Debating Class A purchase for Wa. State to Az snowbirding

[jayhardy]

We are snowbirding in Palm Springs in 5th wheel from from E.Wa, headed to Casa Grande to buy in a 55+ home or buy a big Class A to do the same each winter. We can park a Class A on our lot in Wenatchee in the summer months so its two great options. One concern I have is going down highway 84 to Az in a big Class A (40+) and finding RV parks for the 4-5 nights required to get to the Phoenix area. Does anyone know if this is easier than im imagining? Did Walmart stop offering free overnite stay?

[obgraham]

Snowbirder here, TriCities to Mesa AZ. Not now using an RV, but still, two comments:

Driving back and forth is no issue. We did it in a 38 foot DP towing for a number of years. Road routes are fine (prefer US93 thru Nevada) and there are plenty of places to overnight. Even Jackpot is open in the winter, and there are many roadside stopover spots, such as Ash Springs.

There are also a number of Over-55 parks in the East Valley catering to RV'ers, several in Apache Junction that friends of ours used for years. Some are all RV's, some have a section or maybe just a few. Plenty of big-rigs in them.

We switched to buying in a "manufactured home" community in Mesa, but your plan will work just fine.

[Janss]

So are you just wanting advice about RV parks along a N/S route? I think we've answered that...there are plenty, plus free sites. Many of us drive from AZ to PNW every year on a variety of routes.

Or do you want more input/opinions about what you should buy? Of course, with a motorhome, you have the engine to maintain, and you'd have to get a tow car plus all the setup. I don't think it's that great to let a motorhome sit for 6 months at a time without moving it. You don't want another 5th wheel? If you buy a home in a park, well then, you'd have that to maintain. And then what would you live in at WA?

[jdc1]

With that commitment in each area, I might look for an ownership in lots in both the Phoenix area and Washington state. Not having to scramble for 6 months reservations would soul soothing, if nothing else. As for the overnight dilemma, (I travel that route once a year, plus NoCal to Phoenix 3 times a year)) utilizing the rest stops, school parking lots, fairgrounds and other off the beaten path parking areas. Smaller towns are more lenient as to the use of public parking areas.

[jayhardy]

I wasn't as clear as I should have been. We plan being full timers and our fiver doesn't fit our needs.6 months in Eastern, WA where we park our RV on a cement pad and 6 mths somewhere in AZ. We are headed to AZ in a month to look for a spot to snowbird starting in Casa Grande. 3 months to find a spot for next winters trek

[wanderingaimles]

As always, avoid weekend travel and you will have more flexibility on the N/S trips. Leaving on a Sunday, and arriving at your destination by Thursday night should work for the distance your covering, although it wont leave "chill" days in the middle.

[CA_Traveler]

10, 202, 10 to Casa Grande. To avoid PH 10, 85, 8 to Casa Grande is another good route. Quartzsite is a good stopover but with 5,000 RVs parked everywhere in Jan you'll need reservations or park on BLM land, no clue about motels if you are not using a RV.

I'm not sure if your concern is the route or free CG's. Depending upon when you head N/S you may want 50A electric for the ACs in the southern areas. There are many routes available as you head N/S. Make reservations as needed. Be aware that with Covid travel restrictions many have purchased a RV and reservations are more limited.

[Lwiddis]

Outfit any current or new RV for dry camping and there’s no need to worry about hookup RV parks during your 4 to 5 day trip.

[MarkTwain]

navigator2346 wrote:
Seeing as how you now own a 5th wheel, I would not go buy a 40ft motorized rv to use it once a year. Load the app "rv Parky" and follow your route to see where rv parks are located then plan your stops accordingly

Does your current 5th wheel meet your current and future RV needs? What advantages would you have with a class A that you don't have with the your current 5th. wheel? If money is not an issue if you buy a Class A vs keeping your current 5th wheel, then the choice is not just up to your taste.
I would choose to take hwy. 10 out of Palm Springs to Phoneix to Casa Grande, freeway all the way. If you choose hwy 84 be sure and the weather for sand storms.
If you don't want to drive all the way from Palm Springs to Casa Grande in 1 day, there are a lot of RV parks along Hwy. 10 to Casa Grande.

[navigator2346]

Seeing as how you now own a 5th wheel, I would not go buy a 40ft motorized rv to use it once a year. Load the app "rv Parky" and follow your route to see where rv parks are located then plan your stops accordingly

[Janss]

Why would finding RV parks on the way to AZ be any different than what you currently do on the way to Palm Springs? Yes, you would be taking some different roads, but there are RV parks/campgrounds all over the West. We travel all over the West every summer and never have a problem. I do usually make reservations, but sometimes I just call a day or two ahead.

Walmart, the company, still allows RVers to stay overnight in their parking lots. However, some stores have their hands tied because of local city ordinances banning overnight parking. I always call the specific store and ask ahead of arrival.