After surviving necrotizing pancreatitis, being hit by a truck at 65 on my bike and three major cancer surgeries…. We bought our camper to make memories. Life can be gone in the blink of an eye. Take time to enjoy it. Happy camping everyone and hug your loved ones ❤
Im too old to drive now, so I set up a two trailer RV park in my backyard. All my kids , grandkids, and great grand kids come and visit me weekly :)❤❤😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This is my plan too. I’m going one better and giving my daughter my Outdoor Recreation Black Rock trailer so her and my grandkids can visit with all the comforts of their home. That plan is still 11 years (and counting) away.
Just got back from our 2 month florida trip ( from Michigan ) We stayed at 2 what I call resort campgrounds ( pool, hot tube, paved roads, paved under rv and patio ) lots of trees and not too close to the next site....very nice!! We stayed for a month each place. 1st place was $1500, 2nd was 1200. Add to that $1000 for fuel there and back. Tatal $3700. Divide that by 60 days and its $61 per night. Remember it's including fuel. Where else can you go on vacation for $61 a day with transportation cost? We're retired, and the rv is paid for, and we understand not everyone is in our position, but we still consider it a value. The rest of this years camping trips are 1 to 2 weeks each and within 1 tank of fuel each. Have a Jesus filled day everyone Greg in Michigan
@@ecowise9700 Yep.... $80 per night to be exact I posted this to show people how much a 2 month trip would be. Big savings for those who are retired like us.
When I bought my RV, one of the things that shocked me was the lack of quality and accountability from the dealer and expectation of warranty fulfillment. I'm all for regulating the RV industry closer to the standard of the auto industry.
My rig is a 2024. If I see a "Ten Year Rule" on a campground website, I won't do business with them. No one should, we campers need to stick together, top to bottom.
"I only have so many years to make memories with my kid, I can always make more money later". Very, very well said. I wish more people in the world would realize that thought in life itself. Maybe if people realized that all the anger and hate they spout only leads to more anger and hate. Josh, I bet you are a good dad and husband because you really seem to be a good man with a good head on his shoulders. I watch your videos for info, but i love the nerdisms... Thank you...
Here is the God's word 1Timothy 6: 10: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." The problem is Devil runs the world. He is lier and murderer. This is the reason why love of money is everywhere. That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom. Jehovah would put everything in order. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)
Sometimes, I travel with my wife, but I always travel with my dog. In my motorized RV, he has no way to look outside without climbing on the furniture. He really has no adequate space for his food and water, and I had to buy a large rubber mat to avoid water spills on the floor. There should be an interior grill guard on the door to avoid torn screens. RV entrance steps are not pet friendly if your pet has arthritis. The angle is too steep for a conventional ramp and often I have to carry him in and out of the rig. There should be a way to tether a crate to secure it while traveling, rather than my Rube Goldberg approach.
Would LOVE to hear more about any sub 25 feet "Class C" motorhomes etc - Grand Design or Otherwise. Separately - Definitely traveling with the Dog 😃 The BEST thing RV manufacturers could offer me is a way to monitor the internal temp of the RV remotely so that on the very rare times I can't bring him with me, I KNOW without having to buy a separate system that my furry friend is absolutely safe.
Pet friendly... no carpet, ventless floor, built-in vacuum, seating (extra couch space or space for a pet bed) and the biggest thing is entry storage for everyone (a place for jackets, leashes, shoes, keys, sunglasses, wallet, poop bags).
Little things matter too! Everybody does the no-see um screens on the door but whenever you walk past somebody's place that has a little dog in there they're always up on that door scratching that no see um.
We're two year full-timers, so we don't stay in RV Parks who charge more than $50/night. We have seen the ten-year rule (it doesn't apply to us yet) and we have decided to go elsewhere. We stay in the US West, so take that for what its worth. It's appearing more commonly in AZ, and CO and WY. We have changed our camping style, and tend to go to a place one night at a time and then if we like it, spring for a week. We "never" make reservations, and seldom plan - weather is just too unpredictable, particularly in Spring. We don't dodge rain, but dodge hail, tornadoes, flooding and freezing weather for sure. At a result, the Number one thing we look for is cellular service. We just NEED it, if only for emergencies and weather prediction. Thank you for these updates. I have worked in sales, and in mfg, and I know just how difficult it is to do what you do.
I was turned away from an RV park in Mesa,AZ because my motorhome was over 10 years old. I had to send them a picture and they still turned me away. There was nothing wrong with the spake and vision of my 30' Winnebago. Yes, cancelling campground at the last minute should have a fee.
The cost of camping has gone up. My parents actually sold their RV because they could no longer go as often as they wanted and decided that buying a second house was actually likely going to be the better investment in the medium term. RV costs up, camping costs up, maintenance costs up, parts issues, etc all played into the decision. My family has been RVers for generations (both my mom and dad’s sides). At this point, everyone has sold out. My wife and I would like to get into the RV space, but even going tent camping is becoming difficult because of supply and demand. I’m so excited that so many people have found the great outdoors! I’m sure the supply side will eventually catch up, but in the mean time folks are having to make tough calls.
The feedback you asked for: I travel with cats, and the answer is no. No vents in the floor is nice, but there is no good place for a litter box and food/water dishes. There often are openings that cats can get through into places they can't get out of. I have a nobo now and just had to take apart some panels to rescue a cat who had gotten through a tiny gap to the space under the slide.
I travel with my kitty in my GeoPro. Fortunately, my GeoPro doesn’t have hiding places. i can find my boy when he’s hiding. I also agree that manufacturers NEED to consider ways to close off those small openings where a small pet could hide. I totally agree about needing a practical place for the litter box.
As a pet owner, I would be thrilled if there was a dedicated enclosed pet area with a pet door (so they can go in and out freely, or be closed in if needed), that has it's own low-wattage climate control (heat and cooling), so that if I must leave them in there while I go grocery shopping or something, I don't need to worry that they'll get too hot or too cold, without needing to heat/cool the entire unit or leave the generator running while I'm not there to keep an eye on things. It must have a window so they can see outside while they wait.
I don't know anyone else that can articulate all issues in critical thinking, but put all the information in a baseline conversation so everyone understands the different parts of rvs and campgrounds. Thank you for your industry imput and allowing the public to share.
I live in Florida. I'll clarify. I'm born and raised in Florida. If you shop around, a "resort" is 60 to 70 a night full hook up. That has been pretty consistent for the past 4 years. In the winter, it's extremely difficult to find a spot as the snow birds have them booked. As such, prices are also higher in the winter months. State parks are cheaper but, again, unbookable from October through April.
It's been since 2019 but we traveled from Michigan to Topsail Hill Resort State Park in Destin and loved it. The campsites were wonderfully placed and the park was beautiful. We booked early but it was the end of April and there always seemed to be an empty site. We want to do it again but have to be around to help aging parents.
I have friends with older motor homes and when age comes up, they send the campground a photo of their rig. They are extremely well maintained and look as good as or better than some newer motorhomes. They have never been turned away after the photo has been sent. So take care of your rig.
regarding your question about dog-friendly RV features, I broke it down by Must Have, Nice to Have, and Not Necessary But Useful. I can think of a bunch more but i thing we spoil Sasha and Styles. Must-haves: - Easy-to-clean/disinfect flooring - Durable furniture, most of the RV furniture is cruddy IMO. something with stain-resistant fabrics would be ideal - Good ventilation - Leash tie-down - Storage space Nice to have: - Built-in dog kennel or crate, dog bed, & food/water - Pet shower station - Large windows - Built-in waggle-style sensor Not necessary but: - Mudroom or entryway - Fold-down dog ramp - Portable waste disposal system
A wonderful list. I would add: extra strong protective screen for the door- like Brinkley has; storage spot for a large bin of pet food. A partnership with Waggle would be wonderful!
the RV industry is responsible for most of this mess it should NOT take months to fix their shoddy workmanship ..it's amazing to me that they are allowed to mess around until their so called warranty has run out and your stuck having to pay for things that should have been covered and repaired in a timely fashion under warranty ...love your video's Josh keep up the good work
We actually bought our practice rig from you, Josh, when you were at “the other place”. It was used, had flaws, cheap, but allowed us to discover our ability to go full time RVing. We’ve since went to a fifth wheel, and are very happy. We would not have known for sure, had we not bought that cheap used RV first.
"the other place" - Haylett RV? My family's Store? I've only ever really worked out of this one location. We just changed hands at one point when my dad wanted to retire and neither myself nor my brother wanted to run the big show
@@JoshtheRVNerd Sorry, I didn’t know if there might be contracts or something, not allowing the mention of Haylett. Good to know! But yes, we drove all the way from Phoenix, Dec 2017, to buy that Dutchman Aerolite with the squishy floor. You may not remember, but we will never forget! It was a great rig to put us to the test! 😊
Pets-yes , would love a built in sleeping area- under bed or under booth seats. Open and padded like a dog house. Grand Design? Yes, please follow up with photos.
