Planning VERY FIRST big trip in Class A.. . advice needed

[papagramx4]

We are a retired couple and we are new to RVing... 2 months ago we got a 35 ft 2005 Class A Winnebago Voyage. We took two short 5 day trips within 100 miles of home, getting the feel of driving and living in "Queenie". (named by hubby).

We are planning a 3 - 4 week trip near the end of January. We live in southwestern PA, and will be heading near Charleston SC for about 4 days for a family visit. Then we want to head toward Florida panhandle for 7 - 10 days. I will be making reservations once we decide on where we want to stay. Once we leave FL, we plan on a meandering trip back toward home, stopping for a few nights at different places along the way.

NOW COMES THE CONFUSION... and I would appreciate advice from seasoned travelers.....HOW FAR AHEAD DO WE MAKE RESERVATIONS?

Do we plan a very structured trip route, making reservations ahead, OR to we take our chances on vacancies when we get to an area we find interesting?

WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN...
PLEASE .. any advice will be appreciated!!!

[esyers]

jplante4 wrote:
We did a winter trip through central Florida and the Gulf coast 2 years ago. We were able to more or less wing it. Basically we were able make reservations 10-14 days in advance. We even got into a few FL state parks.

If you have a place to be at a particular time, make those reservations now and time the rest of the trip around that.

Don't miss staying a few days at HoHum in Carabelle FL.

Sunrise



Moonrise

X2 on HoHum

[RckyMtnVia]

Making reservations depends on how you feel about searching for a place to stay at the end of the day. The last thing I want to do after driving 5 or 6 hours is search for a nice place to park with full hookups, but that's just me. On many occasions I have been checking into a nice campground where I have a reservation, and seen other people turned away. If you don't mind staying in parking lots once in a while, then just wing it. In the holiday season and busy travel times, you definitely should make reservations. If you are retired, you have time to plan a trip, find nice campgrounds and make reservations.

[Jayco-noslide]

Depends on season, location and type of campground. For coastal and southern Fl. Make reservation now for anytime this coming winter season IF you can get them. You'll have a better chance with the panhandle than with south and coastal Fl. But if it's an area not heavily visited (for example mid-west in early spring or late fall) we don't reserve. But even then you need to know the specific area and watch out for special events (like a fishing tournament). I have found, if any doubt, I will go ahead and reserve especially if the charge for cancelling is low. I think it's only $10 with america.gov campgrounds. but sometimes it might be a whole nights fee.

[jplante4]

We did a winter trip through central Florida and the Gulf coast 2 years ago. We were able to more or less wing it. Basically we were able make reservations 10-14 days in advance. We even got into a few FL state parks.

If you have a place to be at a particular time, make those reservations now and time the rest of the trip around that.

Don't miss staying a few days at HoHum in Carabelle FL.

Sunrise



Moonrise

[pennysmom09]

We've traveled to Florida from Delaware for about 4 winters now, and last year we needed reservations at all the cg within a few miles from the interstate. Coming home in March was even busier. I would call each morning once we hit the road, and sometimes we had to call a couple of places.

[Tvov]

What is the weather like in southwestern PA at the end of January? You may want to plan on a delayed start if there is a snowstorm - may have to wait a day or two for roads to be cleared.

[2012Coleman]

Be sure to include state parks when searching for places to stay - especially in Florida, and not just focusing on campgrounds/resorts. KOA is a consideration as well.

[Ivylog]

Your RV is self contained so no need for a CG/FHUs every night. Learn how to dry camp...even in your driveway for a couple of days by not hooking up to anything. This ability makes going without reservations much easier. I would not worry about having reservations in the panhandle of Fla as you can always stay at WalMart/Cracker Barrel/USFS CGs or my favorite...small airports if you cannot find a CG every night.

The next question is what car are you going to pull behind your MH.

[DrewE]

How far ahead to make reservations depends on a few things. First is how popular the areas you will be in are; if they're popular, reservations well in advance are often nearly essential to getting someplace reasonable to stay. Often you can get some idea for this from some online reservation systems that show how many sites have been reserved to date. If 90% of the sites are available, chances are pretty good they won't all fill up while you're en route.

The second thing is your personal preferences. Some people prefer to preplan things in detail and rest easy knowing that they have a site waiting for them (and get anxious with the uncertainty that comes from not having a reservation), while others prefer the freedom that spontaneity brings. Some find the planning nearly as much fun as the trip, others find it a chore. None of us can tell you how these things strike you.

A third consideration is how late you're going to be arriving at the campground. First come first serve sites are, rather obviously, more available when you're among the first comers. Earlier arrivals also mean more time to find an alternate site, if needed.

I tend to be somewhere in the middle, I guess. For shorter trips in particular, I usually make a reservation, but often not far at all in advance (maybe a couple of days). For my recent extended trip to Alaska, I only made two campground reservations in advance, one for Denali and one for Lake Louise--both quite popular destinations.

[esyers]

papagramx4 wrote:
There are so many apps out there, recommended in the Woodall's and other books. You referred to "RV PARKY" app. I'm guessing that's an endorsement of the app .. you've found it works well??

We use rvparky, Good Sam Directory, State Campground association books, www.rvparkreviews.com this forum and recommendations from people we meet.

[DannyA]

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If you are in no rush, when you leave Charleston, just go down towards Savannah spend a day or three, then consider how far you want to go. If you were comfortable with hundred miles runs, why go farther or faster. You may run into a few areas that sites may get tough to find but if you plan your stops for 2 to 3 days, it's pretty easy with the apps like RVparky to find places to stop next. And you aren't rushed.
From what you said, you don't have to be anywhere at a particular time, so focus on the journey not the destination.

Great advice. When I finally learned to focus on the journey rather than the destination rv'ing became so much more enjoyable.

[Lwiddis]

“Do we plan a very structured trip route”

I don’t but then again I can stop almost anywhere for the night...as you can. Place to dump, fill fresh water...what else do you need? (PS-Solar)

[Ductape]

Welcome to the forum. FL in winter means reservations or slim pickings. I would reserve what you want in Charleston and FL and wing it the rest of the stops.

[Dutch_12078]

You may have some problems finding available sites along the gulf in Florida at that time. We make most of our Florida reservations for January-April while we're there the previous winter. You'll have better luck for shorter stays though.

[papagramx4]

THANK YOU !! the advice is so appreciated.. .. and your last few words make so much sense !!