I suspect part of the issue you are having is that you are looking at RV Parks in highly congested areas. Yes, RV Parks in Tahoe or San Francisco are crowded and expensive and/or run down. Just like hotels in those places. They are international vacation spots.
It's sort of like the person who goes to Disneyland and then complains about the crowds and commercialism. That's why you go to Disneyland - if you don't want that then you go elsewhere.
Look for places that are not international tourist attractions. Look at campgrounds rather than RV Parks. All the federal places I identified in my prior post are under $40 a night (under $30 for dry campsites) - no need to pay $150+ a night to get away.
