RVtravel.com’s longtime friend and occasional contributor Mike Sherman emailed this message to his friends, family and us at RVtravel.com. We’re passing it along because we know other RVers are doing the that Mike discusses here. Others already have or will do the same in the days and months ahead.
Mike wrote:
We have hung up our keys and look forward to a permanent, stationary lifestyle in the California coastal town of Fort Bragg. We had purchased a brand-new 42′ 5th wheel just before the pandemic hit. Before that we were free to travel and did a lot of camp hosting which saved us a small fortune. However, things started to tighten up as more Americans purchased RVs and hit the road.
Health issues forced us to cut back on our volunteering and hosting. We were forced to compete for RV sites and were restricted to fewer options due to the size of our rig. The seasonal fees charged for folks wanting to stay for a few months here and there began to climb because the park owners will usually charge what the market allows. So, in essence, RVing from point to point became quite expensive.
As things got more expensive, and it became difficult to find space, we started to see the handwriting on the wall. The economy for everyone has taken a dive and we found ourselves thinking it might be time to find a permanent place to park it. We wintered in Arizona but upon returning to Oregon, and then California in May, we discovered the cost of diesel exceeding $6 per gallon. It was $7 in Willits last Tuesday.
So, having been caught up in the “perfect storm” involving America’s health and economy, it was easy to realize it was time. We have had absolutely no regrets for the adventures in our past, and we look forward to a new, permanent life in Fort Bragg.
NOTE FROM EDITOR: Mike added later that he and his wife are now settled in a new park of full-time residents. He wrote: “The manager says they are gradually doing away with RVers that come and go. They are converting most of the park to permanent sites. They make more money out of having sites occupied year-round, and campers coming and going are becoming too much of a hassle.”
TO WHICH WE SAY: Yup, it’s happening more and more. Getting a spot for a night or two is getting more difficult all the time.
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##RVT1059
Yes. The sky is falling….in California!!
Let it fall, I’ve said for years this country would be better off if they gathered 10,000 backhoes and started digging a trench around CA and kicking out into the Pacific Ocean. Lol
California is the most beautiful state in the nation. Don’t live there. Don’t agree with their policies. But up to them, not you, in how they want to try to keep it that way.
“One union under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all”
California’s natural land is gorgeous. The homelessness degrades that natural beauty. A lot.
California may look pretty but the politics will kill you. Too many regulations.
Thanks but NO THANKS
Same could be said for Texas 😉
And FLORIDA. for now.
Oregon and Washington are the same you elect them and now you live with them.
Since California contributes more to the USA economy than it gets, it makes sense to be its own country.
California gets 99 cents back on the dollar in federal taxes vs federal funding. So it’s not a big deal.
Well folks, thank you all for buying RV’s. It really helped with my RV stocks and portfolio. Glad I sold them a few months ago. You all went all into something that’s considered a money pit. RV’s were something that people bought when they retired or were wealthy. Think about having all that money sitting there every month paying monthly payments, insurance, fuel, space or storage and maintenance. A wealthy person told me along time along, rent what you can when you need it. That applies to things like tools second properties or tools, equipment, camping equipment. Anything that you don’t use regular. Now everyone has off road vehicles as well. No wonder Americans can’t save money. It’s time for everyone to strap on their boots and get back to work. Be careful because our system is built to do just what it’s doing now every 10 years. If you have little ones (kids), wait until they turn 16. They get more expensive. By the way look around, kids don’t even look out their car window on road trips because they have their little faces in their phones or tablets. May re-think what you are doing. I’ll be looking out for a good deal on an RV?
Why is everyone thinking their way is the best way? It is the best way for you! Leave everyone alone. This is America. We have the right to do and be what we want or at least that’s what I thought our vets fought for. Be kind to each other. Who cares what your neighbor does, care about what is sitting beside you wherever you are… a plane, a car, a train, an Rv! Too much of this crap in the world. Stop and look around you at what is important and do whatever makes you happy for as long as we have on this earth. Stop condemning people and their choices. We must work together to get through everything that is tearing us apart.
