User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
  1. #1
    Fireside Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Posts
    79
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    New To Full Timing - How Long Should We Stay at CGs?

    We are new to full timing …new to a 5er… new to slide outs! Given all that we’ve gone through getting set up (and what I imagine it’s gonna be like stowing everything when we get back on the road) I’m wondering what most folks would recommend as a minimum length of stay at a campground. I’m thinking a month, but so far have seen folks come and go in a week or less. That’s a lot of work for full timing I’d think!
    Bob and Isabella (and Sophia, our cat)
    2024 GMC 3500 HD Denali Dually
    2023 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R
    “If there’s any doubt, there is no doubt.”

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Central FL
    Posts
    690
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    The great thing is, you can stay however long suits your wants and desires. We stayed for several months in Fl for the winter and travelled most of the summer staying in places depending on whaat there was to see and do in an area. We now have a place in FL permanently but still travel summers.
    2022 Reflection150 226RK
    2022 F150 Powerboost hybrid with 3.5L Ecoboost


  3. #3
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    SW Indiana
    Posts
    1,956
    Mentioned
    42 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    No big deal to do a single night. Takes about 15 minutes to set and about the same to be hitched and ready to roll.
    John & Kathy
    2014 F250 Lariat FX4 6.2L SBCC
    2014 Reflection 303RLS
    SW Indiana

  4. #4
    Big Traveler
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Posts
    1,593
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by HighClouds View Post
    We are new to full timing …new to a 5er… new to slide outs! Given all that we’ve gone through getting set up (and what I imagine it’s gonna be like stowing everything when we get back on the road) I’m wondering what most folks would recommend as a minimum length of stay at a campground. I’m thinking a month, but so far have seen folks come and go in a week or less. That’s a lot of work for full timing I’d think!
    Staying for any length of time is solely up to you and what you want to do in that area. We have been doing the month long stays at CGs and love it cause we can get more familiar with the area and/or use it as a centralized location to go to other nearby tourist attractions.

    One of our goals is to investigate cities and thier amenities to some day find a place for the last stick built opportunity for retirement.

    Another reason why we book month long CGs stays is for cost. Most CGs give discounts for month long stays as apposed to less than a month stays. Plus, we are also considering work camping in the future. So geting to know CG staff and facilities may help in our decision to consider that CG .
    Jim and Annette
    2019 Reflection 150 295RL
    US Army Veteran
    Missouri (AKA Misery)

  5. #5
    Fireside Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Posts
    79
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by trailrydr View Post
    Staying for any length of time is solely up to you and what you want to do in that area. We have been doing the month long stays at CGs and love it cause we can get more familiar with the area and/or use it as a centralized location to go to other nearby tourist attractions.

    One of our goals is to investigate cities and thier amenities to some day find a place for the last stick built opportunity for retirement.

    Another reason why we book month long CGs stays is for cost. Most CGs give discounts for month long stays as apposed to less than a month stays. Plus, we are also considering work camping in the future. So geting to know CG staff and facilities may help in our decision to consider that CG .
    We’ve thought about month-long stays. Kind of apprehensive though about ending up in a place that we don’t like for that long. CGs have a personality and the infrastructure/construction vary (dirt roads and sites v gravel, cement; rough sites/roads; worn/tired amenities, and …UGH-crowded(space-wise). I guess it’s live and learn to some degree.

    Good luck with your work camping. Sounds interesting.
    Thanks
    Bob and Isabella (and Sophia, our cat)
    2024 GMC 3500 HD Denali Dually
    2023 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R
    “If there’s any doubt, there is no doubt.”

  6. #6
    Long Hauler geotex1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    2,837
    Mentioned
    83 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Being that you are new to pretty much all aspects, you will eventually become more adept at setting and breaking camp. You'll figure out exactly the things you need and those you rarely use, better organization, and so-on that'll make it easier and faster. In fact, full-timers generally can pack and go faster than weekend warriors as you're not packing and cleaning for storage.

    Safe travels!
    Rob & Nikki + Cloverfield
    2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3350RL
    2015 RAM 3500 Longhorn Laramie Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4 Dually Cummins/AISIN

    Mountains of Pennsylvania

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor Steven@147's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Texas Fulltimers
    Posts
    2,550
    Mentioned
    32 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Fulltiming is a different kind of living. For us we are not in a hurry to go anywhere. We were just down in Galveston for 3 months at a Great campground. Now we are in another CG for 2 months while we get our annual eye and health doctor visits done. Months stays also gives us time to get some maintenance done on the RV and like was said it's cheaper for weeks or month long stays.
    Come May we are off adventuring for the summer staying just overnight in some places, 1 or 2 weeks in others. We try to get as much information as possible (CG Reviews, Comments, Ratings etc) about the CGs in the area we are visiting before making reservations to avoid bad campgrounds.

