ToddF Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 I'm looking ahead to 2020 and considering spending my "winter" in Cal Am parks if they run their special again next year. (My winter in AZ is the last few months of the year as I have to return to MN for tax season). For anyone interested, it is advertised on their website for 2019...stay in any of their parks for $995 + Utilities for 4 months (Sept 3-Dec 31). This strikes me as a very good deal. (I won't have my zone pass or trails collection to fall back on next year as I plan to let them expire on Sept 30, 2020). ($1,295 for a 2nd group of parks that are a little more upscale). I'm thinking of a month in Yuma, a month in Tucson, a month in Casa Grande, and a month in Mesa next year. It would give me a chance to try something different than Thousand Trails, that I've been camping in since Oct '16. And "try on for size" parks that I might like to stay in for the entire winter once I retire. I've been to Florida and the RGV and settled on Arizona as my preferred choice to beat the cold and snow. I love mountains! http://www.cal-am.com/specials/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 I stayed last winter in a Cal-Am Park in Surprise AZ. Sunflower RV Resort. It was a little more that $1,000 from Sept 10th till the end of Dec, but Jan, Feb and March were over $1,000 each. I am going to check out FL this winter. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 8 hours ago, ToddF said: I'm looking ahead to 2020 and considering spending my "winter" in Cal Am parks if they run their special again next year. (My winter in AZ is the last few months of the year as I have to return to MN for tax season). For anyone interested, it is advertised on their website for 2019...stay in any of their parks for $995 + Utilities for 4 months (Sept 3-Dec 31). This strikes me as a very good deal. (I won't have my zone pass or trails collection to fall back on next year as I plan to let them expire on Sept 30, 2020). ($1,295 for a 2nd group of parks that are a little more upscale). I'm thinking of a month in Yuma, a month in Tucson, a month in Casa Grande, and a month in Mesa next year. It would give me a chance to try something different than Thousand Trails, that I've been camping in since Oct '16. And "try on for size" parks that I might like to stay in for the entire winter once I retire. I've been to Florida and the RGV and settled on Arizona as my preferred choice to beat the cold and snow. I love mountains! http://www.cal-am.com/specials/ $995 for 4 months is a great deal. We're with you..... we've tried Florida,Texas, Alabama but Arizona is the best!! Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FL-JOE Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 That certainly is a great price special. If they were not full last winter it is good marketing on their part. Probably a lot of snowbirds tend to return to the same park in the same area year after year. You make friends, get to know the area, and start considering it a second home after awhile. Quote Joe & Cindy Newmar 4369 Ventana Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FL-JOE Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 14 hours ago, Twotoes said: I stayed last winter in a Cal-Am Park in Surprise AZ. Sunflower RV Resort. It was a little more that $1,000 from Sept 10th till the end of Dec, but Jan, Feb and March were over $1,000 each. I am going to check out FL this winter. What part of Florida are you considering Twotoes? Quote Joe & Cindy Newmar 4369 Ventana Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowGypsy Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 *"electric, sewer and trash not included". I am just curious as to how much that might add up to. We spent 6 years in AZ, and that appears to be the pre-heavy snowbird season. Anyone not familiar with temps in AZ during that time should realize that much of AZ is still very hot in the fall, and nearly every other month of the year, but we really liked AZ when we could get out to the mountains, zoos, museums............... January was really nice! Quote Cathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 8 hours ago, FL-JOE said: What part of Florida are you considering Twotoes? I’m meeting up with some friends in Davenport near Orlando. Won’t be there till Dec1st. Staying in Golf Shores AL the month of Nov. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 2 hours ago, SnowGypsy said: *"electric, sewer and trash not included". I am just curious as to how much that might add up to. We spent 6 years in AZ, and that appears to be the pre-heavy snowbird season. Anyone not familiar with temps in AZ during that time should realize that much of AZ is still very hot in the fall, and nearly every other month of the year, but we really liked AZ when we could get out to the mountains, zoos, museums............... January was really nice! I understand electric not being included, as that is the norm with discounted monthly rates at RV parks, but I've never seen sewer and trash excluded. I wonder if that is a simple add-on monthly fee or if it is somehow charged based on usage? Quote Mark & Teri 2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350 Mark & Teri's Travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 Cal-Am Sunflower RV Resort Charged an extra $20 a month for sewer and trash last year when I was there. The add on charge was for each month Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and March. This was in addition to your site rent and electric. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 42 minutes ago, Twotoes said: Cal-Am Sunflower RV Resort Charged an extra $20 a month for sewer and trash last year when I was there. The add on charge was for each month Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and March. This was in addition to your site rent and electric. That is an interesting pricing strategy. I imagine that every site got the $20 per month charge, so why not include it in the monthly fee? I suppose that $995 for 4 months sounds better than $1075... Quote Mark & Teri 2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350 Mark & Teri's Travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddF Posted August 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2019 I enjoy the "pre-season"...all the parks are half empty. Very laid back. At this price, a few bucks for utilities is fine with me. I'm also planning to spend some time at Saguaro, in Benson. A wonderful place! It will be interesting to see if the proposed new housing development (huge) goes in and what affect it has on that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Ministries Posted August 31, 2019 Report Share Posted August 31, 2019 Amazing marketing strategy! it's really appreciated from my end. but expect more enjoyable facility as a customer at next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted September 1, 2019 Report Share Posted September 1, 2019 20 hours ago, ToddF said: I'm also planning to spend some time at Saguaro, in Benson. A wonderful place! It will be interesting to see if the proposed new housing development (huge) goes in and what affect it has on that area. This project has been in the news for years. One stumbling block after another. I really don't see it happening and hope it doesn't. Ground water is crucial in this area. The Benson Escapee park is awesome! https://tucson.com/news/local/hot-pursuit-of-permit-that-isn-t-needed-defines-vigneto/article_ca5b57b4-f541-59b9-8fb3-c89c8563f9ac.html Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted September 2, 2019 Report Share Posted September 2, 2019 On 8/29/2019 at 7:25 PM, Twotoes said: I stayed last winter in a Cal-Am Park in Surprise AZ. Sunflower RV Resort. It was a little more that $1,000 from Sept 10th till the end of Dec, but Jan, Feb and March were over $1,000 each. I am going to check out FL this winter. Be prepared to spend $1,000/month in much of FL. Stay inland for much less, however it is at least an hours drive to anything. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddF Posted September 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2019 Thousand Trails might be an option. Buy a zone pass and add the trails collection. You'll have access to about 20 parks in FL and 30 parks in AZ for up to 14 days at a time. (Then 7 days out). Only a few have a nightly surcharge. Is there anyone out there doing this? How does it go Jan-Mar? (No trouble Sept - Dec). I like the 7 days out because I can move around and visit state parks, boondock for a night here or there, and try other private and public campgrounds. And there is no up front fee to "join" like there is with the lifetime memberships. There are folks on those who move from park to park within the TT system every 21 or 28 days. If they use the Trails collection, the same rules apply...14 days in 7 days out of a TC park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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