Where to park?

[judycmomx6]

Hello all, I desperatly need some input!<br />I have a huge&nbsp;dilema. We will be going to "Q" in Dec. for the winter, and we don't have solar yet. I don't want to bother anyone at the RTR cause I'm sure everyone is going to be up to thier elbows in solar installs, so I was going to find out about that "solar Mike" guy at the slabs and see how much he charges. But&nbsp;what I was wondering is,&nbsp;does anyone know&nbsp;if there will be anyplace&nbsp;for us to park with elec. hookup till we get our solar installed? Should I&nbsp;have made reservations somewhere already&nbsp;in order to get a space? I was hoping I wouldn't have to stay in a park, so I've been putting it off.&nbsp;&nbsp;We really aren't going to be able to pay for some high dollar RV park anyway.&nbsp;We do have a generator we can use but it is powered by propane and is very expensive to run,&nbsp;although it might be cheaper to boondock and pay for propane than have to pay the price they ask for those parks at peak season. I really don't know what to do, I sure could use some ideas&nbsp;from the troops.<br />Also, I read somewhere that there was some place there where you could have electric but it was still mostly "off grid", they supposedly have a water faucet and trash cans for public use or something like that but&nbsp;I can't remember where I saw it, has anyone heard of this place? If there is such a place it will probably be filled up by the time we get there anyway. <br />Is there anyone on our forum who has found anyplace there for RV's, that might have a spot, that's not a fortune? Any and all ideas are welcome, and thanx in advance!!!

 

[cyndi]

Judy, I've been to the Quartzsite RTR twice, in a class C. The second year I had problems with my generator so didn't use it alot. Bascially, flashlights at night and propane for cooking, no heat, plenty of blankets. Really the only thing I needed electrictiy for was charging my laptop and phone. When my generator was running anyone who needed to charge their stuff was more than welcome to do so. &nbsp;Other people with solar power or generators were happy to do the same.<br /><br />here's a list of RV parks in Q<br /><a href="http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Quartzsite.html">http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Arizona/Quartzsite.html</a>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Judy, will you be cooking on a propane stove? I guess the question is, is your RV all electric? Will you have a 3 way fridge? If not then a good ice chest. Ice gets expensive but it is a good option. I would assume people will make runs into town and ask if anyone needs supplies and that will help with expenses.<br />You may need a propane or white gas lantern, which you probably have anyway, a gas or propane cookstove and a partner to snuggle with if it gets chilly. Or a dog.<br />A lantern and portable cookstove are not expensive and can be found at walmart or on craigs list.<br />The led lights are expensive and I don't know how long they really last but I have been picking them up when I have the money.&nbsp;&nbsp; It is dark for a long time out west and its good to be able to read.

 

[Guest]

That's a tough one Judy. Quartzsite usually has full and/or expensive rv parks during the high season while we are there at the RTR...it is the busiest month of the year. Someone who may know more is Charlene Swanky Wheels. I know she stays there somewhere and takes classes etc. from the Gem and Mineral club.<br /><br />One of the reasons Bob chose that time is because of the big RV tent event and the contractors who hire for campground hosts in Forest Service campgrounds are there and are hiring. As well as having all the vendors there if folks want to shop, look at minerals and gems, etc.<br /><br />A couple of things come to mind though.<br /><br />I am wondering if like the rest of the folks on here who have no solar, you can just cut your power use back to where you only need a generator for an hour or two a day....I don't quite get why you would need more than that but if you do maybe this rig is not the right one for cheaprvliving and boon docking???<br /><br />The other thought is that if you are going to install solar; Q and Phoenix/Tucson are probably the best places in the country to buy panels and batteries. If you do the research online and can find what you want in AZ, I am absolutely sure that you will get all the help you need at the RTR to mount the panels and wire things up....Bob encourages folks to come there with their projects that need help.<br /><br />I can't imagine that some guy in the Slabs is going to be the only guy to get a good deal from....my opinion only of course, I have not done the research but many of our members have.....<br /><br />Best luck,<br />Bri

 

[judycmomx6]

