trailertraveler

We have used the pay Wifi at the Thousand Trails Green Mountain Park in Lenoir, NC the past two years. There is no Verizon or AT&T signal in the section we stay in. The Wifi  is provided by Skybest. It was more than adequate for our needs. We have DTV so do not stream a whole lot.

We used the pay Wifi at the Orlando Thousand Trails this spring. It was provided by Jabba. This is a huge park (over 1000 sites). Cell service is slow to non-existent during the day both in the park and the surrounding developed area. When we first arrived the Wifi was slow until evening. After a couple of days, some rigs left and the Wifi was adequate for the remainder of our two week visit. My guess is that they were heavy users. 

6 hours ago, Kirk W said:

I wonder if all of the COE parks will go that way? Where you found 2 like that it must be at least that COE District wide. When you get there, ask to see what they know about the chage and share it with us, if you would be so kind.

I looked a little more and found that Marion and Council Grove have gone to this system. Some campgrounds have all sites on the reservation system. There are some campgrounds that seem to still not take reservations as there is no reservation link on the Corps Gateway website. One campground (Riverside at Kanopolis Lake) did not have a reservation link on the Corps Gateway website but appears to take reservations. Some campgrounds appear to still have some First come First Serve sites (these sites are marked FF on the availability calendar with a note that you must show up in person to see if they are available). Some campgrounds appear to have a window of 1-4 days that a reservation must be made in advance of a stay (the reservation calendar is marked FF for a number of days and then either A or R to indicate availability or reserved).

In planning our annual trip West, I visited the reservation sites for several COE campgrounds in Kansas that we like. Some have converted the first come first serve sites to reservations with a 4 day window. I think I am going to like this concept as I can plan four days ahead a lot easier than 6 months while still being assured that we will have a nice spot to stay.

43 minutes ago, Kirk W said:

I was talking with the owner of the dealership where we bought our current RV (in Athens, TX) and he indicated that while his inventory is up...

In our area, RV dealership inventory is obviously up compared to not that long ago. However; if you are considering buying a towable and do not already have a tow vehicle, that may present a real challenge. Our local Ford, Chevy and Dodge dealers have virtually no new pickups or SUVs and only a few used vehicles on the lots. A Salesman I know at the Chevy dealership said that he is selling vehicles that the dealership ordered for inventory even before they have a delivery date. I would think at some point new RV purchasers are going to hesitate to buy a towable and then have it sit because they cannot move it.

On 7/22/2022 at 11:56 PM, Twotoes said:

The cost of clubs is going up and the benefits are going down.

On 7/23/2022 at 3:10 PM, Ray,IN said:

Add Happy Campers to your list, as far as I know the only remaining part of that club is the discounts at participating parks.

At one time, Happy Campers had a forum. Passport America gave you an email service and had an online service where you could post a travel blog with photos that you could limit access to friends that you invited.  I believe Escapees offered an email service at one time. Most of the "clubs" have seemed to streamline and monetize their services

1 minute ago, Kirk W said:

With the prices that new EV's cost, buying one wouldn't help anyone to pay their bills. I can put a lot of gasoline in my VW or diesel in my Dodge truck for what any EV replacement would cost even if it were avaiable today. The all electric vehicles are more of a status symbol than money saver at this time. That is the reason you hear so much from those who own one. Cheap transportation is still best from the small, gasoline powered economy car if you consider the cost to buy one. 

I agree Kirk, but that is not what I hear on the News as the solution to today's high fuel prices. I also hear that to avoid rolling blackouts we should turn up our thermostats or turn off the air conditioner completely. Not much mention though that a typical class 2 EV charger uses as much power as 2 household air conditioners. 

5 hours ago, Chad Heiser said:

Has the charge line ever worked?  It may not actually be wired to provide 12 volt power at the 7 pin connector.  I have seen this on other motor homes.  

I have also seen this on Chevy/workhorse products. If you can find the 7 pin wire harness in the engine compartment, look for a red wire taped to the other wires of the harness. It may be hard to see as sometimes only the connector is sticking out from the tape. 

RV,

I have read your other posts. You seem to have missed the point of mine.

On 7/20/2022 at 7:28 AM, trailertraveler said:

So, if you are looking to reduce your fuel costs today you may be limited in your choices

Waiting 3-24 months doesn't help put food on the table today or help pay the rent or increasing costs of just about every other necessity.

Lots of folks are talking about buying an EV in response to the current fuel prices. If you set out today to buy one, when will you actually get it? Here is an article from June about delivery times. The range is from 3-24 months depending on make and model. Chevy is advertising to take orders for summer 2023 delivery of the electric Silverado. Some manufacturers have delayed the delivery date for existing orders of some models.

So, if you are looking to reduce your fuel costs today you may be limited in your choices.  Searching Edmunds and Carvana, there are used ones available.