Well said!
Logic is quite judgy! I must have missed the memo where they were put in charge of my decisions.
Even before the pandemic, there have been more and more RVs on the road. People are wanderers and explorers. Some like hotels and some like bringing their own bed. What’s right for one person isn’t right for another.
We have enjoyed camping and RVing since the 70s. It isn’t new to us. Neither is off-roading which we have been involved with since the 80s. Nothing new. We also have kids who are now in their 20s and guess what, we still afford RVing and do it our way.
I live in Maine and it has more natural beauty and lakes, rivers streams ponds and the Atlantic beauty to last a nation a lifetime. I purchased a lot on the Penobscot River, a major river in Maine that continues to the Ocean, !.5 acres of trees, beauty, and nature. It came with two older trailers and a screen house. There is no water or electricity, but it does have a septic. I can draw water from the river or bring it with me to pump into my 38 foot Keystone Cougar.
I got rid of the two older trailers, did a small bit of landscaping, and voila, a beautiful permanent Camp, or if we choose, off to the south for the winter.
Not counting my trailer, I have $28,000. invested in this property. Did I mention that right here at my camp is some of the best small mouth bass fishing in the area? Numerous lakes and ponds surround us for trout, landlocked salmon and brown trout fishing.
Yes Shangri-La at such a bargain price. It is nice that Maine is not on many peoples radar .
“It is nice that Maine is not on many peoples radar” Maybe not in the summer so much. Have tried Acadia national park in the summer? Also the climate is harsh 6 – 8 months of the year. Too damn cold.
Be careful about eating fish from the Penobscot…lived there for over 30 years…river was used as dumps for many paper mills as well as Holtra Chem near Bangor…river has mercury pockets…not trying to be mean…just informative
I think I will try Maine for my next location. Currently parked at a lake resort in East Texas. The winters are mild but the summers are brutal. I don’t travel much, I stay put for four to six months at a time and then move on. This way I get to know the other full timers, this resort is probably 80% retired people and it is more of a community. Best thing I ever did was sell my house and property.
So, Mike, your own health issues caused you to give up your previous camping life? Having to give up free camping and join the rest of the crowd is totally on you.
Same thing you can slam other states, countries, counties, cities, but yours has its own issues. Nothing new here under the sun.
The title is deceptive. It should read that SOME RVers toss in the keys. Not all RV’ers have a 42’er or stay in one place for weeks to months at a time. Our RV is a 23′ which gets 16 mpg. Plus we boondock a lot, so this segment of RV’ing is largely unaffected so we have no intention of tossing in our keys, This means we have few problems finding sites, and reasonably priced – especially out of California.
Yes it is Jorg. And I have no intention of throwing in my keys. Our 31’ is big enough for our two young ones and some plants. We winter in Florida and Georgia and summer in Wyoming and South Dakota. And camp hosting saves a bundle.
The locals reserve all the sites for Friday to Sunday so you cant get a week or a month even at the inflated overpriced campgrounds. When a campground costs more than a motel something is terribly wrong. Hopefully we will get a deep recession and businesses will be forced to wake up and smell their greed.
IMO, a 42′ trailer is like dragging a “mobile home” (aka: “singlewide”) around. Its not really an RV. Hard to do anything “mobile” with…just too damn big. But hey- that’s the American Way- do everything to excess until its all gone or otherwise ruined. Most “mobile homes” never actually move, they are made into permanent fixed residences. This is why the largest and longest ones depreciate like lead balloons.
I’m there with ya Capt. Being Full-timers for two years and ain’t giving it up soon. We got a 31’ and she still same helluva big but with a gas pickup it hasn’t been too bad. I feel sorry for the Boomers with the 42’ and bigger with diesel.
