Tons of Newbie Questions Going to AirVenture in RV (New to both RVing and AirVenture)

[PiperWarriorII]

Hello all, I just wanted to ask some probably very basic questions about camping at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and RVing services / logistics. My name is Jean-Marie Vaneskahian and my son, and I are renting a 30’ RV from Cruise America and driving from Dallas, TX to Oshkosh to attend our first AirVenture! We have never rented or even been in an RV! I have been learning as much as I can from websites and YouTube videos. I was looking for advice and answers to some probably basic questions. I really appreciate any help on any of the topics that you can give.

My intentions:

1. Pick up RV on Wednesday July 20th
2. Leave for Oshkosh from North Dallas, TX on Thursday morning July 21st
3. Overnight at RV friendly stops (need to learn what / where those are between home and Oshkosh), any advice?
4. Fill up fuel, water, and propane as close as possible to Oshkosh before arriving at Camp Scholler
5. Arrive in Oshkosh Camp Scholler Saturday July 23^rd (Standard camp site with no power / no water / no sewer… Boondocking)
6. Stay in Oshkosh Camp Scholler without moving the RV at all from the camping spot until Sunday July 31^st

My Questions:

1. On the drive from Dallas to Oshkosh
   
   1. What are the best kinds of places to overnight and stay in the RV that are not far from the main highway? RV Campsite? RV Self Park? Gas Station? Truck Stop?
   2. What are places I can fill up fresh water and dump black and grey water?
   3. What is the closest spot to Oshkosh Camp Scholler where I can get fuel, fresh water, and dump waste?
   
   
2. What is the best time of day to arrive at Oshkosh Camp Scholler?
   
   1. What if I arrive at nighttime?
   2. Is Camp Scholler closed at certain hours?
   3. Can I find / pick a spot in the dark?
   
   
3. What is the process once I arrive at Camp Scholler?
   
   1. Do I have to check in anywhere?
   2. I paid for my Camp Scholler stay on the EAA website already, are there passes I have to display?
   3. Do I just pick any spot I want or do they direct traffic to your designated spot?
   4. Will I have to back into our spot or will I be able to drive into it?
   
   
4. If during the time we are at Camp Scholler (Saturday July 23^rd - Sunday July 31^st ) we need RV services, (fresh water, dump out black and grey water) what are our options?
   
   1. How hard would it be to drive the RV to the RV Dump Station located on Stits Road, south of Cedar Avenue (I read that this exists on the EAA website) and make it back to the RV site? How do I make sure no one parks at our site while I do this if it is possible?
   2. I read online that there was an RV Holding Tank Service that can be purchased at Red One Market Central. How does this service work? Do they just come to the RV and empty the waste tanks and refill the fresh water? Do I have to be there when they arrive for this?
   3. Is there a way to get fuel for the RV if needed? (I am thinking if we need to run the generator during the day for electric power and it uses up fuel)
   
   
5. Where to charge up batteries? Can we leave devices unattended at a charge station and not have them stolen (like portable battery packs)? What are our options?
6. We are considering bringing bikes to bike from Camp Scholler to the entrance of the main EAA AirVenture Event. What gates or entry point would we bike to? Is there a place to lock up the bikes there?
7. Where at Camp Scholler is the best / closest place to park get to the entrance gates to the events?
   
   1. Is it better to park close to the showers or a market?
   
   
8. What items should I plan on bringing for the RV trip and Oshkosh? I have a list of some things, but wanted to make sure I did not miss anything:
   
   1. A wagon to go back and forth to the market
   2. Camping folding chairs
   3. Bug spray / sunscreen
   4. Hats / Caps
   5. Large Battery packs with a sign that has our names and contact details when we leave them charging
   6. Gloves for changing grey and black water tanks
   7. Towels, toiletries, sandals for taking a shower at the showering facilities at Camp Scholler
   8. Bikes on a bike trailer to go from Camp Scholler to the entrance to the main EAA AirVenture events. Bike locks.
   9. Backpacks with water bottles to carry around stuff while at AirVenture
   10. Flashlights
   11. Ear Plugs
   12. Rain Poncho and zip lock bags for electronics
   13. Extra pair of comfortable shoes and sunglasses
   14. Is a cooler needed if I have the RV?

That is everything I could think of asking. I am sure I forgot something and might have more educated questions as I get replies to these. I cannot thank everyone enough for any guidance and help on making our first RV trip ever and our first trip to Oshkosh EAA AirVenture a special one! We are both VERY excited!

