Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » World's worst KOA (Do they not have standards???)
| World's worst KOA [message #245400] |
Thu, 27 March 2014 19:32  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Last night we stayed in a 'no-tell' campground. It was cheap but ratty. Carolyn never left the coach.
Our goal for the day was a KOA in Meridan MS. KOAs are always nice, right?
For $41.64 it's worse than the thing last night. Nice view of a dirt pile from my coach. Coming into the campground, across the street is a scrap yard. Dog crap everywhere. Pads cracked. Showers and toilets are FILTHY. I've used outhouses that were cleaner.
I guess I was under the impression that KOA mean a certain level of standards. I ASSUMED they had inspections and such. Boy, this one has fallen off the map. I've got photos and will be writing a letter to corporate.
The folks next to me in a gas SOB are from Canada and came here for the same reason. Once here after 400 miles, just too much trouble to go on. There is a new Prevost down the row and they're pissed too.
Don't know if anyone heading home is planning on coming here but a word to the wise...don't.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] World's worst KOA [message #245406 is a reply to message #245400] |
Thu, 27 March 2014 19:55  |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Kerry,
Is this the place?
http://koa.com/campgrounds/meridian-east/
THEIR photos look fine! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Kerry Pinkerton
Last night we stayed in a 'no-tell' campground. It was cheap but ratty. Carolyn never left the coach.
Our goal for the day was a KOA in Meridan MS. KOAs are always nice, right?
For $41.64 it's worse than the thing last night. Nice view of a dirt pile from my coach. Coming into the campground, across the
street is a scrap yard. Dog crap everywhere. Pads cracked. Showers and toilets are FILTHY. I've used outhouses that were cleaner.
I guess I was under the impression that KOA mean a certain level of standards. I ASSUMED they had inspections and such. Boy, this
one has fallen off the map. I've got photos and will be writing a letter to corporate.
The folks next to me in a gas SOB are from Canada and came here for the same reason. Once here after 400 miles, just too much
trouble to go on. There is a new Prevost down the row and they're pissed too.
Don't know if anyone heading home is planning on coming here but a word to the wise...don't.
--
Kerry
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: World's worst KOA [message #245409 is a reply to message #245400] |
Thu, 27 March 2014 20:02 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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That is the place. Not sure when those photos were taken but it sure as heck doesn't look like that now. I'll post my photos when I get home.
"Not a day passes without our Southern Hospitality and charm..." their site says. I'm not sure if the teenage groundskeeper doing pitching practice by throwing beer bottles in the dumpster qualifies as Southern charm....
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: World's worst KOA [message #245410 is a reply to message #245400] |
Thu, 27 March 2014 20:14 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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| Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 27 March 2014 20:32 |
Last night we stayed in a 'no-tell' campground. It was cheap but ratty. Carolyn never left the coach.
Our goal for the day was a KOA in Meridan MS. KOAs are always nice, right?
For $41.64 it's worse than the thing last night. Nice view of a dirt pile from my coach. Coming into the campground, across the street is a scrap yard. Dog crap everywhere. Pads cracked. Showers and toilets are FILTHY. I've used outhouses that were cleaner.
I guess I was under the impression that KOA mean a certain level of standards. I ASSUMED they had inspections and such. Boy, this one has fallen off the map. I've got photos and will be writing a letter to corporate.
The folks next to me in a gas SOB are from Canada and came here for the same reason. Once here after 400 miles, just too much trouble to go on. There is a new Prevost down the row and they're pissed too.
Don't know if anyone heading home is planning on coming here but a word to the wise...don't.
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We have a KOA right down the road from our summer place in Mackinaw City, Michigan that is also a piece of crap. It is always full in the summer, but I suspect there not many repeat campers. The owners are real jerks.
We seldom stay in commercial campgrounds. We would rather stay in a state or national park or forest campground. Or Wally World over KOA.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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| Re: World's worst KOA [message #245428 is a reply to message #245400] |
Thu, 27 March 2014 21:09 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Sadly the KOA designation doesnt mean much. I've stayed in good ones and I've passed in bad ones or been forced to wait it out a night. With a family, KOAs have some amenities that appeal but you never know until you show up. The organization does vet the campgrounds by various means but they have more affiliates than ability to keep them up to date. Usually better than Good Sam however, which seems primarily a sticker in the window.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: World's worst KOA [message #245440 is a reply to message #245400] |
Thu, 27 March 2014 22:23 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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| Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 27 March 2014 20:32 |
Last night we stayed in a 'no-tell' campground. It was cheap but ratty. Carolyn never left the coach.
Our goal for the day was a KOA in Meridan MS. KOAs are always nice, right?
