Add a room

[moll672]

Newly retired after 33 yrs as a firefighter. Looking forward to snowbirding as soon as our old dogs go to that big park in the sky. Are there any campgrounds out there were FFs tend to group, pretty sure there are plenty of us out there? Our 5th wheel is a smaller lower model and we are considering an 'Add a room' for extra space. What has been experience with them? How about winds in Texas? Awning has legs that fold down and secure to ground so wonder if this makes a difference? Hope you all survived winter well. Yesterday was the 1st day in 2 months above zero and sunny too. Time to start tapping trees for maple syrup.

[moll672]

And I'd like to have a beer with y'all

[WeBeFulltimers]

There are MANY people out here that are not retired FF !

[fchammer1]

There is a reason there were no picnic tables at our RV park in the Rio Grand Valley of Texas, WIND, pure and simple. If you want cheap, go there.

If you want warmer temperatures, and to sit outside under an awning or umbrella while reading a book, look to Florida anywhere south of the big lake.

[Albertaguy]

I can't speak about the add-a-room as wind would be a factor, but I am down here in Yuma and there are two retired firefighters on my lane and two retired police officers (me being one). My wife's cousin is on the next lane and he is also a retired firefighter.There are lots here in the Yuma foothills.

[Me_Again]

In the SW one is outside a lot anyway! Just an awning and sun shade if your door is to the South. We had our door to the North for three years and the South for two years. Really enjoy the South better! Chris

[John_Joey]

That all makes sense. Another option is to buy (cheap) a small screen tent and put it up when you need it for bugs. You can even buy it while on the road at the local Wal-Mart. The real trick for your rig is not to bring too much "stuff."

[moll672]

Thanks for the suggestions. Our dogs barf if they are in the vehicle for 10 mins as they were never taken driving as puppies, besides they are the breed that is not readily acceptable everywhere. Our 5th wheel is a 22.5ft box, no slides and with not enough room to stand in the bed area. We got it with the idea of better gas mileage, easier to manoeuver, access to smaller campsites etc. We really like the layout, but for an extended stay we were thinking an add a room would give us extra space that a bigger trailer would already have. Would also be cheaper than changing rigs. Seen several ads looking for add a rooms so if it doesn't work for us we could always sell it!!

[Irish2]

Congratulations on the retirement. I retired in September after 37 years service as a cop and I am also looking forward to hitting the road this June and then snowbird for the white season here in Canada. As for the add a room, a number of years when the kids where small we tried it and after an honest effort I gave up on it. Just a pain to put up, to take down and deal with when wet were my reasons.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

I used to set up all that 'stuff' but don't do it anymore.

You can full time without all that stuff. Much of the west does not have a lot of flying bugs. It is east of the Mississippi that you have enough humidity to have a large flying insect population. I don't stay in Texas, but further out west. Never saw a need for a screen tent, but still have one. It is a quick set up type.

How about a 'toy hauler'? They can have a big rear area, that can fold out into a patio, and also give you a great place to put a couple of lazy boy recliners.

Yes they do make a screw down attachment for the awning arms, and a 'california room'. I know people that have them, and they tend to stay a long time in one location. Not for me.. . You can google California room. It has one panel that slides into the awning track, and then side panels that have heavy duty zippers to the main panel, and skirt panels to keep bugs from flying under the RV into the patio room. They snap onto the skirt of the RV, and hang down to the ground. After about 1 hour of set up, you have a bug free place to sit alongside the RV. But no A/C or heating. I would rather be inside or out sightseeing.

Enjoy your retirement!

Check out a full timers website. Escapees.com THey have several campgrounds from coast to coast. You might also me interested in one of several camping clubs, where you 'buy in' to a campground, then buy $6 (price may have gone up thought) camping cards to use each night at another campground, and can camp for a low cost at full service resorts.

I prefer BLM land, where it is free, no marked off sites, and I let my 400 watt solar system charge my batteries. A direct TV dish provides TV stations, and I am content!

Fred.

[Gr8life]

moll672 wrote:
....snip.......
How about winds in Texas? Awning has legs that fold down and secure to ground so wonder if this makes a difference? Hope you all survived winter well. Yesterday was the 1st day in 2 months above zero and sunny too. Time to start tapping trees for maple syrup.

With enough effort, there are those that leave their awnings out for all but the windiest of days. Think braces, ropes, anchors, and all kinds of clamps. It can be done, but not worth the trouble for me. Next winter, I will have a free standing canopy. Much cheaper to replace than attached trailer awning would be.

[pawatt]

In my opinion add a rooms are a pain to attach and detach and store. I just don't think they are worth the trouble. Very few bugs in Texas besides ants and it won't keep the ants out anyway. I would bring your old dogs along, they may be around longer than you think and you could miss your best years of snowbirding. Some parks have a 2 dog limit or size limit but many don't. We have never came across parks where retired fire fighters group but you will be welcome most everywhere.