Going mobile with 32' in the PNW

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bombadil

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In maybe another month or so I plan to pull a 32' Class A out of my present driveway and call the road home. Ideally, I'm hoping to find several places between Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR and Salem, OR where I can dry camp for a week or so and then swoop up my kids when I have them and head to an RV park with decent amenities and hookups. I figure my biggest constraints at this point are going to be the size of my rig when I'm solo as well as the need for decent cell signal because I need to work remotely and be able to stream my video and screen share at times.

I'd certainly feel better staying near cities so I had better signal but I'd rather not have to pick up and move every night so the big box parking lots aren't at the top of the list. Anybody out there have experience with a large rig in this area and know some good or bad spots? I really only need good signal at a few specific times and days so could plan around that as well. Even if I could just park somewhere for 2 days at a time that'd be better than constantly moving. I'm not exactly setup for anything stealthy though, unfortunately.
 
I can’t help you with info on the Pacific North West, but I can say welcome to the forum and the open road.
 
Hate to say it but you will have to do some serious digging and compromises. The range you are talking is full of hills (what we in MI used to call MOUNTAINS lol) and real mountains. Non-stop most the time, so getting cell is touch and go. I've lived in WA and OR most my life, currently a resident in Oregon. I've done the coasts, the valley areas and the eastern places. Finding anything but paid $$ to $$$ campgrounds for your rig and cell needs And be near a city is gonna be rough.
Also, both states have big closures going on since Covid. Even private campgrounds, some which chose to not accept out of state campers. Plus, some are charging additional fees to out of state visitors.
Hope it works out!
 
Morefun said:
...Finding anything but paid $$ to $$$ campgrounds for your rig and cell needs And be near a city is gonna be rough....
I agree. From my experience in the PNW forest camps are set up for 16 foot rigs and you can get away with 22 feet. With 32 foot rig you will not make it around the campground loop. 

Average length permitted in national parks is 27 feet. Link to article.

https://www.us-parks.com/tips/rv-and-trailer-length.html

You could look for a home base to park the rig and do regional travels from there. Or get a job as a property caretaker where they pay you to stay there in your rig. 
-crofter
 
Much appreciated information! I was afraid of that reality but will find a way to make it work I suppose, even if I'm in RV parks more than I'd like. I'll just look into memberships and whatnot and try to work the system as best I can with whatever spots I can find in between. Hopefully this time next year I'll have it all figured it out...
 
If you go the membership route, look into the resale market. Lots of folks wanting to sell their memberships, and the prices are cheaper going aftermarket.
 
I don't have recommendations for dry camping in the area, but I did stay at Columbia River Resort near Vancouver last June. It is a nice park in a beautiful area for when you have your kids. Good luck!
 
First thing I would do today is join Passport America for $44 a year. Then in about 10-days you will have your card to be able to stay at around 1600 half price campgrounds in the USA. Instead of paying $30 or $40 a night you will pay $15 or $20.

Then you will be able to find a place with full hookups in that area, if you can't find one for free.

When I had my big RV, I saved lots of $$$ using Passport America.

https://passportamerica.com/

Also..... truck stops, Cracker Barrel, some Walmarts, state parks, casino, service stations and 24-hour fast food restaurants (around back) worked for me.
 
Keep in mind Passport America and similar are #nights restricted dang near Everywhere. Great if you're going from point A to B, not so good if you want to stay longer than 2 nights.
 
For me, the positive outweighs the negative many times.
 
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