When are hook-ups a must for you?

[CajunCamper]

We tend to gravitate toward more primitive campsites such as those we find on public lands such as State and National Parks as well as State and National Forest. In many of the parks we visit there are areas set aside that are more primitive that don't offer any hook-ups. These are the sites we tend to look for and with these sites comes the more back to nature experience that we enjoy. However there are times that hook-ups are a must for us and that is camping here in the deep south especially Florida in the hottest of months. On these summer trips we are usually camped somewhere that playing in the water is the main attraction, whether it be the beaches of Florida, or on a favorite lake or river where we either water ski, kayak, swim or bodysurf. Because the water is the main attraction we are rarely at the site except for late afternoons and in the evening so being remote takes a backseat to having electricity for my A/C. We still camp in sites that tend to scare away large rigs and their habitants, but we make sure to have water and electricity with a short walk to the bath house.

How about you, when are hook-ups a must for you on your camping trips and do you ever prefer sites without hook-ups?

CajunCamper

[3ontheGo]

I've never camped in a site with hook-ups, so I guess they're never a must for us!

[GeneF]

I never really gave it much thought with the popup or the htt.  If we had hookups, fine, if not, fine.

With the tt, I do prefer to have hookups.  Mainly to move the air around in the trailer.  Ventilation isn't as good in a tin can as it is in a canvas pup.

We did do a week at Acadia last year without hookups in the tt and are going to do it again this year.  This is a case of "where" I want to camp and not of "How I want to camp."

Same thing with a week up north fishing, no hookups but then I was fishing and not camping.

[prncssgeek]

The main reason we bought the pup was to make it easier on the small children that camp with us. Not for the entertainment reasons, but to be able to keep their soy milk cold and to make it easier to provide hot meals. Even when tent camping, we used sites that had hookups and drop cords. Perhaps when they get older we will be able to forgo the hookups like we did when my oldest (23) got less dependent on cold milk and hot meals.  

Most of the time it will be the oldest with the little ones and she has "issues" with starting a fire and cooking over a fire. So the stove works great.

[AZsix]

We don't bring all kinds of electrical devices with us so that's not an issue. The only time I would say we would need hookups is if we were staying in one place for an extended time where battery life would become an issue. It's nice to have the water hookups so we don't have to ration the water.

[denbert]

I've camped with and without them.  I guess if I had my choice, I would prefer to be way out in the woods by myself with hookups.  But that ain't gonna happen.  I've been to really nice parks with hookups and really nice bathroom facilities but that's hardly camping.  Besides, my little pup gets overshadowed by really big RV's.  I prefer the woods, so if I have to give up the hookups, then so be it.

[threebeachboys]

You mean people camp without a blow dryer. . . . .)

[Buzz]

In these hot humid summers I gotta have an A/C to sleep.
Electric lights are nice as is frig.

[butterflyfish]

With my oldest DS having a heart condition, A/C is a must for us... especially down south here.  So hook-ups are a must for us.  In fact, A?C was a must have for our PUP.  It is also nice to use the little T.V. and DVD player to help get the kids to relax and fall asleep (funny how they use it camping but can't sleep with the TV on at home :confused: ) and to keep them entertained when they wake up at the crack of dawn so they don't disturb the other campers too much.  Also, camping is pretty new to me, so I don't know how I would do w/o hookups .  If it were up to DH, I am sure he'd like to be waaay out in the woods somewhere!  

[tlhdoc]

I never "must" have hookups, but in the winter I want a campground that has a shower house open so I can take a shower.  I use the cassette potty during the winter, but not the water system.  I do like to have electric in the winter to use electric heat.  I also like electric in the summer when it is humid, but I can and do, do without.

[flyfisherman]

Here along the Carolina coastal sections, most of our camping is during the more pleasant times of the year. During those hot, muggy summer days, we head for the high country in the mountains where you still have to get out the sweaters and jackets after the sun goes down. Should there be an instance where we have to stay in the PU during the hot summer months, have a portable A/C that I carry in the back of the pick-up. The little A/C unit has a 2.5" exhaust hose that I slip out of the canvas where the bunk end zips to the middle canvas. Will keep the interior of the little Starcraft real pleasant on a hot (85 degree), muggy night. But if the A/C is not needed, why tote it along? Also, get to use this portable in the house to supplement the house A/C in a stuffy back bedroom.




Fly

[cyclone]

Am I the only one who has never camped without hook-ups since my tenting days?  95 and humid is not fun without a/c.  Now - I will add here that nearly all state parks in TN have w/e hook-ups and we also have several COE parks that are likewise equipped.  SO - I don't have to always camp surrounded by the big rigs.  In fact, one frequest destination (state park) has three cg's; two adjoining and a "RV park" across the road.  Nearly all pull-through sites in that one and close sites - not for me.  I'll camp in either of the other two, but I prefer the one that was tents only until just a few years ago when they added hook-ups.  My only real requirement is that showers are available.  I can do without power, but a shower?  Nope.

[sacrawf]

Whether we seek out hook-ups depends upon the camp purpose.

For camping near bicycle events, often in school parking lots, hook-ups aren't available or needed.  A weekend in the woods or an overnight while travelling needs no hook-ups.  

For a week-long camp or off season use, electricity is a near necessity.  The comforts of lights, coffeemaker, crock-pot, air conditioning, furnace, refrigerator, and heated matresses allows us to be more rested and spend more time out being active and less time in camp. I've bought a generator a couple of years ago, but haven't used it yet for camping.

And as to the hair dryer threebeachboys mentions, it was sure useful in thawing the frozen fresh water inlet hose (from tank to where it enters the floor of the camper) after an unexpectedly cold night! I can't complain about DW packing it any more.

[wavery]

Never....

[BuddyBear]

Hook-Up...What???

We Had full hookups on our maiden voyage to play with all the toys, since then the only time the PUP is plugged in is at home in Camp Buddy Bear.
I have nothing against full hook-up sites, an endless suply of electricity would be fantastic, but the NF CG in our area have a fire ring and a Pick a Nick table and thats its, What else could one ask for..
 Happy Trails
BB