Tips and Tricks for RV Camping

[WBRedneck]

Hey guys. New to the forum but I've been reading through here for awhile and thought I'd shoot all you veterans a couple of questions.

This is going to be my second year at Stagecoach. Last year we camped and had a blast, only problem was lack of shade/places to cool off. So this year we were lucky enough to grab an ED 2 spot. We're gonna rent an RV from CruiseAmerica and hopefully the air conditioner will be able to take the edge off.

Anyway, I was just wondering what kind of RV advice you guys have for a first timer. What to bring, tips, etc... For instance, I see a lot of people talking about bringing pools and 55 gal. barrels of water, is that kind of stuff worth it or not worth the hassle? Also, I'm planning on running the air conditioner in the RV during the days, for those of you with RVs, do you think the generator will be able to handle that or am I expecting too much? I'd also like to be able to run a stereo simultaneously.

Nice to meet you guys and thanks for the help.

[Cooter]

if you haven't rented yet, do not tell them you are going to stagecoach. some charge more for special events like that. also, you can find way better deals renting directly through rv owners. there are several sites that make this possible.

also, if running the generator that much you will use up a ton of gas.

[WBRedneck]

I checked renting through private owners on Craigslist but was unable to find a better price. What are these sites you speak of?

What do you all do to cool off when the heat gets to you?

[rogerdale49]

We have never even used the ac while at Stagecoach.

[OCCountryMusic]

Check out http://www.albertsrvrental.com/stagecoachmusicfestival.htm

I had some friends use these guys a couple of years ago. They dropped it off at your camp site and picked it up.

[Chevgirl357]

Hey guys. New to the forum but I've been reading through here for awhile and thought I'd shoot all you veterans a couple of questions.

This is going to be my second year at Stagecoach. Last year we camped and had a blast, only problem was lack of shade/places to cool off. So this year we were lucky enough to grab an ED 2 spot. We're gonna rent an RV from CruiseAmerica and hopefully the air conditioner will be able to take the edge off.

Anyway, I was just wondering what kind of RV advice you guys have for a first timer. What to bring, tips, etc... For instance, I see a lot of people talking about bringing pools and 55 gal. barrels of water, is that kind of stuff worth it or not worth the hassle? Also, I'm planning on running the air conditioner in the RV during the days, for those of you with RVs, do you think the generator will be able to handle that or am I expecting too much? I'd also like to be able to run a stereo simultaneously.

Nice to meet you guys and thanks for the help.

As far as rentals go, try Albert's RV's. They will deliver for you, pick up, and they're a lot cheaper than Cruise America. I rented 3 for us one year for Stagecoach and we had a great experience with them. IF they have any left that is!

[Chevgirl357]

Check out http://www.albertsrvrental.com/stagecoachmusicfestival.htm

I had some friends use these guys a couple of years ago. They dropped it off at your camp site and picked it up.

LOL, I should have scrolled down.

[Chevgirl357]

I checked renting through private owners on Craigslist but was unable to find a better price. What are these sites you speak of?

What do you all do to cool off when the heat gets to you?

Make friends with people with pools, or people with nice A/C in their RV's. We ran the a/c when we rented ours, but we did need to borrow gas a couple times, because it runs out. To cool off, we bring our misters, and wear bathing suits, and stay in the shade when you can!

[OCCountryMusic]

LOL, I should have scrolled down.

Did you have a good experience with them? I haven't heard anything bad.

[Chevgirl357]

Did you have a good experience with them? I haven't heard anything bad.

I had a great experience with Albert's. So have many people I know. They make it super easy and gave us a really great deal because we rented 3.

