How to Maximize Your Time at an RV Park

Those of you that have followed this blog over the past eight years know that my first choice of campsites is the boonies followed by county, state and federal campgrounds. Contrary to popular belief, you will also find my wife and I staying in private RV parks from time to time. However, you will never find us rolling into a RV park at 8 p.m. at night, ignoring the hook ups and hitting the road at 6 a.m. the next morning. This is something the thrifty Norwegian in me would never permit.

Making Use of the Volleyball Court.

Let’s take a look at how to maximize a stay in a private RV park:

1) Arrive early and plan on staying until check out time allowing yourself to take full advantage of the amenities offered. As I mentioned above there are those that will pull in late in the evening to a $40 / night RV park, not hook up to the utilities and leave early the next morning. Be just the opposite; arrive before the posted check in time (I have never met an RV park owner that wouldn’t rent us a space at ten in the morning) and stay until the posted check out time the next day. This will give you plenty of time to rest and enjoy all the services offered by the park.

2) After pulling into your space, dump the black tank and close the valve.

3) Once hooked up, switch all your appliances to operate on shore power. After all, you are paying for the electrical service, why not use it and save your propane. In addition, if you aren’t already carrying one, purchase a small electric heater to heat your RV when needed using the parks electricity rather than your propane.

4) Plug in any rechargeable devices that need charging; cordless drills, lap tops, etc

During your stay – Anytime you use the toilet in the RV, flush with lots of water with the aim of having the black tank nearly full when you are ready to break camp the next day.

5) Next put on a swimsuit, gather up the laundry and head to the centrally located area of the park that features the coin operated laundry and swimming pool. Once the coins are inserted into the washer and you put the lid down, grab some of the reading material that abounds in RV park laundromats and head for the pool. If you are traveling with kids they are already there.

Heading to the Pool

While you are folding your fresh from the dryer clothes, strike up a conversation with other travelers that are doing their laundry. Odds are one of them just came from where you are headed and can share valuable tips on things to see and do along with the best places to camp.

6) While you make use of the community grill to cook dinner, send the kids off to the play ground to expend some energy.

7) After dinner, enjoy some family time watching TV via the provided cable TV hookup or free DVD rentals available in the park office.

8) Once your TV time is over, don the swimsuits and head over to the spa for a relaxing soak in the hot tub before bed. Upon exiting the hot tub, take a long hot shower at the RV park restrooms.

The next morning, plan to make use of any of the amenities you didn’t visit the day before.

Taking Advantage of the Water

As check out time nears:
A) Dump the by now nearly full black tank. The generous amounts of water you have been adding during each flush have been soaking all the crud off the sidewalls and monitor probes. Being the contents of your black tank are approximately 95% water, the rapid draining will carry sediments out of your tank that might stay behind during a typical dump.

B) Rinse the black tank thoroughly using the parks water.

C) Fill your fresh water tank.

D) Empty your trash including the trash bag in your tow or towed vehicle.

If you planned your stay correctly, upon leaving the park the next day you will have:
– Stayed in excess of 24 hours
– Used every amenity the park offered
– Consumed little of your propane
– Fully charged batteries on your RV and other rechargeable items
– A full freshwater tank
– Clean clothes and your trash is empty
– Gained some information
– Been refreshed and well rested
– An appreciation for the park and the value you just received

Maximizing your stay at a RV park, just another adventure in RVing!

To discover a campground that is ideal for you and your family visit www.campgroundreviews.com

Dave Helgeson

Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.