Well said Josh! We really shouldn't have bought our travel trailers (as per many rv influencers) but we scrimped and budgeted so we could have the family memories with our boys and their friends. Would do it again in a heartbeat! We still camp, and our kids and their families still go with us. We started out tent camping and then went up to small trailers. Memories are everything!
First of all… thank you Josh for all the hard work you do for our benefit. We have been talking back and forth about trading the trailer but at this rates we are staying the corse for now. About camping, I try very hard to keep the reservations, only in case of health we don’t cancel but just move it further. About the disrespect of our treasured parks… it’s such a disappointment to see this generation deface beauty that’s been carved by nature for centuries…it all goes back to teaching the difference between right and wrong… and is obvious this people had poor role models in their lives. I feel a sadness about this subject like never before. I just hope my grandkids can have the privilege to enjoy it before is gone or taken away. Be safe and stay happy Josh. Thank you 🙏
You asked for imput on pet friendly RV's, so here's my 2 cents. We purchased a northern spirit 26rbh. No floor vents major selling point. Removed split lower bunk platform for placement of 2 bird cages so we can access cages easily. Great area under queen bed for doggie beds. ( we travel w/2 puppies, 3 parrots, and a 50 lb. Desert tortoise. ) We absolutely love this unit and really I can't think of anything else to improve it. Also, we bought a small Hideout during covid from Bullyan Duluth and can honestly say I'm proud to support this group!
I think the reason cheap travel trailers are selling so much is because so many new vehicles now come with higher tow ratings. So you no longer need to buy a dedicated tow rig that you would need to drive daily. So that means a lower cost of entry if you can just keep your family suv and use that to tow.
Awesome report. I ALWAYS listen to your reports, reviews, whatever. Thank you for your comprehensive reports, I enjoys every one, I’m sure it takes a boatload of editing, and I for one appreciate your work
When it comes to rangers, I really think it is a story of the haves and have nots. Acadia, Yellowstone, Zion all had so many rangers, I couldn't throw a stone without hitting one. But when you get to the lesser known parks, you have one for the entire park.
Great update! We book our campsites in advance. Sometimes it is 12 months, 6 months or less. Usually when we show up there are lots of empty sites. I think there may need to be stiffer penalties for no-shows. Also, our local county park has either 3 day inland or 7 day lakeside minimums. The park is usually only 50% full other than Friday and Saturday which is maybe 80% full. Many lakeside sites have unreservable dates because there may only be 4 or 5 available days. There are rules but there is also common sense. I have talked with everyone at the park but it is what it is. The other thing is people will book all the Friday and Saturday dates during the summer. Because of the liberal cancelation policy they can just cherry pick the dates they actually camp. They will also go check in friends and family for weeks they don't want to camp. I don't know how common this local county park situation is across the country. I have a feeling it may be occurring many other places.
totally agree that there should be penalties for cancellation, also think that even places like state parks should require an up-front non-refundable deposit on all reservations. I think that with such fees in place there would be a lot more availability.
There should be some type of penalty although I have found in the hotel industry that many hotels have a 24 or 48 hour non cancellation policy and it's not to free up rooms it's to stop you from cancelling when you pull in and find the hotel is more or less what used to be call a "flea bag". but you're past your cancellation deadline when you pull in the parking lot.
Furry family needs: entry steps that are shallower and deeper. My lab nearly broke his legs because he never got his hind feet to follow within the step width of where his front feet went. The steps were too slick for his dirty feet too.
I bought my rv from Bullyan RV two years ago. I think I'll drop by and say thank you for being community supportive again. I did not know this until watching your segment even though I live in Duluth. Thank you too.
We took an extended trip down south (Live in Cincinnati) in our Class B van. Campgrounds in Charleston, SC and Ashville, NC were both abut 90% full. Both campgrounds offer quite a few spaces for long term or monthly rentals. I think that is part of the congestion. Many campers may be staying close to home and renting a spot for several months. We also camped during the eclipse and the campground was full. The state park we were in allow for one day camping you had to book at least two nights for the eclipse. Many people left right after the event and got stuck in horrendous traffic jams. Camping prices we have experienced are not to bad. Anywhere in the $40 to $65 range. State parks are always a great bargin. We camp quite regularly in Ohio and Kentucky State Parks. Facilities are nice and clean. A number of the parks have spent money on upgrades (new paved pads, individual showers and bathrooms. Ohio State parks have a system for seniors to get half price on camping during the weekdays. Thanks again for your monthly reports always very enlightening. You are one of the few voices of credibility on the Internet
Josh thanks for another update. Always very informative. Regarding campground costs, I googled and located a KOA campground that was the closest to where our daughter & family lives and found $80/night with full hookups. We stayed at a hotel within the same distance of our daughter's house in early December, that was $51/night w/breakfast. RVing to that destination make no sense. Still looking for other opportunities to justify an RV purchase.
Thanks Nerd! As a pet owner - the pet dish bowl drawer not useful. My dogs DRINK/eat when they want to, so that drawer would have to stay out ALL the time. Perfect thing for me to kick off the tracks when not watching. Now Grand Design's folding pet bowel - better!! Up higher for my tall dogs and I usually see it in floor plans out of the way for me knocking into it. I do wonder how it would hold up to me knocking into it or the dogs playing and running into it. Hope they sell them as individual parts since I have several dogs. Most pet owners have to buy aftermarket monitoring systems to make sure not broiling/freezing their pets when going places they can't take their pets. Some manufacturers are making blue-tooth command panels. Can these be combined with the WiFi as an upgrade? I really think not currently, but that would be next level pet friendly.
We RV BECAUSE we like bringing our pups where we travel. Theater seats and dinettes are less pet friendly than say.....a bigger couch. A HUGE reason we ordered an Ember was the MSL door on the camp side so the dogs can see us by the fire. It's less about including dog bowls and more about where the dog beds might go.....
You asked for feedback. Here's mine. Litter box space would be nice. Somewhere hidden away would great. Thanks for all the info you provide, always enjoy your videos.
We are the Venezia's we have followed you for the last 2 years and we love your commentaries on the latest trends and products. What we found is that if you stay away from the luxury. Campgrounds ie; Disney style $75 and up per night, you know the ones I'm talking about. Rather visit the ones that have a pool, camp store, club house tends to be the more affordable ones $25 per night. Then there is boondocking. Make sure if you choose that option, make sure you have the fresh water, gray and black tank capacity. Those can be free. But whatever option you choose RVing is the best way to get away and meet some great people!
In response to the question about costs, yes it hurts. I'm exceptionally lucky to have a very high paying job I can work remote, and my wife and I jumped into the RV lifestyle with both feet in large part because we both love camping but wanted something that was a sort of split between hotel and camp life. The costs of trucks, RVs, fuel, food, and campgrounds have all jumped so much that the only reason we have stuck around is because we love it so much. I don't think RV camping is currently the "low cost" option it used to be, in part because of the number of folks like myself that have recently jumped into it. I do think that like everything, these things come in waves. I talk with a lot of people that have started to realize it's not what they wanted it to be, and I think that in time a lot of the "covid RVers" will have moved on to more traditional vacations due to a number of factors. Hopefully that will result in cheaper campground costs, and more spaces available at more times.
A big reason for moving to a small class A, was lack of spaces for our 5th wheel. At 31 ft now, we fit in most state parks. At 40 ft we really were restricted from most state parks. State parks aare not big rig friendly, as a general rule. Upscale campgrounds more often enforce the 10 year rule . Went to 1 resort park where the rule had been set by the courts to protect adjacent land owners.
I would love to see RVs with a sturdy bottom half of the screen door that can be obscured. Our Yorkies go nuts if they are in the trailer and can see other dogs go by- if it was obscured they would be fine. We have had to add a panel because a towel or sheet doesn’t cut it.
We got our first trailer this year to upgrade from tent camping, largely so we can more easily boondock for free. Park camping doesn't appeal to me because the fees and fuel costs end up being more than a hotel, especially since I can play with points for hotels and largely stay for free. I looked into one and it was $80 a night for basic hookups and we just have a 20ft trailer, I just don't see the appeal for that cost and effort.