[KUZN EDY]

You may or may not get a better deal with private RV's. Sometimes the private renters will have aditional charges that you might not consider... like cleaning, mileage, generator hours, prep fees, mess kits, Dump fees, etc. Make sure you look at ALL this when searching. The big rental agencies will sometimes eat these fees because they carry it in their overhead (storage, mechanical service, cleaning, etc.) Who is gunna dump the shidder and clean this thing for you at the end of the trip? (and yes, they get pretty dirty from the grass and people inside them)

Do some research on their customer service... like what happens when the stuff breaks while your on the road or parked for the weekend. (in a spot where they cannot service like stagecoach rv parking) Being around RVs alot, i know things break or dont work properly all too often.(especially when you need them the most and are unexperienced) Who is going to fix your generator or AC if/when it breaks down (and how). Will you get reimbursed for this if it happens. Again, big companies will usually have service and can afford to help you out with repair or costs. If you rent from Joe Schmoe in Fontucky on Craigslist, whats he gunna do?

If you get a motorhome, your generator will run off your main fuel tank. Plan on the generator using about 1/8-1/4 gal of fuel per hour depending on load. (so show up to the lot with at least 1/2 full) If you got a trailer, you may or may not even have a generator (and portables are not allowed). We typically only used our AC for a couple hours per day in early afternoon durring "nap time". Your car stereo will typically run off the engine battery, so you will need to start your engine to re-charge it (just like your car). I suggest getting a little radio to plug in since you plan to run the gen anyway.

To beat the heat... Bring shade, cold drinks and chairs and you should be fine.

Try searching for "private rv rental"...

This company is just down the street from me and i have a friend who keeps his RV in thier system. They are the only company i have first hand experience with and i would recomend. http://www.sharemycoach.com/

Hope this helps...

[WBRedneck]

Thanks for all the responses guys (and gals)! I will email Alberts and see what they have available. My biggest problem with CruiseAmerica is they won't let me pick the RV up until 4pm. Considering I have to pack and then drive from long beach to SC I'm gonna need an earlier pick up.

So for those of you who were there last year, how long did you have to wait in that RV line before getting into the campground? What time do you think I should arrive?

[KUZN EDY]

Thats ridiculous about the pick up time. I think your getting wrong information. YOu should be able to ask for an earlier pick up. (maybe a few extra $$)

Ive found the line depends on when you show up. The two years ive went, they said they wouldnt open the gates until 6pm thurs. (but they opened early each time) People reported waiting times from 0-2hrs. Im guessing there will be a long wait right when they open and some longer wait times in the late afternoons 5-7pm thurs and fri. (when people get off work) The wait is not unbearable so dont make plans around this alone.

Good luck.

[Chevgirl357]

Thanks for all the responses guys (and gals)! I will email Alberts and see what they have available. My biggest problem with CruiseAmerica is they won't let me pick the RV up until 4pm. Considering I have to pack and then drive from long beach to SC I'm gonna need an earlier pick up.

So for those of you who were there last year, how long did you have to wait in that RV line before getting into the campground? What time do you think I should arrive?

If you rent through Albert's, or someplace similar, that will drop it off in teh venue FOR you, they get there and line up before it even opens and when we went, they got word they were letting in RV's early (was true) so we got in nice and early. The whole process went really smooth.

[Cooter]

from the faq, if you go the delivery route:

"If you plan on having your RV Delivered to the site:

If you are planning on having your RV delivered, the party (the delivery person, the person who is) delivering your RV will be required to produce your RV Camping Pass. If the delivery person does not have a valid RV camping pass they will be turned-away. Once delivered the delivery person will be escorted back to tollbooths to await their ride out of the festival grounds. Do not give the RV rental company (or delivery person) your general admission festival wristband; instead they must produce your RV Camping Pass in order to successfully complete delivery.

