We have seen a lot of posts lately on other sites talking about overcrowding in RV sites and campgrounds. Part of the problem seems to come from the number of new campers entering the world each year. Recently, with the popularity of RVing making a comeback, the RV industry has experienced record-breaking sales. Another reason comes from many millennials purchasing travel trailers as an alternative traveling method for themselves and their young families.
We are curious, have you encountered overcrowding at any sites you have visited?
As you plan your travels for 2018, we at Coach wanted to make sure you were as prepared for the open road as possible. We have compiled a list of tips to help ensure that you don’t get squeezed out of your campground when you arrive at your destination.
Make reservations if you can.
A good portion of campgrounds will only honor the first come first serve rule. This is especially true during peak travel times as private campgrounds make most of their money this way. But to be safe, if you know enough in advance where you want to stay, ask if it is possible to make a reservation.
If you are camping anywhere in Texas and want a quick resource for Texas area campgrounds, be sure to pick up a copy of TACO- the Texas campgrounds guide. We advertise there and we have free ones in our shop we can give you if you are in the area and want to stop in and grab one!
Confirm Your Reservations
Many RV parks and campgrounds that offer online reservations don’t always see them, especially if you are booking a last minute reservation. Calling ahead is a great idea to make sure your reservation is actually taken and ensure there are no issues upon arrival.
Save your confirmations and bring them with you.
This might seem a little overly cautious but it doesn’t hurt to save the e-mail or confirmation number given to you by the campground. Some RV parks will give you your site number when you make your reservation. Others will wait until you actually check-in to get you into a site. You’ll pay for the duration of your stay once you get to the park itself, minus the deposit if you put one down.
How to Confirm an RV Site Reservation
When possible, confirm your reservation with the RV park or campground at least two days before you hit the road. Re-confirming your reservation ensures that nothing has come up that will bump you from your space upon arrival.
Again this may be overly cautious but it doesn’t hurt to call one last time to confirm your reservation once more the morning you’re set to arrive. This additional confirmation can give you more time if something happens (like mechanical breakdowns, construction delays etc) forcing you to readjust your arrival or departure to the RV park or campground
What To Do If You Are Late in Arriving.
This is not uncommon for campgrounds and RV parks who deal with this issue often. Stuff happens on the road and campground owners know that. If you know ahead of time that you’re going to be late, call the RV park or campground and let them know.
Be courteous, offer to pay any late arrival fees, and assure them you’ll be there as soon as possible. If you can, offer them a time frame for your arrival, so they know when to expect you. Calling ahead is proper etiquette and will go a long way should you want to reserve a site at the park or campground again in the future.
RVing is supposed to be fun and stress-free. Reserving an RV parking site before you hit the road is the best way to avoid overcrowded parks and eliminate the worry about where you’re parking for the night. If you are heading to an RV park that doesn’t take reservations, be sure to leave as early as possible. When working on a first come, first serve basis, it’s important to be the first one there. Plus, arriving early gives you tons of time to explore the surrounding areas and set up your campsite!
Before you head out on the road, do you need some RV repair work? You should never leave home for a long vacation without checking to make sure your RV is up-to-date on all repairs and inspections. Coach Specialists is here for you!