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WiFi is most desired camper amenity


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A new KOA survey shows that wifi ranks higher among campers as a desired amenity than traditional amenities such as recreational activities, cabins, etc. As an admin for RVParkReviews I can attest to the fact that it is definitely the most complained about amenity at RV parks. Maybe this will cause some park owners to wake up.

Here's the KOA article: http://vogeltalksrving.com/2015/04/koa-study-reveals-campers-rate-wi-fi-as-top-amenity/

Sandie & Joel

2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with ReadyBrute tow bar/brake system
WiFiRanger Ambassador
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels

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Yup

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Sasha and Laura

SOLD: 1999 Ford F450 7.3 PSD CC 4x2, Roll-A-Long Hauler Bed, 15,000 GVWR, 26,000 GCVWR,

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Great timing for that article to come out as there is another on-going thread about demand for wifi in parks.

Jeff & Laurie

South Texas

Hounds: Auggie (beer drinking English Cocker Spaniel)

Angus (five pounds of bad azz chihuahua)

Homebase: 2015 Heartland 365 Key West -- The "Uno Mas"

The Office: 2016 Crossroads Hill Country 26RB

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I also like the TV. I have been told that RV parks will be reluctant to have enough WiFi data for everyone to stream movies

all of the time because of the cost. We have had good luck using our Note 4s as hot spots, we like the speed.

We don't stream movies thought.

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My most desired amenity is a site that doesn't have trees that are strategically placed to block satellite TV reception! Second on my list is much less mud and dirt. I carry my own WIFI.

Frank
Kay - Co-pilot

Roscoe and Maggie - Rescue Beagles

"I asked God to send us a True Friend. He sent us a Beagle!"
"It's never too late to have a happy childhood!"

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We do not rely on C.G wifi We have a Verizon jet pack and are within range of a tower 99% of the time, It fact I can not think of a time in the last few years when we were not in range of a tower.

Helen and I are long timers ..08 F-350 Ford,LB,CC,6.4L,4X4, Dually,4:10 diff dragging around a 2013 Montana 3402 Big Sky

SKP 100137. North Ridgeville, Ohio in the summer, sort of and where ever it is warm in the winter.

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I think that, by and large, the people who frequent KOA (and pay $50 a night) are not the ones who belong to Escapees. But, and I've said this before, there is no such thing as enough bandwidth so I'm not surprised that people complain.

 

WDR

1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks

1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires

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I think that, by and large, the people who frequent KOA (and pay $50 a night) are not the ones who belong to Escapees.

 

The implication of your statement is that Escapees is mostly populated by those looking for a cheap place to spend a night. This may have, at one time, been the orientation of the membership, but I am not at all sure if that perspective still is the majority approach to RVing. We like to stay at "nice" RV parks; although we rarely stay at luxury resorts, we have no issue with staying at a KOA or any other park if it provides a safe, attractive environment with full hookups. As for the $50 issue, the average price of a well-rated RV park in the US is ~$40 these days, so $50 is not nearly as unusual as it once was.

Sandie & Joel

2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with ReadyBrute tow bar/brake system
WiFiRanger Ambassador
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels

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The implication of your statement is that Escapees is mostly populated by those looking for a cheap place to spend a night. This may have, at one time, been the orientation of the membership, but I am not at all sure if that perspective still is the majority approach to RVing. We like to stay at "nice" RV parks; although we rarely stay at luxury resorts, we have no issue with staying at a KOA or any other park if it provides a safe, attractive environment with full hookups. As for the $50 issue, the average price of a well-rated RV park in the US is ~$40 these days, so $50 is not nearly as unusual as it once was.

I did not mean to imply that SKP members thought a cheap RV park was highly important at all. You may have inferred that point, but I meant that KOA and $50-a-night RV parks could very possibly be something that quite a few SKP members would want to avoid except for an occasional "let's pamper ourselves" experience.

 

My impression of current SKP members is that we are, by and large, somewhat independent. Even the co-op parks, where the members of the parks do most of the work themselves, and build the park that they feel comfortable in give us that impression. Sue and I have never been "joiners" - we sailed alone on the ocean with our young kids in a 32' sailboat for 5 years, after all - but we felt right at home in Escapees.

 

We use the WiFi at SKP parks but if there had been no WiFi we would not have felt abused. It would never occur to us to walk to the clubhouse to complain about it. I work on Internet systems for a living, after all so I learned early not to depend on someone else for that. And we have Satellite TV, Kindles, and a large collection of DVDs to watch. And there is always a bike ride or a long walk. We've never expected a campsite to entertain us. We want a park to provide a camping ambiance. We want a nice view, a quiet night (after bedtime for the kids), a picnic table to put our barbecue on, and a nice sunrise. We are not particularly worried about electrical power or cable tv; we have those with us. We would like to be safe from intrusion but if someone decided to try to make us unsafe, we can handle that, too.

