Is a Resort REALLY a Resort & is a Park REALLY a Park or??

40 inches is really not a very big rig. :):B

40" "GOTCHA!" says buchphi......

Seriously, my CASUAL observations....the further you are from a major metropolitan area, the more you're going to get "real" big rig friendly campgrounds. The same with "snowbird" destinations.

"Resorts" almost always charge more even tho you don't use some/many of their facilities. Things like exercise rooms, etc., etc.. Other "resorts" like the "ENCORE" chain charge 3 bucks a day for any and everything....never could figure out why. But even tho they happily take overnighters, they all seem to be "destination" parks.

Campgrounds is campgrounds. Many of the older ones were never built to accomodate the large RVs we have today. Sometimes a struggle with even a 30 footer.

While "on the road", (cross country) I find that most cgs that are "easy-on/easy-off" are mostly pull thrus. That's their market. Overnight, full hookups no disconnecting the toads.

And the ads for the places? Sometimes you can't judge a book by its' cover. Sometimes you have to make the best of it. Other times, where you find one cg, another is right nearby. Just find the exit and go.

"Google Earth" to find a campground? Really? But whatever floats your boat.I use Trailer Life Directory and look at RVparkreviews.com....plus being a member of KOA, they have their directory too.

You have a 40 footer. Pulling a toad? That's 50 feet or more. Sometimes YOU have to bend a bit. Enjoy your travels.

Your idea is a good one but there is already a Big Rigs guide out there and it is a good one. The authors actually visit the parks in their book. They may not have stayed there, but they have been there, know the measurements of the sites and give you the numbers of the big ones. Also list restaurants and various activities in the area of the park.

Sites like this one are your friend;

http://www.campsitephotos.com/

This is a legitimate problem.

Last weekend we stayed in an "RV Resort" that advertises itself as 50 amp, cable TV, wifi etc. The pads were so small and close together that my rear jacks had to be used on the dirt behind the pad in order to get the car in sideways in front of the MH.

Our site was 30 amp (50 amp plug was in the pedestal but had been disconnected), cable jack was there, but not active as only half the sites had active cable connections.

We were there for my wife's cousin's birthday so we only used the "resort" for sleeping but to my surprise the place was 99% full with folks that looked like they were spending the entire winter there.

On the web the place looked great, like a destination RV resort. The reality was quite different.

The only time we make reservations is if we are going to an RV park that we are familiar with. Other than that, when we pull in to an RV park we check it out BEFORE we check in. Several times I have had to drive through an RV park just to exit it and head down the road to another park. I tell the park owner/manager that I take their "no refunds" seriously and that I want to insure that their park meets my needs before I give them my money. I do use the rvparkreviews website but unless it is a recent review, things can change.

I hate to say it, but when you're traveling cross country you just have to bear and grin it. IMO, the nicer the rig you got, the less you have to bear it. Put the slides out, draw the shades, and enjoy the FHU's.

It really is no different then hoteling it. You can check the room out first, but if you're tired and it's the only place around, well....

John&Joey wrote:
I hate to say it, but when you're traveling cross country you just have to bear and grin it. IMO, the nicer the rig you got, the less you have to bear it. Put the slides out, draw the shades, and enjoy the FHU's.

It really is no different then hoteling it. You can check the room out first, but if you're tired and it's the only place around, well....

That is right and sometimes, there is just not ANOTHER RV park, within a reasonable distance, as an alternative.

Even within this forum it is not clear the differences in an RV park and campground. Who will be making the clear definitions - without any overlap? :)

There are several good resources currently in existence: www.rvparkreviews.com and Tripadvisor. While the latter has some parks the former has almost all parks. I prefer to read the comments of actual visitors to these parks/resorts.

I have my own "rule" about staying at a particular park. It is similar to one I used to use when advising people about an apartment complex: If it is full of junk rigs/cars you move on. Full of late model rigs/cars it might be ok. Not very scientific I'll admit but it has worked for me. I might feel different in a few years as my MH ages but, for now, it works.