Yes, there definitely should be a penalty for no show campers! I live in Florida and it is a shame to go to State Parks and see the empty sites. People book and due to the low cost, don't show and just eat cost. The State Park reservation site will not release sites for the duration of reservation. Therefore, sites sit vacant even though it shows no vacancies on site. I think it should be like a hotel here in Florida, you don't show first night, cost forfeited and if you don't show by first night checkout time your reservation is cancelled and room is released for others to enjoy! It can be very difficult to secure sites, especially state parks here in Florida and very frustrating to see sites vacant.
as an Australian who's RV industry revolves around many outdated ideas, i am very jealous of what you have there. i would love to see a wider viewing of all the different styles both towable and motorised. i would also say that the YT family Grateful Glamper, have had that very experience in their motorised RV of being told it was too old to be allowed, but have also had other places inspect their motorhome to see if it was up to par before being allowed entry. they are also aware of the growing difficulties of booking sites. here in Australia, a town that i once lived, would see an influx of generational campers from November through to May, which would see a small community triple in size each year. the council had to destroy beachside environment to increase the amount of camping, and revenue, without ever addressing the other flow on issues. as for the issue of comparable travel costs. we have those seasonal and weekend price fluctuations. though the off-peak prices are very similar, peak pricing however is a very different beast. keep up the great work, and I'll see you on the next walk through.
it's funny - when aussies comment on my channel I often hear "we wish we had what you have" But so many americans will comment "the US mfgs have to wake up and build like the Australians" I'm just glad we have a variety of options you know?
As far as costs, we are pretty much exclusively camping at state parks here in Indiana. Price is really good too. But the best part is we are not cramped. Lots of space between sites. And, the 14 day length limit has its benefits also.
I think it’s reasonable for parks to charge a cancellation fee within a week of the date. This will cut down on the "broadcast style reservers" taking lots of spots. It all comes down to basic courtesy, and that should be standard.👍😊
We stopped park camping when everyone started buying RVs in 2020. Campground prices exploded, as did fees and minimum night policies. We stopped going to our favorites, their prices are too close to the hotels. Makes no sense to drag our RV around when the hotels are near the same cost.
We're a newer RV Park in Parksville Canada. Beautiful sandy beaches and wildlife. Our summer rates haven't raised since opening in 2022.A great value especially for Americans due to the exchange rate.
I'm of the opinion campground no-show penalties should be *more* than the campground fee. Like a security deposit that gets refunded if you show or cancel with a week notice. There are a lot of people for whom the campground cost is insignificant compared to everything else (vacation time, gas, etc) and the best way to solve the problem is by causing some financial pain. Also the site should be made available after checkout time on the next day after no show (and the CG should still get to keep the entire duration reservation fee for their trouble).
At campgrounds here in the PNW we're seeing lots of smaller trailers that can be pulled with an SUV or a small truck. We've also noticed younger couples seem to have the fancier/newer camper vans.
I bought a set of really nice collapsible stairs off of Amazon for my dogs to be able to get in and out of my Ford bronco. You might check there and see if there’s something that would work.
Josh, we watched you when we were looking at campers, and you helped us tremendously. We bought it a year ago, and I’m still watching you a year and a half later, and really appreciate all you do. I hope you realize the impact you have on people’s lives. I was cruising RUclips and saw you had an interview with 2 krazy campers, can’t wait to see that. I’m torn on the cancellation fees. State parks allow you to change your reservation with no charge which is one way to handle it, probably would not work in the private sector? National parks only charge a $10 cancellation fee, so I call that cheap travel insurance. In private campgrounds I don’t think that would work, but if they’re holding a spot for you and you cancel last minute, they lose money. The hotel industry does some kind of if you cancel within a certain time, you lose. Maybe some blend like, charge you one night rent as a penalty for late cancellation? As far as the person in the trailer going down the road, I’ve always heard it is illegal in a towable. Maybe the rv industry could help educate people on some basics since common sense has LEFT THE BUILDING, LOL.
There are actually quite a few states in which occupying a towable RV in transit isn't specifically illegal. I do still strongly feel it's not a safe way to travel though
In answer to the question what pet owners would like to see? We have cats and there’s no good place to put a litter box. We also have a bird and it would be nice to incorporate a wall area where you could put a cage. There isn’t an ounce of extra space to do either of those two things.
I greatly appreciate your presentations. It's been many years since my wife and I have owned an RV, 15 to be exact. Now I'm considering purchasing another that would serve a single old individual. Tons of things have changed and improved, for sure. Not only designs, etc. but the costs also. Your addressing the costs of campgrounds is one of those things along with the fuel costs. The information you are providing is helping update my knowledge considerably. Thanks!
Fuel prices are a roller coaster. 1-2 weeks ago diesel was $3.14 and jumped to $3.50 over night. It has dropped to 3.25 as of today and by lunchtime dropped again¡¡¡ in TEXAS
Multiple times in the southwest when trying to reserve a camp site I ha e been asked the age of my trailer only to find upon arrival the camp ground was run down and ill maintained. Go figure.
Liked your analysis of rv industry trends. I think rv parks SHOULD charge late cancellation fees. As you mentioned- my dentist and doctor charges them. It’s respectful of others’ time and efforts.
I always have my dog with me while camping and to answer your question about pets I feel the rv industry has much need for improvement especially the safety aspect.... like alarm messaging to your phone if the ac/ heat would have an issue (fault code or something) also alerts for smoke detectors going off etc.
We have changed our habits and campgrounds due to increased pricing at our "normal" stays. Some of the campgrounds that were charging $60 to $65 a night are now charging $95 to $105 per night. We generally stay 2 or 3 nights at a stop. We are forced to find more economical places to stay and unfortunately travel less.
That's ridiculous, when you are bringing the unit, setting up and they charge as if their giving complementary breakfast, shampoos and coffee. I call BS.
I agree - bought a fifth wheel to roam around alone as I saw fit - you can't do that - you have to have reservations and plan ahead. I sold my fifth wheel and am in the process of selling my f250 - I'm done with RV camping for a while, possibly permanently.
I live in Canada, we have an over 10 yo pull behind, we keep it up well. We travel to US yearly and have found that RV sites restrict age of RV to stay, this can be a challenge. Also, we lost a hub last year and a big RV dealer were basically not willing to help get us back on the road saying they couldnt find an axle, we lost spindle as we had to pull it off freeway to dealership. I called an mobile repair company, they had an axle within 12 hours and had us back up ans going, yes we paid double what we should have, but we were 4 days away from home. We are now considering getting rid of our trailer so we do not have to deal with possible issues in past. Dealers need to realize people traveling do not have 3 weeks to wait to get repaired.
@@vh3531 most likely, but I was in an area I did not know and in a city. A friend down there found an axle afterwards at 1/10th the cost. Frustrating thing was dealer didn't try as the mobile mechanic found a place to make one only 30 minutes away.
I have owned a 2007 Jayco Motorhome in good condition for 5 years and I have never been turned away from any park even when they have a older camper policy
Yes, there are plenty of "snooty" parks that won't allow an RV older than 10 years regardless of type and some don't allow vans or pop ups at all regardless of year. We were turned away for our travel trailer being "too short". They claimed they didn't want the park to look like a campground.
Once again a very informative video thank you. Our pups are a part of the family and travel with us they love a good vacation too. I do have a suggestion for a pet friendly modification that others might agree with. Full screen door are great for ventilation but some type of protection at the lower quarter of the door would be nice and prevent the occasional pet screen accident.
Campground costs, I really don't do private campgrounds for the most part. Except where there is a "mom and pop" operation near where I want to stay. Headed to Newfoundland this summer. Basically Canadian National parks and Provincial parks. All between $20 and $50 night. A big bonus is the fact the parks are there because it is a great place to be.
As an rver that does not have a pet, but has had pets most of my life....I would suggest that they make pet friendly additions to RVs optional. For non pet owners, we wouldn't want space used for something that we would not need. Or make the space convertible for other uses? We do not, currently, have pets due to the, often, inconvenience of taking them along; from them not being allowed on national park hiking trails, to keeping them comfortable in the RV when we're not there.
Food and water and easy clean are certainly useful, but I would love it if they put some space aside for a dog pen or cat litter box. I know it's space that is often in short supply, but would love if they could fit a 24"x24"x24" space under a counter, bed, or someplace for the pets. There is never a place for the litter box. I have to put it in the shower tub currently. As I need ful-time desk space, I'm looking at RV's with a dinet bar and hoping the litter box (or future kenel) can fit under that as well. Those people not traveling with pets could use it for extra storage.
We have a friend that was turned away at a park. Was told his camper looked too old. He was going to renovate it so thought that was the time to do it. Looks pretty sharp on the outside now.
As far as camp site availability the southeast has plenty plenty of sites especially in the fall and spring. Mississippi has very nice state parks and available. Gulf state park , Alabama only had to reserve a month before. Alabama also plenty of available state park spots.
A place for a cat/litter box for sure!! Would be nice if it was a hidden away place maybe in the under bed area, or under a side table…not sure of the solution.
