Arizona RV Parks

Arizona RV Parks! I would have never guessed there was so much to learn about recreational vehicle parks. Whether you are looking to brush up on your terminology or just looking for a parks directory, you are parked at the right rest stop.

Are you thinking about taking your family on an RV Trip, but could use a little assistance in choosing the right location that has the exact accommodations and amenities? Arizona is obviously famous for its landscapes, such as the Grand Canyon and all the many lakes, mountains, wildlife, not to mention all of the activities... and with all of the RV parks in AZ, what you have is the perfect opportunity to explore Arizona at its greatest!

Click Here For The Arizona RV Parks Directory

Why Not Enjoy All Of These Things In An RV?

RV Basement

Okay, if you have absolutely no idea what this is, the first thing that maybe came to your mind was a basement underneath the RV, right? Well, not exactly. This just means that the living floor of the RV is built above the chassis, which in turn allows room for your storage items, under the floor. A lot of these RV basements are designed so that you can access your stored items from both sides, making them very convenient, to say the least when traveling to any of the AZ RV Parks.

The only drawback is that these recreational vehicles are taller so you need to be careful when driving into a gas station, for example, if it doesn't have a very high canopy.

Electrical

Both electricity and water are available at these Arizona RV Parks. Unless you are a caveman, this pretty much goes without any further explanation.

Extended Stay Site

Arizona RV Parks have many Extended Stay Sites. Here, RVers are allowed to stay for an "extended period of time." Generally speaking, you will see Extended Stays at Arizona RV Parks allowing individuals to stay for a month or even for a season at a time.

Some Arizona RV Parks will also have regulations on the age of recreational vehicles. I have heard of some Arizona RV Parks restricting vehicles that are older than 5 years of age, while others restrict vehicles more than 10 years old, so you just need to contact the Arizona RV Parks you are inquiring about before assuming you meet their requirements.

Federal Parks

Federal Arizona RV Parks are run by the National Forest Service, NFS, or the National Park Service, NPS. Many times these Arizona RV Parks offer some sort of work program, which will give you the nice benefit of getting a reduced rate.

Fifth Wheel

I don't know about you, but I used to wonder where the term 5th wheel came from. It just didn't make sense to me.  In case you did not know the meaning, here is the reason why they are called as such...

If you look at one of those huge semi-trucks and remove the trailer itself, you will notice that there is a hitch that the trailer sits on, directly over the rear axles of the truck. You will see a "pin" and a flat plate which rides on a circular plate with a device to lock the "pin" in place. With a Fifth Wheel, the trailer sits on a hitch in the truck bed.

In addition, Fifth Wheel Travel Trailers can only be towed by a pickup truck.

Of all of the Fifth Wheels I have personally seen, the master bedroom can be found in the area over the truck bed. In some of the more expensive models, you can actually stand up in the bedroom area. There is a variation between models, but if you are considering a model such as the one just mentioned, keep in mind you will need a good 12 feet for overhead clearance.

The thing to remember is the easier it is for you to tow means less luxury, meaning you will likely have to crawl in to certain areas such as the bedroom, versus walking in. It's just a matter of preference.

Fifth Wheels are available in length from 18-40 feet. The best thing to do is make sure you take your truck and hook it up for size and see if it is suitable.

Full Hookup

Full Hookup simply means you will have all of your main Arizona RV Parks essentials. You will have electricity, sewer, and water at these Arizona RV Park sites.

Historic Sites

Rich in cultural history, these Arizona RV Parks are accompanied by special historical importance such as, but not limited to, monuments, objects, and landscapes. Historic Arizona RV Parks are usually open to visitors.

If you think you need help recording your trip details ... Click Here!

Ok, let's get started with some RV terminology, shall we?

Mobile Homes and Motor Homes

Contrary to maybe some very naive people, mobile homes are not recreational vehicles and cannot move on their own. In essence, they really are a trailer that can be moved from one location to another, just not to one of the Arizona RV P

Motor Homes

Motor homes are also commonly referred to as recreational vehicles. A Motor Home is a motorized RV. Also, Motor homes do have engines and can be driven. A Motor Home can be compared to a home on wheels. I know of a few people who make these motor homes their home.

My mother also knows a retired couple who sold their home and traded it for a motor home. They figured with all of the traveling that they do, they would be better off just living in a motor home.

I am told that the Motor Home is just as nice as the home without wheels that they had back in Minnesota! These motor homes come complete with fresh water tanks and holding tanks for waste water, which allows on-board passengers the ability to use the restroom when the Motor Home is not parked.

