R-pod Owners Forum : Newbie wondering about advance planning http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : Newbie wondering about advance planning Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 04 May 2026 02:00:53 +0000 Thu, 28 Jan 2016 20:14:51 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=7389 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Newbie wondering about advance planning : We completed a trip of about 6,000... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69455#69455 Author: StephenH
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 8:14pm

We completed a trip of about 6,000 miles recently. While we were enroute to our daughters' houses in Nevada and Arizona, we stayed at truckstops. Flying J and Pilot were mostly where we stayed. We had no issues with either. We stayed at one TA (Truckstops of America) also with no issues. The only place we had a problem was a Petro station. The clerk at the register originally said it was okay for us to stay but then another person (her manager, I guess) said it was not okay and that we could not stay. Petro lost a customer that night.

We considered Wal-Mart also, but the truck stops were much more convenient for us. We usually needed to stop for gas anyway (small tank, low mileage). In any case, I concur with the RV Parky app. We did not use Allstays, except for the CRV Military version. While in Nevada, we stayed at the Family Camp on Nellis Air Force Base. While in Arizona, we stayed in the best of free spots--our daugther's yard. Big smile That made it really convenient to see our grandchildren there.
]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 20:14:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69455#69455 Newbie wondering about advance planning : Welcome to the forum! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69454#69454 Author: CozyPod
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 6:44pm

Welcome to the forum!]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:44:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69454#69454 Newbie wondering about advance planning : I also will endorse Allstays we... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69450#69450 Author: ronahue
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 5:32pm

 I also will endorse Allstays we use it on an iPad or iPhone. As for camping while on the road to your destination we have had good luck with KOA's along the Interstates make a reservation about 4 hours out, in and out quick and pretty consistent product. Sort of like Motel 6 nothing to write home about but OK. My wife will not try Walmart or the other free places but if I were traveling alone I would. When driving my car I think nothing of 12 to 14 hours but with the trailer 8 to 10 and I'm more than ready to stop.]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:32:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69450#69450 Newbie wondering about advance planning : Thank you all for the warm welcome... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69449#69449 Author: Rob179
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 5:15pm

Thank you all for the warm welcome and helpful advice.  Now i have to get to work and do some planning for the upcoming trip.  Thanks to you all I won't be completely winging it. 
Glad to have you all as a resource. 
Rob
]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:15:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69449#69449 Newbie wondering about advance planning : I did a 10,000+ mile trip around... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69439#69439 Author: Capt Kidd
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 11:48am

I did a 10,000+ mile trip around the US last year in my teardrop. Mostly stayed in KOAs. Never made a reservation except on the 3 day memorial day weekend.

I left Chico, CA on April 15 and arrived back on June 10th.

I was not traveling in the heart of the season so did not need reservations. What I would do was to sit down with the KOA directory and plan out 3 or 4 days drives so that I had a KOA to stay at. Mostly did not have to drive over 200 to 250 miles a day.

There are lots of alternatives to KOA however. I used RV park reviews on my laptop also.

Picked the city I wanted to stay near then looked to see what was in the area.

In as much as the teardrop was not self contained (no bathroom) I stayed away from Walmart etc. ]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 11:48:49 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69439#69439 Newbie wondering about advance planning : Welcome to the group! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69435#69435 Author: Leo B
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 9:47am

Welcome to the group!]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 09:47:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69435#69435 Newbie wondering about advance planning : Another thing, 'cause these... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69433#69433 Author: furpod
Subject: 7389
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 at 8:45am

Another thing, 'cause these guys already covered most of it.. this time of year, the farther north you are, the more CG's there are that aren't open... Make sure to call ahead just in case. But if they are open, it's probable getting a space won't be an issue, until you get farther south..]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 08:45:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69433#69433 Newbie wondering about advance planning : Welcome. We've planned multiple... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69430#69430 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7389
Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 8:02pm

