| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: RV'ers wanted (or should be)
I too get emails and slick paper pamphlets from my neighboring states dept of tourism but virtually all of it is aimed at the car/plane tourist.
Here are some simple facts -- a decent campground is an economic engine for themselves and vendors around them. IF the CG is state-run and can operate at break-even or lose-a-little that just puts more of our $$ into the surrounding area. States should really have an epipahny that their Park system isn't just for school field trips, environmentalist or the retired. The State park campgrounds can attract and hold a large number of us dummies who (sometimes) spend money like drunken sailors. The private CG owner has a vested interest that Interstate fuel centers should be "encouraged" to have areas designed around RV'ers; and restuarants should be "encouraged" to have an area that will fit RV rigs, the list goes on and on -routes that avoid sharp 90 degree turns and are well marked. I'd drive miles more to stay on a route that I knew was designed to handle my needs.
There is even something to be said about our own states working to keep us instate. Georgia gets a little more fuel tax money during Spring Break week but the real money heads south to Florida. Last time I looked Georgia has an ocean coast line,as well. It just has a state park system that is 20 years behind the times and is not interested in keeping me home.
Someone mentioned earlier that we (RV'ers) don't have a lobby firm to take care of us. This is true. However, States, private campground owners and the RV manufacturers should come to realize that they are interdependent, they have a symbiotic relationship - they need each other to survive. If there weren't neat places for me to go RV'ing - I wouldn't own one. No CG's = No RV's = no Good Sams. There is your lobbying force: Private CG owners (smart state park systems)/manufacturers/Marcus(Good Sam).
|
bodyshop bob
|
05/06/13 07:05pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RV'ers wanted (or should be)
How come most states (I think Florida is the exception) don't realize and go after the RV'ers? Here's my thought - I know that when I pack DW and kids and spend 7+ nights in the mountains or the beach or the lake I'm going to drop some real serious coinage. Diesel fuel, groceries, shopping, amusements, restuarants, etc. all add up to well over $1000.00 and sometimes multiples of that.
States have already invested in State parks and providing services to private CG's -- why aren't the State boards and commissions over tourism knocking on my door, sendng me emails, and basically begging me to spend my money in their state? Why haven't states partnered with Marcus (Good Sam) or reached out directly to Jayco, Thor, etc., and offered a "Jayco weekend discount" knowing full well that I'll spend a whole lot more that whatever the discount 'saved' me?
I have spent many hours on emails and letters to bureaucrats here in GA with nothing more than 'we appreciate your note' responses. Argh!
|
bodyshop bob
|
05/05/13 07:44am |
General RVing Issues
|
 |
RE: I'm a retired salesman
I echo Go Dogs -- we are on TT #3 and when we bought #1 I was clueless. Sales lady was great and is still great. #2 salesman was competent and fun to deal with. The dealer sent out a brand new salesman on #3 and they regretted that decision. I beat that guy like a rented mule and walked away with a wonderful purchase. I know that if the dealer didn't make a profit they wouldn't do the deal so I'm confident that the only one to take a beating was salesman #3. But I knew what I wanted, what the average markup was and how to keep the negotiations on the new unit and not the trade-in. After awhile I got bored with arguing price so I switched to items they would include as "we-owes" and worked that to my great satisfaction.
The bottom line is too many people walk into negotiations ignorant of the product, the price and the margin and expect the dealer to slice their own throat. Our job is to educate ourselves to know when the deal is 'fair' and to work hard to get it slightly better than fair toward our side.
|
bodyshop bob
|
05/05/13 07:28am |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: Coral Hospitality will take over 5 Georgia State Parks
Just to clarify - Coral Hospitality is taking over management of 5 State parks and the facilities located within them. Coral will be paid 3.5% of gross income from the Parks. The land, the building, golf courses, etc., will still be owned by the State of Georgia.
For what it's worth - GA State Parks has missed the boat on providing customer service and keeping up with neighboring states and what they offer. I think the Coral action is a direct result of really, really poor senior management. The Director of the Park system has been there a long time and is not receptive to any input from the little people. (AKA tax payers)
|
bodyshop bob
|
05/03/13 07:10pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: RV Parks In Gatlinburg TN
Simple -- to get the best recommendation you have to give a little more info. G'burg/PF/Townsend has CG's galore and to some degree or the other they try to appeal to a targeted audience. Do you have young kids that need a playground/pool? Do you like to have a little room around you or do you prefer to know your neighbor? Traffic bother you? Do you spend most of your time on the trails and scenic drives or do you spend most of your time in town shopping and walking around?