Ive been saying this, rv sales will continue to drop, prices are to high by alot. Intrest rates are to high. Campground prices are crazy high so im thinking smaller rigs are popular due to easier to boondock with. People just dont have money and with high cost and high intrest rates even financing isnt affordable. And then there is fuel prices and that slows down all road travel.
Thank you Josh! As always, great update. Really puts things in perspective. And yes, being older than you... Make those memories now. There is no better time and you're not guaranteed more opportunities later. ❤
Hi Josh! Thanks for all this info. So, living in New England I can tell you that prices keep going up and trying to get a reservations is a full time job in and of itself. Our season is pretty short so if you don't jump on it in early January, it is slim pickings. We prefer more remote, off the beaten path locations which is why getting our boondocking capacity up to snuff a priority. Appreciate your work as always! Barret P.S. As you can see we have 4 dogs who travel with us. I have seen some 5th wheels w/dog bowls built into kitchen cabinetry which is nice. Leash hooks/D rings on exterior of units would be great! Thanks for including we pet owners ❤
Here in Oregon for the state parks you have to be Johnny on the spot at 6AM six months in advance to get an RV spot for the summer. I have a small (13 ft) trailer and have thought a bigger one would be nicer but competition to get the bigger RV spots is so cut throat where the shorter sites are more readily available because nobody wants them because their trailers are too long for them, and since we only use the trailer to sleep in, we cook and live outside when we're camping, it seems the best option just to have the opportunity to even go.
The websites vs the reality of the campground, in terms of being full, does not match up much of the time. I've learned to call if I can't get a site booked online and almost always hear "we have sites open" when I do.
When Covid came the rv parks that full time travelers frequented became trailer parks. Cost went up, safety and cleanliness went down. Any park that was affordable was overrun with kooks and any place that was free resembled a 60's hippie sit in. My wife and I quit rv wandering and bought a brand new house because it was cheaper and safer. I don't hate park owners who want to make more money but it really made an enjoyable lifestyle much less pleasant.
I rarely go to any campgrounds that take reservations because they’re always filled up. And from what I’ve heard, they’re not actually filled up with people, because people don’t bother to cancel. The cost of reservations for a lot of folks is so low at state parks that they just don’t bother to cancel and yeah, they book multiple weekends and wait for the weather. It’s BS. I wish it was just first come first serve and all of them. I’m on the spontaneity side.
Campground prices are out of control, if we are honest. With all the costs of ownership, it’s harder to justify. I can’t find a campground without booking several months out, which makes me question the value.
Good talk. Just returned from a trip visiting elderly family members back in the Midwest. I was reminded of why we won't move back the couple of nights the campground water was shutoff for overnight temps in the 20's. Here at home we've been running our AC for a couple of weeks now and didn't expect to go back to winter weather. Our type of winter weather at least. I think the RV industry needs some regulation. From a customer's perspective it has been run too loose to the point that it is too easy to pass the buck and not resolve the customer's problems. While the RV industry might not like the regulation there is no valid argument that they should not be treated and run like other consumer facing franchises such as automobiles. I think there are other reasons some folks decide against a motorhome beside cost. If you carry a TOAD you aren't saving any hookup and disconnect time and in some cases it will actually take longer to hookup the TOAD than it does a travel trailer. Another is finding camping spots. It is generally easier to find a camping spot for a travel trailer and its tow vehicle than a say Class As which tend to favor longer lengths. Class Cs tend to favor shorter lengths but the space and layouts are frequently not as nice or livable as a similar sized travel trailer. They also have parking issues if you don't have a TOAD and have to use the RV for local transportation. I think interest rates will drop later this year but it isn't going to be in large jumps in order to not re-stimulate inflation. I also don't think you will see rates get as low as they were before the FED started tightening as they need some room to stimulate the economy in a future recession. My gut feeling is rates will end up being closer to the pre 2008 historical average once the FED is done with its work. I think the reason Grand Design is pulled out by itself is they are the only Winnebago brand that offers a 5th wheel. With Thor and FR it is easier to aggregate their brands for reporting purposes. I know of some parks that treat motorhomes the same as trailers on the 10 year rule. We don't keep a trailer that long nor have we ever visited a park that asked. Gas prices didn't affect our decision to head up to the Midwest (Northern Illinois). If you want to travel you pay the price one way or another. I was surprised though to find some places where diesel was less than regular unleaded gas. Prices we've paid on our recent trips were a little higher at the private campgrounds we usually stay at but not by a whole lot. About $5 - $10 per night. At state campgrounds the costs are pretty much the same as they have been for the past 10 years. On the rare occasion we stay at hotels we typically go to higher end brands so campgrounds tend to be less expensive. However once you figure in the cost of the trailer even high end hotels are less expensive than camping. I've probably said this before but we don't camp when traveling as a cost savings measure but more for the personal space and privacy we have with the trailer. We miss the spontaneity of making the decision a few days before going to a nearby state campground. You had to work in a Rick roll didn't you? My understanding is the GD Class C is slated for release this summer. I know it is using a Mercedes chassis but that is about it. I'd like to see a walk-through to see what they did and maybe see if any of it might make it into their trailer line.
When camping, we always stay at state campgrounds, they don't offer the amenities that private campgrounds do, but they are more rustic and offer a more "camping experience". I've camped at Yogi Bear many times and the price has shot up to the point that I don't bother with them any more. I will say that they did add cabins, (at the expense of trailer sites) and the one we use to go to added a small water park, not knocking them, if you have kids, its a great time.
Aloha Josh, I’m planning on buying a used pre COVID 29 class c. Im looking at a specific floor plan that will allow me to have a dedicated spot for the litter box. I rented one and I had to put it either in the shower or under the table. Both spots were cumbersome. The Thor four wind/chateau 23U have this bench/lounger table to the right of the entry door. I plan on ripping that out and putting a cabinet to hold the litter box. It would be nice to have cat friendly RVs.
I’m 60 years old and just purchased a 2024 Coleman 17b bunkhouse. It’s small and compact and lightweight. My 2012 Jeep Liberty 🗽 can tow without a problem. I only pay $550.00 a month at a private RV park in Las Vegas. Just left a new 55 and over community. 🤗
After surviving necrotizing pancreatitis, being hit by a truck at 65 on my bike and three major cancer surgeries…. We bought our camper to make memories. Life can be gone in the blink of an eye. Take time to enjoy it. Happy camping everyone and hug your loved ones ❤
Damn paa
Enjoy and soak it all in. My hat’s off to you. (Figuratively, anyway, as I rarely wear hats.😜 ) May you have many blessings ahead!
Wow… wow.. this is incredible
@@JoshtheRVNerd that’s why I can’t stop writing songs
Dang that’s incredible. You’re not meant to leave this earth yet so enjoy your time here 🙏🏻
Im too old to drive now, so I set up a two trailer RV park in my backyard.
All my kids , grandkids, and great grand kids come and visit me weekly :)❤❤😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
that actually sounds super fun
This is my plan too. I’m going one better and giving my daughter my Outdoor Recreation Black Rock trailer so her and my grandkids can visit with all the comforts of their home. That plan is still 11 years (and counting) away.
Just got back from our 2 month florida trip ( from Michigan )
We stayed at 2 what I call resort campgrounds ( pool, hot tube, paved roads, paved under rv and patio ) lots of trees and not too close to the next site....very nice!! We stayed for a month each place.
1st place was $1500, 2nd was 1200. Add to that $1000 for fuel there and back. Tatal $3700.
Divide that by 60 days and its
$61 per night. Remember it's including fuel.
Where else can you go on vacation for $61 a day with transportation cost?
We're retired, and the rv is paid for, and we understand not everyone is in our position, but we still consider it a value.
The rest of this years camping trips are 1 to 2 weeks each and within 1 tank of fuel each.
Have a Jesus filled day everyone
Greg in Michigan
That’s it!
Need to factor in the cost of the RV.
@ride-electric
Yep.
Just passing along how much a
2 month trip cost.
Truck and trailer extra.
Ours are paid for.
Less than a month stay and the daily rate will most probably double or triple the rate.
@@ecowise9700
Yep....
$80 per night to be exact
I posted this to show people how much a 2 month trip would be.
Big savings for those who are retired like us.
When I bought my RV, one of the things that shocked me was the lack of quality and accountability from the dealer and expectation of warranty fulfillment. I'm all for regulating the RV industry closer to the standard of the auto industry.
My rig is a 2024. If I see a "Ten Year Rule" on a campground website, I won't do business with them.
No one should, we campers need to stick together, top to bottom.
I see no problem with the 10 yr. Rule.
Agree 100%.
If people can pay the rate it's a form of discrimination that targets different parts of the population.
A lot of them have no choice in it. In North Texas it is the counties that make the ten yr rule.
If a county makes that regulation, make them aware you won't go there with your newer rig. Stand together or soon it'll be 5Yr.rule.
