2022 - RV/Camping Thread

[Leonhogboy]

Originally Posted by sotx

Beach camping. My daughters and her friends want me to take them camping on the beach with our fifth wheel. So any good spots you know of right on the beach. Also any tips or tricks would be appreciated.

Tip: Make sure daughter and friends understand, the beach needs to be cleaned off the 5th wheel when you get home.

Hogboy

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Leonhogboy

Tip: Make sure daughter and friends understand, the beach needs to be cleaned off the 5th wheel when you get home.

Hogboy

And a pan of water large enough to put feet in to wash the sand off before going up the stairs. Offers a little help.

[bboswell]

Originally Posted by Leonhogboy

Tip: Make sure daughter and friends understand, the beach needs to be cleaned off the 5th wheel when you get home.

Hogboy

On the Beach RV Park in Port Aransas is what I would suggest.

[sotx]

So in preparation for the beach I got two champion 4500 wat inverter generators with 50amp parallel kit, a foot washer, a teakwood type pallet for bottom of stairs outside, a runner carpet for over the stairs, sand stakes to hold down pop up canopy and the sand mat/carpet and 3 ten gallon water totes to refill my tank if need be.

[Dale Moser]

Originally Posted by sotx

So in preparation for the beach I got two champion 4500 wat inverter generators with 50amp parallel kit, a foot washer, a teakwood type pallet for bottom of stairs outside, a runner carpet for over the stairs, sand stakes to hold down pop up canopy and the sand mat/carpet and 3 ten gallon water totes to refill my tank if need be.

I hope it all fits the new camper after you have to sell that one because of the endless sand that will forever be in it.

[ateague11]

I just booked a spot in July at Aloha Beach RV in Port A. I had one booked at Port A RV Resort but found out you can't use golf carts from there. Aloha Beach has a direct path across 361 so they are allowed. Looks like a new smaller park. Anyone stay here before?

[sotx]

Originally Posted by Dale Moser

I hope it all fits the new camper after you have to sell that one because of the endless sand that will forever be in it.

LMAO you sound like my wife

[Bill M]

Headed to S. Llano River SP two weeks from Sunday. They have had rain so that is good but definitely a burn ban. Wish I10 wasn't so screwed up with construction. Y'all enjoy your trips.


We are booked for 3 more trips after this one out to September. We will take August off this year.

[Etxbuckman]

I need some help trying to figure out a situation with my a/c.

First off let me ask this: is it possible that a dead battery could impact the A/C's ability to start even when using a generator?

Here's the situation: Prior to last year I was using a 2 2200KW Westinghouse iXLT's in tandem and having zero issues. One of those generators bit the dust so I ordered a replacement, but for other reasons I purchased a Westinghouse iGen 2200KW.

They're the same size, different models but from all I've read that shouldn't matter.

So when I first turn the A/C it comes on and runs just fine, and then when it gets down to temperature it turns off as it should. However, when it tries to come back on after it's warmed up enough in the camper it almost immediately trips the overload breaker on one of the generators (presumably the new one since it's the only thing different), and that of course trips the other generator.

If I turn the A/C switch back to OFF, turn off the generators and then turn them back, I can restart the A/C again with no issues. It only happens when it tries to come back on after it's already been running.

Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this and/or how I can fix it? Could it be the dead battery? Or maybe the A/C needs to be cleaned? Or maybe it's the generators? I just don't know.

[savin yours]

We do a different type of camping
Just upgraded to the new CampX!


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[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Etxbuckman

I need some help trying to figure out a situation with my a/c.

First off let me ask this: is it possible that a dead battery could impact the A/C's ability to start even when using a generator?

Here's the situation: Prior to last year I was using a 2 2200KW Westinghouse iXLT's in tandem and having zero issues. One of those generators bit the dust so I ordered a replacement, but for other reasons I purchased a Westinghouse iGen 2200KW.

They're the same size, different models but from all I've read that shouldn't matter.

So when I first turn the A/C it comes on and runs just fine, and then when it gets down to temperature it turns off as it should. However, when it tries to come back on after it's warmed up enough in the camper it almost immediately trips the overload breaker on one of the generators (presumably the new one since it's the only thing different), and that of course trips the other generator.

If I turn the A/C switch back to OFF, turn off the generators and then turn them back, I can restart the A/C again with no issues. It only happens when it tries to come back on after it's already been running.

Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this and/or how I can fix it? Could it be the dead battery? Or maybe the A/C needs to be cleaned? Or maybe it's the generators? I just don't know.

Are you using a surge protector? If so, are you using a bonding plug with it? The SP may be throwing a code that shuts it down if no bonding plug is used but the rest still works on 12v. Could have to do with hard start of the AC? Just a couple of things that come to mind.