Slot Canyons in Utah, Lake Powell area slot canyons, 7 Slot Canyons in Arizona, Experiencing Slot Canyons, 10 Slot Canyons

Our current cat screams at the top of her lungs when playing with her favorite stuffed toys (usually in the middle of the night). She will go to her box, pick out a toy and proceed to drag it, throw it around and pounce on it making a ruckus the whole time.

3 hours ago, GlennWest said:

Got new motor on. It works sorta. Goes up a ways and stops. Reengage switch goes again and stops. Like too much for motor. Goes out fine. Have 11 turns on new spring with awning out about 2 feet. What you think?

Check to see if the tension pistons are bent or sticking. 

4 hours ago, Ray,IN said:

That road looks like the drive from the West Yellowstone entrance, there's no CG's on that road though.

If I read the Park's statements correctly it is the road along the Gardner River between the North Entrance and Mammouth. They also said that the road and bridges between Tower Junction and Cooke City are damaged in several places and that the road is closed. Cooke City is accessible via the Chief Joseph Highway. A statement from the Sheriff's Department said that there was mitigation work being done on US-191 in Gallatin Canyon. I did not see any mention of road closures on the road to West Yellowstone.

19 hours ago, hemsteadc said:

Samsung Galaxy A42.  Looks like it does.

I also have a Samsun A42 and what I found in this review indicates it does not support HDMI. 

Quote

Many Samsung phone has MHL to HDMI support. Unfortunately, the Galaxy A42 does not have MHL support. 

33 minutes ago, hemsteadc said:

I stop in at Walmart today and see if I can find that cable.  Thanks

If you do not have an iphone, do an internet search to see if your phone supports HDMI. Not all android phones do. My current Samsung A42 does not. Sometimes this information can be found in the specifications for the phone or product reviews.

15 hours ago, hemsteadc said:

b) that sounds better, but not hotspot data?

The TV is connected directly to the phone's USB port with a cable that connects to the TV HDMI input. What shows on your phone displays on the TV, The data counts as on device data which depending on your plan may result in slow down during high use periods. I have used over 200 GB in a month and not noticed any real streaming issues provided that the connection is fast enough to support streaming in the first place. I have been in some areas where the cell system seems to be overloaded at certain times and speeds are extremely slow preventing streaming or sometimes any internet access.

1 hour ago, hemsteadc said:

I've recently discovered casting, or, mirroring, but, I believe that requires an in-house wifi network which both the phone and the TV must share.

Not an expert but In my experience with a Samsung Android phone, casting and mirroring are different. Casting does require a wifi connection to which both the phone and the smart TV must be connected. The phone directs the TV to connect to the url of the content you want to stream. On my plan, this results in data usage that counts toward the monthly hotspot data allotment.

Mirroring is a different process. I can mirror from my phone to TVs connected to my Roku devise(s). The Roku, TV and Phone do not have to be connected to a network. The data used counts as on devise data not hotspot data. Mirroring is not as stable as casting and may disconnect from time to time. It seems to need a faster connection then that required to just stream to the phone. It also seems to deplete the phone battery pretty quickly. Plugging the phone into charge while mirroring on occasion causes the phone to shutdown to prevent the phone from overheating.

Some phones (I understand all iphones) can be connected directly to a TV HDMI input with an adapter cable.

On 5/6/2022 at 8:34 AM, Kirk W said:

With all of the ugly news around, have you been reevaluating your summer plans? Will you modify your summer travels due to the increasing cost of fuel?

Fuel price may not be the only issue confronting travelers this summer/fall. Some news reports are predicting fuel shortages, 1970's era rationing (i.e. ever other day based on license plate) and wide spread electrical brown outs in the western half of the U.S. Having experienced increased problems getting places to stay the past two years, I have reservations for most of our mid-August through November trip. Not being able to get fuel every travel day could result in reservation cancellations and no guaranty of having a place to stay. In the event of rationing, during the times we are moving everyday, I will have to fuel in the morning and near our destination at the end of the day on my designated day to purchase fuel.

Our mid-August journey from the East Coast west to the mountain states often is marked by several days in the 90's to near 100 degrees. Lack of power at RV parks would be more than a minor inconvenience. Even at some of our mountain destinations, AC can be desireable on some days. I do have a generator capable of running the AC in the trailer. We have an all electric refrigerator so that is another concern during power outages in extremely hot weather.  Space on the roof for solar panels and weight capacity for a large battery bank are issues with adding much solar. I am considering switching to lithium batteries which would also require a new charging system.

For now still planning on travelling.