"I only have so many years to make memories with my kid, I can always make more money later". Very, very well said. I wish more people in the world would realize that thought in life itself. Maybe if people realized that all the anger and hate they spout only leads to more anger and hate. Josh, I bet you are a good dad and husband because you really seem to be a good man with a good head on his shoulders. I watch your videos for info, but i love the nerdisms... Thank you...
Thank the viewer that originally said it. I should try to look up that comment
Completely agree. This hits home.
Here is the God's word
1Timothy 6: 10: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
The problem is Devil runs the world. He is lier and murderer. This is the reason why love of money is everywhere.
That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom. Jehovah would put everything in order. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)
Sometimes, I travel with my wife, but I always travel with my dog. In my motorized RV, he has no way to look outside without climbing on the furniture. He really has no adequate space for his food and water, and I had to buy a large rubber mat to avoid water spills on the floor. There should be an interior grill guard on the door to avoid torn screens. RV entrance steps are not pet friendly if your pet has arthritis. The angle is too steep for a conventional ramp and often I have to carry him in and out of the rig. There should be a way to tether a crate to secure it while traveling, rather than my Rube Goldberg approach.
"sometimes my wife.. but ALWAYS my dog" lol :)
We are state park, corp of engineers and national forest campers. We need dirt and space and relative quiet.
Would LOVE to hear more about any sub 25 feet "Class C" motorhomes etc - Grand Design or Otherwise.
Separately - Definitely traveling with the Dog 😃
The BEST thing RV manufacturers could offer me is a way to monitor the internal temp of the RV remotely so that on the very rare times I can't bring him with me, I KNOW without having to buy a separate system that my furry friend is absolutely safe.
I’ll see what I can do
One thing I’ve seen that I really like is where 40 - 50% of the sites in a park are first-come and the rest are reservable.
I like that idea..
Pet friendly... no carpet, ventless floor, built-in vacuum, seating (extra couch space or space for a pet bed) and the biggest thing is entry storage for everyone (a place for jackets, leashes, shoes, keys, sunglasses, wallet, poop bags).
Little things matter too! Everybody does the no-see um screens on the door but whenever you walk past somebody's place that has a little dog in there they're always up on that door scratching that no see um.
Those are good ideas!
I really believe the guys who design RVs have never, ever gone camping.
We need women to design these rigs!
Look at the Surveyors they have all of that
We're two year full-timers, so we don't stay in RV Parks who charge more than $50/night. We have seen the ten-year rule (it doesn't apply to us yet) and we have decided to go elsewhere. We stay in the US West, so take that for what its worth. It's appearing more commonly in AZ, and CO and WY.
We have changed our camping style, and tend to go to a place one night at a time and then if we like it, spring for a week. We "never" make reservations, and seldom plan - weather is just too unpredictable, particularly in Spring. We don't dodge rain, but dodge hail, tornadoes, flooding and freezing weather for sure. At a result, the Number one thing we look for is cellular service. We just NEED it, if only for emergencies and weather prediction.
Thank you for these updates. I have worked in sales, and in mfg, and I know just how difficult it is to do what you do.
My pleasure!
Prices are ridiculously high. I refuse to camp in a formal campground and pay more than a hotel room.
I was turned away from an RV park in Mesa,AZ because my motorhome was over 10 years old. I had to send them a picture and they still turned me away. There was nothing wrong with the spake and vision of my 30' Winnebago. Yes, cancelling campground at the last minute should have a fee.
The cost of camping has gone up. My parents actually sold their RV because they could no longer go as often as they wanted and decided that buying a second house was actually likely going to be the better investment in the medium term. RV costs up, camping costs up, maintenance costs up, parts issues, etc all played into the decision. My family has been RVers for generations (both my mom and dad’s sides). At this point, everyone has sold out. My wife and I would like to get into the RV space, but even going tent camping is becoming difficult because of supply and demand. I’m so excited that so many people have found the great outdoors! I’m sure the supply side will eventually catch up, but in the mean time folks are having to make tough calls.
The feedback you asked for: I travel with cats, and the answer is no. No vents in the floor is nice, but there is no good place for a litter box and food/water dishes. There often are openings that cats can get through into places they can't get out of. I have a nobo now and just had to take apart some panels to rescue a cat who had gotten through a tiny gap to the space under the slide.
that is why I leave my fuzzy at home. He would do that.
I travel with my kitty in my GeoPro. Fortunately, my GeoPro doesn’t have hiding places. i can find my boy when he’s hiding. I also agree that manufacturers NEED to consider ways to close off those small openings where a small pet could hide. I totally agree about needing a practical place for the litter box.
We have had a Montana 5th and now a Imagine 2600. Both I made a passage into the front storage area for a cat box for our two cats. Worked great.
As a pet owner, I would be thrilled if there was a dedicated enclosed pet area with a pet door (so they can go in and out freely, or be closed in if needed), that has it's own low-wattage climate control (heat and cooling), so that if I must leave them in there while I go grocery shopping or something, I don't need to worry that they'll get too hot or too cold, without needing to heat/cool the entire unit or leave the generator running while I'm not there to keep an eye on things. It must have a window so they can see outside while they wait.
I don't know anyone else that can articulate all issues in critical thinking, but put all the information in a baseline conversation so everyone understands the different parts of rvs and campgrounds. Thank you for your industry imput and allowing the public to share.
wow ty for that
I live in Florida. I'll clarify. I'm born and raised in Florida. If you shop around, a "resort" is 60 to 70 a night full hook up. That has been pretty consistent for the past 4 years. In the winter, it's extremely difficult to find a spot as the snow birds have them booked. As such, prices are also higher in the winter months. State parks are cheaper but, again, unbookable from October through April.
It's been since 2019 but we traveled from Michigan to Topsail Hill Resort State Park in Destin and loved it. The campsites were wonderfully placed and the park was beautiful. We booked early but it was the end of April and there always seemed to be an empty site. We want to do it again but have to be around to help aging parents.
Speaking of snowbirds
Around here in the winter we call Florida “South Michigan”
I have friends with older motor homes and when age comes up, they send the campground a photo of their rig. They are extremely well maintained and look as good as or better than some newer motorhomes. They have never been turned away after the photo has been sent. So take care of your rig.
regarding your question about dog-friendly RV features, I broke it down by Must Have, Nice to Have, and Not Necessary But Useful. I can think of a bunch more but i thing we spoil Sasha and Styles.
Must-haves:
- Easy-to-clean/disinfect flooring
- Durable furniture, most of the RV furniture is cruddy IMO. something with stain-resistant fabrics would be ideal
- Good ventilation
- Leash tie-down
- Storage space
Nice to have:
- Built-in dog kennel or crate, dog bed, & food/water
- Pet shower station
- Large windows
- Built-in waggle-style sensor
Not necessary but:
- Mudroom or entryway
- Fold-down dog ramp
- Portable waste disposal system
This is so great. Ty
A wonderful list. I would add: extra strong protective screen for the door- like Brinkley has; storage spot for a large bin of pet food. A partnership with Waggle would be wonderful!
the RV industry is responsible for most of this mess it should NOT take months to fix their shoddy workmanship ..it's amazing to me that they are allowed to mess around until their so called warranty has run out and your stuck having to pay for things that should have been covered and repaired in a timely fashion under warranty ...love your video's Josh keep up the good work
Any dealer that sells a brand you purchased should be required to do warranty work.
Pet Friendly-remote temperature monitoring system, built in vacuum, entryway storage for leashes, no carpet.
We actually bought our practice rig from you, Josh, when you were at “the other place”. It was used, had flaws, cheap, but allowed us to discover our ability to go full time RVing. We’ve since went to a fifth wheel, and are very happy. We would not have known for sure, had we not bought that cheap used RV first.
"the other place" - Haylett RV? My family's Store?
I've only ever really worked out of this one location. We just changed hands at one point when my dad wanted to retire and neither myself nor my brother wanted to run the big show
@@JoshtheRVNerd Sorry, I didn’t know if there might be contracts or something, not allowing the mention of Haylett. Good to know! But yes, we drove all the way from Phoenix, Dec 2017, to buy that Dutchman Aerolite with the squishy floor. You may not remember, but we will never forget! It was a great rig to put us to the test! 😊
Pets-yes , would love a built in sleeping area- under bed or under booth seats. Open and padded like a dog house. Grand Design? Yes, please follow up with photos.
Well said Josh! We really shouldn't have bought our travel trailers (as per many rv influencers) but we scrimped and budgeted so we could have the family memories with our boys and their friends.
Would do it again in a heartbeat! We still camp, and our kids and their families still go with us. We started out tent camping and then went up to small trailers. Memories are everything!
TY Terry! Safe travels
First of all… thank you Josh for all the hard work you do for our benefit.