[MacDaddy67]

There's a new Bolivar Beach and RV resort going in on Crystal Beach....
It has all the bells and whistles......I think you can get a basic site for $90 a night up to around $200 a night..... TO CAMP !!!!!

[TexasBob]

Originally Posted by Etxbuckman

I need some help trying to figure out a situation with my a/c.

First off let me ask this: is it possible that a dead battery could impact the A/C's ability to start even when using a generator?

Here's the situation: Prior to last year I was using a 2 2200KW Westinghouse iXLT's in tandem and having zero issues. One of those generators bit the dust so I ordered a replacement, but for other reasons I purchased a Westinghouse iGen 2200KW.

They're the same size, different models but from all I've read that shouldn't matter.

So when I first turn the A/C it comes on and runs just fine, and then when it gets down to temperature it turns off as it should. However, when it tries to come back on after it's warmed up enough in the camper it almost immediately trips the overload breaker on one of the generators (presumably the new one since it's the only thing different), and that of course trips the other generator.

If I turn the A/C switch back to OFF, turn off the generators and then turn them back, I can restart the A/C again with no issues. It only happens when it tries to come back on after it's already been running.

Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this and/or how I can fix it? Could it be the dead battery? Or maybe the A/C needs to be cleaned? Or maybe it's the generators? I just don't know.

What else is running in both scenarios? Sounds like your generator can’t handle more than the ac at all. It could be the battery in the sense the charger is kicking on after you turn on the ac.


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[Etxbuckman]

Originally Posted by Bill M

Are you using a surge protector? If so, are you using a bonding plug with it? The SP may be throwing a code that shuts it down if no bonding plug is used but the rest still works on 12v. Could have to do with hard start of the AC? Just a couple of things that come to mind.

No surge protector (at least that I know of). I'm not sure what an SP is, but as to your comment about the hard-start I am fairly certain my unit does not have one of those capacitors or whatever they're called that reduce the draw on start-up. I'm kind of thinking about getting one though (EasyStart 364). It's just odd that I never had this issue with the two original generators.

Originally Posted by TexasBob

What else is running in both scenarios? Sounds like your generator can’t handle more than the ac at all. It could be the battery in the sense the charger is kicking on after you turn on the ac.
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If there's anything else running at all it would be a light fixture, but all the bulbs are LED so they're not drawing much.

But until I got the replacement generator I could run the microwave and a/c at the same time without issue.

[sp-bow]

Looks like we are heading to Huntsville State Park next weekend.

[Bill M]

We will be hooking up and leaving for S Llano River SP in about 3 hrs. We will be there through Friday. Made the reservation for this spot 5 months ago. We are now booked through November of this year almost once a month. Taking August off this year.

[Paycheck]

Originally Posted by savin yours

We do a different type of camping
Just upgraded to the new CampX!


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Join the group.

[bboswell]

Why do owners of RV park angle the back in sites the wrong direction?

It is infinitely easier to back in from the drivers side vs trying to watch everything through the passenger mirror.

[kmack]

Entertainment purposes for other campers?

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by kmack

Entertainment purposes for other campers?

Hahaha.

They like to see a good couples discussion every now and then, reminds them how good they have it in their pull through site.

[Bill M]

We spent last week in Junction at S Llano River SP. Got some much needed rain on Tuesday night and cooled the weather down considerably. There was also a lightning strike 2 sites over that sat us straight up out of a dead sleep at 11:30 that night. It came after the rain was done. This pic was from behind our rig and already partially cleaned up. We had a great time. Took lots of pics, biked and hiked a bunch, enjoyed the wildlife. It's one of our favorite parks. Did some sky photography. https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...7#post16241085

[CoolHandLuke]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Hahaha.

They like to see a good couples discussion every now and then, reminds them how good they have it in their pull through site.

I've seen a few... lol

My wife on the other hand has been a blessing on helping with the blind side... a wise man once said "Patience is a virtue".

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by CoolHandLuke

I've seen a few... lol

My wife on the other hand has been a blessing on helping with the blind side... a wise man once said "Patience is a virtue".

I know a couple that came back from their first trip rethinking their marriage- spotter watched as backer inner ripped a big ole hole in their brand new rigs rubber roof on a low hanging branch. Lines of communication had not been established or attempted.


I've always made it known to my spotter's- if you can't see my head in the mirror I can't see you.
Early on I'd hop out to see a set of arms flailing about as if extra arm swinging was gonna get the message across when I couldn't see them (cough cough- her) .

Kinda like speaking slower when someone doesn't understand the language.
it just doesn't work that way.


Bill M- I'm a fan of Llano SP. we used to stay there and camp, then head to Menard to fill feeders during one of the mornings when I had that lease.
Great park that's location should keep it from overcrowding.

