Planning stage

[Itzatrip]

Hello, we just joined the forum in hopes of gathering info and advice from those of you full-time rving already. We've always been campers, first in a very old holiday trailer in which the furnace and black tank never worked properly, to a class C MH, then a class A Triple E and now in a Pinnacle 5th wheel. We were always weekend campers and then since 2004 we have leased a seasonal lake lot in our general area, which made for much more ease along with an outdoor kitchen/cabin and storage sheds. We spend a good deal of our summers at the lake enjoying fishing, taking the grandkids tubbing and got to know a community of people who have become friends. We are approaching a point where we are seriously thinking of selling our home and rving, it's both exciting and scary to be at this place in our lives. Our plan is to put our acreage up for sale in the spring and after it sells to live at the lake in the 5th wheel for the summer/early fall if all goes well. Then what? Should we be trying to book somewhere now for next year, or just go and hope we can get into what we want? How booked do the good places get? We have two dogs, is that going to be a problem at some places? We don't really know the areas but are thinking California, Arizona or Texas, any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm also a little concerned about living in a limited space full time, but hoping we will spend more time living outside. We'd like to be somewhere that offered more than just what the park has to offer, not a big fan of bingo etc., but do like a welcoming community to make friends and socialize. Looking forward to getting to know people here and get the information we need to get started on our journey.

[2gypsies1]

OP: You definitely don't have to reserve a campsite a year in advance! There are plenty available. We didn't make reservations for our 16 years of full-timing unless it was someplace where we really had to be - like visiting family.

[PghBob]

I know you are planning your adventure on the west coast. But, I wanted to add that the same planning for your winter adventures are required in Florida and other warm parts of the south. Some places are booked a year in advance, while at other times/places little lead time is required. We are not yet full-timers, but as annual snowbirds, I would encourage you to sit down with family and plan ahead for the winter. Once clear of the winter, I think a more leisurely plan for traveling can be used. Safe travels and welcome to the forum.

[Thunder_Mountai]

I disagree that you need to commit for the entire peak season. We don't leave snow country until late November or early December returning home in mid March. This year we stayed in Tucson for a couple of days. We rented a space in Tucson for December. The resort has 1200 spaces with probably 100 empty sites left. We are spending January in Apache Junction which required making reservations in July. February we're in Wickenburg, Arizona which required reservations in months in advance.

Over the last five years we have seen more vacancies even at peak times. This includes the big CalAm resorts. You may be limited to a few days or weeks rather than a month. You probably don't want to spend the entire season in one place the first year. We are on our sixth snowbird season and haven't committed to longer than a month in one place yet even though we do return to some places every year.

[MarkTwain]

Itzatrip wrote:
Arhayes, I hadn't realized parks got so booked up, it's difficult to commit to somewhere you've never been for three months, but I suppose the first time will be more of a learning experience.
Djgarcia, that's a great list to start off with, and we have talked about many of those things. It seems like a good idea to join Good Sam, is that what most people do?

Your welcome. Also remember that in the beginning you can pick an unknown area and stay for just a week which will you the opportunity to drive around and check out all the other RV parks until you find one that meets your needs Then you can think about making reservations for longer periods of time. In Ariz. the winter months are the high season and depending on your choice you need to consider making reservations months in advance. This will also give more choice of sites within the RV park. I make mine a year in advance but be aware that some of the larger RV Resorts do not refund your reservation money if you decide not to come but rather will just roll your $$ over for the next year.
I belong to Good Sam and have the RoadSide Assistance Service to use if you break down and need a tow for repair or have a tire changed. $100 per year, cheap! I would not RV without the ERSS! Yes there are other RAS policies, read the fine print i.e, are there any limit to the numer of miles you can be towed? Will you be towed to a repair facility that can actually fix your problem? Will they tow both your truck and Trailer? Would not recommend AAA. Call Good Sam and ask them to explain there RAS plan. I also have the TravelAssist plan($135 per year, Cheap!) which will provide a professional driver to drive your rig home if you are medically unable to and will arrange for air flight back to your home/hospital.

[BarbaraOK]

Itzatrip wrote:
Arhayes, I hadn't realized parks got so booked up, it's difficult to commit to somewhere you've never been for three months, but I suppose the first time will be more of a learning experience.
Djgarcia, that's a great list to start off with, and we have talked about many of those things. It seems like a good idea to join Good Sam, is that what most people do?

Assuming you want to be somewhat warm in the winter, places like FL, TX, AZ, CA has areas that attract snowbirds so they fill rather quickly for Long-Term stays. However, since this would be your first winter, pick and area (we love AZ) and stay 1-2 weeks in places and move around and see what you enjoy. Took us several years to figure out that AZ was where we wanted to be, and another few to zero in on Mesa, then a couple to decide on the park where we wanted to spend all winter. We have friends who decided they loved the open desert out in Quartzite, so they boondock all winter. Others love Palm Springs, a few the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), and some in Florida. Don't be in a hurry about finding the exact place. And you can always find spots for 1 or 2 weeks in the winter, just not the 3-6 months without prior reservations.

Barb

[Itzatrip]

Arhayes, I hadn't realized parks got so booked up, it's difficult to commit to somewhere you've never been for three months, but I suppose the first time will be more of a learning experience.
Djgarcia, that's a great list to start off with, and we have talked about many of those things. It seems like a good idea to join Good Sam, is that what most people do?

[MarkTwain]

Full time RVing????
1. 1st. figure the kind of weather you most like. What kinds of areas i.e. desert, mountains, lakes, rivers do you want to spend your time? What is the top of your budget you can afford per month?
2. What kinds of activities do you like to do the most i.e. outdoor, indoor, country vs city.
3. what kind of RV parks and amenities you really must have i.e. Large RV Resorts, small rural rv parks, activities- golf, tennis, pickle ball, gym, pools, jacuzzi etc.
4. Do you want RV parks with full amenities with large sites or do you like smaller RV parks that have smaller individual sites for each RV?
5. How long do you typically plan on staying at an RV park? week, month, 3 months or more.
After you have answered and discussed the above questions, go into the Good Sam Trailer life book and/or the Good Sam RV Parks web site and start making a list of RV parks and areas that meet your RV plans by state and then by areas within the state.

[arhayes]

I know most resort type places you need reservation for the Season if you want to get be assured of getting in. We are wintering this year in Tucson, and the park we're in - Rincon West - is very comfortable with nice size lots, many groups/classes and lots of activities planned. As with anyplace, it's all what YOU make of it. I'd definitely have a reservation made for the peak months November-March in any resort area so that YOU are in control.