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RE: Campground Rates
It really is Economics 101! The demand for campsites has expanded as the availability of sites has decreased in several parts of the country - notably the Northeast. In that area land values have exploded and the costs of both creating and particularly running a campground have gone up perhaps every higher. Very few newer campgrounds have been constructed over the past 20 years and so many older ones have sold and have become shopping malls or residential developments! Ask anyone who owns a campground today. Costs for everything have skyrocketed over the past decade far beyond their ability to absorb them. DH and I have been RVing for over 45 years. We have seen costs increase over all this time. We used to camp often in the Myrtle Beach area, generally in the 2 state parks there. Their price for a site with full hookups was $25/night for SC residents for years, with a significant discount for Seniors. Over the past 3 years, the state has gone to the 'price determined by demand' system. This season, the base price for the same site is $56/night, higher during periods of the most demand - and getting a site over a weekend is basically an impossibility! The many privately owned CGs in the area, for the same dates, are getting over $100/night - and they are full as well! While I agree almost $100/night for an RV site is absurd, I look at the cost of a simple motel room in the same area, then factor in the enjoyment we both get from camping, the security we feel when being in "our own bed" and the expenses we do not incur when making our own meals, etc. and we still find it well worth while. So, to answer your question directly - yes, prices are climbing much faster than I would like. I do not see a "3 night minimum" reservation requirement as anything particularly new or 'gimmicky" - we have seen them often for many years, particularly in high-volume tourist areas, over holiday weekends, and during high-demand times for years. Airlines and hotel chains have used the "prices determined by demand" process for years. A number of attractions, like theme parks and others, have "in-season and off-season"- pricing too. That's similar, I think. They are all about supply and demand. The more something is wanted, the higher a price it can be sold for! Reservations are still very hard to come by when planning a trip in our RV for weekend stays. The demand for each site is very high. I am in the process of finalizing our plans for a month long 'voyage' in September. still not complete, and I began it in April! There may well be a few nights while traveling spent boondocking in a parking lot (which we do not like to do, as we believe in supporting local campgrounds as much as we can) simply because the travel is over a weekend night and there is 'no room at the inn'! Fortunately we belong to a national fraternal organization and have found several of their lodges that allow for and have facilities for our RV, or the planning would have been much more difficult!
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2 Retired
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07/31/21 10:13am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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september trip
DH and I and our 34' MH with toad are planning a trip for September. Leaving from near Tappahannock Va, going to Charleston, then St Augustine, across to Destin Fl then over to Vicksburg Ms then across to Savannah, up to Myrtle Beach, then back home. It's planned to last about a month. We are flexible. Hope to avoid as much of the Interstates as possible. Any suggestions on any leg of the 'voyage' as to which roads we might follow? CGs to stay in? Have several reservations made (state parks mostly) but very open to suggestions. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to share.
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2 Retired
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07/22/21 01:16pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Thousand Trails allowing public access???
DH and I just had a weekend at a Thousand Trails CG in Oak Grove, Va. It is open to the public. Members get preference for ressies and, of course, what they pay is based on their membership. We paid $60/night for a pull-thru. No restrictions as to use.
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2 Retired
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07/09/21 06:21am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Check in/out timing...
We have arrived early a few times. Generally, our site has been empty so no problem at all. If it is not, we leave and return later. We ALWAYS leave before the stated check out time - we see it as being courteous. Once we arrived after check in to a large private CG near Disney World. We had made our reservation almost a year ahead, and I had called a week before we were scheduled to arrive to guarantee the reservation (we paid extra to pick a specific site) was still OK. I was told everything was fine. We arrived about an hour after check in and were escorted to our site that was not only clearly occupied by also clearly no one there planned on leaving. They weren't even there but everything was still totally set up. Chairs out, awning out, awning rug out, everything. We went back to the office and were asked to wait. After over an hour, we were told "apparently the other campers had chosen to extend their stay". Did they get permission to 'extend their stay'? "Apparently the evening staff approved it and they have paid for 3 extra days". Really? No, Really? My next question - "So which site will we use?" Our next answer - "We don't have anything available at this time". You have our money, paid in full for a week beginning TODAY, and NOW you tell us there is nothing available? My next question "So what are you going to do now?" The manager was summoned. He apologized. Once again I asked "What are you going to do now?" I was offered a full refund. I asked that he call around and find me a site at a competing Campground that was similar to the one I had reserved with him. He told me that was "against company policy but I will see what I can do". He disappeared. After 30 more minutes DH, even more annoyed than I, asked to speak with him again. Apparently he really did disappear! No where to be found. After another hour,(as I tried in vain to find another site somewhere else) as my blood was boiling, we were escorted