 |
|
01-09-2025, 06:08 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
A few questions for RV veterans
Dave here in Pa... Wife and I both retired and looking for adventure so we recently bought ,but not picked up yet a 2019 AS 16rb sport Bambi, Will be pulling with 25 Ridgeline The towing part I have covered and no fears about that I've pulled many very heavy trailers with 3/4 ton P/U .that was many years ago and it does not seem like much has changed.
The question ?? If you had one club to join for full hook up travel info and rv park user reviews which would it be .? We plan to start close like 300 mile radius and then work out farther , I know alot of info is at your fingertips using google but is it best to join a club for info ,discounts and maybe priority bookings?
Second question, Is there any downside to using a cover on your RV when parked in RV storage lot with pine trees almost over head.??
Thanks in advance for replies
|
|
|
01-09-2025, 07:28 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master 
2023 28' International
Mercer County
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 792
|
The value of joining a club is dependent on how you plan to camp. If you prefer full-service campgrounds than one may be valuable but if you prefer state or federal park camping there is minimal value. I am member of Harvest Host for spots while traveling.
For the cover, AS recommends not using a cover because it will scratch the exterior.
|
|
|
01-09-2025, 07:47 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master 
2021 30' Flying Cloud
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,557
|
Welcome, Dave. We are lifetime Passport America members. The cost to join is not huge, and you can usually save at least that much each year. Not all PA parks listed are still part of the system, and some that aren't listed are now in it, so it pays to ask. Each park sets their own discount policy. Often the discount is only available for one or two nights in a stay, and sometimes there are blackout dates. The discount is always 50%, though, so it can add up.
You can do an annual membership, a few years at a time, or a lifetime. The lifetime isn't much more than a five year membership as I remember, which is why we decided to go that way.
If you are thinking more along the lines of Thousand Trails, DO NOT buy a new membership. You can find memberships for sale for a lot less. We decided against them, though, because it doesn't fit our travels. We prefer COE, State or local campgrounds if possible, then we look at PA or KOA. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, so do what fits you.
__________________
David Lininger, kb0zke
7490
2021 Flying Cloud 30 RBQ
|
|
|
01-09-2025, 07:52 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team

2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,986
|
Hi Dave. Welcome to the forum. It's great to have you with us.
I use RV Life Trip Wizard for trip planning ( https://tripwizard.rvlife.com/). I find it gives me everything needed for trip planning. There are many YouTube videos showing how it works.
Regarding a club, definitely consider the joining the Airstream Club. ( www.airstreamclub.org) There you will find an excellent source of information and good comradery. I'm not sure where you are in PA but the Central Pennsylvania Airstream Club is our home unit and we would be glad to have you. ( https://centralpa.airstreamclub.net/)
All the best!
__________________
2018 27' FBT Globetrotter
2019 RAM Limited 2500 w/6.7 diesel
BRN 22721
|
|
|
01-09-2025, 07:56 PM
|
#5
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
Thanks for reply Jeff Glad i asked about the cover There is still time to change my spot in the RV storage lot. We plan full or partial hook up as we are starting RV journey but will always have a small suitcase genny with us just incase, There does seem to be alot of state land in northern part of Pa, and i will investigate for boondocking
|
|
|
01-09-2025, 07:59 PM
|
#6
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
Thanks so much Hans ! We are in e Pa,... Bucks county ,and thanks for your invite I was unaware of the AS group but will check that out .
|
|
|
01-09-2025, 08:06 PM
|
#7
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
Thanks for info David 50 percent Thats huge ,,will check that one out
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 10:47 AM
|
#8
|
Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 16,726
|
Hi
The "club" we get by far the most use out of is Harvest Hosts.
Bob
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 11:02 AM
|
#9
|
Bompagene
1979 31' Sovereign
Pahrump
, Nevada
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 48
|
campground info
The app that I use the most is Campendium, both on my phone and computer. User generated reviews. Be sure you compare with other sources as well.
Get out there!!
Gene
__________________
Things are more like they are today than they ever have been.
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 11:34 AM
|
#10
|
1 Rivet Member 
2011 27' FB Classic
Watseka
, Illinois
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
|
I second both Campendium for honest reviews and Harvest Host for a club. (Of course, joining Airstream was a given for me.) Harvest Host is great when you need to stop overnight on your way to the next campground/destination. Many have electric or water for a small fee.
We have stayed at some fabulous spots—farms, wineries, museums—and met some great people.
__________________
Chris and Dan Hall
Happily retired
Rolling down the road
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 11:53 AM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master 

