained in the past that we later learned other WCers doing grounds had also left because mgmt didn't follow through on their promised equipment needed to do the job. Good luck!
RE: Are they worthwhile?
I figured there would be mixed opinions. But interesting anyhow. Leaves don't concern me. Heck, get on top and sweep them off. At a place like South Padre Island where winds blow most of the time, flapping, noisy covers are a problem. And yes, will have tension adjusted and other such things done when I get home. After a winter of winds everything needs adjusting! Still think they're an unnecessary item however. Thanks for opinions.
Are they worthwhile?
Lately, I've had to ask myself if slide covers are really worthwhile. It seems some RV manufacturers don't think so...and I'm beginning to agree with them. The cover over my "Monster Slide" on my 2010 Jayco Seneca Super C is a good example. This bloody thing flaps around in the wind so much that if the velocity is 20+, I bring it it so it won't shudder the coach so much. I know the premise behind having a cover, but once again I have to ask if the designers, builders ever field test this (as well as all the other nifty things they come up with on their drawing board theories)to see how they perform under windy situations. Unlike the ads in RV magazines and the brochures they all crank out, not every RV experience is done under pristine conditions in locales where winds don't blow. If this thing ever rips off (and I'm surprised it hasn't so far since I don't trust that it has been secured to handle anything but a very mild and occasional breeze), I think I'll not replace it and save $$$ and the hassle.
Would appreciate others' thoughts.
Thanks!
Reviews?
Are there any work camping reviews? Would be interested in hearing what other WCers have experienced. Some talk I've heard from some RVers who have WCed had not too pleasant experiences: everything from verbal abuse to not having the tools to do the job(s) they were "hired" on to do. So maybe everything isn't always as it's presented? Thanks!
Black Tank Treatments
Like many RVers, I've tried just about every black tank treatment. But would like feedback from others to see what they think. My requirements: Simple, easy to use and most importantly it WORKS. I've used various commercial RV treatment products as well as non commercial treatments, e.g., Snow Fresh touted as a "holding tank treatment." This is a powder product similar to some of the commercial powder products. I realize every respondent has their favorites and swears by them much like their choice of political candidate (Lord, let's not go there!) Many thanks!
RE: What are they hiding?
Okay, okay, so there is no "dream" park...who said there was or who said they expected one? And no one is suggesting photos of EVERY part of a park be shown. The overwhelming response here from RVers is for more transparency (a nice political word) so RVers have a sense of what to expect other than pretty entrances, flora and fauna, pools, shuffleboard courts etc. And RVers also realize there will still be slobs who come in. The blathering from others (mostly owners) indicates they just don't get it...or maybe they just don't care. Enough with the "if you ran a business...." News Flash: MANY RVers HAVE RUN BUSINESSES AND KNOW THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOING SO. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!
P.S. When you buy a car you think will meet your expectations based on the pictures showing all the bells & whistles and what research you can do and it doesn't meet those expectations after you've bought it, aren't you a little upset?
'nother P.S. Why are there some parks that DO make a good attempt to show RVers what they can expect so they have an idea of what they're getting into? Hmmm? Could it be they're just a bit more honest in their marketing?
RE: What are they hiding?
gemsworld:
You nailed it! Sorry excuses for unwillingness to invest in maintaining a park that is presented as hyped on web sites.
RE: What are they hiding?
Latest comments interesting...and some make a point. Yes, ALL advertising is smoke & mirrors (I was in advertising/PR so I know what it's all about...but didn't mean I liked the idea of blatantly misleading people). Noticed a couple of owners joined in to justify their actions. And yes, everything from ice cream to cars is oversold and a big con game. On the other hand, the RVing community has always prided itself on being a bit above being con artists; being a bit more up front because the RV community overall tends to be a pretty nice bunch. Then there's this: If you drive 800, 1000, 2000 or whatever number of miles with expectations of having a good experience in a park that presents itself somewhat modestly maintained with proper site provisions etc., it's a bit of a let down to find it isn't what was presented in the "brochure." There's quite a bit of difference in being disappointed because the ice cream or Big Mac didn't meet your expectations and spending $$$ to go to a place and finding it's far less than it was presented to be. Let's face it: Some of these dumps are cash cows for absentee owners who have no intention to investing even modest $$$ in routine upkeep. Clearly they have no pride in their "product." It's all a big scam to make bucks off of folks who are generally pretty upfront and (more) honest. So save your bleeding heart excuses...they just don't wash!
RE: What are they hiding?
Wow! Got a real laugh out of some of the responses! Thanks for making my day! At least I can see I'm not the only one who thinks cosmetic web site stuff is so much baloney. Wish all your comments could be sent to Good Sam and other so-called RV "rating" groups...and even to the RV parks themselves. Agree staying at state or Corps parks are one alternative, but if you're seeking a place for extended stay, e.g., snow birding, you hope to find something that isn't a basic lie and totally misleading. Most of these type places should be run out of business by the more reputable, honest ones
Really got a laugh of the photo of swans on the pond...and especially enjoyed the description of the "park." This will definitely NOT be one on my list!
Maybe we should all hammer these phoneys and let them know we're not totally stupid.
Thanks again for great responses!
May the Force be with you all!
What are they hiding?
Why do so many RV parks refuse to show what their sites look like? Why don't they show what the interior of their park looks like with occupied and empty sites? Are they ashamed of their offering? Apparently so, and from the looks of most they should be. Seems almost every park's web site is plastered with photos of entrances, offices, pools, shuffleboard courts, meeting/gathering halls, flora and fauna. But they don't show sites! Okay so an attractive presence (entry et al) is appealing. But not if the interior looks like crap, which a lot of them do! Having fallen for some of this cosmetic baloney, I tend to shy away from any that won't show me what some sites look like: are they dirt, gravel, grass, concrete? Are connections updated or are they from the 1970s and 1980s and are difficult for newer & bigger rigs to handle? Do they have a community of ramshackle so-called "park" model homes that should have been torn down 25 years ago? Are they nothing more than the commonly perceived "trailer park"? Bottom line: These type parks are just cash cows for absentee owners who don't give a rip about providing RV parks that will entice people to return. Surprisingly the major RV organizations continue to give some of these dumps high ratings!