Certainly there are some drawbacks to a Motor Home. The first thing I think of is that once you reach your favorite Arizona RV Parks destination, you really do need a car or some other means of transportation. Here in Arizona, I almost always see RV's towing a car behind it, which to me, only makes sense. The towed vehicle, by the way is known as a "toad" or a "dinghy."

Maybe a couple of other obvious disadvantages are the gas and any maintenance issues. With gas being almost $3 a gallon at the time of this writing of May 2007, it can be very costly if you are doing a lot of traveling to the various Arizona RV Parks.

I have also wondered what people do when they have to take their RV in for emergency maintenance when they are at one of Arizona RV Parks which might be hundreds, if not thousands of miles from home. I guess you just go to a hotel in the car that you hopefully towed along with the RV for a few days.

Here are some other terms that are correlated to Arizona RV Parks that you might find useful.

Tent Sites

You guessed it. A tent site is just that. A site where you can place your tent on! Likely, though, if you consider yourself someone who frequents Arizona RV Parks with your RV and not a tent, you probably do not care about tent sites.

However, if you have someone in your party who enjoys "pitching a tent," perhaps this is an interest. If that is the case, maybe you can drop them off at a nearby designated tent site near one of the Arizona RV Parks, before making your way to your RV site!. You may wish to call the Arizona RV Parks site where you will be staying and inquire about any possible tent sites in the area, as the folks there will likely be happy and willing to assist you.

RV Classes

Class A Motor Homes

They have the distinct shape of a bus, while some in fact are built like a bus as they are built on a bus chassis.

Other points about Motor Homes is that they are either powered by a gasoline or diesel engine. If it is a diesel engine, then the engine will be situated in the rear.

As far as length, Class A Motor Homes will likely range anywhere from 22 feet to well over 40 feet. I am sure you have seen the real big ones! Maybe you have one or are about to buy one. If so, lucky you.

With the Class A's, usually you will find a nice big queen or double bed located to the rear of the unit. Your main living quarters such as your dining area, couch, restroom and kitchen fall behind the driver seat, with various arrangements, depending on the model of the home.

Class B Motor Homes:

Class B's are pretty easy to identify as I am sure you have seen many. Just picture a van because they are generally not any bigger than a standard van that you would see.

Class B's are easily spotted as with the higher roof area that allows one to stand up inside the Class B Motor Home. Certainly these guys are no comparison to a Class A, they work just perfect for many who do not want to spend the extra money on gas or the home, itself.

The nice thing about them is that you will still have a couch that converts to a bed, a small toilet and an icebox. Easy to maneuver! If that is not a good enough excuse to have one, then how about convincing yourself or your significant other that they make the perfect tool to get away to the mountains for a couple of days. Yeah, that one might just work! Try it.

Class C Motor Homes

From the front view, the Class C Motor Homes look like a van and set up much the way a van is. Both the driver and the passenger sit in the front.

The double bed is found above the cab. Some would agree that the biggest disadvantage to the Class C Motor Homes is that the passengers sitting behind the front in the dinette area have an obstructed view. You can see the view if you bend over of course, but nevertheless, it can be the reason some people do not like the Class C Motor Homes.

Class C Motor Homes are available in lengths from about 20 feet up to about 36 feet.

Trailers

Trailers have the very obvious disadvantage of not being able to use the space while driving. If one person wants a cold drink, or needs to use the toilet, you need to pull over and walk back to the trailer.

You should also note that in some states, it may be illegal for someone to sleep on the bed in a Fifth Wheel Trailer while enroute.

What is so nice about trailers is that once you reach your Arizona RV Parks destination, you simply park the trailer and "presto," you have your truck minus the trailer. No need to worry about a second vehicle whatsoever.

One thing you really need to keep in mind is that when you attach a large trailer behind a truck, it will obviously make a difference in how your truck drives, referring especially to the swaying as you drive.

Make sure you have the ideal truck that can handle a large trailer when traveling to Arizona RV Parks. Choosing the wrong truck could not only choose to be costly but dangerous.

A big difference between the trailers and the Motor Homes, is that trailers are going to be more difficult to back up.

Folding Trailers, or Pop-Ups

Folding Trailers or Pop-Ups are to many, better than camping on the hard ground, but certainly not as nice as having an RV.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to do some sightseeing, then one of these just might do the trick. Most owners would probably agree that the biggest benefit (behind the cost, of course) is the fact that you don't need a big "honkin'" truck to tow a folding trailer to Arizona RV Parks. You can use a mini-van or even a mid-size car. How convenient is that! They really do work great.