[TxDispatcher]

Picking up our Forest River Grey Wolf 29TE tomorrow I did my typical loooong search and now scrambling for places that have openings this summer but I feel like I made a good decision

Originally Posted by MisterSanders

If anyone is in the area, come check me out! Trinitybayrvlodging.com

Adding you to the list

Originally Posted by ateague11

Has anyone stayed at Majestic Oaks in Rockport?

We looked at their site tonight…like I said above, trying to find availabilities for July at this late date isn’t going very well

Originally Posted by bboswell

On the Beach RV Park in Port Aransas is what I would suggest.

Also checking here

Originally Posted by ateague11

I just booked a spot in July at Aloha Beach RV in Port A. I had one booked at Port A RV Resort but found out you can't use golf carts from there. Aloha Beach has a direct path across 361 so they are allowed. Looks like a new smaller park. Anyone stay here before?

Never heard of Aloha Beach…might have to check into it. I’m calling a few friends from the Pt Lavaca/Fulton areas tomorrow to see their recommendations

Originally Posted by MacDaddy67

There's a new Bolivar Beach and RV resort going in on Crystal Beach....
It has all the bells and whistles......I think you can get a basic site for $90 a night up to around $200 a night..... TO CAMP !!!!!

We saw that while looking for somewhere on Bolivar. I will say this, the site looks really nice. We’re gonna check it out soon. I’m not sure it’ll get booked, my wife wants to stay on the ICW side close to Stingaree’s since that’s where we’ll be launching out of

[Randy M]

Question…we just bought our next rv. It’s the 6th one we’ve owned and is geared more for just the wife and I since both girls are out of the house and on their own. Also, I work from home now on a mostly permanent basis; just need Wi-Fi. So I’d like to start taking longer trips, staying through the week (work and play without burning vacation days) as opposed to just being weekend warriors. The challenge is finding parks with Wi-Fi in actual sites.

Any ideas on how I could do this on my own so I don’t have to rely on parks to have it in individual sites?

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Randy M

Question…we just bought our next rv. It’s the 6th one we’ve owned and is geared more for just the wife and I since both girls are out of the house and on their own. Also, I work from home now on a mostly permanent basis; just need Wi-Fi. So I’d like to start taking longer trips, staying through the week (work and play without burning vacation days) as opposed to just being weekend warriors. The challenge is finding parks with Wi-Fi in actual sites.

Any ideas on how I could do this on my own so I don’t have to rely on parks to have it in individual sites?

Where do you like to camp? Area of the state? Out of state? We use our phones as hot spots and they happen to be ATT since they have offered us the best statewide coverage. I also installed a Weboost small studio booster that works well. It is my understanding that Starlink is now offering RV setup but location has to have an "opening" with the satellite for that area.

[sp-bow]

Originally Posted by CoolHandLuke

I've seen a few... lol

My wife on the other hand has been a blessing on helping with the blind side... a wise man once said "Patience is a virtue".

lol. We use our phones and drivers side/ passengers side for directions. It has been working good for us. She is intelligent, but every once in a while she will get the directions wrong.

[sp-bow]

Originally Posted by TxDispatcher

Picking up our Forest River Grey Wolf 29TE tomorrow I did my typical loooong search and now scrambling for places that have openings this summer but I feel like I made a good decision


Adding you to the list


We looked at their site tonight…like I said above, trying to find availabilities for July at this late date isn’t going very well

Also checking here

Never heard of Aloha Beach…might have to check into it. I’m calling a few friends from the Pt Lavaca/Fulton areas tomorrow to see their recommendations


We saw that while looking for somewhere on Bolivar. I will say this, the site looks really nice. We’re gonna check it out soon. I’m not sure it’ll get booked, my wife wants to stay on the ICW side close to Stingaree’s since that’s where we’ll be launching out of

We bought a Grey Wolf 23MK Black Label 2 years ago. We've been very happy with it.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by CoolHandLuke

I've seen a few... lol

My wife on the other hand has been a blessing on helping with the blind side... a wise man once said "Patience is a virtue".

I broke down and bought a backup camera though we never really had any problems backing. I wanted to be able to see behind me going down the highway and use when backing in the driveway at home more than at the campsite.

[Big Lee]

Originally Posted by Bill M

I have to say that one of the first things we did was replace the stock mattress with a memory/gel mattress. Gave the still plastic wrapped mattress that came in it to the local mission store.

100% agree!

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[Randy M]

Originally Posted by Bill M

Where do you like to camp? Area of the state? Out of state? We use our phones as hot spots and they happen to be ATT since they have offered us the best statewide coverage. I also installed a Weboost small studio booster that works well. It is my understanding that Starlink is now offering RV setup but location has to have an "opening" with the satellite for that area.

