DeeReed
St. Louis, Missouri
Senior Member
Joined: 09/12/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
I'm writing an article about campground directories and wanted to get a consensus about what makes a campground directory useful and how often you use one.
If I think what you've written could be useful as a quote in my article, I will private e-mail you and ask your permission to use it in print. I will NOT print your name/comment without your permission.
Dee
Dee Reed
Former editor of Highways magazine
Now writing and living in St. Louis, MO
|
hitchup
Fulltiming in Madison, VA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/17/2005
View Profile
|
Things I look for in a directory, which I use 4 times or more annually when it's time to relocate.
1) Street Address: Our MS Streets & Trips and TV GPS uses them over long/lat coordinates. Before we had GPS, I would use online mapping for directions.
2) Monthly Spaces/Rates: We stay longterm at the majority of RVP's. Would like to see more informaton if they are available.
3) Website Address: I always look at pictures & more information on their website.
4) State Maps: I like to look at dots on State map since we usually get sent to a place unfamiliar to us. We usually have no idea what small towns are nearby jobsite that may have a great RVPark.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3....our custom home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
|
Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2004
View Profile
|
Must be available in PAPER. I deal with computers enough, so do not take one on vacation, we use Trailer Life book, and Passport America book.
We usually look in TL for a CG about 4pm of the day we want a site, so first thing is a map of the state showing approximate location of potential CGs. Then narrow search;
Passport America considered first due to cost, but will not drive miles out of our way for one.
Do they accept pets, and are there any pet restrictions, as we travel with a German Shepherd (formerly traveled with two).
Do they have full hookups. 30 amp? 50 amp?
Next we would like a cleanliness rating. TL rating seem to work ok for this.
Finally look at cost.
Hope that helps.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
|
jlawless
north america
Senior Member
Joined: 07/23/2007
View Profile
|
We use a campground directory quite often. It is nice if the price given is somewhere near reality. Also, the directions given should be accurate. It is surprising how often guidebooks lack truthful information in these categories.
We like to use the guide to "free" campgrounds by don Wright as much as possible, although it is a prime violater of the above-mentioned faults. We also use the AAA campbook.
Agree with above that the guide should be easy to follow by geographic location i.e. dots on the map rather than only by name of some tiny village.
Finally, the book should not put me over my GVWR.
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
Mark Twain
|
Oakman
MO
Senior Member
Joined: 01/29/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
DW and I travel a lot and use our campground directory so much that it becomes tattered enough that we always buy a new one each year. For the most part, the information currently contained in the Woodall’s and Trailer Life directories is all we need to select a campground for an overnight stay on the road. For our destination campgrounds we get online and check out the reviews on RVParkReviews.Com. Of course we also use these forums for information about campgrounds.
One thing we like about the Woodall’s directory is that it lists the typical site width at each campground.
With more and more RV’ers using GPS navigation systems, I would love to see the actual GPS coordinates for the entrance of each campground listed in the directories.
2002 Dodge 2500 V10
2008 Wildcat 28RKBS
Honda 2000 gen
TomTom One 3rd edition GPS
|
|
|
mockturtle
Northwest
Senior Member
Joined: 05/31/2005
View Profile
|
We use our Trailer Life Campground Directory to help in planning our trips as well as along the way. It is particularly useful in providing directions to a facility and also describing the types of amenities as well as pet policies. We don't pay a great deal of attention to the ratings.
Husband: Derek
Dog: Bucky
RV: 2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
TV: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
|
MeanderMan
Fulltiming Somewhere
Senior Member
Joined: 12/23/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
We're full timers and seldom use the Trailer Life or Woodall's directory any more. We carry our own satellite internet, and use the www.rvparkreviews.com site first, then check the Escapees and Passport America directories. The web site is the most accurate of the methods since the reviews are made by fellow RVrs.
Happily Fulltiming Somewhere
2006 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
Our RV Blog
|
borntotravel
. South Dakota, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/11/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
We are fulltimers and use the Trailer Life directory whenever we are traveling. We start around 2 pm looking in the "book" for a place to stay around the place we estimate we will be around 4-5 pm. We call ahead to this particular spot to make our reservations then. It works for us!
Bud and Jeannie
Living our dream
Fulltiming since '01
'02 Monaco Diplomat
'03 XL-7 Suzuki
|
DeeReed
St. Louis, Missouri
Senior Member
Joined: 09/12/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
These are great replies. Keep 'em coming.
Dee
|
DeeReed
St. Louis, Missouri
Senior Member
Joined: 09/12/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Do you check the "bathroom" ratings and rely on those? Would you go to a campground that didn't have a good bathroom cleanliness rating?
Dee
|
|
|