We have a 41-1/2’ that I pull with my 3500 diesel. I’m in no hurry and could care less. I’m not a, “boomer”, I’m a “Gen-X’r). We move about every 3-5 days from May until end of October. We know what we signed up for. Nobody pointed a gun to our heads, so don’t feel sorry us. It is what it is.
IMO, anything other than an ultra-light is ridiculous. Why haul around anything longer than 17′?
You guys clog the 2 lane highways, going 5 under over mountain passes and refuse to pull over to let others pass.
(bleeped)
Classy
That is just one reason why we use 4 lane non-interstate highways.
Yea we have a 35′ 5th wheel. Don’t need a ultra-light trailer. I can get up the Grapevine (in CA), at 55-60 mph, (just did it last weekend). Just for your info….if you are pulling a trailer in CA, the speed limit is 55 mph. If you are towing your ultra-light with your Prius, my 5th wheel, or an 18 wheeler. And it’s common courtesy to pull over for slower traffic. You kind of just bundled all RV’ers into one group. But you couldn’t be more wrong, IMO.
Not an accurate title but hey do what works. We been full-timers for two years and love every minute of it. From hail,sheet,tropical storm and a few tornado we’re doing great with two rambunctious young ones along for the ride.
It’s sad when we meet Boomer’s with large rigs and health issues who have been doing this much longer than us. And life is short, so my wife and I say to each other just go small and get rid of crap and live with less. But here in America the land of bigger is better no one listens. Nothing wrong with Boondocking in the middle of nowhere.
I have seen so many RV Parks where rigs are so close to each other that the
they look like sardines!!! Hence packed together like sardines!!! NO THANKS!!!
Sold the motorhome.
Does RV not stand for recreational vehicle anymore?
Good question, Carl. For many people these days a “recreational vehicle” is many things, but far more about “living” than “recreation.”
Ft. Bragg is a beautiful place!! Lots to explore and enjoy nearby. Congratulations on your permanent situation!!
Agreed. I have one in woods on private land. River up back no reason to go anywhere unless I want a field trip. Then I go to mountains in van and boondock. Sweet set up with privacy and my family on property. Installed pellet stove for winter. No more worrying.
Purchased a Coachman Beyond in 2020. Kids all over the country, Long Island, Santa Fe and Irvine. Our second USA tour. Live in SW FL so we are now headed up east coast and then headed west. Figure eight through mid west, Can, MI, WI, IL, MS, NM, NV, CA, NM and back to FL via TX, LA, MS, AL. Quite an adventure. FL, GA, SC, NC, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, NH, ME, VT so far.. Boondocking most of the time, camp grounds occassionaly, Costco, Walmart, Sams Club and Cracker Barrel too. Planet Fitnesses for gym and showers. 15mpg, $4.75 pg avg. 35k on our Lithy (Coachman Beyond Li3) to date.
My wife and I have been Fulltimers for 29yrs. No home base no storage unit. Roving has changed thru the years. You just have to be flexible and remember why you started rving in the first place. I wish everyone could have the wonderful experiences we have. There is a place for all of us to enjoy this life. God bless all.
Been to every state in an rv the past 20 years. Tent camped for 20 years before that. Currently own a new 32ft Class A and a hightop extended van camper. Sure the big name National Parks are jammed up in the summer. We visit them in the spring and fall when the kiddies are back in school. We are currently up in Maine and had no problem finding camp sites on our way north from Florida. Visited friends and family in Nashville and Indianapolis on the way up. Over 2 thousand miles in June. Never had a problem getting a nice pull through site. We now avoid the busy interstate toll roads and avoid the big cities most of the time. Lots of 4 lane zero toll state and local roads. And lots of nice smaller rv parks in small towns along the way. Avoid the big parks with lots of amenities for kids near major attractions. Made reservations a day or two ahead and no problems. In Maine we stay at our own property. Over the years we have owned 3 Mh, 2 5vers and 2 vans. No hurry means no worry.
Thanks for sharing your perspective and glad to read that there are other ways to still enjoy this experience. We’re recently retired and only getting started but looking forward to the journey.