Mostly around Texas. I have ATT as well and have tried the hot spot thing…it’s never been very consistent. I need something reliable for zoom/teams calls. I’ll look into Starlink. Appreciate the response and help.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Randy M

Mostly around Texas. I have ATT as well and have tried the hot spot thing…it’s never been very consistent. I need something reliable for zoom/teams calls. I’ll look into Starlink. Appreciate the response and help.

I'm looking into it myself. My wife still works in the real estate business and so far, the ATT hot spot has worked even in lower signal areas but she doesn't have to use Zoom.

Link to Starlink RV

[TxDispatcher]

Originally Posted by sp-bow

We bought a Grey Wolf 23MK Black Label 2 years ago. We've been very happy with it.

Good to hear we looked at more than a few, and they all started running together after a while but kept coming back to this one. Heading out Sunday morning for a few days while the kids are on a cruise with their dad, so that we can get any kinks worked out before July. Hope the fish will cooperate down in Aransas and Corpus Bay

[Randy M]

New-to-us camper. 2021 Coleman 2715RL. This is our 6th camper over the years, but first that was bought from a ‘kidless’ standpoint. Our girls are essentially out on their own now, so this one is primarily about the wife and I. Really dig the two recliners and fire place.

Heading out to Yeager Creek in Johnson City, tomorrow, for the inaugural trip.







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[DaveC]

Excellent looking rig Randy, congrats on the new abode!

Did you trade in your previous one or sell it outright?


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[Randy M]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Excellent looking rig Randy, congrats on the new abode!

Did you trade in your previous one or sell it outright?


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Thanks Dave! We sold it outright. Our plan was to take a few years off from RVing since our girls were in a different phase of life, as mentioned above. Well...the planned 3-4 year break lasted about 4 months.

The other part to this is that I work from home 95% of the time now, and it's very predictable. All I need is Wifi. So, I'm hoping to spend more time in the coming years, in our RV, overlooking something cool, while 'working'.

Thanks again.
-Randy

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Randy M

New-to-us camper. 2021 Coleman 2715RL. This is our 6th camper over the years, but first that was bought from a ‘kidless’ standpoint. Our girls are essentially out on their own now, so this one is primarily about the wife and I. Really dig the two recliners and fire place.

Heading out to Yeager Creek in Johnson City, tomorrow, for the inaugural trip.







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Enjoy the new rig Randy.

[Bill M]

We just spent a few days on Lake Somerville at Yegua Creek COE. Hot but we enjoyed it! No great shots of the eagles I watch out there as there were no close flybys but I managed to see an adult and this years offspring in the nest tree which is starting to deteriorate. Several deer photos that I haven't processed yet.

[captainsling]

We are getting ready to head to Red River NM for a week. Can’t wait to get away from this heat.

[ColinR]

Originally Posted by captainsling

We are getting ready to head to Red River NM for a week. Can’t wait to get away from this heat.

Where are you staying? I would love to take the family and our 5th wheel to the mountains but I don't know where to go and don't like the parking lot campgrounds.

[Dale Moser]

We spent last weekend at The Vineyards RV Park on Grapevine lake. It's in town (obviously), but is a really nice park, with a nice little swimming beach, store, showers, and about anything you'd need. We'll be back next week for the last ball tournament of the "Spring".

[captainsling]

Originally Posted by ColinR

Where are you staying? I would love to take the family and our 5th wheel to the mountains but I don't know where to go and don't like the parking lot campgrounds.

4K River Ranch. Right on the River and they have a private stocked pond. My parents are there now and said the whole town is pretty much dead. The forest service has all off road and other activities shut down due to fire concerns. Will be interesting.

[DaveC]

Padre Bali has been an excellent breather now that outage season is over.

My dogs approve, mostly the boxer , the mutt not so much.




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[Bill M]

Hot camping, gotta love it. Yegua Creek COE, Lake Somerville earlier this week.

[Kingfisher789]

Originally Posted by sotx

LMAO you sound like my wife

That right there is funny!

[Dale Moser]

Originally Posted by Bill M

Hot camping, gotta love it. Yegua Creek COE, Lake Somerville earlier this week.

You ain’t kiddin! Our trailer was in full sun last weekend, and I ran both ACs full tilt from sun up to sun down. The best thing I’ve done since buying a camper, is adding the 2nd AC.


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[Randy M]

We had a 2nd ac installed in ours before picking it up. Just spent the first night in it. Money well spent…

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Randy M

We had a 2nd ac installed in ours before picking it up. Just spent the first night in it. Money well spent…

When I was doing the research on ours I read that anything over 25 ft in Texas better have 2 ACs. I forget the length for adding a third.

[Randy M]

Anyone been to Roadrunner RV Resort in Red River, NM? We are heading there in August. Going to be a long, expensive pull with my gas truck, but it will feel good to get out of this heat.

[Big Lee]

If I can figure out how to do this full time, I would!!

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