11 hours ago, trimster said:

Suggestions welcome on where to land for a month are appreciated. We like state/national parks,

As you probably know; many state, Forest Service and National Parks have stay limits of less than a month. Between Cody and the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park there are two Forest Service campgrounds (Rex Hale and Wapiti) along the Shoshone River that I believe have some electric sites. I think Bakers Hole and Rainbow Point Forest Service campgrounds outside of West Yellowstone also have some electric sites.

It appears there are no more first come first serve campgrounds in Yellowstone. According to the Yellowstone National Park Website 

Quote

from the beginning of May through the fall, all campsites can be reserved. If you arrive without a reservation, the chances of finding a campsite in the park are slim to none.

4 hours ago, bruce t said:

Consider your fuel bill if you knocked 10 mph off your speed!

I think many RVers know what speeds give them the best fuel economy. After 220,000+ miles of travel, I know that the sweat spot for fuel mileage for my Duramax is 61MPH in 6th gear. On lower speed highways, 56MPH in 5th gear is best. Slowing to 51 or 46MPH will not save me fuel and likely tick off other drivers.

38 minutes ago, Dutch_12078 said:

My attitude is that a $1.00/gallon fuel price increase only adds $100 to a 1,000 mile trip at 10 MPG, and our budget can handle that.

 I did the same calculation and feel the same way. However, Diesel is currently more than $2.00/gal more than this time last year in the same areas.

19 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

So... I figure if you really want to travel and pay more for fuel this year there are ways to cut down a total cost of the trip.

I agree up to the point where what I have to change/give up decreases the enjoyment of the travel to the point where I feel it is not worth it.

We will arrive at our home base next week after 3 months in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Diesel has gone from less than $3.65/gal to over $5.25/gal so far during this trip. It looks like fuel cost will be about $700.00 more this year than for a similar trip last year. We will lay low for May, June, July and the first part of August. I will do some maintenance on the RV and try to cut back on other expenditures.   We are still planning on making our August, September, October trip to New Mexico. Already have reservations at state and federal parks for most of the trip. We average a little over 10mpg towing so each dollar increase in fuel means about a $100.00 increase in total fuel costs per 1000 miles of travel. I'm planning on a $1000-1500 dollar increase in fuel cost for the fall trip over last year's fall trip.  

7 hours ago, lenp said:

There are a few Forest Service campground (no hookup) on the east side of the park (on the way to Cody).  My 40' MH fit easily into the first one out of the park (Newton Creek if I remember correctly).  It is 14 miles east of the east entrance to the park.  Was nice taking the car back through the park.

Check out: https://www.forestcamping.com/dow/rockymtn/shos.htm and look for campgrounds around Wapiti.

Lenp

I believe that the Rex Hale and Wapiti campgrounds have some sites with electric. Outside of West Yellowstone, I seem to recall the Forest Service Rainbow Point and Baker's Hole campgrounds having some electric sites.

On 4/30/2022 at 11:59 AM, LindaH said:

Seems that many (all?) streaming apps don't work once you're out of your Home area

The only app I have encountered that does this is the Xfinity app. The app on Roku only works when you are connected to your home network. The app for android phones/tablets works on the devices, but will not let you cast or mirror to a smart TV or Roku. Not all channels are available through the app. Some individual network apps like ABC, NBC, CBS. Fox, ESPN, etc., let you log in using your Xfinity or other provider's credentials if you subscribe to those channels.

Welcome to the Escapees Forum!!

Surprised you have not received any responses. I am not an expert, If you are looking for live programing, satellite TV or satellite internet  may do what you want if your location has a clear view to the proper satellites. Old school would be recording video when you can or acquiring DVDs for playback.

Again, Welcome to the Escapees Forum!!  

On 4/4/2022 at 11:43 PM, crstrm said:

It isn't clear to me if there will be any first come-first served sites.

On 4/5/2022 at 7:49 AM, trailertraveler said:

Based on previous visits to this campground and the gaps in the site numbers available for reservations, it appears that there are six water and electric sites available on a first come first serve basis.

I just made reservations on the Reserve America website for a New Mexico State Park that has both reservable and first come first serve sites. The reservation map only shows numbers on the reservable sites. Unnumbered site locations on the map are the first come first serve sites.

On 4/6/2022 at 2:49 PM, TXiceman said:

The recreation.gov is confusing to use at times compared to the old site.

It seems every website has its issues. Again with Reserve America, I tried to add days to an existing reservation. I followed the links to change the reservation but the system would not let me add the days even though it showed that they were available. It would let me cancel das or the whole reservation. I called the Reserve America Reservation Center and was told that I had to cancel the reservation and make a new one, I  decided to just make a new reservation for the additional days. I do not know if this is a system wide issue or state specific.

16 hours ago, hemsteadc said:

And what is THIS topic doing in Travel?

Unfortunately making reservations, especially at public parks, has become an almost necessary part of RV travel.