Hi. I've gotten such great replies from you folks, so am asking this question to try out the 'snowbird' route first to see how we'll like this rv'ing thing.

Would love to rent a big camper or rv for a few months to see how we would adapt and to get the feel of it. Are there states, areas and parks/campgrounds you would recommend or to stay away from or how do I go about finding that? If someone could just steer me in the right direction - a website or something, I think I could take it from there.

From what I see on this website, it's nice to have trustworthy information from folks that know what they're talking about! You don't know what a relief it is to find you all!!

Thanks!
Cindy & Scott in MN
RV dreaming

We use the Trailer Life Directory that is affiliated with Good Sam (but they list other RV parks). Each campground is rated. We don't normally go to anything rated lower than 7, but that's just personal preference. You can also use http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ to see if anyone has stayed at a specific park and written a review.

I use rvparkreviews, too. Sometimes you have to add a grain of salt to the review but in general, you do get a good sense of what they are like.

Some things to watch out for:

• Paying up front for the entire stay if there is a no refund policy
• Check out their rules to be sure you are comfortable abiding by them
• Be sure the location will be convenient to the places you want to see and the things you want to do
• Do you need satellite...if so, is the campground mostly shaded
• In very southern FL, you might want shade to help with the heat

Try an Escapees park if you can...the ones owned by them (not the discount or co-op parks. I know there is one in FL (Bushnell), one is AL (Summerdale) and one in TN (north of Knoxville). Also one in MO (Branson). They are a great way to check things out...and you don't have to be a member to stay at them.

Rather than pick one town and campground and book for a long period in a destination area, we took our chances and just reserved for a few days or a week at a time and moved around. That way we got to see all of Florida our first year and Arizona / southern California the second year. We never had any problem in finding places to stay. After you've toured these areas you know where you want to return in the future when you want to settle in for a while. Just a thought.

Terry and Jo wrote:

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 You still have to use your black tank as a septic tank, but with some modifications with PVC pipe, one can have a pretty permanent discharge pipe.

Good luck with your planning and research.

Terry

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Terry, at the risk of you talkin' down to us iggerant Texans, the black tank on the RV is a holding tank, not a septic tank.  Septic tanks are used to liquefy waste using bacteria and release it to a field line for soaking into the soil.  A mistake a lot of people make is thinking of the black tank as a septic system (aka the S&B septic system) and will try to use RidX or some similar bacterial product as odor control and breakdown.  That will usually result in the dreaded brown pyramid and lots of work.

The chemicals sold at RV stores are specifically used to control odor and facilitate waste breakdown, permitting regular black tank dumping and rinsing.  I have found that one from Camping World, RV Trine, does a great job at odor control.  With adequate water involvement, the tank dumps well.

Which brings up another problem, you gotta use adequate water, or the aforementioned brown pyramid will become evident.

 Like you, I have seen several Mobile Home Parks that allow RVs, and it would appear to be a great long term spot, given it is not run down.  Good idea.

Terry, In the real world, there is virtually no difference between RV parks and Mobile Home parks, it's just a matter of emphasis. RV Parks will have mostly RV's and some park models - and Mobile Home parks will be mostly permanent sites with some transient traffic. Neither is inherently more or less expensive than the other. It really depends on location and amenities. Actually Mobile Home parks in snowbird areas are often the most expensive because of all the services and activities they provide.

Ok let me ask a question along the lines of renting for a period of time at an RV or Mobile home park but with a twist. Has anyone looked into, or actually purchased a site which they can come back to every so often and rent out the times they are not there? Reason I ask is that although it is nice to be on the road and travel, I think it would also be nice (if one can swing it money wise) to have a place they can still call home, not necessarily a S&B but a location. The reason I have looked into this, is that it seems that is where you can get the best price, ie an RV lot which can be rented out versus a S&B that is more expensive and if you rent out, kind of hard to control what damages can occur. Would like to hear if any of you have considered it, have done it, or know someone that has done it. Thanks as always!

All mobile home parks and a lot of RV resorts look to sell lots for just the reason you are describing. Once you start looking around you'll see there a plenty of them. We've never considered doing it because we just enjoy moving around all the time, but there are thousands to folks that buy lots and offer them for rent when they aren't using them. I'm sure that some of our members that own spaces will chime in soon.

Fred and Terry, as always, thank you!

Thank you all so much for the helpful tips and links to check out as we begin our search to see if snowbirding is the right direction at first. Researching is fun but it can be a daunting task without the help of some 'experienced' rv'ers, like yourselves! You'll be hearing from me on our decision when the time is right ... but for now, it's back to the Garage Sale! I'm pooped and it hasn't even started! There is too much stuff for this 2 car garage! I'm sure we'll need to do this several times to whittle away the non-essential, unwanted, unused burdens of life/mind and soul.  Okay, I need to keep the Vision in mind .... lose the clutter (house included), find the Dream!
Thanks again! You are such generous, caring people and I sincerely can't wait to meet you in person ... somewhere on the beautiful open roads and parks of the United States of America!

Cindy and Scott
Up North, Minnesota

We're prepping for a yard sale here...I forgot how much work it is to clear out the junk!