2017 16' Sport
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,823
|
Welcome Dave,
You made two good decisions, Air Forums and your Airstream. It’s not recommended to use a cover as the wind will move it around and damaging the Clear-coat finish. A local chapter Airstream Club can be great camaraderie and participating in a couple of rallies. Harvest Hosts is a good over nighter, with HH you’ll need to dump your waste tank at another site. In NY, state campgrounds will accommodate you for a few dollars, maybe PA also. Good Luck with your adventures.
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 03:46 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master 
2019 22' Sport
High River
, Alberta
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,356
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveinPa
Second question Is there any downside to using a cover on your RV when parked in RV storage lot with pine trees almost over head?
|
You've gotten good advice. I've seen an old Airstream that was tarped one winter. There definitely was clearcoat damage.
Pine trees should never be anywhere near a driveway or storage area! If you can't change the storage location, the best protection is a coat of wax.
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 10:53 PM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
thanks uncle bob
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 10:54 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bompagene
The app that I use the most is Campendium, both on my phone and computer. User generated reviews. Be sure you compare with other sources as well.
Get out there!!
Gene
|
thanx Gene
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 10:55 PM
|
#15
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlbertF
You've gotten good advice. I've seen an old Airstream that was tarped one winter. There definitely was clearcoat damage.
Pine trees should never be anywhere near a driveway or storage area! If you can't change the storage location, the best protection is a coat of wax.
|
gonna work on that Thanx !
|
|
|
01-10-2025, 10:56 PM
|
#16
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet
Welcome Dave,
You made two good decisions, Air Forums and your Airstream. It’s not recommended to use a cover as the wind will move it around and damaging the Clear-coat finish. A local chapter Airstream Club can be great camaraderie and participating in a couple of rallies. Harvest Hosts is a good over nighter, with HH you’ll need to dump your waste tank at another site. In NY, state campgrounds will accommodate you for a few dollars, maybe PA also. Good Luck with your adventures.
|
Thanks Will be checking out both of those
|
|
|
01-11-2025, 10:56 AM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master 
2021 Interstate 24GL
, California
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 516
|
We spent 5 nights this year at Harvest Host locations yours and down West Coast. Each place was nice but the options for us were limited and spent another 10 nights at places where Harvest Host had no options at all The initial price 1/2 off was great and we often found ourselves spending at least $50 a night at each HH business.
This year when HH went up to $140 we cancelled and will give this free app a shot.
Hip Camp
I can see options and on West Coast seems unlimited. Like HH not a lot of options in bigger cities but that okay we tend to avoid those are just use Elks Lodges for a quick overnight stopover. The Hip camp options also had more sewer and electrical connections options for our 24 ft size.
Good luck and welcome.
Campendium has been great before. We know use iOverlander since it’s still free
__________________
2021 AI 24GL 4wd, “maRVel”
|
|
|
01-12-2025, 07:45 AM
|
#18
|
Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 16,726
|
Hi
Sure am glad I bought that lifetime membership to Harvest Hosts back in the day  .
Now, If I do the math on what I paid for that and the "Boondockers Welcome" add on, it's not 100% clear just when I broke even. That assumes of course that I have broke even by now.
If I was still paying year to year, I'd wait and watch for one of their deals. They run them often enough that you probably don't have to wait a super long time. I'd also observe that we don't use HH in the winter. A renewal in May is fine compared to a renewal in November. I'd factor that in before I hopped on a deal price December first ....
Bob
|
|
|
01-12-2025, 08:43 AM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master 
2021 Interstate 24GL
, California
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 516
|
__________________
2021 AI 24GL 4wd, “maRVel”
|
|
|
01-14-2025, 01:12 PM
|
#20
|
2 Rivet Member 
2019 16' Sport
LANGHORNE
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 44
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|

Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|