WGPuckett@aol.com

My copilot and I plan to spend a few months in warmer climates this winter. We have been checking out both Florida and Texas as possibilities. Since I have a trade show in Houston, TX at the end of Feburary it makes sense to go ahead and commit to Texas. At first glance it appears that monthly rates are much, much cheaper in Texas than in Florida. We have read some good reviews about various campgrounds in Texas along it's southeast Gulf shore. We own a 36' Bounder Class A. It would be great if we could find a place that we would not have to move from for me to run into Houston for the trade show, but that is low on the priority list. Finding a nice place to stay where it is warm is much, much higher. I am hoping to get some feedback from folks who winter in Texas or have some knowledge of it. Here are the sort of things we look for: We try to avoid campgrounds where the lots are so close together you can barely open your awnings and slides. It's not too bad to have reasonably small sites as long as there is something there in the way of bushes, shrubs and trees to at least give the elusion of privacy. We really prefer state parks and federal campgrounds where the sites are somewhat separated. This isn't a deal breaker unless it's obvious you won't have any privacy. Since it will be a long term stay we will need full hook-ups. It surprises us how many campgrounds advertise monthly rates but don't offer full hook-ups. We don't want to have to run to the dump station every five to six days to empty the tanks. We'd prefer to be on or very close to the beach. But this is not essential. On a lake or river would be great. Or a super nice campground that offers everything else we look for would work nicely. We don't worry about wi-fi or other internet hookups. We use cellular broadbad. So we need good cell signal strength more than wi-fi access. We will be working from our RV. We don't care about shuffle courts, tennis courts or bingo. But it would be nice to be at a place that has nice social activities. Dances, pot lucks, karaoke, entertainment, etc. We'd rather not be at a place where there are permanent locals with trailers on blocks, old cars and all night parties. These aren't all locked in stone, just what we look for. We've heard that wind can be a big problem in Texas in the winter. The same can be said for Florida at times. How bad is it really? Where have you stayed in Texas? What did you like about it? What did you NOT like about it? If we didn't go to the coast what are our alternatives? Is there anything fairly nice around San Antonio? I'm sure we aren't the only folks who have the same questions. Any feedback from membership would be greatly appreciated by all. Thanks.

I agree totally. It is far better to purchase a quality product that doesn't need to go back to the dealer time after time to fix things that should have been done right in the first place. You are really talking about "dealer quality" on the fixes. But it is also not likely to have NO issues out of the factory. That's where HONEST feedback from other owners come in. For a Cass A it is also important to know if you are going to tow and what size your toad is going to be. Most gassers only tow up to 5,000 lbs. That's not a very big vehicle.

We live in Kentucky. According to our RV Dealer when we bought our Class A they have no special requirements for an RV.

Not to change the subject too far but we have a 2008 Fleetwood Bounder on an F-550 frame with a V10 Triton gas engine. Last year Ford changed the way the Tow/Haul setting works. When in Tow/Haul it will automatically downshift when going down hill with the cruise on. We have driven the mountains of Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado and almost never needed to use the brakes. If not in cruise all you have to do it tap the brakes and it will downshift. Tap again a bit harder and it will downshift again. The only reason we don't use it all the time is because it locks out the O/D. Would be nice if the settings were separate. But we can deal with that. It's a great feature. Definitely saves brakes and makes mountain travelling much safer.

We have a combo in our Bounder. It's in the kitchen about midway facing the center line. There is a little vibration at times but little sound at any time. We love it. Wish the one at home was that quiet!!!!