Shopping?

[Danne]

How does one find a decent RV gatches store on the road?! We are first-timers, currently in MN heading into ND on our way to OR. Having a great time so far but would now like to add to our equipment/gadgets... solar, camp lights, new chairs, rain/shade awnings, etc.

We're tired of the same ol sterile Camping World and want to talk to and buy from a knowledgeable solar person. Do physical stores actually exist as we head west??

Has anyone ever shopped on Amazon Thad things delivered to a campground?

Thx!!

[Morich]

I do not go first to Amazon as they are often not the best price and service but I do a search for anything specific that I might want, find the options and look if any are closer, cheaper or fit the situation better. Be aware that there are tons of small operators who may do far better than the more known folks. From there it is not hard to have things shipped to where you might be but it does comes with risks. Right now we are looking at lots of delays in mailing and the dealers don't always have things on the shelf, so if you are going to only be in a campground for a week and it takes a week for the dealer to get it before mailing to you, then you can create a bit of mess!
Many items are things I want to pick up and hold before buying so we make it part of the slow trek to go by and look at small dealers if they are close to the route. Just a Google search and locate is good for us but it does pay to sort them closer as some may only be selling out of the back bedroom and not have brick and mortar places to look!
We often do a phone call to check!
Do they exist as you head West? Depends on whether you start from New York or Seattle!

[rk911]

CW is going to be the 500-lb gorilla in terms of retail. i think you'll find a few other storefronts but most will be the parts and accessories dept. at RV dealers.

a couple of suggestions:

- much of what you'll find in the way of accessories and even parts can sometimes be found at other retail outlets such as home depot, lowes, ace hardware, true value, etc. and in some of those cases for less $.

- and many parts and accezzories can be had online from Amazon, WalMart and other outlets. if you don't need it right away buying online can be zn option.

- much if not most of what you'll find on the shelves at CW and other retail outlets will be $$$$ junk. not everything but a lot. but for some things you shouldn't scrimp or go cheap. one example are your camping chairs. they come in two general categories...recliners/loungers and chairs. a good buy for the latter are the ZipDee stainless steel chairs. we have had one since 1986 and the other since 1988 (we bought a pair in '86 but one was stolen'.

happy travels to you.

[be happy]

We are traveling right now from ND thru Mn headed to Mi, not that it matters. But I have noticed going into a lot of the local sporting good stores, they sell a lot of RV type stuff. It may not be the glitzy stuff you are after but they do have stuff to look at. We stopped in this small town in MN at a local RV dealing who had a very nice retail/parts dept.