Off season is the way to go! Prices are usually lower, you can stay longer if you want, and often the weather is just as cooperative. One of the most interesting trips we took was to end on Easter Sunday two years ago. It was 75° on Saturday. We woke up Sunday to heavy snowfall with four inches already on the ground. We asked the campground owners if it was okay to extend the stay for two days to wait for it all to melt. They had no reservations and we had a great time. No schedule also means you are more flexible in these situations.
For those of us who have motorized rigs, permanence is not an option…or at least not a very practical one…without selling one rig and buying another. At this point in the game, that does not make sense to us.
We are in good health, but the issues that seniors have does mean that FHU are pretty much the only way we go now. We would like to give it one more season, but with the economy in turmoil, I am afraid that the deflating bubble for RV sales will burst before then.
We will truly miss those good times but we are not in a position to make payments on a vehicle that sits in the yard.
Yep – hubby and I decided to actually sell our rig and now are living in a 55+ community in Northern San Diego County. The size of our rig, health issues, having 3 cats along made it exhausting to move. Mostly, it was becoming difficult to make reservations in cooler areas. If we’d had the option of a permanent site like Dave, we would have considered it, but there was nothing here but a community inland, in a very hot desert area. Glad that Dave has found a permanent spot in the cool north 🙂
I enjoy rv-ing and have some space at a former junkyard in lockport Illinois for anyone wanting to boondocks near Chicago. The half is forested on a pond and surrounded by park district and next door is a Paintball park and is connected with miles of bike trails along the Illinois and Michigan canal. They also lead to the commuter train station 1 mile away in lockport which runs to and from downtown Chicago and joliet. We are turning the half of the property into a campground as we clean up the junk yard in the front and repurpose. There are no amenities yet but any size motor home or 5th wheel will fit, tent camping is also fine. If someone wanted to stay longer we could arrange electric and sewer water service, short stay would just be boondocks. Feel free to report or to forward this info to other persons and publications etc. Emails can be sent to canalauto@mail.com but I don’t check that daily. Or I can’t be reached by text at 8155457902.
Interesting dilemma but seems inevitable with the supply and demand factor.
Many challenges – the past almost three years – have hit North America and those that do not pay attention, well, too bad.
When ‘everybody’ suddenly starts buying bicycles, small dogs, RV’s or whatever, why so much complaining?
Do NOT follow the trend. Almost always do the opposite if at all possible.
The past retired years have been my last three years of happiness…..following this thinking.
So this article is pretty much picking on the weekenders, am I right? Well thats us. My wife has been wanting a camper ever since we got married, finally bought one this year! 20 ft bunkhouse, 2 small kids, have camped in 4 states, including 2 week vacation in Colorado in May. Sounds like you just need to put your big boy pants on and stop crying we are all suffering with fuel cost and all that. But if you’re gonna get mad at me for bringing my family out for one weekend a month and I take your spot, grow up. Buy a smaller rig, take yoga, drink a beer, do something so you won’t sound like a kid throwing a tantrum.
Perfect response! My wife & I own a 41-1/2 ft., fifth wheel, and we have found that it’s just a matter of a little planning ahead. Of course you’re not going to find a spot just pulling into a random park in the middle of summer…I don’t care what size rig you have. Here in Montana, RV parks are springing up in some of the nicest areas of NW Montana. The one’s that are tired of the “hassle” of an RV park, are becoming slum lords of trailer courts. Old RV parks turn into trailer courts, so if that’s what they need to do in order to avoid the “hassle”, I say, good luck with that! We’ve been RVing all over the western half of the United States and have never once had problems finding great parks wherever we wanted to go. A call ahead a month in advance does wonders! Stop whining and good luck in the mobile home park.
Yes, book early! We book a month ahead on all our trips, sometimes 2 to 3 months ahead. with my schedule I have a 3 day weekend once a month, so when we leave a campground this month, we book where we wanna go next month.
