Okay... call me a complainer (currently)

[cursedrialta]

Craig Duncan here. I left NM 14 Aug 2024 and have been on the road since then in my cursed 2004 Rialta, where i have had nothing but trouble the whole time. Had transmission rebuilt... still malfunctions. $9,000 ripoff bill from Convenience, Tire & Auto in Manassas, VA. Had heater fixed yesterday and last night the blower wouldn't even turn on (coldest night yet, down in the 40s). I joined because, after blowing thru over $30K on this vehicle, i have to find someplace to stay that is cheap, not drive a lot, and still be within 20 minutes or so of places to buy healthy food. I also have 2 chihuahuas and a siamese cat with me, just to make things even more difficult. I stopped in Greenville, SC because i saw a documentary on the city that made it look fantastic. It has it's good points, but the growth here -- as with every nice place -- has caused prices to explode with all the growth. Heading south shortly (probably Florida) to escape the cold and am looking for resources that'll help me save some money after being bankrupted by this vehicle. Probably not a good introduction but my mental stability is almost non-existent at this point. I'm in an RV park (1 month stay) where 2 bad apples near me have only worsened the situation. Enough complaining...when something good happens, i shall rejoice. Oh, i play the guitar. I used to play over an hour every day but now days go by when i don't even pick it up. Can't get comfortable in the small space (21').

 

[NctryBen]

Welcome!!!
I hope things turn around for ya… I had a clutch replaced in Greenville… my tranny was cheaper… haha!

 

[Gr8ful]

Just think how GREAT you'll feel when things start going right! WELCOME!

 

[WanderingRose]

Sorry you’re having so much trouble with your rig, reminds me of our first, a 1977 Barth.

AKA “The Money Pit”.

Get out whatever you use for campground searches and look up public campgrounds in the Florida panhandle and also Louisiana.

Federal, city, county, state…inexpensive, some better than others but a good way to keep expenses down.

A favorite of mine is Ocean Pond, good to at least rotate in and out of as it is especially beautiful, well maintained, has showers and laundry.

Hang in there, and good luck.

 

[bullfrog !]

Welcome! Getting to warmer climates where you can use outdoors for activities or maybe find a group jam session you can attend will make a difference. The RV you have chosen isn’t known for spaciousness or reliability so it might be time to reconsider your choice if you plan to do a lot of miles traveling. Escapees RV parks are in Florida and are fairly reasonable and have lots of common spaces if you join them. I understand there is free camping in some of the state areas but hunting season may be noisy and crowded.

 

[INTJohn]

Campground spots in Florida during winter season are tuff finds as most sites are reservation only and booked up long in advance.

They’re not impossible to find as there are always cancellations but you’ll need to research.
jus sayin & good luck!

bch bum jonny likes it where it’s sunny (& warm)

 

[WanderingRose]

Many of the federal and other public campgrounds are first come, first served, or a combination with reservations, and particularly Ocean Pond is FF.

The Florida panhandle is where I have spent a lot of time, and found many inexpensive sites, as long as you stay away from the coastal areas.

 

[INTJohn]

Craig Duncan here. Heading south shortly (probably Florida) to escape the cold and am looking for resources that'll help me save some money after being bankrupted by this vehicle.

Craig baybee……..
If you’re coming to Florida to escape the cold for consistently warmish temps you don’t want to stay north of Orlando and definitely not the Panhandle.
Dude it’s getting down into the 30’s there all this weekend and winter is officially a month off yet.
I mean I don’t care where you stay I’m just sayin and going by what you write.

It snows in the panhandle sometimes, hell, a few years back I was in Titusville next to Cape Canaveral; not far from where I am right now and it got down into the 20’s with snow flurries!

Basic rule dude; sound to me like you won’t like being north of Orlando; maybe Ocala but no further north.

U on ur own
bch bum jonny

 

[WanderingRose]

looking for resources that'll help me save some money after being bankrupted by this vehicle.

This is what zi was responding to, not heat seeking.

 

[twomountainlions]

Check for hurricane damage closures...imho, East coast isn't great for wintering on the cheap if one wants to stay out of daily lows in the 30s. Lots of free camping inland in TX but it can get cold.