How important is a concrete parking pad?

[Jim]

I've really gotten to where I prefer parking on concrete. So much so that it plays a part in whether or not I stay at a campground. Parking on concrete helps keep the coach, both inside and outside, so much cleaner. Interested in others feelings about it?

 

[Boat Bum]

I count myself lucky just to get FHU sometimes.

 

[team bradfield]

I also prefer concrete and gladly pay the upgrade for patio sites, they always have concrete pads

 

[redbaron]

Either concrete or allow mats. When it’s gravel with grass and mats are restricted, it is terrible for keeping coach clean.

 

[AbdRahim]

I prefer concrete, but usually settle for gravel to save money. Keep in mind all of my stays are a month or more. Fortunately, my six month campground is all concrete pads.

My steps have mats and no street shoes beyond the second step inside the coach, and a mat at the top of the stairs. On the inside I wear slides or dedicated driving shoes which never go outside. Also, no pets. Floors cleaned and disinfected after service. Guests must wear booties which I supply. While amping only spot cleaning and disinfecting is required.It is pretty safe to eat a food item that falls on the floor.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

We always put a mat at the steps. We don't even ask.
We will ask about a large outdoor rug.

Even if we are on concrete, it is usually very dirty at most campgrounds.

No shoes past the 2nd step in the coach. Steps have empty space beneath each to accommodate shoe storage.

With the above way we operate, we don't make a big deal about needing to have concrete pad. Gravel is fine. But grass, we only did once and due to our weight don't plan to ever do again.

 

[redbaron]

This is a very expensive popular Rv park and a premium gravel site.

Sites run $160+ a night

Notice how the steps land on grass.

 

[Neemer]

I prefer concrete, but gravel isn’t a deal breaker. I’ll use a patio mat on gravel which helps.

We travel with at least one dog, usually a Labrador. You ain’t eating off my floor.

 

[Jim]

Notice how the steps land on grass.

Wonder if that was a lucky outcome or if the designer actually thought that far ahead?

 

[FLSteve]

This is a very expensive popular Rv park and a premium gravel site.

Sites run $160+ a night

Notice how the steps land on grass.

@redbaron ... Looks like Grizzly out in West Yellowstone to me? Will be there in September.

FLSteve

 

[Jim]

My steps have mats and no street shoes beyond the second step inside the coach, and a mat at the top of the stairs. On the inside I wear slides or dedicated driving shoes which never go outside. Also, no pets. Floors cleaned and disinfected after service. Guests must wear booties which I supply. While amping only spot cleaning and disinfecting is required.It is pretty safe to eat a food item that falls on the floor.

Good lord, @AbdRahim! Sounds like your coach’s floor is so sterile the bacteria have to file a visitor’s permit!

 

[J&JD]

We prefer concrete for cleanliness, and usually concrete pads are fairly level. Gravel sites are ok, but we avoid dirt whenever possible.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We would rather have concrete if possible. If it's dirty, I will wash the area that we will use. We don't mind gravel if it is at least 1 inch. I hate pea gravel. I would rather not be on grass but it's a heck of a lot better than dirt. Like MemoriesByTheMile neither shoes or sandals get past the second step. We have a puppy towel at the entrance and wet feet get wiped. (All of our dogs have learned to count to four this way! and then there has to be the tummy rub with the towel. Our last coach was carpet and I hated to shampoo. This one has NO carpet so much easier to keep clean.

 

[sanda]

Gravel or grass for us. Concrete or pavement radiates to much heat for us.

 

[DennisT]

Packed gravel or concrete is our preferred.

Where we have been in Ohio the past couple years they actually added gravel to the site we get due to our weight (helps to know the owner sometimes). Most are just dirt and it is a real mess when it rains.

 

[JBright11]

We prefer concrete.
No shoes in the coach for us either and mats at the bottom and top of the stairs.

 

[flyboy013]

I prefer the concrete but I won’t go out of my way for it. We prefer camping in places that have some privacy and don’t pack you in with hardly enough space to sit at the picnic table without being on top of the neighbor’s utilities. We prefer state parks and COE campgrounds. While it can sometime be difficult in a 45’, we manage. We park in SWFL for 6 months in the winter and then we are on the road for 6 months. I’ve accepted that the exterior of the coach is going to be filthy, whether from the drive or the rain water splashing while parked. Most places don’t allow us to wash the coach, but a few do and I appreciate that. I won’t let just anyone wash my coach. I left Reno last week and a Marathon coach pulled up next to us. The next day he had some local boy washing his coach to include the use of a scrub brush on a pole. The guy’s coach had many swirl scratches. Again, I’ll do it my self. I’m still capable and get some satisfaction from doing so.

 

[Trav_lr]

We mostly boondock so concrete pads are rarely an option. When we use a comercial RV park or state park, it's to empty tanks, refill, do laundry and take long showers, concrete sites are preferred.

 

[Neal]

Personally, I don't care either way. I expect to find concrete pads at "RV Resorts" aka RV parking lots. I prefer a camping experience in the woods and that's not going to have a concrete pad usually. I'm fine on the grass or any surface for that matter if groomed well and level.

 

[J&JD]

I'm fine on the grass or any surface for that matter if groomed well and level.

Especially true if you have the “air level” capability. So much easier on softer surfaces.