Planning ahead was always our way even before the current RV and camping craze. This same thing happened in the 70s when I was growing up camping with the family. There was a camping craze. We went to the same spot for a three-week vacation every summer and we booked for the next year the day we checked out. The campgrounds were always crowded, but we never just hooked up and hoped for the best. We always called ahead and had a spot reserved.
We did the same thing for a cabin on Sandusky Bay.
Calm down. Article also mentions health issues.
After all the complaining.
I do not believe he is blaming anyone, certainly not weekenders in particular. He just states that there was/is a huge increase in campers since covid, many are able to work remotely which affords them the opportunity to work from their camper. It’s the total increase, not just weekenders.
Thank you….
Thank you both.
What is “Folks” ?
People. –Diane
I really don’t understand why people buy an RV and then pay the high price of staying at RV parks. I guarantee it’s much less expensive to fly and stay in hotels if it’s only a vacation or weekend getaway.
I have been boondocking fulltime in the most beautiful places for 6 years and its free. I invested in a solar system, generator, and second water tank mounted in the truck bed. It’s so easy to live offgrid for 2 weeks or more. There are free dump stations and water all over the place. If not then it’s no more than $20. I can’t understand why anyone would waste money in an RV park. You are really missing out on living in nature and in peace…for free!
Well. I am not a glamper by any means and I love state parks. We don’t boondock often but I will say… we are weekend warriors and I would drive and pay a high price for a park 1000x over flying to have my own bed, my own food and location location location!!!
To each his own.
Kristy, I agree with you 100%. There are plenty of places to still go for us weekend warriors and many of the prices are reasonable but I will pay for a prime spot. I am not seeing a slow down by any means for RV parks. At least not for now.. i guess it is one of those cases of “ to each there own.”
I’m with you. I plan our trips out at least 6mos ahead, and always look for campgrounds that meet my expectations. I don’t mind paying more for a spot that is level and has the amenities that I want.
Indeed, I’m hooking up my mc bike I. A 10×trailer with bare necessities and skipping town. I gave up most all, kids are far away and I’m single. THANKS FOR THIS POST!
We are set up at an RV park as seasonal campers. It is open seven months of the year. We pay $1800 a year and do not have to move the RV in the winter. $1800 to $2500 a year for a seasonal site is the norm in central Illinois where we also live. Water, sewer, and WiFi costs $20 a month. Electricity is metered and depends on how much a/c we have to use. The most we’ve ever paid for a month is $180. Two 30 lb. propane tanks last us the entire seven months for hot water and some furnace usage. We have a 42′ fifth wheel. We are in nature. The resort has only 70 sites each at least 60 feet apart and it is surrounded by 168 acres of groomed, wooded trails. Deer, raccoons, possums, badgers, coyotes, and foxes are the norm. We even had a visit from a cougar one year!
Where do you boondock at ?
Because we can! Still work 50 hrs per week. We can afford to pay for an RV site. As a side note, I usually pay less than $60.00 a nite for a site. The reasons we purchased an RV are, our own bathroom, our own bed, non smoking RV, we take our dogs and not all hotels clean well between dogs. Our dogs only get sick when they were kenneled, or in a hotel. When I retire for the 3rd (and last time) , I may look into boondocking but for now, I’m good!
Why aren’t states building a few more camp grounds, if they are full.
Oregon really needs 5 or 10 more in the mountains, cascades/coastal range.
Inmates could help prep the land, the state would make a little money and residents would appreciate spots being open.
Probably because this RV “boom” will likely fade. Two years ago, it was insane. We were luckily set up seasonally, but watched the RVs come and go for two years. This year, the owners say they are having trouble keeping sites occupied. If you build it, they will come, but apparently only for a short period of time.
No, it’s not because RVing is a fad. It’s because no one running state government cares about infrastructure or public recreation. They can only see as far as the next election and who will throw money at them, and it’s not average families trying to camp or enjoy the outdoors on a budget.