With kids and slightly off the beaten path - Clabough's has some decent sites and 2 different pools and is easy in and out. With kids and in the middle is River Plantation. Without kids, but still want a pool - Camping in the Smokies is a quiet, out-of-the-way CG. My DW and I found a wonderful little CG that has no pool or bathhouse but nice sites and in a great out-of-the-way area called Up The Creek. Some of the CG's in Townsend are older but are nice because they are so close to Cades Cove and great hiking and great fishing.
Describe what you want in a CG and the folks here will steer you in the right direction.
|
bodyshop bob
|
04/23/13 05:53am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Spontaneous Window Shatter?
Been in the auto body and now auto insurance for almost 20 years and I've never seen glass just shatter. Yes, power window regulators put fairly impressive stress on the glass, but again, I've never seen glass commit suicide.
How did you 'rule out' foreign objects? Because you didn't find any inside the truck? From BB's to birds to punks with sling-shots I'd put those before glass hari-kari.
|
bodyshop bob
|
04/14/13 06:35pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
You know it's camping season when....
..... your good belt, shoes and underwear are all in the camper
..... the good coffee and coffee pot are in the camper
..... if want an adult beverage you have to go to the camper
..... the ketchup, mustard and mayo are in the camper
Anyone else care to add?
|
bodyshop bob
|
04/14/13 04:22pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: COE reducing in GA.
Definition of "frustration" -- living within 30 minutes of 3 very nice COE CG's and finding out that 2 of them will be 'weekend only' for the year.
The whole COE is a mysterious little circle of private decisions with virtually 0 zero input from us little people.
The Corp "experimented" with leaving a CG open through the winter. They just picked one of the oldest, least convenient CG's in Metro Atlanta with loops that a 20 footer would have difficulty maneuvering.
I sent a suggestion via the web to the Atlanta division that they open 2 CG's early and have 2 more open later in the year with the peak Summer time overlapped with 4 open CG's. The savings would equal what they have now and be much more convenient for us RV'ers. I got a stock form letter answer.
To really save money I wish the Corp would just lease out the CG's to local county Park & Rec board or a private venture. This would probably upset some of our Senior Citizens that have taken full advantage of the 50% off discount. Sadly, some of the seniors were making reservations first in the husband's name and then reserving the same site in the wife's name and some probably used their dog's name if they could. It was quite common to see the same RV on the same site for weeks at a time. The Corp finally put a stop to that last year.
|
bodyshop bob
|
04/08/13 02:02pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Final Four in Atlanta
Lake Lanier Islands CG in Buford, GA will have sites. There is a mass transit bus that runs from Buford to downtown ATL. There really aren't any commercial CG's any closer. You may find someone recommend a private CG in Lilburn, GA or one in Austell but be warned; those are full-timers with maybe a spot or two but they are rough parts of ATL.
|
bodyshop bob
|
03/30/13 07:33am |
Beginning RVing
|
|
RE: I love my TT
First TT on our first trip we had a 4Winds 29Q with quad bunks, no slide. We pull into our little CG outside of Gatlinburg and the kids are down in the creek in a flash having a ball. We did the town thing and came back to find the Empire State building of Class A's parked next door. They had an original Hummer for their toad. We spent the week taking hikes, going fishing and having picnics and they spent the week watching the big screen TV. My kids still talk about that trip. It's what you do while your there, not how you got there.
|
bodyshop bob
|
01/25/13 01:22pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: GA State Parks Reservation system changes
Well, the new reservation system hit the Web today. It looks like Reserve America, navigates like RA, and probably bills like RA EXCEPT it is not site-specific. So, GA State Parks will continue to have average occupancy, in-state campers who have time to show up on Wednesday or Thursday.
I will be spending my weekends enjoying the beauty of Tennessee State Parks from Roan Mountain to Fall Creek Falls to Tims Ford knowing exactly where and what my site is before I arrive. Good job, Georgia!
|
bodyshop bob
|
01/22/13 01:09pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Newfound Gap Road washout (Smoky Mt. NP)
I ain't so sure this is going to be a quick repair. It looks like they would have to pour some retaining walls and then fill the void and that won't be happening too quickly in the middle of the winter.
To avoid the narrow, curvy little road from Cherokee to Maggie Valley (Hwy 19)to Hwy 276 (Jonathan Creek) Exit off 441 at Dillsboro, NC onto Hwy 74 to Waynesville to I-40.
|
bodyshop bob
|
01/17/13 11:44am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: GA State Parks Reservation system changes
When we were tossing around the same discussion on the TN State Parks thread I remember congratulating another RV.netter for the great idea of making 70-75% of the sites reservable and leaving the balance for drive up first come first served. Yes, it is a double-edged sword. Quite a few RV'ers have the time and finances and flexibility to go as they please. Quite a few RV'ers want, and should get, large sites for whatever reason.
