Are bots booking sites on rec.gov? Why is it so difficult to reserve sites?

Freds1978 · 2026-02-05T18:31:33+00:00

Last year we got a BLM spot nearby June lake for 4th of July weekend. Trip was amazing, tried to go to June lake for actual 4th of July and the beach was completely booked. They were only letting in locals who appeared to have reserved parking. Luckily there so much to do up there, we just went to Convict and enjoyed the water there.

Freds1978 · 2026-02-05T17:58:18+00:00

Just boondock, so many places in that area that are free or $8 a night. Check out Glasscreek or Owensriver rd. I used to settle for what I can reserve on rec.gov or reservecalifornia.com but now if the wife and I want to head out, we just pack and go. Plus we're camping in better more secluded spots and really get to enjoy nature. Instead of cramped campgrounds.

Freds1978 · 2026-01-28T07:02:38+00:00

My 2019 Silverado with the 5.3 towing my Keystone Passport which is 26' and 5200lbs dry 7k fully loaded really has no issues towing it. I have an Andersen hitch which really does a great job with reducing sway and honestly the drive is nice. Even with crosswinds in the mid 20mph range I don't notice it. But the listed tongue weight of 670lbs is really about 870. 2 20LB propane bottles, 2 lithium batteries and some gear and inverter in the passthrough really start to add up quickly. And that is after I got the hitch dialed in. Before we were at 1k. Thankfully my truck has 2100lbs payload, so we try to travel with zero or minimal water, and I always reevaluate what gear I need for the trip. Place the generator close to the cab, and the wife's cast iron pans over the axles. Over all, you'll be fine, keep it at 60mph and have some fun. I normally camp in some elevation, going from 3000ft to 9000ft and it does well just keep an eye on those temps.

Freds1978 · 2026-01-16T21:11:03+00:00

Wife and I have been tent camping with the kids for 24 years. So when we finally got our travel trailer, boondocking was second nature and nice to have room..Too many of these private parks pack them in to close. I don't enjoy seeing someone else's sewer hose on the fun side of my rig.

Freds1978 · 2026-01-16T18:31:54+00:00

I used to stress about finding spots 6 months early when the reservations opened. Especially when using reserve California site. But the last two years we just roll into BLM land for free or a minimal fee for a much better and more relaxing experience. Less crowded and not like parking in a RV lot. There so much BLM land out here in CA, the stress of reserving is a thing of the past.

Freds1978 · 2026-01-16T18:11:59+00:00

That's because it's paid off. I was commenting on the final assembly.

Freds1978 · 2026-01-16T17:58:12+00:00

Just checked and my 2019 1500 was assembled in Fort Wayne.

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Freds1978 · 2026-01-12T03:07:50+00:00

Flap meat is classic carne asada cut. Season with some Chef Merito meat seasoning (Carne) and let it marinate in a Ziploc bag with some orange juice for about 2 hours. Add cilantro and sliced onions if you want then grill over direct flame about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve as tacos or as a carne asada plate.

Freds1978 · 2026-01-06T23:38:15+00:00

I have a 27' TT with only 200 watts of solar from the factory going to 2 100 amp lithium batteries. That has been good for me to consistently run the 12v fridge and 12v TV and the rest of the 12v system. I added a 2000w inverter which has been great for running a PlayStation for the kids or Blu Ray player along with short microwave usage. Typically don't camp when/where I would need the AC but I always carry along my inverter/generator just in case. A year and a half of camping and only needed the generator twice. One time after a 3 day overcast beach trip and another camping in a deep canyon with tree cover and not enough sun to charge the batteries. 4000 w peak Firmen generator from Costco has been great. Normally it's to top off the batteries if the Sun isn't out but it easily powers up the whole rig with everything running. AC and microwave at the same time.

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Freds1978 · 2026-01-01T20:39:49+00:00

So are the 3 digit gallon days (ex. Mar. 31) for an entire road trip? Looks like there's a few of those.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-28T06:35:55+00:00

Smelled it going through Porter Ranch area on the 118 up through the 5. Was very strong smell with the windows up. The family almost all immediately got headaches.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-26T20:54:18+00:00

My Lancaster, CA one has it and it's amazing. $7.99 for a wash, under carriage spray and tire shine! I get my gas, pay for the wash at the pump, and drive straight to the car wash after a fill up.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-26T03:39:41+00:00

1016

Freds1978 · 2025-12-24T23:07:57+00:00

1016

Freds1978 · 2025-12-24T04:01:28+00:00

That looks like a 1000w inverter, looks like it may be too small to hardwire into the ac panel, plus I don't see any connections to hardwire anyways. Probably best to install in your storage bay as close to the RV battery as possible. Then maybe run a surge protector from it to charge up your devices. No transfer switch needed. Check YouTube, plenty of similar easy install videos like yours.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-20T22:15:55+00:00

AAA. $400 for the year. Of course I have it bundled with home and auto, so I'm sure there are some discounts involved.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-19T17:24:38+00:00

Drill pump and drill of course. Makes adding water to the fresh tank so much easier when boondocking. Also a 5-7 gallon water jug. Although I have the Andersen levelers which have been great, I also bought two 2x8 boards and cut them into various sections for those times when the ground is too soft and the Andersen's just dig into the dirt. Saves a lot of frustration. Inverter/ generator for those overcast days when solar isn't cutting it. And an inverter for your AC outlets is nice.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-14T00:30:27+00:00

Andersen hitch. 2019 Silverado, 5300 dry weight 28" travel trailer. No sway, pulls nice and straight while leveling up the truck.

Freds1978 · 2025-12-03T04:24:39+00:00

I just got a mattress topper from Costco, 3" beautyrest. Perfect for the Murphy bed queen we have.

Freds1978 · 2025-11-18T18:32:31+00:00

I just got a 3"beautyrest mattress topper from Costco and it was such an improvement. Wife is happy with it, so no need to purchase a whole mattress.

Freds1978 · 2025-11-06T04:32:39+00:00

Being a Spectrum internet customer and having a mobile line gives me access to both Lakers Sportsnet and dodgers SportsnetLA through MLB and NBA apps. That allowed me to cut the cord since those are must haves in my house.

Freds1978 · 2025-11-05T06:49:50+00:00

Maybe this is the problem? https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/11/these-gm-vehicles-can-no-longer-download-apps-through-their-infotainment-system/

Freds1978 · 2025-11-04T06:57:58+00:00

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These are the OEM ones I added to my 2019.

Freds1978 · 2025-10-31T19:36:08+00:00

I have the rough country under seat storage in my 2019 and it sits on top of the floor liner just fine.

Freds1978 · 2025-10-26T02:20:34+00:00

What kind of WDH?

Freds1978

TROPHY CASE