RVing in October

[LeahBee]

We want to RV to Oregon and possibly Yosemite this October. We’ve never taken the trailer out this late before.
Other than early darkness, can anyone think of any downsides to this idea? Does anyone here prefer October? September has always been our month to RV but we could t make that happen this year.
Thanks for any input

 

[Donna D.]

Well, it may be beautiful in Oregon (Indian Summer) or it may be wet. The Fall NOG is next month at Silver Falls State Park. Over the years, we've had beautiful weather to snow! Since it's always the same weekend, we just say we'll have weather whether or not we like it!

 

[tractors1]

Yosemite is tight all year. Here's a reference: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/rvcamping.htm


We camp along the Oregon coast all months; you might also consider Northen California (Jedidiah Smith National Redwoods.) Rarely snows along the coast, but you need to like drizzle.

 

[Iowa Dave]

Some considerations in our neck of the woods for October camping is to start the trip with full propane tanks, a heavy jacket and a raincoat. Camping while wearing gloves and a stocking hat is great.
Iowa Dave

 

[cpaharley2008]

Fall and winter is our favorite camping time. With heat and campfires it is exhilarating. Once Thanksgiving comes though we winterize and drain the tanks and continue use all winter. We flush with antifreeze or use cg facilities. Using an electric heater also conserves propane use.

 

[stratos175]

I would have to agree. I always enjoy camping but doing it with some chill in the air, the crackling of a nice fire and a college football game on the radio is something I don't know if I would ever get tired of. Yes sometimes I watch the games but also something enjoyable to me listening to a radio broadcast of a game.
I would think this would be the best time to visit those areas, a little less crowded and probably won't be too hot.

Enjoy the journey.

Steve

 

[Jim Bennett]

We camp until Thanksgiving (Oct 14 this year) and usually make this our last local camping trip, then winterize until heading south during the winter.

Nothing like the group sitting around a nice evening campfire at this time of year. A blanket on the chair adds lots of backside warmth.

I too just love fall. Give me those crisp sunny days over the sweltering heat and I am much happier.

 

[jxoco]

Oregon is good but can be cloudy. If you have a furnace and solar panels you might not make it past a couple of days if the furnace is cutting on a lot.
Take a generator with a 12v lead to put a bit of charge into the batteries.
(If you are driving from place to place each day, good, you will start each night with full batteries.)
It is easier to dress up for the cold than it is to dress down because of the heat.
Normally you don't need slippers in a trailer, in October you need slippers.
Break out the fleece, fleece jackets or vests and fleece blankets for sitting outside.
And a puffy comforter for the bed.
Keep your head and chest warm and start each day with a strip or two of bacon and your internal body furnace will have no problem keeping you warm.

 

[LeahBee]

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies everybody. Your input has made it much easier for me to embrace October as a new month to RV!
So excited to try this now! Thank you!!!

 

[Bobbie54]

Remember it won't be dark as early further south as it is in BC. And it is a good time to visit areas that are usually much warmer in the summer. But getting a site in Yosemite is going to be tough.

 

[Brian B-P]

Take a generator with a 12v lead to put a bit of charge into the batteries.

Plugging the trailer into the generator and letting the converter/charger charge the battery is more effective than the lousy 12 VDC output on a typical generator.

 

[Farther]

..start each day with a strip or two of bacon...

That would be kosher bacon?

 

[cpaharley2008]

Plugging the trailer into the generator and letting the converter/charger charge the battery is more effective than the lousy 12 VDC output on a typical generator.

Actually I was told it is better to plug in a battery charger to your generator to charge your batteries quicker than the on board WCFO unit.

 

[dfandrews]

Yosemite is tight all year. Here's a reference: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/rvcamping.htm


We camp along the Oregon coast all months; you might also consider Northen California (Jedidiah Smith National Redwoods.) Rarely snows along the coast, but you need to like drizzle.

We second Charlie's suggestion about the N. California coast. Along with Jed.Smith Redwoods, there are a series of Redwood National and State parks along US-101. Our favorite: Patrick's Point.

 

[jnfrombigt]

We camp until Thanksgiving (Oct 14 this year) and usually make this our last local camping trip, then winterize until heading south during the winter.

Nothing like the group sitting around a nice evening campfire at this time of year. A blanket on the chair adds lots of backside warmth.

I too just love fall. Give me those crisp sunny days over the sweltering heat and I am much happier.

Jim what is the definition of sweltering heat in Alberta, eh??��

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

Actually I was told it is better to plug in a battery charger to your generator to charge your batteries quicker than the on board WCFO unit.

the WCFO is like 35 or 45 amps... most car chargers are only like 6-8 amps.

 

[Mike Lewis]

I was surprised at how poorly my solar panels perform in October as compared to, say, June. And I first noticed this in Georgia, pretty far south.

 

[Marry-ESC]

Jim what is the definition of sweltering heat in Alberta, eh??��

I can answer that one....
As soon as Jim starts to sweat
Anyhow: Jim isn’t the only one preferring a little cooler. I think it’s more that our Alberta Prairie bodies are more in favour of a tiny little colder temperature.

 

[Eggscape]

Just do a little research to see that the camp sites you want to stay in are still open. The further north you are the less likely you will find camp sites open.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Jim what is the definition of sweltering heat in Alberta, eh??��

All depending on the days activities, but anywhere from 20-26°C for me. Anything warmer requires a lounging area along the ocean with a mojito in hand, and that is a rare thing for me.

If I am active I stay plenty warm. Room temperature (20°C or 78°F) is plenty warm then. If just sitting around I can easily handle a bit more. As Marry alluded to, living in Alberta for lots of years gets most folks quite used to this.

It is a bit funny though I do understand when we see immigrants, like Asians and Indians, from much warmer climates that when they first come here are wearing parkas, toques and mitts when temperatures are above freezing. Most native folks might have on a light jacket.