For $41.64 it's worse than the thing last night. Nice view of a dirt pile from my coach. Coming into the campground, across the street is a scrap yard. Dog crap everywhere. Pads cracked. Showers and toilets are FILTHY. I've used outhouses that were cleaner.
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Their webpage says " Our spotless restrooms earned a KOA Clean Award in 2001." I suppose they have not been cleaned since then, 13 years ago!
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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| Re: World's worst KOA [message #245677 is a reply to message #245400] |
Sat, 29 March 2014 13:09 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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There were lots of empty spaces. Why didn't you just request another space?
The only other complain I heard was from someone down by the water treatment pumps that were bothered by the noise. They were given another space.
A few more trees would have been nice but it is, after all, Texas.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] World's worst KOA [message #246423 is a reply to message #245428] |
Fri, 04 April 2014 21:49 |
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Again, I agree with Jeremy. Good Sam designation is worse that KOA.
There are good and bad campgrounds of all kinds. Thank goodness there are
more nice ones than bad ones. There are also some Walmarts I would avoid.
For that reason we now stay at the truck stop or Sam's Club. SC is nice
since they're not open all night like Wally's or Pilot/Flippin J.
Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
Jeremy wrote:
>
>
> Sadly the KOA designation doesnt mean much. I've stayed in good ones and I've
> passed in bad ones or been forced to wait it out a night. With a family, KOAs
> have some amenities that appeal but you never know until you show up. The
> organization does vet the campgrounds by various means but they have more
> affiliates than ability to keep them up to date. Usually better than Good Sam
> however, which seems primarily a sticker in the window.
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] World's worst KOA [message #246426 is a reply to message #246423] |
Fri, 04 April 2014 22:09 |
jim kanomata
Messages: 257
Registered: March 2007
Location: fremont,ca
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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When Grace and I travel, we go to KOA only for their showers.
The rest can be undesirable, but need hot water and a hook to hang towel on wall.
I know Pilot/Flying J and Loves and other trucks charge $8.50 to shower there.
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] World's worst KOA [message #246428 is a reply to message #246426] |
Fri, 04 April 2014 23:59 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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| jim kanomata wrote on Fri, 04 April 2014 23:09 |
When Grace and I travel, we go to KOA only for their showers.
The rest can be undesirable, but need hot water and a hook to hang towel on wall.
I know Pilot/Flying J and Loves and other trucks charge $8.50 to shower there.
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We are probably in the minority, but we bought a motorhome to be able to use our own shower and toilet. We seldom, almost never, use campground facilities. The downside is we can't go far between dumping (3 days is the max) but we know who last sat on the toilet and who last showered in the shower. And yes we go #2 in in our bathroom as opposed to some others that have a rule against pooping on the bus. It's worked for us for the last 16 years. Our daily showers by necessity are the short navy style (wish we could increase fresh water and black water tank capacity) but after all it's camping. We save the long showers for home.
So it doesn't matter to us how clean or dirty the KOA, Good Sam or state park campground bathrooms are when pass by. Using our own facilities allows us to not have to deal with "spiders, bugs, things in the toilets and stalls that disgust you, broken windows, mold, rusty pipes, grimy sinks". Just like Mike Wendland, veteran journalist and Roadtrek fanboy, says, "it's how we roll".
http://roadtreking.com/rvings-dirty-little-secret-filthy-campgrounds/
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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| Re: [GMCnet] World's worst KOA [message #246473 is a reply to message #246428] |
Sat, 05 April 2014 14:32 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""We are probably in the minority, but we bought a motorhome to be able to use our own shower and toilet. We seldom, almost never, use campground facilities. The downside is we can't go far between dumping (3 days is the max) but we know who last sat on the toilet and who last showered in the shower. And yes we go #2 in in our bathroom as opposed to some others that have a rule against pooping on the bus. It's worked for us for the last 16 years. Our daily showers by necessity are the short navy style (wish we could increase fresh water and black water tank capacity) but after all it's camping. We save the long showers for home.""
I have never had a problem with pooping in the coach and usually make it to the bathroom as well.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: World's worst KOA [message #246486 is a reply to message #246476] |
Sat, 05 April 2014 18:24 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Sat, 05 April 2014 16:17 |
Richard, I have never showered in a campground shower. If I was not using the on board bath then we would pull a pop up. I doubt we are in the minority.
Dan
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Well maybe we are not the only weirdos in the group. There was a time when I could have sworn that most people used campground facilities. Especially those GMCers with dry baths. Seems like they mostly used the shower for additional storage. I could name names but I won't.
I am really happy that Bob usually makes it to the bathroom when he goes.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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