Thanks again,
Jean-Marie and Marty Vaneskahian

[btaz]

As far as places along the way, look at "Harvest Hosts". Far a reasonable annual fee you get access to various "Point of attraction" for free overnight stays(Wineries, breweries, farms, museums, etc.)

There is an app called "Gasbuddy" to help you identify best fuel options along the way.

[PiperWarriorII]

As far as places along the way, look at "Harvest Hosts". Far a reasonable annual fee you get access to various "Point of attraction" for free overnight stays(Wineries, breweries, farms, museums, etc.)

There is an app called "Gasbuddy" to help you identify best fuel options along the way.

That is a great point! I totally forgot about GadBuddy!!! Ans thanks for the Harvest Hosts tip! I will look into it...

[Al Burgemeister]

As far as places along the way, look at "Harvest Hosts". Far a reasonable annual fee you get access to various "Point of attraction" for free overnight stays(Wineries, breweries, farms, museums, etc.)

There is an app called "Gasbuddy" to help you identify best fuel options along the way.

I recommend you go to a Camping World and purchase their campground guide. You can pick out campgrounds along your route, check their amenities, and call ahead for reservations. They have very good step-by-step guidance to the campground. They all have dumpstations and you can choose a basic site or with power, water, and sewer.

[Serenity_Valley]

As far as charging your phones, my family often runs the generator for a little while in the evenings, with their phones plugged in to the RV to charge. I leave mine plugged in to my camper overnight; if I wake up during the night, I might unplug it. But it draws next to nothing from the RV battery. I also carry a little portable charger around the grounds in my backpack, in case I need some extra juice.

[PiperWarriorII]

As far as charging your phones, my family often runs the generator for a little while in the evenings, with their phones plugged in to the RV to charge. I leave mine plugged in to my camper overnight; if I wake up during the night, I might unplug it. But it draws next to nothing from the RV battery. I also carry a little portable charger around the grounds in my backpack, in case I need some extra juice.

I wanted to do that too! My only concern / question was will the Cruise America 30' RV provide power (even from the battery) when the generator is off. I did not think so. If it does then we can charge our phones even at night while we sleep. Also, could I, if needed run the generator during the day while we are away and come back later and turn it off. That scares me a bit, but might be a viable option. As long as no one would steal the Jackery battery, then the best option is to leave it charging at a charge station with a sign and a label on how to contact me.

[Serenity_Valley]

I wanted to do that too! My only concern / question was will the Cruise America 30' RV provide power (even from the battery) when the generator is off. I did not think so. If it does then we can charge our phones even at night while we sleep. Also, could I, if needed run the generator during the day while we are away and come back later and turn it off. That scares me a bit, but might be a viable option. As long as no one would steal the Jackery battery, then the best option is to leave it charging at a charge station with a sign and a label on how to contact me.

This is a good point; the standard outlets in your RV won't provide power unless your generator is running. I should clarify, my little camper has a car charger-type outlet, which is what I plug my phone into.

I wouldn't recommend leaving a generator running while away from your campsite all day. It's a little unsafe, and probably poor camper etiquette.

[skyfixer8]

I have a 2019 Forest River Salem that has USB ports in several places. I have used them for charging off the battery. I have friends with older campers that installed USB ports also. I also have solar panels to keep up with battery when not near the site. Installing ports might solve your problem.

[PiperWarriorII]

I recommend you go to a Camping World and purchase their campground guide. You can pick out campgrounds along your route, check their amenities, and call ahead for reservations. They have very good step-by-step guidance to the campground. They all have dumpstations and you can choose a basic site or with power, water, and sewer.

I did not even know that existed! I found a Camping World about 51 miles from my home. I will take a trip this weekend and learn all about it. My plan was to look for big service stations like Loves and Flying J and stay there... I do not want to move too far from the Interstate because I have never driven a 30' RV (or any RV) and am not sure how comfortable I will be driving around town. I will go check it out!

Thanks!

[CHICAGORANDY]

Can I park my RV at a Walmart store? While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able.

Note - they also sell just about everything you might want or need on a road trip - plus indoor plumbing. just be courteous and park the big rig out of the way of the shoppers.

I would suggest giving the Chicago Metro area a WIDE berth due to 24hr traffic concerns. Perhaps take 355 or 294 - but do NOT go near the downtown area.

I 'assume' you've already memorized the EAA info - lol - https://www.eaa.org/airventure/plan-...BoCkycQAvD_BwE