to a site, and told it was absolutely the only one in the whole park. Our RV just fit - but we could feel every car that went by! The man who escorted u s there helped put us in so neither end would be hit by a car going by, but he also said it was really too small (he was great, BTW!). We had to park our toad about 1/2 mile away. We did get a full refund on our credit card from Tropical Palms, along with a written apology, but we most certainly will never go back! I know mistakes can be made, but the way we were treated was unacceptable. No one seemed really surprised or even very concerned. In more than 45 years of RVing, there have been more than a few times when reservations have been lost. One time, I made them for the wrong month! We showed up in March - I had reserved on line for May! The CG was also full, but the KOA in Tampa Florida found a spot for us - a site that was set aside and almost never used precisely for mistakes like mine. They were wonderful. DH and I have been camp hosts at several state parks. Each of them held a site 'in reserve' for 'unexpected circumstances'. We had to take advantage of this a couple of times. Once when the RV in a reserved site would not start and could not be moved to make room for the next camper. Once when a camper became very ill, had to be transported to the hospital and his wife needed to stay until he recovered (fortunately only a few days). Each time the incoming campers were very accepting and understanding. As the original post stated, Check in and Check out times are determined based on what needs to be done by the workers so each of us can enjoy our stays. Courtesy, following the rules, and treating others as you would expect to be treated makes it so much better for us all.
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2 Retired
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06/21/21 01:16pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Las Vegas
We were in Vegas 2 years ago in late June. Circus Circus is at one far end of the Strip - you will need to Uber or Lyft to enjoy most other Casinos. Don't let anyone tell you different - it might be "a dry heat", or it might be "very low humidity", but 115' is still DAMMED HOT! The Vegas Strip is all macadam and concrete. No shade anywhere! It's too hot to walk very far at all! Just my experience.
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2 Retired
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06/21/21 12:39pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Full hook up?
Some here make it sound like doing a full hook up at a FHU site takes forever! DH hooks up electric, then water, then sewer when we arrive at a campsite in less than 5 minutes, tops! We keep black tank closed until full, and the grey water open until last night, as another explained. Before we dump I fill the Black tank through the toilet completely to create a stronger flow when the tank is opened. DH does black first, then grey to help clear the hose. When he's done, I put toilet chemicals in and put about a gallon of water in the closed grey tank. He then unhooks the hose from the RV and rinses out the sewer hose again. It's not time consuming at all. We almost never travel with our water tank full. Water is very heavy (over 8 pounds a gallon!) and we just don't need the extra weight. We carry 2 gallons of water to use, if necessary, for the toilet or for drinking. If we arrive at a CG and don't like the taste of the water, I just get some bottled water at a store. Been doing this for over 45 years and it has always worked for us. We almost always stay at a traditional CG with at least W/E hookups. We dont boondoggle. DH is a disabled Vet so we can now camp in military campgrounds State Parks are our secondt option. Then private ones. We feel it is right to support campgrounds so they can stay in business, not be turned into housing developments! It's getting harder and harder to find a site - if many more CGs 'go under' there will be no place left. We are fortunate to be able to do this.
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2 Retired
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06/21/21 12:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bonehead Blunder, I'm an idiot!
DH and I have a handwritten list we keep in our RV. It contains all the steps for setting up and breaking down. Every single step is on there because at one time we forgot to do it! Add this one to yours and be grateful the only negative impact was to your self-image! You'll never forget the pin again!
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2 Retired
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06/21/21 12:15pm |
Towing
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suggestions for camping around Vicksburg
DH and I are planning a visit in our 34' MH (with toad) to the area to explore Civil War History mid-September. Any suggestions on campgrounds, where to eat, what to do, what to ignore? Have never been close to this area, and will be traveling from Destin, Florida. Any "don't miss" along the way? Suggestions on best route to take? Thanks.
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2 Retired
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05/27/21 07:30am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Route suggestions Fredricksburg, Va area to Memphis area
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. They all are helpful.
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2 Retired
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05/16/21 08:40am |
Roads and Routes
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Route suggestions Fredricksburg, Va area to Memphis area
Live in Northern Neck area of Va, hoping to tour west towards Memphis, then travel Mississippi River south towards Vicksburg then turn east - hope to visit Chattanooga area then towards Savannah, then back home. Atlanta not in the plans, but they can always be changed. Is there a 'best time of the year' for this trip? Any roads to avoid? We will do interstates, but prefer not to. We limit our travel to no more than 6 hours a day. We know the East Coast well (Savannah to home) but would appreciate Any suggestions on our 2006 32' MH with toad on best routes? We are history buffs, and not so interested in anything too physically demanding. Hope to tour for about a month. Thanks in advance for suggestions. We are Good Sam, Passport America and are clear to stay in military campgrounds along the way.