 

So it doesn't surprise me at all to hear that a poll among KOA campers says that they place a high priority on the campground providing "good" (whatever that is) Internet. I, personally, don't place a high priority on KOA campgrounds. But I'm glad to see so many here speak up for doing it on their own if it's important to them.

 

WDR

1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks

1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires

Raspberry Pi Coach Computer

Ham Radio

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Passport America 1/2 price for me traveling. KOA stays only if that is the only campground in the area I need to stay at.

Last time that happen was May 2008.

Full Time since Oct. 1999
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In our travels we have found a majority of KOA's some what more than we like to pay, but the issue with them is the lot sizes. When I can't open my awning there is a problem, and I find that a lot in KOA's. Sorry off topic here!

 

Dave

Dave & Linda

2011 Bighorn 3670

2000 Ford 7.3 PS diesel white and tan in color Now Fulltiming since May15, 2010

 

Semper Fi Marines!!

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As with WHJ above I look for lesser $$$$ but also want wi-fi. So in our case wi-fi sorta tips the scales. [i.e. bill paying]. Haven't been out for a few years but don't figger much has changed.

 

JM2¢

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My most desired amenity is a site that doesn't have trees that are strategically placed to block satellite TV reception! Second on my list is much less mud and dirt. I carry my own WIFI.

 

Sounds like to me Frank that you need to come back on up to the Panhandle: No trees. great open look at the sky, no rain--ever, thus no mud.

 

What else could you ask for?

Traveling America in "God's Grace"

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In our travels we have found a majority of KOA's some what more than we like to pay, but the issue with them is the lot sizes. When I can't open my awning there is a problem, and I find that a lot in KOA's. Sorry off topic here!

 

Dave

Not at all off-topic. I haven't seen that mentioned here but I have seen quite a few RV parks that are too tight for comfort; at least my comfort. Beach areas are where I notice them most often. State parks - at least in WA and OR - are often roomier than private RV parks but the move towards reservations has made it difficult for me to use them. I don't like sitting outside where the only view is the slab-side of my neighbor's RV 8-feet away. I'll take no power, no water, no dump, no wi-fi and no cable over no room and no view every single time.

 

WDR

1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks

1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires

Raspberry Pi Coach Computer

Ham Radio

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We carry our own internet access and rarely use park wifi. We too look for a Passport America park and overall low cost with a nice atmosphere, meaning not crammed in and not an unpleasant sight. If it's going to be a quick overnight it's probably going to be a Walmart, Costco, truck stop, casino or other place we feel safe enough to spend the night.

Full time since August 2010

2002 Itasca Horizon

 

One fur kid - a Shih-Tsu rescue

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Sounds like to me Frank that you need to come back on up to the Panhandle: No trees. great open look at the sky, no rain--ever, thus no mud.

 

What else could you ask for?

Actually, we were in PDC about 4 weeks ago. (Albuquerque Spring Break) Took our grandchildren to see the canyon, stayed in our favorite loop, Mesquite! :)

Frank
Kay - Co-pilot

Roscoe and Maggie - Rescue Beagles

"I asked God to send us a True Friend. He sent us a Beagle!"
"It's never too late to have a happy childhood!"

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Actually, we were in PDC about 4 weeks ago. (Albuquerque Spring Break) Took our grandchildren to see the canyon, stayed in our favorite loop, Mesquite! :) No mud, but the wind was huffing and puffing while we were there.

Frank
Kay - Co-pilot

Roscoe and Maggie - Rescue Beagles

"I asked God to send us a True Friend. He sent us a Beagle!"
"It's never too late to have a happy childhood!"

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Our last trip out spent some time in KOA's and one actually paid more than I have ever have before but decided to pamper ourselves for a few nights. In my case being 67 feet long and also having a Smart car I look for size of sites that allow me to park my combination if possible and open the slides plus wider roads to get it in and out. If not enough room for 37 foot 5er and room to park the Smart and separate location I can park the HDT. KOA's are great but I just don't use much of their amenities rather I am there to tour and see the surrounding area not be entertained at the campground. So no KOA's not my preferred but will if it fills my needs. :)

 

Got off topic I consider WIFI nice if available but not high on my personal list of necessities. ;)

2019 Thor Chateau 28E on a Ford E450 chassis. Maybe awhile but will get a new picture forgive one up there it is my old rig.

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