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Old 05-16-2018, 07:37 PM   #1
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Hot RV industry is starting to show at campgrounds

Is it my imagination or is the hot selling RV industry taking its toll on campground capacity, especially on the weekends? My wife and I tried to book a weekend at or near Knoebels Amusement park with our grandson in PA and all the campgrounds are booked solid over the weekends all summer. Same with the state parks. Getting a site during the week not a problem but probably will become one once the kids are out of school. Making reservations a year in advance is not something I like doing as you never know what changes will occur within that time frame.

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Old 05-16-2018, 07:48 PM   #2
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Reservations way in advance are not something we all want to do but I think you are correct that it is fast becoming a reality. If you want to stay middle of nowhere, parking lots, or truck stops not so important. But reservations if you want to be near a destination.
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:48 PM   #3
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People have more money to spend this year...the economy is booming and people are more confident with it...yes, reservations are getting tighter these days. That's one of the neat things about driving your hotel room around. There's always a place to sleep! I do remember the days you could just pull in to a campground just about anywhere and pick a spot...not anymore...especially at the resort places for kids.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:06 PM   #4
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Yeah the RV industry kind of knows that there is a lack of campgrounds.

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Old 05-16-2018, 08:06 PM   #5
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We make reservations up to a year in advance for Disney Fort Wilderness.

Other trips we travel during week and find friends/family for weekends.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:34 PM   #6
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WOW...that couple needs to drink some coffee or something...drag it out. I couldn't stay awake waiting for something of interest. Can anyone sum up what they had to say in just a few words? That's like watching someone on YouTube "unbox" a swing set.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:35 PM   #7
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I would imagine that the sells of RVs is certainly adding to the balance, but some parks are ALWAYS full at the seasonal times of the year, no matter what the condition of the 'rv industry'... it's the nature of the beast.

by the way, kNoebels, pronounced 'Ka'nobels... is a great place, and a good campground... one of the few amusement parks with a campground so convenient and close!
Also, it's the largest FREE entry amusement park in the U.S.! Nice.
Some great free concerts, too...

Kentucky's 'SPLASH' water park and campground is another good example, and right off I75...sweet.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:49 PM   #8
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When we purchased our RV this is my biggest surprise when trying to book sites. In Florida you can book state parks 11 months out and you need to do so. Luckily cancellation policies are pretty liberal everywhere so if we think we may go I book it
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:04 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
WOW...that couple needs to drink some coffee or something...drag it out. I couldn't stay awake waiting for something of interest. Can anyone sum up what they had to say in just a few words? That's like watching someone on YouTube "unbox" a swing set.
Here's what I got out of it....

A million new RV'ers came into the market this year (record growth) & they're expecting the same next year...

Three top problems due to that:

1) Not enough campgrounds for everyone (people will need to plan ahead more than before)

2) Not enough qualified service technicians

3) Quality is lacking, due to trying to meet the increased demand
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:19 PM   #10
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The biggest problem with state/national parks now is you must use Reserve America which allows people to go in & reserve EVERY weekend or holiday whether they will be there or not, but just in case.
Reserve America was implemented to free up employees/volunteers basically saving money after past government officials cut all their budgets.
We've found that most of these parks are nearly empty, but the sites are reserved for people that never show.
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:40 PM   #11
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That's exactly the problem. there has to be a penalty. If there's no reward for doing right, or punishment for doing wrong...nothing good will happen. We plan to hit the road fully retired next year. I will stay away from the "crowds" and seasonal spots. They say, whoever "they" is, that things are not as bad the further you travel west.
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:56 PM   #12
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Darn it!!

We forgot to call Walmart, and make our reservations!
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Old 05-16-2018, 10:16 PM   #13
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www.natso.com/parkmytruck
Park My Truck Mobile App. Truck drivers who need to stop and rest are now to use a free mobile app called Park My Truck to locate an available space.. Download the Mobile App ...


Even trucks are feeling the pinch for parking. If the trucks can't find a spot RVs certainly won't be welcomed to spend a few hours sleeping in truck stops. We have also noticed Interstate rest areas are packed.

We may just start driving from Cracker Barrel to Cracker Barrel
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Old 05-16-2018, 10:39 PM   #14
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I agree grits and Texas. I was at a great county park called Fort De Soto last weekend at approximately 20% of the sites were empty. Of course they were booked. Either a hefty fine or opening them if you don’t show up for your first night are both options
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:08 PM   #15
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Last I heard, last year there were 10 mil RVs registered and 3 mil campsites in the country. In Wisconsin we noticed the lack of sites for 10 yrs already. It has been popular here for a long time.
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
WOW...that couple needs to drink some coffee or something...drag it out. I couldn't stay awake waiting for something of interest. Can anyone sum up what they had to say in just a few words? That's like watching someone on YouTube "unbox" a swing set.
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:57 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by schreinertms View Post
Is it my imagination or is the hot selling RV industry taking its toll on campground capacity, especially on the weekends? My wife and I tried to book a weekend at or near Knoebels Amusement park with our grandson in PA and all the campgrounds are booked solid over the weekends all summer. Same with the state parks. Getting a site during the week not a problem but probably will become one once the kids are out of school. Making reservations a year in advance is not something I like doing as you never know what changes will occur within that time frame.
There are several factors. Here in Florida over the course of the last 5 years that we have been Rving, our reservations are all made a year in advance. We have the snow birds that infiltrate from fall throughout winter and you can forget about an opening on the weekends or during the week. It is disheartening when us tax payers in Florida cannot enjoy our own parks for 9 months out of the year so that retirees that can't stand their winter can take up occupancy. We have strongly considered selling the RV and giving up. The reality of it is that you have to plan your trips a year in advance. Most parks don't allow reservations beyond 11 months and you must be online the day of to grab something or it will already be taken.
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Old 05-24-2018, 12:22 PM   #18
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Florida has no state income tax, that means those of us that come down there in the winter are the ones supporting the states economy through the high sales tax. If it wasn't for all the outside money pouring into the state you would have much higher taxes.
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:06 PM   #19
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Druff,
Your sales tax is 5.5% mine in Pinellas County is 7% I will take that any day. The tourism dollars are what helps, along w/ many other factors.... Take a look at Illinois as an example where they get hammered w/ both.
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Old 05-24-2018, 03:31 PM   #20
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Yes, in Wisconsin we also pay about 5-6 % income tax with the 5.5% sales tax.
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