I do not have one of these, but I was able to tag along as a kid growing up in Wisconsin, with one of my friends whose parents always had one of these. They really are pretty nice. They have come a long way as I remember them. Some even have a little porta-potty in them!

You will find that these typically have two folding beds along with a camping stove and an ice box, too. The top of the trailer will have a hard roof on it with the sides being a sturdy canvas. Some of the nice models have hard sides to them.

Pickup Campers

These Pickup Campers are known to many as "Slide-in Campers." They got their name due to the fact that is really what they do. They slide into the bed of a pickup truck. There is no need to add any extra wheels or axles which make it more than convenient and simple. Some swear by these that they are the best value when traveling to Arizona RV Parks.

The Pickup Campers usually hold a double or queen bed located in the area directly above the cab. Down below you typically will find a dinette area and sometimes even a small toilet with a small shower. Like the folding trailers, a lot of people love these such as families who can just slide the camper into their truck.

You will be able to choose from a variety models as well as a variety that come in various lengths. You can now purchase a Pickup Camper which extends an approximate 24 inches beyond the bumper.

Travel Trailers

Travel Trailers are inclusive of Class B vans, Fifth Wheel Trailers, Pop-Up Trailers, and also pickup campers. These are all included in recreational vehicles.

The key ingredient for anything to be considered a recreational vehicle, the vehicle needs to have an icebox, fresh water tanks, including waste water holding tanks, and a heating system. It also needs something that can be folded out into a bed.

There are many companies who sell motorhomes, such as Tiffin Motorhomes, Bankston Motorhomes or Winnebago Motorhomes, which is probably the name that people recognize the most. I certainly remember them growing up in the 1970's. There are many brand names but they are all examples of recreational vehicles.

If there is any confusion about what the meaning of campgrounds, trailer or RV Parks, let's try to clarify what they are what they are not.

Trailer Parks

Trailer Parks are simply parks that house trailer homes. In a Trailer Park, you will notice that these homes are manufactured and these homes are not typical of allowing recreational vehicles to stay here as these are trailer parks and not one the Arizona RV Parks.

Also, people who live in Trailer Parks live there year round and pay a monthly site fee.

Slideout

Slideouts are very common on the newer RV's. I think I first experienced a Slideout in my early 20's at an RV show. And I thought that was a big deal!

The biggest benefit that I see with a Slideout on an RV is that it allows you more living space once you get to your Arizona RV Parks destination and get set up. Likely you will see the living areas such as the dining area, to be extended a few feet from the original standing.

If you are looking for a great resource in the Arizona RV Parks world, I would suggest hooking up with these folks.(no pun intended....well, maybe!)

The Arizona Travel Parks Association, known as (ATPA) is a statewide association of RV Resorts, Arizona RV Parks, campgrounds, and countless industry suppliers along with other individuals and organizations.

The members of the ATPA organization are committed to promoting the growth and welfare of the campground and RV Park industries.

Their focus is done through development and implementation of legislative/regulatory, educational and promotional programs and activities. The ATPA is committed to serving the needs of its members and the general public.

If you become a member of the Arizona Travel Parks Association organization, you will also have a membership to the ARVC, which is the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

For Information To The Arizona Travel Parks Association

Administrative Contact Carolyn Bethka, State Director Email: info@azrvparks.com

8425 W. Wethersfield Road Peoria, AZ 85381

Voice: (520) 323-2872

Toll Free: (800) 921-2872 (ATPA)

Fax: (623) 979-7958

Association President Dan Thomson The Resort RV Park

Email: Dan@ArizonaResortLiving.com

1101 Ellsworth Road Mesa, AZ 85208

Voice: (480) 986-8404 Fax: (480) 986-0775

Here Are Some Other Helpful Links That You May Find Interesting Pertaining to RV's.

Vintage Vacations Archive Page - Great photos of some early RVs! http://www.vintage-vacations.com/history.htm

RV/MH Heritage Foundation - Photos of antique RVs from their museum. http://www.rv-mh-hall-of-fame.org/index.html

Lost Highways. http://www.losthighways.org/

Mr. Sharkey’s Home Page, check out these strange one-of-a-kind house buses and house trucks. http://www.mrsharkey.com/index.html

Click Here To Discover 25 RV Tips Please note that we are updating the directory listing of the Arizona RV Parks daily. Thank you!

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