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2 Retired
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05/02/21 11:30am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Florida State Parks increasing fees.
Just an aside here. Prices for wood products have been crazy high for over a year! We needed to replace parts of our wood deck (needed 16' slabs) and not only were they actually more expensive than replacing with composite material, they were no where to be found! We have several friends who do home improvement and they have complained for almost 2 years that prices are soaring and that availability for even the most common supplies is spotty, at best. They said they were told one major reason is Covid. Only recently have truck drivers and suppliers started to get any where near pre-pandemic levels.
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2 Retired
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04/26/21 11:42am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in November?
Thinking about a week-long visit to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in early November. Anyone know if attractions are still open at that time, or is it too late in the year? Thanks.
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2 Retired
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04/26/21 11:37am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: RV parks around Chattanooga and Vicksburg
Thanks everyone for the information. Appreciated.
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2 Retired
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04/26/21 11:30am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Florida State Parks increasing fees.
"Currently, fees are collected for making, changing and canceling reservations. There will be no change in these fees under the new fee schedule, and they will continue to be collected at the time reservations are made, changed or canceled. Utility fees, which are currently collected from day campers using park utilities, will be extended to cabin stays and overnight campsites using electric and water. The fee will be assessed daily."
From the E Mail posted. As I read it, overnight campsites using electric and water will include a new $7 per day (overnight) fee - "will be extended to cabin stays and overnight campsites using electric and water. The fee will be assessed daily".
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2 Retired
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04/25/21 11:10am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Richmond and Petersburg, Va
Thanks for the tips! Greatly appreciated.
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2 Retired
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04/17/21 08:57am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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Richmond and Petersburg, Va
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 30229406
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2 Retired
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04/15/21 02:41pm |
Tech Issues
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Richmond and Petersburg, Va
DH and I will be going to Pocahontas SP next week for 5 days. Have been to Richmond several times, now want to wander around Petersburg. Civil War spots a priority. Plan to visit the several parts of Petersburg Battlefield. Any other suggestions? Places to eat? Things to see? Thanks.
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2 Retired
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04/15/21 02:41pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RV parks around Chattanooga and Vicksburg
Hopefully DH and I will make our long put-off trip to explore the "Western Theater" of the Civil War this Fall, maybe next Spring. Starting near Fredricksburg, Va. Want to go to Shiloh, Vicksburg, and then follow Sherman as he went East. Also want to explore Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. Anyone done this? If so, any suggestions as to roads to take, where to stay? State parks OK. No boondocking wanted. Plan on making it a month long experience. Any other 'don't miss', 'don't bother' or 'must sees'? Hoping to pick your brains! We also have access to military campgrounds, and are Passport America members. Whatever info you share will be greatly appreciated. Traveling in a 33' Class A, with toad. We're both almost 70 and not really into a lot of physical activity, but love to wander!
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2 Retired
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04/15/21 02:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Is a toad necessary with a small motor home?
Another thought - our toads have always been 4 on the ground vehicles. Right now it's a 2012 Ford Fiesta (automatic transmission). It is much easier to do it this way than to deal with a tow dolly - for so many reasons. We got one several years ago, DH used it once! Just too much of an effort! It has never really been hard to find a vehicle that can be towed this way, and it takes us less than 5 minutes to hook up or to unhook.
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2 Retired
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03/13/21 08:45am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Is a toad necessary with a small motor home?
Back to the original question! I think the 'need' for a toad depends on your plans while on the road. If you are one who goes to a CG as a destination, content to mostly take advantage of what it has to offer, no toad is fine. If, like us, we travel to explore, wander and enjoy other parts of the country, a toad is essential. We love being in a CG, but almost every day we leave it and discover what else is around where we are. I'm a retired history teacher and use our RV as a 'base' for seeing America as much as we can. We have been RVing for over 45 years and have had almost every kind of RV made. When we 'moved up' to a Class C,and now to our Class A, a toad was always part of our rig. We're happiest that way. As DH tells everyone - we get between 7-8 MPG with our rig, toad or no toad. He so often says he doesn't even notice if it's there - just remember you can't back up with it attached! The only major concern we address is the process of getting gas. Mostly we use Flying J/Pilot (great discounts!) or other travel centers where its not a problem. We have never encountered a real problem with that. Again, I think it all depends on what you want to do once you reach your destination.
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2 Retired
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03/13/21 08:42am |
Class C Motorhomes
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