Having Trouble Finding A Campground?

Here's why...

http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=currentmonth

528 new units a day over the last 90 days. Think about it...A typical campground holds around 125-175 units for larger parks. That means it would take 5 new campgrounds opening up each day to keep up will supply and demand. I doubt the supply will keep up with demand. If you have a spot, you better hang on to it. And storage rates will be at a premium. This also explains the "crap" quality we're all getting.

Somewhere down the road, RV's (like homes) are going to have to take a crash. There will be no where to go and no one will want to buy your used unit. You better have the one you want.

I kinda look forward to gas prices going back to $5 a gallon some day. At least then, you could find a spot. But even that is not likely to happen any time soon. Just have a look at the crude reserves:

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=WTTSTUS1&f=W

This past winter I experienced for the first time not to be able to find a campground on short notice. The campgrounds are getting fuller each year, and more and more people are renting sites for long term stays.

We're currently in a $200 a month space with electric at $0.07 per KWH. Even if we pull out for retirement venture, we may opt to continue to pay this space for fear of loosing it.

I would keep it. Here in .CA they have waiting lists for monthly and the run around 900.00 monthly plus electric

Unfortunately - a large percentage are recession refugees from a few years ago that didn't see any options other than living out of an RV. I just spoke with one the other day that lost his house and lives out of his Dads old MH and now can't get ahead to go back.

A fair number have brand new equipment, just want a winter place to sty. We do a lot of traveling, and stay places for 2 weeks or less. If we want a week or two at a location, we now call in advance.

Compounding further....

The Baby Boomers are retiring at a rate 19,000 per day for the next foreseeable future.

They sell off their houses, furniture, etc and use this as an excellent way of saving money.

I guess the kids can cash in later when the (next) stick housing bubble pops. It will be worse that the previous busts.

We've been teaching our adult children this alternate way of living. It's much cheaper than an apartment, house or anything else. Put the money away while you can. But then, how many adult children ever listen to their senior parents.... 🙁

We noticed the same thing happening and always call ahead except a few we use for one night stays that are never full.

We also just purchased a deeded RV lot in a Myrtle Beach resort so now we always have a spot waiting for us. It backs up to a small lake and has a small ocean view in the front.

Steve

We must be more lucky than others in this regard!

We transit the US from Canada, starting at Detroit and going to southern California starting in November and we return in April each winter.

With the exception of Spring break week (which seems to vary in different states) we don't reserve sites and have no difficulty getting sites in the campgrounds we stop at.

We do reserve our destination site in California as there is a waiting list for the most desirable sites, but other (good quality) sites are available all winter.

We've already booked as far out as March 2018 as I know others have.

It's hard sometimes though to see that far in advance. I always like to take the opportunity to plan ahead when I can.

Similar to Ken we also plan and reserve campgrounds well in advance, as we will be in the same campground for all of March 2018.

In Jan/Feb this year, I planned and scheduled our travels for 2018. I already have confirmed reservations through to the end of March & from Apr to Oct I have a route & schedule planned, with a list of campgrounds we will be using. When we return to Vancouver in October, I will complete the reservations through to October 2018, before campgrounds close for the winter. Then it's time to start 2019.

The downside is the schedule doesn't accommodate staying a few extra days. However, as a retired navigator, I just can't imagine setting off any day without a known destination and route.

We have a good friend that has their itinerary planned for the next 2 years, I have trouble planning out to next week & not have something unexpected get in the way. Fortunately there is NO place we have to be at a certain time & really enjoy the seat of the pants schedule, if we decide we want to stay longer, we do. So far in 4 1/2 years have not had ANY difficulty finding decent campgrounds, but we (unlike most rvers) don't travel on weekends when all the weekend warriors are out filling all the campgrounds.

planned for the next 2 years, I have trouble planning out to next week & not have something unexpected get in the way.

I'm with you on that. It's amazing how many times we have extended our stay either because there is so much to see or do, or because we want to spend more time with new friends we have met.

We try to avoid traveling on weekends to avoid the weekend warriors.

Plus I had a very structured schedule for my entire work career, so a laid back whatever schedule is/has been really nice.

That is the beautiful part of this lifestyle for sure.

That said, sometimes for me if I am sure I want to be somewhere at a specific time I'll make the commitment.

On the other hand, I know you may all judge me on this, if I'm not really sure I may make a reservation knowing that it will only cost me $5 to cancel and that is a small price to pay to be assured a spot when+where I want it.

Is that really bad?