flteng
Gibbons, Alberta, Canada
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Joined: 01/04/2004
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Recently retired and planning to go to AZ mid November to mid March. I'm overwhelmed with all the info on this and other websites so thought I would ask a few questions.
What conditions should I expect driving I-15 south from Alberta in Nov & north in Mar?
Do I need to reserve a site? I don't want to make a commitment for several months and then regret it.
Any Canadians using Bell express vu in Phoenix, Yuma?
Thanks
Bill & Fran
2008 Embassy 36FB
07 Malibu in tow
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djgarcia95928
Northern, Ca. , USA
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Joined: 07/26/2002
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flteng wrote:Recently retired and planning to go to AZ mid November to mid March. I'm overwhelmed with all the info on this and other websites so thought I would ask a few questions.
What conditions should I expect driving I-15 south from Alberta in Nov & north in Mar?
Do I need to reserve a site? I don't want to make a commitment for several months and then regret it.
Any Canadians using Bell express vu in Phoenix, Yuma?
Thanks
The Phoenix and surrounding areas is generally in demand during these months as many "snow birders" head here. Because of great number of snow birders headed for this area, you generally have to make reservations months in advance if you want to be sure of having a spot and it not uncommon for RV parks to ask for a couple of months stay.
Dick
djgarcia@earthlink.net
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skip298
South Bruce Peninsula Ontario Canada
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Dont take the bell,,is doesnt work that well down there I am told........IF you do take it DO NOT TELL BELL>>>DO NOT EVEN ASK THEM ABOUT IT.....they get really upset and if they suspect you are down there using it they are likely to cut your service off......
Just head down the highway.. find a spot in the area you like for a week or two..scout the area and find a CG you like then make your long term reservation..
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Dave A
Espanola, ON
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Joined: 04/28/2004
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If you plan on snowbirding on a regular basis, you may want to look at switching to Starchoice. Expressvu will probably work OK in Az. but if you head anwhere further south, only a few channels will work. We go to Harlingen, TX and anyone with Expressvu can only get basic channels like CBC - boy what a great winter that'll be!!!
Another plus is if you have any issues with your reception, Starchoice doesn't care where you are. They sent me a dish for my house in Texas. Expressvu will cut you off if they figure out you're not in your house - of course Expressvu is based in Quebec and Starchoice in Alberta, not that that would have anything to do with their corporate outlook.
Have fun.
PM me if you want to discuss options on TV and snowbirds.
Dave
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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I15 southbound In November, especially late, can have snow storms that usually do not last more than a day.. Northern MT is usually predictable with Calgary/Lethbridge forecasts. Montana/Idaho border area is one of the potentially stormy area but again it usually does not last long. All the rest should be OK.
Northbound in March - early same as above, late March usually OK.
Reservations in Phoenix/Yuma areas before New years probably OK without. Jan-Mar. many parks fill up exccept for very short term. If you come in Nov. and shop around for a park where you might want to stay longer you should be OK.
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2001 Silverado 2500HD shortbed
wonderful lifetime travelling companion/spouse
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Jack_Diane_Freedom
Lindsay Ont, and Gulf Coast Florida
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Cannot comment on the AZ rv site availability but our Expressvu works flawlessly as far south as Naples Florida so I do not see why it would not work in AZ.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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Bell works in the East Only! Out west it just plain sucks, switch to Star Choice and get All the channels as far South as Guatemala.
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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Gruffy
monominto mb ca
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Joined: 10/02/2003
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Neighbours used Express View in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma but I didn't travel to Arizona to watch TV so I have no first hand experience.
You will find that off your antenna you will get a lot of high definition TV.... regular TV is to be turned off in February. Great time to spring for a new TV.
Prepare for some cool nights. I've had to scrape frost off the windows in all the above places and Brownsville Tx. as well
I have heard Yuma fills up but I've never made a reservation and never been turned down for one or two nights... If you wish to stay in one place for weeks or months it might be different but if your flexible it should not be a big problem. In a pinch you can usually overnight in a Casino.
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Your expressvu will kinda work but you will have about 1/3 less transponders south of vegas. In my opinion you won't require reservations. You may want to check out some socal areas like palm springs before settling into something in arizona.
Feel free to send us an email if you get to Palm Springs and we can probably help you find something in advance. We own a lot HERE. But there are MANY other choices for all sorts of budgets and needs. If you go to our link in our signature there are links to pictures of our lots in Southern California. They are typical of what you might find in RV parks there.
By the way. We spent many years (covering to postings) in Cold Lake during our Air Force careers. We are quite familiar with the gibbons area. Feel free to contact us with any other questions on the new lifestyle.
John and Angela
Come visit us at our website and share in our great fulltime RV Adventure.
2003 Fleetwood Revolution 40C
Retired Canadian Air Force Technicians
Vernon,B.C,Canada.
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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One advantage to Yuma as a RV destination is that you have all kinds of RV parking in Quartzite (60 miles N of Yuma) IF you have any difficulty in Yuma. Another advantage to South West AZ is the convenience of using Casino parking lots in Laughlin NV as staging area for both for South and North bound RVs. In other words, target Laughlin as you first low altitude and low latitude stop enroute, then you can ask other RVers in the parking lot for advice from there.
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