The delivering person will be responsible for communicating to you exactly where your RV is located once it has been parked. Please understand that festival staff will not be able to direct you to your RV if it is delivered in advance of your arrival. RVs will NOT be allowed on site outside of official campground hours. If an RV rental company/delivery person tries to deliver your RV outside of campground hours, they will be turned away. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Campgrounds are open during the following designated hours:
Thu 4/26: 8am - 2am
Fri 4/27: 8am - 9pm
Sat 4/28: 8am - 9pm
Sun 4/29: 8am - 3pm

RV pickup (for RVs delivered by third parties):
If your RV is delivered by a third party (the "delivery person"), once the RV has been delivered, the delivery person will not be allowed back on site to pick up the RV until Sunday after 3pm. RV Pick Ups can begin Sunday at 3pm. No pickups between 9pm-12a Sunday night. All Drivers must check in at the RV Camping Tollbooth located at Lot 13. (Avenue 52/Madison)
Only vehicles capable of towing an RV will be allowed back onto the campgrounds at this time and If the delivery person is driving a tow vehicle, they will be escorted to the RV and will be required to immediately hitch the RV and exit the campgrounds. Please note that Your RV must be picked up no later than 12pm on Monday following the show. Any vehicles or RVs left on site after this time will be towed at the openers expense. Stagecoach is not responsible for RVs, vehicles, or personal equipment that is left unattended at any time (in other words, if you leave the festival on Sunday night and the delivery person arrives on Monday but your RV is missing, this is between you and the delivery person)."

[Cooter]

looking into alberts for coachella weekend. how much/what size did you go with in the past, karena?

[LuvMyPBR]

Here is the thing with private rental vs business rentals.. Most of the time businesses charge for generator use after a certain amount of hours, where most private do not charge at all for generator use. Another thing is a lot of businesses charge mileage charges plus all kinds of different fees.

Two years ago we rented toy hauler that slept 8 for $300 private party and they had unlimited usage of generator, full of pots and pans and silverware, and no cleanup charge (just make sure you keep it decent)... Now i use my own, but had a great experience with private rental.. Also we picked up the toy hauler thursday night and returned it tuesday..

[KUZN EDY]

looking into alberts for coachella weekend. how much/what size did you go with in the past, karena?

Is Coachella allowing RV's this year to everyone? Or is this cuz you have connections?

[Cooter]

;)

last year stayed backstage in an rv where some of the bands park their busses/rv's. planning to this year, but may just take it easy and hotel it instead. not sure yet.

[KUZN EDY]

We got escorted through that area in 2010 because of a medical "emergency" (wife cut finger while slicing limes for her damn cosmo). There are some really nice rigs in that area and some really dumpy ones too (like the carnies who set up parking lot carnivals). Hotel is nice for obvious reasons, but how can you beat staying on the festival grounds? Im pretty sure they run power and water for those staying there. I remember driving over a 3" water line, but that could have been for lots of things.

[Joey]

this will be my 6th year going and I never bring extra water... if it is needed they have water trucks driving around but i never needed it. the Generator will be fine with a the ac and your stereo. but you shouldn't have to run it all day because you will be in the concert from 2 pm until 11pm. just make sure you fuel up the rv before you pull in...
just keep it simple... don't overbuy in food. we always do and it sucks to have to unload it when you get back.... some other things to consider is games (football, baseball, washers, urban horse shoes), a table for beer pong or whatever you need it for. bring extra ice it melts fast. chairs to sit on just make sure you lock em up because people stole mine last year.

[KUZN EDY]

Also tip on the ice deal... Remember that you will have a freezer in your RV so USE IT!!! bring different containers (water bottles, apple juice, old milk jugs, etc..) or even ziploc bags and fill them up with water and keep them rotating between your icechest and freezer all weekend. These large blocks of ice will keep you from buying ice everday and its FREE!

[Joey]

Also tip on the ice deal... Remember that you will have a freezer in your RV so USE IT!!! bring different containers (water bottles, apple juice, old milk jugs, etc..) or even ziploc bags and fill them up with water and keep them rotating between your icechest and freezer all weekend. These large blocks of ice will keep you from buying ice everday and its FREE!


DAMN GOOD IDEA... and it works

[wilbur]

We've been to every SC so far and have yet to use the A/C. Seems like we're always outside watching the show of peeps. Make sure that the RV has an awning and bring a few extra EZ ups too for shade. Pool? if you want one, but everyone will use it and it will get pretty disgusting, especially the peeps that are too drunk to get out and go to the bathroom. KWIM?

Have a great time!