Southern California - First trip New Fifth Wheel

So we booked Leaping Lizard RV park in Ocotillo Wells, near Anza Borrego, CA.

We are going Pres. Day weekend so many were booked.

thanks for all the suggestions.

I thought you wanted to test the system.

Your rig and your decisions, however, you will eventually need to learn to follow the semi's in city traffic, keep your distance and be prepared for the quick lane changing car. You also will need to see how well your tow vehicle performs up and down hills. Are the brakes working like they should, is the trailer pushing the truck or stopping with it?

4 hrs to Yuma will let you know how comfortable the family is for an extended trip. Boonedocking will let you judge how the battery(s) are performing and if you need to adjust your families behavior in water usage, lights, tv time, etc. when not plugged in.

Yes, lots to learn. It sounds like your first trip needs to emphasize Being There rather than Getting There. So, short trip to a nice place.

NMDriver wrote:
For a maiden test run I would go down to San Diego to experience the in town freeway traffic, then east on I-8 to get the mountain up and down experience. Stop in Yuma to see the snowbirds, then up to Quartzsite to see the boonedockers before heading home. Spend one night in a Yuma RV resort and the next among the boonedockers in Quartzsite.

Did you see that we wanted to fall in love with RVing. I especially like the San Diego traffic part...LOL

I get what you mean though, lots to learn.

MarkTwain wrote:
First RV trip---
I would stay away from any where near the southern calif. coast any time! With only 4 days, If you want the ocean I would go to ventura or Pismo Beach. If you want the desert I would go to Anza Borrego. I would spend the 4 days at one spot if you want an enjoyable RV experience, IMHO you don't have enough time to do Yuma and Quartzite unless you just want to have an RV trip that is like a marathon road trip as opposed to an enjoyable RV trip.

Thanks - yes we want to stay at one spot and get to know the rig, see what bugs and tweaks the the RV will more than likely have.

We like hiking and views if possible, as the RV has large back window.

First RV trip---
I would stay away from any where near the southern calif. coast any time! With only 4 days, If you want the ocean I would go to ventura or Pismo Beach. If you want the desert I would go to Anza Borrego. I would spend the 4 days at one spot if you want an enjoyable RV experience, IMHO you don't have enough time to do Yuma and Quartzite unless you just want to have an RV trip that is like a marathon road trip as opposed to an enjoyable RV trip.

Canyon Rv Park-off 91 Fwy above Corona. Campland on the Bay-San Diego-big, crowded in summer months but not so bad in winter, Vail Lake Resort in Temecula is nice, clean and in your back yard, Pala Casino RV resort. Check this out--http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/california/palomar-mountain---Good luck and have Fun, Lars

For a maiden test run I would go down to San Diego to experience the in town freeway traffic, then east on I-8 to get the mountain up and down experience. Stop in Yuma to see the snowbirds, then up to Quartzsite to see the boonedockers before heading home. Spend one night in a Yuma RV resort and the next among the boonedockers in Quartzsite.

I'd go to Ventura Beach RV Resort about 2 1/2 hours 150 miles.