We have been talking back and forth about trading the trailer but at this rates we are staying the corse for now.
About camping, I try very hard to keep the reservations, only in case of health we don’t cancel but just move it further.
About the disrespect of our treasured parks… it’s such a disappointment to see this generation deface beauty that’s been carved by nature for centuries…it all goes back to teaching the difference between right and wrong… and is obvious this people had poor role models in their lives. I feel a sadness about this subject like never before. I just hope my grandkids can have the privilege to enjoy it before is gone or taken away.
Be safe and stay happy Josh. Thank you 🙏
You asked for imput on pet friendly RV's, so here's my 2 cents. We purchased a northern spirit 26rbh. No floor vents major selling point. Removed split lower bunk platform for placement of 2 bird cages so we can access cages easily. Great area under queen bed for doggie beds. ( we travel w/2 puppies, 3 parrots, and a 50 lb. Desert tortoise. ) We absolutely love this unit and really I can't think of anything else to improve it.
Also, we bought a small Hideout during covid from Bullyan Duluth and can honestly say I'm proud to support this group!
Ty Mike
I think the reason cheap travel trailers are selling so much is because so many new vehicles now come with higher tow ratings. So you no longer need to buy a dedicated tow rig that you would need to drive daily. So that means a lower cost of entry if you can just keep your family suv and use that to tow.
Awesome report. I ALWAYS listen to your reports, reviews, whatever. Thank you for your comprehensive reports, I enjoys every one, I’m sure it takes a boatload of editing, and I for one appreciate your work
Thank you very much!
When it comes to rangers, I really think it is a story of the haves and have nots. Acadia, Yellowstone, Zion all had so many rangers, I couldn't throw a stone without hitting one. But when you get to the lesser known parks, you have one for the entire park.
Great update! We book our campsites in advance. Sometimes it is 12 months, 6 months or less. Usually when we show up there are lots of empty sites. I think there may need to be stiffer penalties for no-shows. Also, our local county park has either 3 day inland or 7 day lakeside minimums. The park is usually only 50% full other than Friday and Saturday which is maybe 80% full. Many lakeside sites have unreservable dates because there may only be 4 or 5 available days. There are rules but there is also common sense. I have talked with everyone at the park but it is what it is. The other thing is people will book all the Friday and Saturday dates during the summer. Because of the liberal cancelation policy they can just cherry pick the dates they actually camp. They will also go check in friends and family for weeks they don't want to camp. I don't know how common this local county park situation is across the country. I have a feeling it may be occurring many other places.
totally agree that there should be penalties for cancellation, also think that even places like state parks should require an up-front non-refundable deposit on all reservations. I think that with such fees in place there would be a lot more availability.
There should be some type of penalty although I have found in the hotel industry that many hotels have a 24 or 48 hour non cancellation policy and it's not to free up rooms it's to stop you from cancelling when you pull in and find the hotel is more or less what used to be call a "flea bag". but you're past your cancellation deadline when you pull in the parking lot.
Furry family needs: entry steps that are shallower and deeper. My lab nearly broke his legs because he never got his hind feet to follow within the step width of where his front feet went. The steps were too slick for his dirty feet too.
There definitely should be a stiff penalty for late cancellation or no -shows. It is a particularly bad problem with the State parks in MI!!
I bought my rv from Bullyan RV two years ago. I think I'll drop by and say thank you for being community supportive again. I did not know this until watching your segment even though I live in Duluth. Thank you too.
I'm sure they'd appreciate it
We took an extended trip down south (Live in Cincinnati) in our Class B van. Campgrounds in Charleston, SC and Ashville, NC were both abut 90% full. Both campgrounds offer quite a few spaces for long term or monthly rentals. I think that is part of the congestion. Many campers may be staying close to home and renting a spot for several months. We also camped during the eclipse and the campground was full. The state park we were in allow for one day camping you had to book at least two nights for the eclipse. Many people left right after the event and got stuck in horrendous traffic jams. Camping prices we have experienced are not to bad. Anywhere in the $40 to $65 range. State parks are always a great bargin. We camp quite regularly in Ohio and Kentucky State Parks. Facilities are nice and clean. A number of the parks have spent money on upgrades (new paved pads, individual showers and bathrooms. Ohio State parks have a system for seniors to get half price on camping during the weekdays.
Thanks again for your monthly reports always very enlightening. You are one of the few voices of credibility on the Internet
Josh thanks for another update. Always very informative. Regarding campground costs, I googled and located a KOA campground that was the closest to where our daughter & family lives and found $80/night with full hookups. We stayed at a hotel within the same distance of our daughter's house in early December, that was $51/night w/breakfast. RVing to that destination make no sense. Still looking for other opportunities to justify an RV purchase.
Thanks for the info!
Thanks Nerd! As a pet owner - the pet dish bowl drawer not useful. My dogs DRINK/eat when they want to, so that drawer would have to stay out ALL the time. Perfect thing for me to kick off the tracks when not watching. Now Grand Design's folding pet bowel - better!! Up higher for my tall dogs and I usually see it in floor plans out of the way for me knocking into it. I do wonder how it would hold up to me knocking into it or the dogs playing and running into it. Hope they sell them as individual parts since I have several dogs.
Most pet owners have to buy aftermarket monitoring systems to make sure not broiling/freezing their pets when going places they can't take their pets. Some manufacturers are making blue-tooth command panels. Can these be combined with the WiFi as an upgrade? I really think not currently, but that would be next level pet friendly.
Heat monitoring! Thats a great idea
We RV BECAUSE we like bringing our pups where we travel. Theater seats and dinettes are less pet friendly than say.....a bigger couch.
A HUGE reason we ordered an Ember was the MSL door on the camp side so the dogs can see us by the fire. It's less about including dog bowls and more about where the dog beds might go.....
This is great to know. TY Bill
You asked for feedback. Here's mine. Litter box space would be nice. Somewhere hidden away would great. Thanks for all the info you provide, always enjoy your videos.
ty
I have seen my favorites RV Parks double in price per night in the last 3 years.
We are the Venezia's we have followed you for the last 2 years and we love your commentaries on the latest trends and products. What we found is that if you stay away from the luxury. Campgrounds ie; Disney style $75 and up per night, you know the ones I'm talking about. Rather visit the ones that have a pool, camp store, club house tends to be the more affordable ones $25 per night. Then there is boondocking. Make sure if you choose that option, make sure you have the fresh water, gray and black tank capacity. Those can be free. But whatever option you choose RVing is the best way to get away and meet some great people!
Camping cheap really often is camping fun
For the items manufacturers could add to their RVs I think, feeding bowls someplace to maybe slide in and out and cubby spaces for the dog or cat
Late fee 100%. Should be first night is nonrefundable if canceling reservations 7 days before arrival.
A lot of places are doing (That I have looked at), are doing this.
In response to the question about costs, yes it hurts. I'm exceptionally lucky to have a very high paying job I can work remote, and my wife and I jumped into the RV lifestyle with both feet in large part because we both love camping but wanted something that was a sort of split between hotel and camp life.
The costs of trucks, RVs, fuel, food, and campgrounds have all jumped so much that the only reason we have stuck around is because we love it so much. I don't think RV camping is currently the "low cost" option it used to be, in part because of the number of folks like myself that have recently jumped into it.
I do think that like everything, these things come in waves. I talk with a lot of people that have started to realize it's not what they wanted it to be, and I think that in time a lot of the "covid RVers" will have moved on to more traditional vacations due to a number of factors. Hopefully that will result in cheaper campground costs, and more spaces available at more times.
A big reason for moving to a small class A, was lack of spaces for our 5th wheel. At 31 ft now, we fit in most state parks. At 40 ft we really were restricted from most state parks. State parks aare not big rig friendly, as a general rule. Upscale campgrounds more often enforce the 10 year rule . Went to 1 resort park where the rule had been set by the courts to protect adjacent land owners.
I would love to see RVs with a sturdy bottom half of the screen door that can be obscured. Our Yorkies go nuts if they are in the trailer and can see other dogs go by- if it was obscured they would be fine. We have had to add a panel because a towel or sheet doesn’t cut it.
We got our first trailer this year to upgrade from tent camping, largely so we can more easily boondock for free. Park camping doesn't appeal to me because the fees and fuel costs end up being more than a hotel, especially since I can play with points for hotels and largely stay for free. I looked into one and it was $80 a night for basic hookups and we just have a 20ft trailer, I just don't see the appeal for that cost and effort.
Yes, there definitely should be a penalty for no show campers! I live in Florida and it is a shame to go to State Parks and see the empty sites. People book and due to the low cost, don't show and just eat cost.
The State Park reservation site will not release sites for the duration of reservation. Therefore, sites sit vacant even though it shows no vacancies on site.
