e, b, and me

On 3/2/2024 at 4:56 PM, fpmtngal said:

Passport America can be useful, though I’ve sometimes found it hard to work (you are essentially getting a deal on off-times/excess inventory and sometimes the restrictions are difficult to work around).  But it quickly pays for itself.

I do a fair number of KOAs.  Some are really nice and well worth the cost, while others are overpriced.  They do have sites that cost a lot (patios, extras) but you don’t have to stay in them.  If I’m overnighting and don’t need sewer I’ll choose a W/E site and save myself some money.  The quality has always been pretty good and I’ve felt safe staying at all of the ones I’ve stayed at.  They might not be the best resort in town (sometimes they are very nice), or the cheapest, but they are usually clean with good facilities.

The main reason why I will use them when I’m going from point A to point B and overnighting somewhere in the middle is because of their website.  I usually check out the availability of a couple on my route a day or two ahead of time, to make sure they aren’t all booked, then decide at noon how much further I want to go.  Then I’ll go online and book the one I want to stop at.  A couple of hours later I’ll stop and there’s my reservation.  Otherwise, I may be calling around, leaving messages and hoping to find inventory, which might or might not happen.

On 3/6/2024 at 8:19 AM, aknavy said:

KOA's are fairly reliable.  Keep in mind - a KOA journey is designed for an overnight, while a KOA Holiday is designed for a longer stay. 

If using campgrounds, I look hard at the reviews of all the campgrounds in the area that I want to stop.

If I were making that trip at the beginning of my RVing life, I'd do the following:

1. Plan more days.  The schedule you have will be no fun.  I'd plan for no more than 3-500 miles per day, especially as a newbie.  Long travel days wear you out, and you will probably average 50-55 mph.  And things will go wrong that you have to deal with.  Maybe minor things, but that's just the nature of the beast.

2. I'd pick up a cheap 3500-4500 watt inverter generator.  That's really all you need to start boondocking.  It opens up so many possibilities.  When we started, we had a generator and kept about 30 gallons of water in our fresh water tank, so we could boondock if needed, and dumped our waste tanks when we hit the next campground.  30 gallons will easily last 2-3 days.

3. Join Harvest Hosts- lots of nice overnight spots.  We prefer this program for our overnights to parking lots.

4. Pay attention to any casinos on the way.  They are also good overnights.

5. Crossing Texas - it's a long trip and there is nothing in west Texas.  Just pick a campground that fits your travel plans and move on.

6. Key West - better have reservations, and prepare for sticker shock.  If you are eligible for military campgrounds, they have a great one that is biking distance to downtown.

On 3/6/2024 at 8:19 AM, aknavy said:

KOA's are fairly reliable.  Keep in mind - a KOA journey is designed for an overnight, while a KOA Holiday is designed for a longer stay. 

If using campgrounds, I look hard at the reviews of all the campgrounds in the area that I want to stop.

If I were making that trip at the beginning of my RVing life, I'd do the following:

1. Plan more days.  The schedule you have will be no fun.  I'd plan for no more than 3-500 miles per day, especially as a newbie.  Long travel days wear you out, and you will probably average 50-55 mph.  And things will go wrong that you have to deal with.  Maybe minor things, but that's just the nature of the beast.

2. I'd pick up a cheap 3500-4500 watt inverter generator.  That's really all you need to start boondocking.  It opens up so many possibilities.  When we started, we had a generator and kept about 30 gallons of water in our fresh water tank, so we could boondock if needed, and dumped our waste tanks when we hit the next campground.  30 gallons will easily last 2-3 days.

3. Join Harvest Hosts- lots of nice overnight spots.  We prefer this program for our overnights to parking lots.

4. Pay attention to any casinos on the way.  They are also good overnights.

5. Crossing Texas - it's a long trip and there is nothing in west Texas.  Just pick a campground that fits your travel plans and move on.

6. Key West - better have reservations, and prepare for sticker shock.  If you are eligible for military campgrounds, they have a great one that is biking distance to downtown.

On 3/2/2024 at 2:40 PM, FULLTIMEWANABE said:

Everyone begins somewhere = Go and enjoy      We are primarily boondockers/dry campers not caring for organised CGs etc, however ..........   when my cousin joined us from Ireland we booked in some CG's for her comfort and swimming enjoyment etc.   We used Passport America for that trip = sign up is for a year, and typically then one or two bookings at 50% off in 2018 paid for the membership!

Go check out Passport America and before signing up and paying, cross reference availability of CGs in the system without restrictions to impede you (some say not on certain dates etc!), that work for your route and daily drive planning.

We have only stayed at 2 x KOAs in over 25 years of RVing and the saying K.O.A stands for Keep On Adding was definitely our experience and we didn't feel they were worth the value to us personally.   Others of course will only stay in KOA's.   If you aren't going to use the amenities then ........

Good luck and welcome to the RVing world. 

hi. i am planning my first trip driving from SoCal to WDW. i am using rv life (i feel their interface could be a tad bit more user-friendly...hover words and bigger pins because i cannot tell what is on them)...i am staying one night in each state until i get to Fort Wilderness. i am not ready to boondock. Here are my questions:

1.  are KOAs and their reward system a worthwhile, safe, and very economical way to do one-nighters or is there something better?

2. do y'all know a cheaper way to do one-nighters (remember, no boondocking...yet)?

3. i am heading down to the keys after that slow as we please, any suggestions or advice?

trip deets:

1/14/25-1/20/25

no sight-seeing

don't roll your eyes ok? i don't have my rig yet but i will soon and by soon I am hoping by august and if you're asking, no, i have never driven one

i am traveling with two dogs

truly grateful for y'all's help and expert advice

we appreciate you.

eloise, beatrice, and lisa

(eloise is the good dog)