What kind of campsite for a Teardrop?

[Zipline65]

We have started making some reservations for our maiden voyage with Happy Camper. When selecting a site or registering do you call it a trailer? I know that's what it is but I don't want big rig sites to be my options. Pop-up or tent sites seem more appropriate for our kind of camping. Any thoughts?
Liz

[GuitarPhotog]

I generally get an RV site with full hookup because I like having shore power and running water.

Since I'm seldom in my camp during the day, I don't mind large motorhomes as neighbors. Besides they mostly sit inside in the evening while eating, watching TV, etc, so I seldom see my neighbors.

<Chas>

[jonw]

When given a choice I usually select a trailer site, which means a back-in, not pull-thru site. These usually have electricity, which to me is more important than water hookup and/or sewage hookups.

Often these type of sites are more shaded/secluded, so you're not on top of a bunch of land cruisers running their air conditioners all night.

[MtnDon]

Tent only sites are often walk ins and totally unsuited to anything with wheels on it.

[KennethW]

I go for a tent site with a good size parking spot. I built mine to not use shore power.

[Gage]

Who makes reservations? I've been to the Mid-West several times and the East Coast twice being on the road 7 weeks at a time and never made a reservation. And I camp at RV Parks because of my need for elec. I first ask for a tent site with elec. (a teardrop gives a smaller foot print than a 4 person tent.) and if they say no vehicles are allowed on the grass, I tell them I just need a small trailer site with elec.

The pic below is at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD. It is a tent site in a 5 star RV park. Also the closes RV park to Washington, D.C.. Just drove up and told them A tent site would work (all there RV sites were full).

[KennethW]

Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD Is a good park when seeing DC.
Regular bus and subway to the mall.
Don't have to drive the loop. Don't have to find expensive parking.
It is a big park. so there is a long walk to the bus.

[Gage]

Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD Is a good park when seeing DC.
Regular bus and subway to the mall.
Don't have to drive the loop. Don't have to find expensive parking.
It is a big park. so there is a long walk to the bus.

Yep, that's what we did. The bus comes into the park and there is a parking lot there where the bus pickup is. So we just drove the car to that lot and picked up the bus which took us to the Subway station. You can buy all the tickets you need in the RV office.

You can see pictures of one of my trips to the East Coast HERE.

[deleted]

I was traveling with my trailer for a good year before I even realized KOA's would let me rent a cheaper tent site instead of an RV site when I'm traveling (vs camping). Since I have the 12volt battery on board and it charges as I'm driving I really don't have a need for electric unless I'm parked somewhere for more than a couple of days.

That said I call ahead (to KOA's) each day to make sure a place has space available then do a self-check night check in when I arrive because it's usually after hours. It's nice because if I call ahead sometimes the office will leave a form for me with several options marked to choose from and I choose once I get there. I drive the loops and go back to the one I like best. Other parks that aren't KOA's I still call ahead and if I arrive during office hours I can drive through and give them an idea of the spots where I'd like to stay and that usually works too. It's hard to not end up by a large motor home or fifth wheel because there are more of them than tiny trailers. Once a camp host got excited when I told them my trailer is 4'x6' and let me know there was another tiny trailer already in the park. They gave me a spot near them so we could be tiny trailers together

[Gage]

Those large RV's do make good wind breaks.

[Socal Tom]

I usually look for an electric only site, many campgrounds have tent spaces with electricity. The bathrooms/showers are usually closer the the tent areas, I usually try to be near ( but not next to) them. As Stacie points out, if you are battery powered you might even do without electricity. I the cold months, I like to run a small electric heater, so electricity is needed for that.
Tom

[bdosborn]

I usually ask for a campsite like this:





Bruce

[lrrowe]

I want to hang out where you camp. Nice.

[MtnDon]

I usually ask for a campsite like this:


Bruce

[LWW]

Thanks. This thread is right on time. The wife and I are leaving the week before Easter for a trip out west. I have been debating whether to try making reservations but we don't have a set return day and travel will be very flexible as to where to first etc. So not doing reservations will work better for us. We will be visiting friends in FL, AL, TX, NM and a visit to the Grand Canyon.