Picking Up New TT

iuki · 01-30-2010, 07:40 AM

We're leaving Washington State on Feb 12 to pick up our new TT (Sunset Trail UL ST27FB10) from Wana RV Center in Shipshewana, IN. However, I have been unable to find any open campgrounds on our return home.We have never stayed at Walmart parking lots, but it appears we may not have a choice. We would rather stay at a full service campground. First stay is in Waverly, IA; 2nd nightin Rapid City, SD; Last night in Bozeman, MT. Any suggestions or advice?

mwebber78 · 01-30-2010, 08:03 AM

We did the Walmart thing a few times going cross country for the same reason, it was April and most CG's didn't open to mid-April. I bought a small generator to power the unit to keep the battery charged when boondocking for the night at Wal-Mart and Flyin J's. The Flyin J's were nice becuase they have dump stations and a nice place to go inside, do laundry, watch TV or eat.

So if you don't have one, find someone who will let you borrow or rent a generator - they are that valuable.

**Lloyd** · 01-30-2010, 08:46 AM

A generator certainly would be a valuable item to have along. Another option might be to stay further south when you go back across country. Then swing north when you get out to AZ. or CA.

campsurveyor · 01-30-2010, 09:30 AM

Also check out the casinos for overnight camping,I like them because if you wake up during the night & want something to eat or drink it's always open,There's alot of casinos in IA & SD.Good luck

mapachoo · 01-30-2010, 10:08 AM

I just flipped through Trailer Life real quick have not been in that neck of the woods for some time. IA may be a problem Black hawk park in Waterloo looks like it may be open year round but they do not take reservations.Happy Holiday resort in Rapid City looks nice maybe a little pricey.Bozeman Koa appears to be open year round.found those 3 right off the bat on your route.Recommend the trailer life directory or a koa membership is nice as well may pay for itself on your way home.I cannot vouch for any of these campgrounds as I have not been there but there are places to stay open year round on the route you seem to have chosen.Hopefully more folks will jump in with campgrounds they have personal experience with.Good luck and enjoy your new rig and your first trip

spinella · 01-30-2010, 11:30 AM

we did a overnight at a walmart in the poconos. i was a little nervous, not knowing the area we were in...but all went well. make sure to go inside and talk to a manager. they will tell you where to park. our parking spot was on camera and out of the way of deliverys. on a funny note, the street sweeper at 3:30 a.m. was a strange surprise.

Stan · 01-30-2010, 12:02 PM

Don't remember the campground names, but we have gone from Bozeman, MT to Whidbey Island, WA and that is a long drive. You say Bozeman is your last night. I would probably try to spend the night near Spokane or just West towards Moses lake. If you are driving from Belfair to Indiana on the same route as your return trip (I-90), you can watch for campgrounds on the way out. There are several near Coer D'Lane, Id. have a safe trip and watch for trucks on the Lookout Pass (they move real slow).

iuki · 01-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Thanks to all of you. We do have a generator that we are taking.My hubby wants to takea different route coming back. Because of the weather, we need to be open to last-minute changes and may possibly go through AZ and CA. I'm a lifetime member of Good Sam and did check online and am waiting for the Trailer Life Directory I ordered on Jan 19. Hopefully it'll be here before we leave. The campgrounds I founddon't open until April or May. What we'll do is go into Walmart, speak with the manager and ask if they know of any campground nearby that is open. If there isn't, we'll ask if we can spend one night and that we'll be out of there by 8 a.m. We're also researching rest areas that allow overnight parking. I never thought about casinos, but I'll check into that too. Again - thanks to all. I'll let you know how our trip turns out.

**Lloyd** · 01-30-2010, 11:10 PM

iuki:
When we use to go to AZ. every winter, we stopped at rest areas for the night. Pulled right in with the semi's. Nobody noticed our generator running in with the reefers and the semi's running. I figured we had as much right there as they did.Nothing was ever said to us. I feel more secure on the truck side versus being over on the car side.

By the way---a big welcome to the forum.

Edited by: Old Farmer

slacktime · 05-21-2013, 05:40 AM

We will be going to Wana RV as well, several weeks before we pick our new TT up. Did you have any issues threw the proccess or on the trip? Any advice? Thanks.

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