2gypsies

We never had to sweep stuff off our toppers. On one RV that didn't have toppers we did have to sweep the stuff off the slideout roofs. That's why toppers are good to have. We did, however, get on the roof occasionally to check for maintenance issues and to clean the roof.

Here are reviews on the places mentioned above: http://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/texas/san-angelo To me, any would be suitable. Good luck!

Wow! That's more expensive than the OP was hoping for - $21,000 for 8 weeks!! I still say "stay in a cabin".

Thanks NDBirdman, I thought of those suggestions after I posted. OP: Since you'll have water at the campsite, run the faucets and press the pedal on the toilet to fill the tanks before you make that drive home. Then you can safely empty the black tank. Don't try emptying it if you only have a little liquid in it. That's how 'things' build up. We also used the dishwater method.

Just wondering why there would be generators in a place with electric for the ACs? In our experiences of staying in public campgrounds and also volunteering in public campgrounds is that on Fridays when weekenders come in they get set up and everyone is so hyped up that it may be noisier - everyone, including the kids and adults and even pets are excited for their few days of time off. On Saturday they cram everything in..... hiking, fishing, swimming, site seeing and on Saturday night they're exhausted and there's a notable difference of noise. On Sunday they leave. The same for the big 3-day weekends. Everyone just expects this activity on the first night... park personnel and visitors alike. 'Destination' RV parks are the same although it very well could be a lot more 'festive' since those kinds of parks don't typically draw active RVers. They're more of the party-type not site seerers and hikers who wear themselves out. Plus, with electric they'll have the televisions outside, party lights, etc. The only way you'll get perfect quiet is to boondock on national forest or BLM land. Then you can find your own space and listen to the night animals and view the stars in darkness. That's what we like!

Do you have a very trusted person in the U.S. who knows RVs that could look for a RV to buy; have it checked over thoroughly? Do you have the time to look for one? That's the only way I'd consider buying. Renting that long of a time is certainly expensive but I'd go with #3 or El Monte. They are very popular in the national parks. If you want the 'camping' experience for your children, some RV parks and even national parks have cabins to rent. You'd still be living in the 'wilderness' but it might be cheaper than buying or renting. You'd have to rent a car to get around. It would be less cost if you could find something with a mini-kitchen or at least a refrigerator so you could save $$$ on breakfasts and food to pack to take along for lunches. Good luck with whatever you choose! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

Dumping at the storage when you get home is good if you can do it first thing. Then all the 'stuff' is agitated while you drive and you'll get a better dump.

Wow! You have your fingers in a lot of places - California, Mexico, Nevada, South Dakota, made up address and now thinking of Texas. I really think you need some professional help sorting all this out.

We've stay in the park itself at the 'dry' campground. It's right in front of the famous 'Mittens' formation. We had a Jeep so did the scenic drive ourselves and early morning an late afternoon for different lighting for our pics. Beautiful place!!

A party bath! What fun!!

Were these major dealers? Like Lazy Daze?

Congratulations on finding the right one! If you mean a camping directory in book form, Camping World has them: https://www.campingworld.com/lifestyle/books-directories Otherwise there are many online sites to look at such as Campground Reviews (formerly RV Park Reviews), Allstays, and others. http://www.campgroundreviews.com/

If you don't plan to stay in the classy resorts you'll definitely find places to stay with an over 10-year RV. The key is to kept it well-kept looking. Also, public parks don't have that rule. If looking at motorhomes here are some around 2015 models since you're looking at used ones. https://www.generalrv.com/blog/12-must-see-bunkhouse-rv-floorplans/ If looking at trailers here are some: https://www.rvingplanet.com/blog/top-5-best-quality-travel-trailers-with-bunk-beds/ There are many sites you can view if you do a Google for trailers/motorhomes with bunks. Here is a full-timing family site that may give you some ideas: http://fulltimefamilies.com/ Good luck with your plans!!

