How RVers Can Avoid Surprise Campground Electric Charges

Above, Route 66 RV Resort in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something that I haven't run into (yet!) while camping at an RV park.

It is (surprise) campground electric charges on top of the nightly camping fee.

According to RV Life:

Booking a full-hookup campsite used to guarantee unlimited power, water, and sewer for a single, flat nightly rate. But that guarantee is quickly fading. As more campgrounds quietly transition to smart meters for short-term reservations, the way we calculate the cost of a road trip is fundamentally changing.

But you don’t have to wait until a surprise bill busts your travel budget to take action. Taking control of your rig’s energy consumption and knowing exactly what to look for on booking pages can help offset these new fees. A few simple adjustments will keep your next vacation predictable and wallet-friendly.

To read more, go here. 

Military Campgrounds Offer Opportunities

Above, the motorhome at Nellis Air Force Base RV park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not being a veteran, I have stayed at a military campground/RV park onlyt once.

That was because I was with a friend who is a veteran. The stay was while en route from Twin Falls, Idaho following my heart attack in 2018 that led to two stents put into a coronary artery. We drove from Twin Falls to Lake Havasu, Arizona in my motorhome. 

We decided to spend the night at the Nellis Air Force Base RV park outside of Las Vegas. It was a nice park. 

RV Travel posted an article with a video on how military campgrounds offer a great opportunity for many RVers. That's provided one is either an active duty member of the military or a veteran.

The article begins with:

U.S. military campgrounds can be an awesome option for those who qualify. In the video below, Steve Turtle explains what these campgrounds are, who can use them, and how to find them. Military campgrounds (MWRs: Morale, Welfare and Recreation) are secure and close to all the post’s amenities.

To read more, go here.

Late Campground Check-In Times

Above, last April at the KOA Kampground in Flagstaff. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After RV camping over several years, I wondered why some campground have such late check-in times.

Naturally, campground/RV park operators have to make sure people have checked out of a campsite and it is left in a presentable state. 

Generally, my driving days usually end around 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon (I am an early riser and like to get on the road before sunrise), so late check-in times have not been an issue. I have also checked into campgrounds earlier than the posted check-in time with no problem.  

This is a topic of a Letter To The Editor at RV Travel.

They begin with:

We received this letter from Laura G. last week, and we think many of you can relate. How many times have you arrived at a campground early, only to find that you can’t park until your check-in time? How many times have you “killed time” to get to that hour of the day when you can check in?

Read on, and then please leave a comment for Laura.

To read more, go here. 

RV Internet

Above, Route 66 RV Resort with one of its cell towers behind my RV. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go RV camping, I usually bring along one of my laptops. I connect to the Internet with my AT&T mobile hotspot.

I've had it for seven years. I got it when I moved to New Mexico from California and it, generally, has been reliable. When on the road, all I need is a nearby cell tower for the device to connect to it. 

RV camping and the Internet is the topic of a new article in RV Life.

It starts out with:

Starlink has received a ton of press the last few years, and for good reason. I had a great experience with Starlink when testing, though that is not always the universal opinion. Like almost any RV internet solution, your mileage may vary. Pricing and plans for Starlink seem to fluctuate frequently as the system continues to grow and change.

The curiosity around Starlink is justified. However, it often diverts attention from existing, affordable solutions that already exist on the modern 5G cellular network. If you frequently camp outside the vast data network dominated primarily by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, you should consider Starlink. The number of RVers that actually do that however, is smaller than you think.

To read more, go here. 

RVers Are Fed Up With Rising Park Prices Says Jellystone Park Campgrounds

Above, Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort only charged me $36/night last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The national campground chain, Jellystone Park, is concerned over high campsite prices that many RVers are refusing to pay.

The Jellystone Park chain is the nation's second largest campground chain. I have not stayed at one. The largest chain is KOA Kampgrounds, of which I am a member. 

So far, campground rates for me have been mixed. The highest I paid per night was $90 at Monument Valley KOA in September. The lowest was $30 at Valley View Mobile Home & RV Park in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Others this year were averaging around $50 per night. Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort charged me only $36/night last year after my KOA membership discounts were applied.

RV Travel has posted an article on Jellystone Park's concern over rising prices leading RVers to be "fed up". 

They begin with:

If you’re finding the rates at RV parks are too much to stomach, you’re not alone. “Inflation” has hit nearly every corner of the American economy, including prices demanded for staying in your RV. When will the rate increases stop? Evidently, RV park franchise chain Jellystone is recognizing that “enough” may be too much already. High RV campsite prices are taking their toll.

Still, campground prices are much cheaper than nightly hotel/motel room rates.

To read more, go here.  

Nighttime Theft In RV Parks

Way back in the 1960s, my family was camping with my grandfather (I don't remember where, but it was in California) and someone walked off with his Coleman lantern.

Since then, keeping the above in mind, I don't leave anything out overnight that's of any major value. I haven't had any theft problems as a result.

Campground nighttime theft is the topic of an article this morning at RV Travel. 

They begin it with: 

We were happy to welcome a “newbie RVer” to the campfire last night. His enthusiasm seemed to roll off him in waves! He’s beginning his full-time adventure in a previously loved (i.e., pre-owned) travel trailer. “Newbie” is a single guy who recently landed a “work from home” job. Only now it’s a “work from RV” job because this guy can’t wait to continue his travels. He’s really excited, but he has questions… and one big, disturbing question about nighttime theft.

The important question

One question prompted vigorous discussion. “What do you do with your lawn chairs, coolers, and BBQ grill at night?” That’s what “Newbie” wanted to know. I sneaked a peek at others gathered around the fire. The question seemed to take most of us by surprise.

To read more, go here.