Thanx so much for getting back so quickly everyone!<br />Cindy:&nbsp;Yes, that's a good idea about sharing, people&nbsp;will definatly be welcome to our power when gen. is running!&nbsp;<br />Diane:Yes, our class C is a 2007 so it is 3 way and has a propane stove. My biggest worry is that my husband gets really cold easily and he would be more comfortable if he could turn on the heat once in a while. Our fridge is a dometic 3 way and it automatically changes over when you switch to shore power or it will run off the propane. We don't have a lantern or cookstove, may need to get them. We do have one of those rechargable LED lights though, they are really nice to have. Hopefully we have warm enough blankets, we do have heavy clothes to wear cause we ride our bikes in all kinds of weather so we should be o.k. there.<br />Bri.: I totally forgot about that RV show thing, I guess any parks are going to be completely out of the question, thanx for remiding me! I will go to Charlene's blog and see if she has anything written about parks in "Q". I guess we'll be alright just using the generator then, thankfully it's one of those new "whisper quiet" ones. Hopefully the propane won't be sky high there, I'll just make sure it's full when we get there. Also, I just read about solar Mike on the slab web site, don't know about him personally. I was just going to see if he could install our solar for us cause I know there's going to be a gazzilion people at the RTR who will need help and I don't want to be a bother to people when everyone is going to be so busy with everything else.<br />Again, thanx guy's so much, can't wait to see everyone there!

 

[cyndi]

Judy, just a heads up... we had quiet hours with regards to generators, as many of the attendees enjoy more primitive camping. I didn't turn my generator on until, in the morning, when &nbsp;I knew every one was up and around. It was off by dinnertime. Also, there a number of people with respiratory issues so there's a need to be cautious with regard to the fumes.My generator is old, noisy and smelly. I tried to be as considerate as possible, but I know more than a couple people weren't happy with me and my generator.<br /><br />that said, the area that has been suggested for this year's RTR will give us more room to spread out and generators may be less problematic for some. However, the use of generators over night is&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;frowned &nbsp;upon.<br /><br />The good thing is that the minute the sun comes up the temperature rises. Face your rig to the east so the sunshine comes in through the windshield and stay under the covers, until then.<br /><br />Bob (our Bob), and many others have nothing but good things to say about Solar Mike.<br /><br />From the RTR link:<br /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">"Q. Can I use my generator?</span></em><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;" /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">A. Yes, but...! I go to the desert for the peace and quiet, and if someone sets&nbsp;</span></em><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;" /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">up next to me and runs their generator, I will pack up and leave. Be&nbsp;</span></em><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;" /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">considerate. Park far enough away from others so that your generator won't&nbsp;</span></em><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;" /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">be a problem for them. The exception is the super-quiet generators like&nbsp;</span></em><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;" /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">Honda or Yamaha. Their noise generally isn't a problem with a normal&nbsp;</span></em><br style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;" /><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; white-space: nowrap; background-color: #99ff99;">distance between rigs."</span><br /></em>

 

[judycmomx6]

Hi Cindy! Yes, I would NEVER sit close to anyone with my generator running, even though it is a very quiet one. I was planning on being off away from everyone else anyway cause my puppy is not at all "other dog" friendly and I won't be able to take her out when there are other dogs around. But I am very considerate of other people, (probably to a fault!), and I wouldn't leave it running all night anyway, I couldn't afford it. But thanx sweetie, and I can't wait to finally meet ya! <br />Also thanx for the info about solar Mike!

 

[Guest]

Judy, Like Cyndi sez...there will be tons of room for people to spread out...I do the same because of my weird little dog Dina and she likes to bark to warn me there is movement within visual....<br /><br />You might consider a little heater like Mr. Buddy for your hubster if he gets cold easily....there is a nice guy from Arkansas who came to the RTR whose wife is the same and they use that...they are in a big class A rig. He uses enough propane in the little one pound green bottles that he has a setup for filling them from a bulk propane bottle...he gave us a great demo of how he made it and how it works...maybe they will be there again....<br />Looking forward to meeting you....<br />Bri

 

[judycmomx6]

Thank you Bri! That's a good idea, I may order one of those before we leave from here, that would help with the cold issue. I hope those people show up too, I would like to see how he did that.<br />Looking forward to meeting you too! I feel like a kid going to a first dance or something, it's going to be such a great time at the RTR this year! There are alot of us going, I can't wait. See ya soon!

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Judy , we're hoping to make it to the RTR ( my mother who is 87 has been having some health problems so we may be in Texas instead) and Tony would be more than happy to help you with installing solar. We've used solar power in our RVs for years and he's installed and worked on every part of the systems. Plus he really enjoys puttering and helping people. Hope to see you there!