Most likely, it will be here: https://www.sweetwaterevents.com/p/208

We've contributed and reviewed hundreds on RV Park Reviews - mostly public parks. That was our 'go to' site. Also to the Escapees 'Day's End' site for boondocking sites. We used both during our travels.

I guess it depends on what national parks you're thinking of staying. I've kept a list and with our 40' motorhome towing a Jeep we fit in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Arches, Badlands, Big Bend, Black Canyon of Gunnison, Grand Canyon Glen Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Bryce, Canyon de Chelly, Everglades, El Morro (length stated 27' but we could fit), Craters of the Moon, Curencanti, Denali (Alaska), Guadalupe, Joshua Tree, Zion, Theodore Roosevelt, Sawtooth, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Rocky Mountain, Organ Pipe and Mesa Verde. We volunteered in Rocky Mountain and early morning we assigned sites to reservation sites given by the size the party specified. We started with the biggest site size needed and worked our way down. We had an old chart to do this. Big sites weren't plentiful. We had walked the campground many times and knew there were bigger sites out there. So we offered to make a new chart. We physically measured the sites and took into account the ease of backing in and trees. Having a 40' MH ourselves we knew what sites we'd be able to fit into. We made our new chart and the rangers were amazed at how many additional sites we found where a big rig would fit. In our travels we found this to be true. Whoever made the charts either just briefly eyeballed the sites or they were not RVers and didn't know what would fit. We found this to be true of many campgrounds where we stayed. I honestly can't remember going to a campground and not finding a site and surprisingly, most often, the best site in the place. Some folks like to be in the middle of things... close to the bathrooms. We always wanted to be in the outer ring and back in the corner - more privacy. We didn't make reservations. This was true of state parks and national forest campgrounds, also. I'd recommend you go with the 30' 5th wheel. We had both a travel trailer and a 5th wheel and the 5th wheel was so much easier to handle and park and didn't have the sway on the highways, especially when a semi passed. Keep in mind that many times you can back the RV beyond the rear site barrier (if there is no tree behind). Just the tires need to be on the site. You can extend beyond with your overhang. Have fun!

From Cortez it's all uphill. It's a good highway and many, many RVers drive it. Enjoy!!

We full-timed in a Newmar diesel (Cummins/Spartan) for 8 years with absolutely no repairs to anything. Diesels are known to run a long, long time if you do the necessary maintenance on them. We traveled mountains and gravel backroads all the time. Ours got a workout, for sure .... but no issues. Yes, you couldn't be that lucky. That's the chance you take. We've never bought extended warranties on anything we've owned and have never been sorry. Like Barb.... we've always made sure we have money set aside for emergencies and that money increases if not used.

In all our volunteer gigs we were ALWAYS made to feel appreciated. Dedicated volunteers don't compare the value of the position. They are there because they want to be there. They want to help out our parks. They just enjoy being in the surroundings. We've met some that put in a lot more hours on their own than was expected. If there weren't volunteers for those positions things wouldn't get done. The agencies don't have enough money to hire people. I think you have the incorrect idea of volunteering.

Tire pressure you're running also makes a difference. It should be based on the total weight.

Are you staying in New Zealand? Why buy a new one here and ship it over? I would assume they sell RVs there, also. RVs sold in other countries are better made than here, for the most part and you wouldn't have to spend extra money for 're-dos'.

On the top line is 'Guidelines' the closest thing to a tutorial, unfortunately. It's more about 'rules' rather than 'how to'.

Have her tell the grandbabies they'll get a special souvenier from the trip! Three months really isn't that long. They'll appreciate her more when she returns.!!

Congratulations! Very, very nice!! You sound just a 'little' excited. I like how the rear door leads into the bathroom in case you're wet or muddy. Convenient for taking off shoes before entering the living area. You'll have lots of fun!!

We got our insurance from Miller Insurance at that time http://www.millerrvinsurance.com/ and I believe we had National Interstate for our motorhome insurance.