KOA campsites

[Cwlady]

I read that KOA campsites will take you to your campsite and will help with hookups. Is that true? Have you had that experience? I ask because we will be rv'ing for the first time this year and I'm nervous about the hookups. Thanks

[Acadianmom]

Some do and some don't. Other private campgrounds will lead you to your site. I think if you ask when you check in most campgrounds have someone that could take you to your site. I have been camping long enough that I don't really want someone helping me hookup. If you could make it to one of the GTG's with the ladies here they could give you a lot of information and help. I find that most RVer are a helpful bunch and if you have a problem and ask for help someone will try to help you.

Martha

[Bethers]

Most camping resorts will do this. Never had it done at a KOA, but stopped staying at them years ago.

Some places won't allow you to go to a site without someone taking you. But, please, do not let anyone guide you in without looking yourself.

[BirdbyBird]

I don't know if KOAs offer that service across the board or not. I don't stay in them very often as they usually coat more $$$ than I like to spend on amenities that I don't generally use. When I have stayed I don't remember being offered any special services.

Many RV parks will have you follow someone in a golf car who will guide you to your site. Many RV parks have hosts that will help you back in if you ask. RV neighbors will also help with many things if you ask them. All of us were beginners once and many of us remember how nice it was to have a little help. That said there are situations were folks will look at you like you have three heads.

Starting out do what makes you comfortable. There are enough things to learn every time out. In the end you will get to the experienced level. Traveling with friends or attending a couple of gtg could help also. You bring your more experienced help with you!

[dayspring39]

Help is only an ask away! GTGs are a great place to ask because you have gotten to know the people by writing and reading posts... Just remember it is fun!
Kathleen

[MelissaD]

Ditto all above.

It all should be fun and no one is grading you

If you make a reservation ask for assistance then or ask when you arrive. A little customer service on their behalf can make a long term customer.

Often the person at the next campsite, if asked, will be willing to help. Just make sure you offer them a beer or soft drink when done. Could be you just made a new camping buddy.

None of it's "rocket science" and a little common sense goes a long way.

Check site for clearance to the sides and above before backing in. Make sure you have room to open slides (no branches, power posts or water pipes in the way of slide). Just make sure your wheels are chocked and your hoses will reach before you unhook. Try to keep cords and hoses tucked back so others won't trip on them. Make sure the breaker on the power post is "off" before you plug or unplug. Drain valves are shut before you remove caps or hoses. Keep the fire a safe distance from the camper and have fun. If you do those couple of safety items, the rest is all fun. There are little things and tricks you learn overtime but these will get you started.

Over the campfire you can talk about surge protectors, water pressure regulators, who makes the best lawn chair, and the other nuances to camping. MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN

Enjoy... look forward to hearing about your first adventure. We all have stories to tell of lessons learned.

[linann]

The KOA's we've stayed in usually escort you to your site and guide you onto the site, if needed, but never helped with hook-ups or set up. Pretty much the same as at private parks. When we bought our TT, the maintenance man at the 1st place we stayed (a KOA) was a real "McGyver". He was so helpful, we went back to that campground four weekends that summer and he answered all our questions. Unfortunately, he is no longer there, management changed and their prices skyrocketed. We do not stay at KOA's unless desperate. We decided they are just too expensive and prefer Passport America or state parks.

Do you have anyone who can camp with you on your first couple of trips? As others suggested, try a GTG. You'll definitely get lots of advice and help there!!!

[bluepinecones]

I've only stayed at one KOA (in Ozark, AL) so don't know about others except to agree with Tina that they are expensive. However, they did escort me to my site and asked if I needed help with anything before they left. It was well below freezing that night and he also reminded me that it might not be a good idea to hook water up.

[chalet05]

I ask because we will be rv'ing for the first time this year and I'm nervous about the hookups. Thanks

Is it something specific that worries you about hookups?

[Deeann]

No reason to be nervous about campsite hookups. You'll be plugging your electric cable into the outlet. If you've ever plugged in a vacuum cleaner you can plug in your trailer. You'll be hooking up your water line. If you can hook up a garden hose you won't have any problems. The sewer hose is easy too. Don't panic about any of this. Once you learn to do it you'll be amazed at how fearful you once were. Just have someone show you how to do it. It's a snap.

[JudyJB]

I think the reason you sometimes get an escort to your site in a commercial campground is to prevent you from running into their water and electric hookups.

However, this is all not a worry. Unless the campground is completely deserted, you will easily get offers of help if you just ask. If it looks like you are having trouble backing into a tricky situation (like my campsite yesterday) people will come over to help. It is just what is done. If they don't, just ask someone. Everyone needs a bit of help every once in a while. And this is true in ALL campgrounds.

Plugging in IS as easy as plugging in a vacuum cleaner. Ditto for hooking up a water hose.

[snowball]

When I go to Salt Lake City really don't have much choice there is another campground that is further out...about the same cost and has no trees...by this time I'm ready for trees...plus I'm closer to family to public transportation ect...the first time I went to KOA by myself they were out of pull ins so said I would need help a lot as I hadn't back up yet (and still haven't) they had some one come help me...but also I've stayed there for years usually a month at a time and they remember me so don't know if it's there policy or not but can't hurt ...the saying the only dumb question is the one not asked!!!
good luck with you on your trip
sheila

[daibraik]

I've stayed at quite a few KOA campgrounds for convenience. I don't know that they all have a valet service (which is what I hear the escort service called now), but you could certainly call ahead and find out. Ask for a pull through site if you're nervous about backing up (you will more often than not pay extra). I actually experienced my first valet service coming down south in January, very interesting. One was at a KOA, and she just buzzed off after guiding me to my site and switching on the electricity at the site with a key. Another was at a Good Sam park. He waited until I pulled in and then urged me to move forward a bit to ensure that my slide cleared the electric hookups. Very handy.

At another KOA site, I had the dreaded knock on the door at 10 at night in the dark. After a cautious exchange of who is it, I discovered that it was an RV that had just pulled in, an older couple who had very little experience with their RV, having bought it to snowbird in several years prior and not having used it until that day. They couldn't figure out where their plug went, which outlet, where the water went, if they had a coaxial cable in the RV, etc. I helped them with all of this (and I'm hardly an expert on anything. )

So, neighbors will help, and I'll bet if the KOA staff has a spare person on duty, they will too.

But I absolutely do recommend that you learn to do it yourself before you leave. Practice, practice, and you'll be that much happier.

Dawn

[JudyJB]

During my first dry-run when my motorhome was brand new, I stayed four nights in a state park near my son's house in Ohio. I must have really looked like an amateur because I had just walked around to the hookups and a lady in the next campsite yelled over that her husband would help me with anything if I needed it. I thanked her and said I was trying to learn how to do it myself.

Only problem was that I had to run the water to flush out all the winterizing anti-freeze. I spent the afternoon unpacking and doing dishes, but just as it was getting dark, I decided that enough of the antifreeze was out that I could turn the water heater switch so water would flow into the tank. (It has a shutoff switch for winterizing because you do not want antifreeze it in.)

So, immediately I could hear water running somewhere. While I was panicking and trying to find my flashlight, I had three guys knocking on my door to tell me water was running on the outside. They had a flashlight, so I turned the lever off, and they brought over some pipe tape and put in the plug that the dealer had left out. I was very thankful, and they knew just what to do!!

The point is, you will probably get tons of help and advice. Just stand around looking puzzled in nearly every campground and someone will come over to help.

[Cwlady]

Thank you everyone! I guess we better do a shake down before we venture far from our home.