    Overnight stays or less than a week we don't set up a lot, easier and quicker to close up and leave, 2 weeks stays or more we will set up more stuff for our comfort, smoker/grill, patio chairs, flags, and stuff. Constantly moving, like 2 or 3 days, constantly setting up and breaking camp can get tiring in a hurry.
    Last edited by Steven@147; 03-19-2023 at 06:56 AM.
    Steve & Tami Cass - Escapee's, FMCA Members, Texas Fulltimers Since July 2020
    2019 Solitude 3350RL S-Class, 2018 Ram 3500 DRW, Laramie Longhorn, B&W Companion, Texas Class A Non-CDL Drivers License
    Sharing the Fulltime Lifestyle - www.youtube.com/@tsrvadventures3219/videos, Nonprofit Channel

  8. #8
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Wherever...
    Posts
    9,010
    Mentioned
    187 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    There is no "should" to length of stay at campgrounds - it's whatever works for you and your plans. When en route someplace (like a long, cross-country trip) we will stay one night some places, two nights others (to shop and do laundry), and yet others we'll stay however long it takes us to see what we want to in the area. After our first year on the road, we started spending two to three months each winter in the same places (either southern NM or NE MD) near family and traveling during the nicer months. None of our travel plans/lengths of stay have ever been determined by the work required to unhitch and setup or hitch up and hit the road. With the two of us working together, it became a very quick and easy thing to do. Enjoy the lifestyle!

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  9. #9
    Setting Up Camp
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Posts
    33
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    The best part of full timing is, it's up to you. You'll find places you enjoy more than others and can return and stay longer. Others may end up as "Won't do that again." For us, this year is six months for winter in a spot we love in Texas, three months at our favorite spot in Idaho for summer, and three months exploring between the two. We find it more cost effective to park long term for winter and explore by car, even if it requires a hotel room or two.

    You'll find tons of advice and knowledge here on the forum. As you travel, other campers are also a wealth of information.

    Take it all in, pick what works for you, and have fun doing it!
    2017 Solitude ST360RL
    Victron solar
    2005 Ram 3500 DRW
    Retired, Full time since 09/2021

  10. #10
    Big Traveler
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Posts
    1,593
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by HighClouds View Post
    We’ve thought about month-long stays. Kind of apprehensive though about ending up in a place that we don’t like for that long. CGs have a personality and the infrastructure/construction vary (dirt roads and sites v gravel, cement; rough sites/roads; worn/tired amenities, and …UGH-crowded(space-wise). I guess it’s live and learn to some degree.

    Good luck with your work camping. Sounds interesting.
    Thanks
    You bring up sone good points.... like likeability, access, layout, amenities, etc.. We too consider all those things as well. As we are planning our stays we typically do the following:

    1st, identify centralized cities we want as our home base for our plans/vacation/tourism. That way we can capitalize savings on moving, hauling, setting up, gas usage, and limiting accidents.

    2nd, once we found a centralized area, we research all the CGs (that we don't know) using reviews, google maps/satelite views, and local attractions (food, gas, and entertainment availability). We consider whether or not each CG meets our needs (quietness, no trains/planes, highway closeness, CG layout and facilities).

    3rd, if we become interested in a CG, we find out which sites are available so as to request the best one for our stay. Lentgh, parking, pad, WC, hookups, facements, trees, etc are all considered when planing our long stays.

    Pretty much like renting or building a house. But, we also keep in mind what our primary goals were and knowing we are just temporarily living there and leaving some days to travel on without our trailer, we may be willing to sacrifice a few things.

    For us, one the most important thing is quietness during long stays. Since we are empty nesters, we dont consider family orientated CGs, try to find over age 50+ CGs instead. Also, when long term staying at CGs, most will try to park you away from the one nighters and short term campers. Which is something else to enquire about before booking.

    Either way, aa you get more into the RVing adventure you will start to be more aware of what satisfies your needs and that will help you home in on what to look and plan for. Happy Trails!
    Last edited by trailrydr; 03-19-2023 at 08:19 AM.
    Jim and Annette
    2019 Reflection 150 295RL
    US Army Veteran
    Missouri (AKA Misery)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.