We have many many millions more people in this country than we had 50 years ago, and with a few exceptions, we are limping along with the same state park system we had back then. Where new facilities are built, they are built for fishermen or ORVers who apparently have pressure groups lobbying for boat ramps etc, or who have legislators in their ranks.
We are set up permanently at an RV resort an hour from home. Right now our new fifth wheel is our “cabin in the woods.” Sites are 60 feet apart and you don’t feel like you’re one of hundreds in a school of sardines. In less than two years we are selling the house and retiring to the RV. We don’t plan to be always on the road. We will spend April through October here in Illinois and then go south for the winter. Ideally, we will have a permanent site somewhere in the south. We will travel, but we won’t be on the go constantly. The resort where we are opened just for seasonals. It didn’t fill up, so they opened it up to weekenders. After 9 years of this, they’re fed up with the hassle and want to encourage more seasonal campers.
Here in South Carolina it can take up to a year to find an RV site in certain campgrounds depending on what time of year and duration.
Cool info. Thanks!
We are really excited to see Fort Bragg in the very near future. We are currently camp hosting a bit north of you at Redwood River Resort in Leggett CA. So far only a few weekends the camp has been fully booked. I’m pretty sure one could find availability here this summer if one was so inclined.
That’s really neat you were able to find a reasonable and (sorry for this) seasonal site. Do you mind sharing the name of the camp?
Thanks
Hi, Matt. Mike replied to your comment this morning with his email address for you to contact him directly. I hate to put his address out there for the whole world to see (and maybe get tons of spam), so I’m holding it in Pending. In the meantime, I’ve sent you an email with his email address. If you don’t see my email (diane[at]rvtravel.com), check your Spam folder. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
It saddens me to read the varied comments that display some criticism towards other RVers. We are a very diverse group of people are we not? We RV in every mode possible and it should be understood that one size is not a fit for all.
Boon dock vs. parks, BIG vs small, we have it all when you travel around and meet so many interesting people. We were at it for over 30 years, starting out with a 12′ TT, then moving up through various trailer sizes. I’ll never forget my excitement at getting my own shower/toilet. My gawd, talk about heaven! Boon docking was very private back in the 80’s. Occasionally one reads complaints that too many are within sight of each other. Doing the solar routine to keep one off the grid is fun, until you get older and tired of all the maintenance involved. Plugging into electricity and connecting a sewer hose can be a new blessing. We eventually worked our way up to a 42′ monster, love the comforts but smile when I see young families starting the RV life.
My newsletter says “Non-Members (advertising-supported) edition” at the top. I have been a contributing member for many years. Is there a “member-non advertising issue”?
Hi, Betty. I’m not sure why you received the non-members edition. I’m checking with one of our IT folks who might be able to figure out what happened. Thanks for your patience in the meantime. And thank you for supporting us for many years. We appreciate it very much, and we appreciate you! Have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2023. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
This article is a year old, things have gotten better. We have full timed for 5 years in a 42’ fifth wheel. We plan out our year of travel each January and make reservations. I found it interesting that he settled in one of the most expensive states for RVing. Gas is more expensive there than anywhere. To each there own😊
Getting better???
I agree Linda.
The huge wave of “Covid Campers” appears to be subsiding.
With new RV sales dropping to less than 40% from 2022, the strain on resources also looks to be easing. Hopefully dealers, suppliers, parks and campgrounds can catch their breath.
I imagine someone pulling a super rig, park princess might still struggle with finding spots but for those in the 40’ or less, things really don’t look too bad. Fuel prices are yukky but they seem to always increase at the wrong times. Some park pricing is over the top and will find themselves empty but there’s still a lot of great places out there!
Where we camp at the national forest went to reservations. The times we have camped there some of the sites are only reserved for the weekends. Some of these sites are reserved throughout the summer. When these reserved sites stay open during the week the national forest is losing money. Before these sites were reserved these sites were always full.