I think it should be like a hotel here in Florida, you don't show first night, cost forfeited and if you don't show by first night checkout time your reservation is cancelled and room is released for others to enjoy!
It can be very difficult to secure sites, especially state parks here in Florida and very frustrating to see sites vacant.
Ty Jeffrey
as an Australian who's RV industry revolves around many outdated ideas, i am very jealous of what you have there. i would love to see a wider viewing of all the different styles both towable and motorised.
i would also say that the YT family Grateful Glamper, have had that very experience in their motorised RV of being told it was too old to be allowed, but have also had other places inspect their motorhome to see if it was up to par before being allowed entry. they are also aware of the growing difficulties of booking sites.
here in Australia, a town that i once lived, would see an influx of generational campers from November through to May, which would see a small community triple in size each year. the council had to destroy beachside environment to increase the amount of camping, and revenue, without ever addressing the other flow on issues.
as for the issue of comparable travel costs. we have those seasonal and weekend price fluctuations. though the off-peak prices are very similar, peak pricing however is a very different beast.
keep up the great work, and I'll see you on the next walk through.
it's funny - when aussies comment on my channel I often hear "we wish we had what you have"
But so many americans will comment "the US mfgs have to wake up and build like the Australians"
I'm just glad we have a variety of options you know?
As far as costs, we are pretty much exclusively camping at state parks here in Indiana. Price is really good too. But the best part is we are not cramped. Lots of space between sites. And, the 14 day length limit has its benefits also.
I think it’s reasonable for parks to charge a cancellation fee within a week of the date. This will cut down on the "broadcast style reservers" taking lots of spots. It all comes down to basic courtesy, and that should be standard.👍😊
yep. I agree. Just feels like a trashy way to conduct one's self
We stopped park camping when everyone started buying RVs in 2020. Campground prices exploded, as did fees and minimum night policies. We stopped going to our favorites, their prices are too close to the hotels. Makes no sense to drag our RV around when the hotels are near the same cost.
and you can steal the little soaps, k cups, a roll of TP and many have free breakfast, so yeah , why drag an RV, ? when you can save on fuel as well.
Your dog is safer in a hotel room, crated, than in an RV.
We're a newer RV Park in Parksville Canada. Beautiful sandy beaches and wildlife. Our summer rates haven't raised since opening in 2022.A great value especially for Americans due to the exchange rate.
I'm of the opinion campground no-show penalties should be *more* than the campground fee. Like a security deposit that gets refunded if you show or cancel with a week notice. There are a lot of people for whom the campground cost is insignificant compared to everything else (vacation time, gas, etc) and the best way to solve the problem is by causing some financial pain. Also the site should be made available after checkout time on the next day after no show (and the CG should still get to keep the entire duration reservation fee for their trouble).
At campgrounds here in the PNW we're seeing lots of smaller trailers that can be pulled with an SUV or a small truck. We've also noticed younger couples seem to have the fancier/newer camper vans.
There's definitely some trends there. TY
Stairs going up to the beds in class C + B campers! For LG. and Sm. Dogs. Should be included!
I bought a set of really nice collapsible stairs off of Amazon for my dogs to be able to get in and out of my Ford bronco. You might check there and see if there’s something that would work.
Josh, we watched you when we were looking at campers, and you helped us tremendously. We bought it a year ago, and I’m still watching you a year and a half later, and really appreciate all you do. I hope you realize the impact you have on people’s lives. I was cruising RUclips and saw you had an interview with 2 krazy campers, can’t wait to see that. I’m torn on the cancellation fees. State parks allow you to change your reservation with no charge which is one way to handle it, probably would not work in the private sector? National parks only charge a $10 cancellation fee, so I call that cheap travel insurance. In private campgrounds I don’t think that would work, but if they’re holding a spot for you and you cancel last minute, they lose money. The hotel industry does some kind of if you cancel within a certain time, you lose. Maybe some blend like, charge you one night rent as a penalty for late cancellation? As far as the person in the trailer going down the road, I’ve always heard it is illegal in a towable. Maybe the rv industry could help educate people on some basics since common sense has LEFT THE BUILDING, LOL.
There are actually quite a few states in which occupying a towable RV in transit isn't specifically illegal. I do still strongly feel it's not a safe way to travel though
In answer to the question what pet owners would like to see? We have cats and there’s no good place to put a litter box. We also have a bird and it would be nice to incorporate a wall area where you could put a cage. There isn’t an ounce of extra space to do either of those two things.
I greatly appreciate your presentations. It's been many years since my wife and I have owned an RV, 15 to be exact. Now I'm considering purchasing another that would serve a single old individual. Tons of things have changed and improved, for sure. Not only designs, etc. but the costs also. Your addressing the costs of campgrounds is one of those things along with the fuel costs. The information you are providing is helping update my knowledge considerably. Thanks!
Our pleasure!
Fuel prices are a roller coaster.
1-2 weeks ago diesel was $3.14 and jumped to $3.50 over night. It has dropped to 3.25 as of today and by lunchtime dropped again¡¡¡ in TEXAS
Texas usually has lower prices per gallon from what I've seen as well
You look too young to remember Schoolhouse Rock. My fave was Conjunction Junction and now that tune will be in my head for days 😂
What’s your function?
I might be 41 but my hairline is 54 and awaiting an AARP card 😆
School House Rock! What a throw back Josh! Only you can think of random things and somehow connect it to RV's and/or camping.
☺
Multiple times in the southwest when trying to reserve a camp site I ha e been asked the age of my trailer only to find upon arrival the camp ground was run down and ill maintained. Go figure.
😂
Hi Josh and all! Yes please keep ear to the ground of motorized grand design progress, thanks!
Liked your analysis of rv industry trends. I think rv parks SHOULD charge late cancellation fees. As you mentioned- my dentist and doctor charges them. It’s respectful of others’ time and efforts.
I feel similarly myself
Thank you for the kind words Josh!
Well earned. You deserve it and the respect
I always have my dog with me while camping and to answer your question about pets I feel the rv industry has much need for improvement especially the safety aspect.... like alarm messaging to your phone if the ac/ heat would have an issue (fault code or something) also alerts for smoke detectors going off etc.
Heat monitoring as well!
We have changed our habits and campgrounds due to increased pricing at our "normal" stays. Some of the campgrounds that were charging $60 to $65 a night are now charging $95 to $105 per night. We generally stay 2 or 3 nights at a stop. We are forced to find more economical places to stay and unfortunately travel less.
That's ridiculous, when you are bringing the unit, setting up and they charge as if their giving complementary breakfast, shampoos and coffee. I call BS.
I agree - bought a fifth wheel to roam around alone as I saw fit - you can't do that - you have to have reservations and plan ahead. I sold my fifth wheel and am in the process of selling my f250 - I'm done with RV camping for a while, possibly permanently.
Sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you
What’s next in the plans?
@@JoshtheRVNerd I don't know, looking for a place to live now. :)
I live in Canada, we have an over 10 yo pull behind, we keep it up well. We travel to US yearly and have found that RV sites restrict age of RV to stay, this can be a challenge. Also, we lost a hub last year and a big RV dealer were basically not willing to help get us back on the road saying they couldnt find an axle, we lost spindle as we had to pull it off freeway to dealership. I called an mobile repair company, they had an axle within 12 hours and had us back up ans going, yes we paid double what we should have, but we were 4 days away from home. We are now considering getting rid of our trailer so we do not have to deal with possible issues in past. Dealers need to realize people traveling do not have 3 weeks to wait to get repaired.
TY for sharing this.
Bet a farm store like Tractor Supply would've had a complete axle.
@@vh3531 most likely, but I was in an area I did not know and in a city. A friend down there found an axle afterwards at 1/10th the cost. Frustrating thing was dealer didn't try as the mobile mechanic found a place to make one only 30 minutes away.
Just finished picking up our Rockwood mini lite. Thanks to all at Bish’s in Coldwater.
🙌🏻
I have owned a 2007 Jayco Motorhome in good condition for 5 years and I have never been turned away from any park even when they have a older camper policy
Yes, there are plenty of "snooty" parks that won't allow an RV older than 10 years regardless of type and some don't allow vans or pop ups at all regardless of year. We were turned away for our travel trailer being "too short". They claimed they didn't want the park to look like a campground.
Once again a very informative video thank you. Our pups are a part of the family and travel with us they love a good vacation too. I do have a suggestion for a pet friendly modification that others might agree with. Full screen door are great for ventilation but some type of protection at the lower quarter of the door would be nice and prevent the occasional pet screen accident.
Campground costs, I really don't do private campgrounds for the most part. Except where there is a "mom and pop" operation near where I want to stay. Headed to Newfoundland this summer. Basically Canadian National parks and Provincial parks. All between $20 and $50 night. A big bonus is the fact the parks are there because it is a great place to be.
