myredracer wrote:
Membership CG networks like Coast to Coast, Passport America, Thousand Trails can be a very economical way to get around. We bought a used T/T membership for just $800 on CL and can stay in any of their CGs across the US at no extra cost per night and only have to pay annual dues. T/T however doesn't any CGs in a big chunk of the US in the center.
Memberships often have different plans with different terms and conditions so do your research before buying one. Sometimes you can only stay in one CG for 2 weeks max and the must be "out of the system" for a week before getting back in. Top of the line memberships can have no restriction on length of stay.
If you want to be a travelling nomad with no plans on where you want to stay, note that many of the above CGs and many others whether a membership type or one-owner, in the busy season you often have to book 60 days in advance otherwise you won't get a site. If there's specific CGs you want to stay in along a long route, you need to stay on top of booking. Otherwise you may find yourself having to stay at casinos, Walmart, rest stops, etc.
A few CGs have dry camping areas where you can park yourself for a day or 2 or 3 until a site comes available.
Make sure to have a laptop and a mobile hotspot or mifi like Verizon so you can research upcoming places on a trip. You could also find yourself having to make last minute changes on a route due to wildfires, road closures, bad storms, etc. Definitely have a good GPS.
On hours per day, I agree with 3-4 hours max a day. 5 or even 6 is do-able but you want a day or two at least to rest up. I recently did a 10 hour trip to retrieve our TT when we had to leave it behind due to a truck breakdown. I drove 5 hours one way without the TT over a long mountain pass and 5 hours back with the TT. Couple of weeks later now, I'm still getting over that...
3 to 4 hours a day! I am older than many and I limit out at 10 hours if I have a destination across the US. My first drive from home is my longest at 12 hours ( Detroit area to Tunica Miss.). I drive a lot because I travel a lot ...... bum de bum bum.