Welcome.  We've planned multiple long-distance trips, currently planning another 4-week trip for this summer.  Here are some tips we've learned.  If you are on a tight schedule, you will want reservations.  For a night in the middle of two long days on the road, the free options are also usually closer to the interstate than a campground and you don't need to spend time to check in.  We prefer truck stops to Wal-Marts.  We've had a few issues over the years at Wal-Marts.  There are other options like some Cracker Barrels, Camping World.  Always go inside to ask if it is ok and where they want you.  When you are planning your trip, if you use Google multiply the time it gives you by 1.3.  On all-day drives add another hour on top of it for meal stops.  Don't plan on going more than 9-10 hours unless you are still feeling really good at the 10 hour mark - towing is much harder on you than driving a car the same distance.]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 20:02:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69430#69430 Newbie wondering about advance planning : If you have a smart phone,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69428#69428 Author: Podster
Subject: 7389
Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 7:47pm

If you have a smart phone, 2 of the great free apps: RVParky and ALLstays.  If you can, download the two and check them out...these tools can be very helpful when on the road and winging it. You can find places to stay that you didn't know about. 

]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:47:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69428#69428 Newbie wondering about advance planning : We usually book our destination... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69427#69427 Author: Camper Bob
Subject: 7389
Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 7:37pm

We usually book our destination park before leaving.  Most of our travel has been in the "high season" read summer.  On the in between destinations, we usually look for a place about 3 P. M.  Any later than that during the summer becomes more of a problem.  We also travel with the Good Sam travel guide and Campground directory.  It lists all campgrounds by amenities, price and most important a phone number to contact the park.  We travel about 200-300 miles a day including rest stops.  Traveling at 55 mph is comfortable for us.  Hope that will give you a little insight.  Safe Travels. ]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:37:18 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69427#69427 Newbie wondering about advance planning : We just went from Nashville to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69426#69426 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 7389
Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 6:53pm

We just went from Nashville to Nova Scotia and back. Stayed at covenient Walmarts coming and going. Very easy, free, seemed perfectly safe. I admit to going into Pod camping with misgivings about spending nights in Walmart parking lots, but there are a lot of advantages, and other than being slightly wierd, there's not much downside. To eac his own.

TT]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:53:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69426#69426 Newbie wondering about advance planning : I admit to being... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69425#69425 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7389
Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 6:40pm

I admit to being a bit obsessive, but I like to have areserved place waiting when I stop.  As abeginner you should plan ahead and confirm reservations where you plan to stop.As you gain experience you’ll learn when you need reservations and when you canwing it, depending on locations, times, and seasons. Longer stays are harder tosecure, especially in Florida this time of year, as we are maxed out withsnowbirds. We usually plan to drive 6 hours a day and that’s at 60 MPH, notGoogle time. Commercial campgrounds tend to be more available than national or state facilities, but nowhere near as nice. Campgrounds tend to fill up early.  It’s easier to drive longer ifyou have a guaranteed reservation ahead. You DO NOT want to end up at Walmart.

]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:40:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69425#69425 Newbie wondering about advance planning : Hi FolksMy wife and i are new... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69424#69424 Author: Rob179
Subject: 7389
Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 6:06pm

Hi Folks
My wife and i are new to the RV world and in my short time of perusing the Forum I am really impressed with the wealth of information here.  Thanks! We have a 179 which we love and we have used it about 6 mostly short trips.  
I will start with a most basic question: We are leaving for Florida in a couple weeks driving our 179 from Wisconsin to Florida. As newbies we aren't quite sure how far we might drive on any given day.   I am wondering how much advance planning we need to do to find places to stay. Can we wing it and just look for places when we have a good idea of when we might want to stop? Or do we need to call ahead and book something one or more days in advance?  We are pretty flexible but would prefer not to have to stay in a Walmart lot or truck stop.  We have plans to visit relatives in the Ft. Myers/ Naples area but  have considerable freedom going to and from.  If we were to stay a five days in the Naples area do we need to book something before we even leave?  
Thanks for any advice you veterans may have. 

]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:06:19 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7389&PID=69424#69424