Josh!
You da RV NERD!! Of course you (and we) want to cover this new branch of Grand Design RV product portfolio!! Go for it!!
As an rver that does not have a pet, but has had pets most of my life....I would suggest that they make pet friendly additions to RVs optional. For non pet owners, we wouldn't want space used for something that we would not need. Or make the space convertible for other uses? We do not, currently, have pets due to the, often, inconvenience of taking them along; from them not being allowed on national park hiking trails, to keeping them comfortable in the RV when we're not there.
Josh with the "state of the union" address. I love these!
My pleasure!
We stay mainly in state parks here in IN. It is difficult but not impossible to find a spot. IN has fairly good faculities and cost about 35 a night.
Food and water and easy clean are certainly useful, but I would love it if they put some space aside for a dog pen or cat litter box. I know it's space that is often in short supply, but would love if they could fit a 24"x24"x24" space under a counter, bed, or someplace for the pets. There is never a place for the litter box. I have to put it in the shower tub currently. As I need ful-time desk space, I'm looking at RV's with a dinet bar and hoping the litter box (or future kenel) can fit under that as well. Those people not traveling with pets could use it for extra storage.
This is great insight. ty
We have a friend that was turned away at a park. Was told his camper looked too old. He was going to renovate it so thought that was the time to do it. Looks pretty sharp on the outside now.
As far as camp site availability the southeast has plenty plenty of sites especially in the fall and spring. Mississippi has very nice state parks and available. Gulf state park , Alabama only had to reserve a month before. Alabama also plenty of available state park spots.
Thanks for the info!
A place for a cat/litter box for sure!! Would be nice if it was a hidden away place maybe in the under bed area, or under a side table…not sure of the solution.
Thanks Uncle Josh! Also hope the Park Rangers will be able to identify the perps. The rule, take only pictures and leave only footprints!
that's it. That's the way
Ive been saying this, rv sales will continue to drop, prices are to high by alot. Intrest rates are to high. Campground prices are crazy high so im thinking smaller rigs are popular due to easier to boondock with. People just dont have money and with high cost and high intrest rates even financing isnt affordable. And then there is fuel prices and that slows down all road travel.
Thank you Josh! As always, great update. Really puts things in perspective. And yes, being older than you... Make those memories now. There is no better time and you're not guaranteed more opportunities later. ❤
TY!
Hi Josh! Thanks for all this info. So, living in New England I can tell you that prices keep going up and trying to get a reservations is a full time job in and of itself. Our season is pretty short so if you don't jump on it in early January, it is slim pickings. We prefer more remote, off the beaten path locations which is why getting our boondocking capacity up to snuff a priority. Appreciate your work as always! Barret P.S. As you can see we have 4 dogs who travel with us. I have seen some 5th wheels w/dog bowls built into kitchen cabinetry which is nice. Leash hooks/D rings on exterior of units would be great! Thanks for including we pet owners ❤
People don't realize you have that mysterious 5th season over there: MUD SEASON
Here in Oregon for the state parks you have to be Johnny on the spot at 6AM six months in advance to get an RV spot for the summer. I have a small (13 ft) trailer and have thought a bigger one would be nicer but competition to get the bigger RV spots is so cut throat where the shorter sites are more readily available because nobody wants them because their trailers are too long for them, and since we only use the trailer to sleep in, we cook and live outside when we're camping, it seems the best option just to have the opportunity to even go.
The websites vs the reality of the campground, in terms of being full, does not match up much of the time. I've learned to call if I can't get a site booked online and almost always hear "we have sites open" when I do.
that's what I hear over and over
When Covid came the rv parks that full time travelers frequented became trailer parks. Cost went up, safety and cleanliness went down. Any park that was affordable was overrun with kooks and any place that was free resembled a 60's hippie sit in. My wife and I quit rv wandering and bought a brand new house because it was cheaper and safer. I don't hate park owners who want to make more money but it really made an enjoyable lifestyle much less pleasant.
There's a lot of truth to that first line right there I think
Covid built RVs are also total garbage! When I get the repair order it's the first thing that I look at!
I rarely go to any campgrounds that take reservations because they’re always filled up. And from what I’ve heard, they’re not actually filled up with people, because people don’t bother to cancel. The cost of reservations for a lot of folks is so low at state parks that they just don’t bother to cancel and yeah, they book multiple weekends and wait for the weather. It’s BS. I wish it was just first come first serve and all of them. I’m on the spontaneity side.
Campground prices are out of control, if we are honest. With all the costs of ownership, it’s harder to justify. I can’t find a campground without booking several months out, which makes me question the value.
Good talk. Just returned from a trip visiting elderly family members back in the Midwest. I was reminded of why we won't move back the couple of nights the campground water was shutoff for overnight temps in the 20's. Here at home we've been running our AC for a couple of weeks now and didn't expect to go back to winter weather. Our type of winter weather at least.
I think the RV industry needs some regulation. From a customer's perspective it has been run too loose to the point that it is too easy to pass the buck and not resolve the customer's problems. While the RV industry might not like the regulation there is no valid argument that they should not be treated and run like other consumer facing franchises such as automobiles.
I think there are other reasons some folks decide against a motorhome beside cost. If you carry a TOAD you aren't saving any hookup and disconnect time and in some cases it will actually take longer to hookup the TOAD than it does a travel trailer. Another is finding camping spots. It is generally easier to find a camping spot for a travel trailer and its tow vehicle than a say Class As which tend to favor longer lengths. Class Cs tend to favor shorter lengths but the space and layouts are frequently not as nice or livable as a similar sized travel trailer. They also have parking issues if you don't have a TOAD and have to use the RV for local transportation.
I think interest rates will drop later this year but it isn't going to be in large jumps in order to not re-stimulate inflation. I also don't think you will see rates get as low as they were before the FED started tightening as they need some room to stimulate the economy in a future recession. My gut feeling is rates will end up being closer to the pre 2008 historical average once the FED is done with its work.
I think the reason Grand Design is pulled out by itself is they are the only Winnebago brand that offers a 5th wheel. With Thor and FR it is easier to aggregate their brands for reporting purposes.
I know of some parks that treat motorhomes the same as trailers on the 10 year rule. We don't keep a trailer that long nor have we ever visited a park that asked.
Gas prices didn't affect our decision to head up to the Midwest (Northern Illinois). If you want to travel you pay the price one way or another. I was surprised though to find some places where diesel was less than regular unleaded gas.
Prices we've paid on our recent trips were a little higher at the private campgrounds we usually stay at but not by a whole lot. About $5 - $10 per night. At state campgrounds the costs are pretty much the same as they have been for the past 10 years. On the rare occasion we stay at hotels we typically go to higher end brands so campgrounds tend to be less expensive. However once you figure in the cost of the trailer even high end hotels are less expensive than camping. I've probably said this before but we don't camp when traveling as a cost savings measure but more for the personal space and privacy we have with the trailer.
We miss the spontaneity of making the decision a few days before going to a nearby state campground.
You had to work in a Rick roll didn't you?
My understanding is the GD Class C is slated for release this summer. I know it is using a Mercedes chassis but that is about it. I'd like to see a walk-through to see what they did and maybe see if any of it might make it into their trailer line.
When camping, we always stay at state campgrounds, they don't offer the amenities that private campgrounds do, but they are more rustic and offer a more "camping experience". I've camped at Yogi Bear many times and the price has shot up to the point that I don't bother with them any more. I will say that they did add cabins, (at the expense of trailer sites) and the one we use to go to added a small water park, not knocking them, if you have kids, its a great time.
I totally get that. I don't usually stay at state places but I do enjoy fall camping the most when private parks arent' as busy or noisy
@@JoshtheRVNerd I agree, fall camping is the best, campgrounds are at their low point when the kids go back to school.
Informative update, no bones about it! Thanks for adding some humor and lightness in with the dark.
I try. TY
Aloha Josh, I’m planning on buying a used pre COVID 29 class c. Im looking at a specific floor plan that will allow me to have a dedicated spot for the litter box. I rented one and I had to put it either in the shower or under the table. Both spots were cumbersome. The Thor four wind/chateau 23U have this bench/lounger table to the right of the entry door. I plan on ripping that out and putting a cabinet to hold the litter box. It would be nice to have cat friendly RVs.
I’m 60 years old and just purchased a 2024 Coleman 17b bunkhouse. It’s small and compact and lightweight. My 2012 Jeep Liberty 🗽 can tow without a problem.
I only pay $550.00 a month at a private RV park in Las Vegas. Just left a new 55 and over community. 🤗
Thanks Josh for what you do! Love these videos
Sure thing sir! Hope you’re doing well!
27:49
Josh's "Squirrel!" moment 😂 !
I thought I was going crazy lol