New but learning

Anarchivist · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 8:48 pm

I purchased a 2011 travel trailer and have been living in it while my house is up for sale. I have only taken it on 5 short trips and have only been to state park, state fairground and national wildlife refuge campgrounds. However, I plan to retire at the end of the year and to visit many national forest sites for boondocking as well as occasional campground visits.

I have been reading postings to this site for a few months and I'm not sure that I know what I want from NFS campground sites. That being said, so far, my experiences with camping at the places I mentioned has been great - nice people, good facilities, etc. One thing that I've noticed is, and I'm not sure NFS sites are the same, but what I'd like to see is more spacing. Sometimes I've felt like I'm right on top of other campers. I realize that electrical and water hookups are less costly and easier to maintain when they are closer together.

I'm going to check out some of the NFS sites in Kentucky this summer, so, I'll probably have a better perspective then. Oh, on the issue of generators. I bought a diesel one when I bought the trailer, however, it was so god-awful noisy that I ended up selling it (without ever actually using it) and got a Honda 3000. I think designated times for recharging batteries etc. would be helpful or some guidelines for noise levels - I ran mine for 8 hours after I got it just to test it out. I had it in the bed of my truck with the truck cover partially closed, and I could not hear it in the trailer which was only 10 feet away.

Thanks for listening. I look forward to future discussions, and lessons in NFS camping.

bukhrn · **Posted:** Tue May 24, 2011 12:34 am

Anarchivist wrote:

I purchased a 2011 travel trailer and have been living in it while my house is up for sale. I have only taken it on 5 short trips and have only been to state park, state fairground and national wildlife refuge campgrounds. However, I plan to retire at the end of the year and to visit many national forest sites for boondocking as well as occasional campground visits.

I have been reading postings to this site for a few months and I'm not sure that I know what I want from NFS campground sites. That being said, so far, my experiences with camping at the places I mentioned has been great - nice people, good facilities, etc. One thing that I've noticed is, and I'm not sure NFS sites are the same, but what I'd like to see is more spacing. Sometimes I've felt like I'm right on top of other campers.
Many, if not most NF CG's are well spaced, & certainly far more spaced than most private CG's.
I realize that electrical and water hookups are less costly and easier to maintain when they are closer together.
You wont find many NF CG's with water & elect hook-ups, there are a few out there, but generally, the number would be low.I'm going to check out some of the NFS sites in Kentucky this summer, so, I'll probably have a better perspective then. Oh, on the issue of generators. I bought a diesel one when I bought the trailer, however, it was so god-awful noisy that I ended up selling it (without ever actually using it) and got a Honda 3000. I think designated times for recharging batteries etc. would be helpful or some guidelines for noise levels -
Most, if not all NP NF & COE CG's have specific generator hours, generally a couple hours in the AM, & 2-4 hours in the early evening. Some even have NO GENERATOR areas.I ran mine for 8 hours after I got it just to test it out. I had it in the bed of my truck with the truck cover partially closed, and I could not hear it in the trailer which was only 10 feet away.

Thanks for listening. I look forward to future discussions, and lessons in NFS camping.

What I posted, generally has to do with actual campgrounds, boondocking or (dispersed) camping is another breed with differing rules.

Suzi · **Joined:** Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:59 pm **Posts:** 145

One thing you'll notice when you start using FS campgrounds regularly is they do tend to be more spacious. Of course, there are exceptions. The Daniel Boone NF, in KY, is loading with spacious campsites. We started noting the degree of "privacy between sites" in campground descriptions which will give you an idea of separation.

We had a Honda generator too with our travel trailer. I think it was quieter than the one we have in the motorhome especially inside.

Don't forget to check to see if you are old enough for a Golden Age/Senior Pass - great savings.

Happy camping, Suzi

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