Those of us that plan our trips around Spring breaks or family get togethers like to know ahead of time that what we have waiting for us will fit our needs.
|
bodyshop bob
|
01/11/13 01:15pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: GA State Parks Reservation system changes
It truly is a double-edged sword, if you’ve been there before and know the sites then site specific reservations are good. But we have found our self’s in sites I really didn't like, and once with a site we couldn't get in. We were lucky one the one we couldn't get in and were able to swap with our friends. Of course if you come in at 9:30 on Friday night you are going to get the site no one else wanted. We just adjusted where we went to when we could leave. Get there early, go to GA SP. Arrive late on holiday weekend, go to COE park with site specific reservations. Feeling real lucky, try a TN SP.
Jayco ol' son where have you been? Check out the TN State park website. Sometimes in the next 2 weeks they will launch a site-specific reservation system for virtually every Park in the system that has a CG. To be sure, it is a little primitive compared to other systems. But hey it ain't "first come, first served" anymore!!
|
bodyshop bob
|
01/11/13 05:34am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
GA State Parks Reservation system changes
I don't want to get my hopes up too high; but, according to the gastateparks website they are moving to a version of Reserve America!
Which means that you should be able to know, beforehand, that the site with your name on it will actually fit your unit. Which, up to now, has not been something the GA website reservation allowed.
I wonder what led the State to update the system? I have an email from the Park system Director in which she made it very clear they were quite happy with the system they have.
|
bodyshop bob
|
01/09/13 09:01pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: From the website for TN State Parks
Every State Park that offers camping is having there directory loaded into the system now. I do not know what the end-user will see. I'm sure that there will minor issues and hiccups that will occur with the system at start up. The directory for the 3 parks nows online is quite crude and you have to launch 2 windows to see the data. I really hope that info is integrated to one screen. I really hope that photos are offered of the site; but that may take some time before that level of sophistication is reached. Regardless, by Spring 2013 you will be able to book a site-specific campsite online for upto 12 months out. YEEHAW!
|
bodyshop bob
|
12/03/12 11:23am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
From the website for TN State Parks
NEW - Campsite Reservation System
Tennessee State Parks is pleased to announce the implementation of a reservation system for campsites. Beginning Dec. 3, 2012, visitors planning a trip to Fall Creek Falls State Park can reserve a campsite by visiting the park's office or calling 800-250-8611 during office hours. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance. In January 2013, Tennessee State Parks will unveil a customer-friendly online reservation system that will allow visitors to reserve campsites for all state parks. This reservation service will offer visitors more ease and convenience when it comes to their park stay.
This is great news!!!!
|
bodyshop bob
|
11/29/12 12:29pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Cades Cove Camping in October - Some Thoughts...
I really wish there would be some sort of shuttle system set up to get the traffic out of the loop. It would be so much nicer without traffic jams.
Agreed, shuttles with stops at the various cabins and buildings for use during the busiest part of the season such as summer and fall. Have the option where you can get off one shuttle and get on the next one after you're finished looking over the site. It would allow the handicapped the pleasure of the tour and de-congest the loop.
The Park has looked into this for quite a while. The only problem is where do you park several thousand cars? How do you keep people from using the Picnic area, campground, etc., and not the Loop?
I think having several (50+) volunteer Park Rangers writing tickets to the morons who park on the road and leave many, many cars stranded behind them will help keep the traffic moving.
|
bodyshop bob
|
10/30/12 12:10pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Great news coming soon from Tn State Parks
wbwood -- I think a well-managed system would fiddle with the ratio of reservable vs non and find the percentage that maximizes occupancy with the fewest complaints. Like I posted earlier, DW and I have planned trips 12 months out. However, it is only fair that those folks that aren't online everyday or don't live with an Outlook calendar planning their day have access to sites, as well.
|
bodyshop bob
|
10/17/12 09:06am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Living in GA, when to winterize?
I'm just a touch north of you up I-85 and we didn't fully winterize until late December last year. Ditto to using your low point drains and getting rid of all the water possible. (Don't forget any outside shower heads). We kept a small portable electric heater going on any night the Weather geeks said might get belowing freezing and we could have probably gone without the anti-freeze.
I've bought into the theory that as long as freezing water can expand without running into blockages you really don't have to go crazy with anti-freeze.
|
bodyshop bob
|
10/09/12 07:42pm |
Beginning RVing
|
