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 Rex Vogel is a Canadian snowbird with a passion for RVing, photography, hiking, and birding. Rex has been "living the dream" since 1997 following his retirement after many years in the education services industry. Rex has his own RVing website called "Vogel Talks RVing". He also has a
Twitter account, a
Facebook account and a
Picasa account.
He is also a writer for two Canadian publications, the Canadian Snowbird Association and RV Times and he presents seminars at the annual RV Owners Lifestyle Seminars at Okanagan College in Kelowna BC.
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 Al Cohoe is a CDN and US certified RV Technician whose RV experience goes back to 1972 when he started working for a Canadian RV manufacturer. For the past 39 years, Al has studied and worked on most aspects of RV manufacturing and repairs. For 24 of those years, he has worked for the BC Okanagan College, delivering and implementing "RV Service Technician" training programs. Al is responsible for an annual RV Owners Lifestyle Seminars held at the Okanagan College, he writes for "RV gazette" (a publication of the Explorer RV Club) and has been doing presentations at RV Owners seminars for 16 years throughout USA and Canada. |
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"Previous Questions and Answers" |
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| Q. |
Hello, please could you tell us if you have any RV Route Camping to do Canada Coast to Coast - Vancouver to Halifax. We are brazilian family and we already did USA by RV in forty days coast to coast and now our plan is across Canada, but we don't now which route is better and easy and which area we have to avoid. Could you help us please? Thank you very much.
(Laranjeiras Family, Brazil, (U.S.A) 7/23/2012) |
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Congratulations on your plan to RV across Canada. Route 1, also known as the Trans-Canada Highway, extends across the country and would be your best bet in traveling from Vancouver to Halifax. There are numerous RV Parks/campgrounds along the route. Be aware that since Canada is a northern nation our winters are not conducive to camping unless you’re an ardent skier. You’ll want to plan your trip during June, July, and/or August. Most campgrounds do not open until after Victoria Day (May 24) and close by Labour Day (first Monday in September). I also recommend a side trip on the Icefields Highway from Lake Louise (on Route 1) north to Jasper. If you’re in Calgary (Alberta) in early July consider several days at the world-famous Calgary Stampede. However, you’ll need to plan well in advance and order tickets and reserve campground space. In Nova Scotia, I highly recommend the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. Trust that this information assist you as you begin planning this wonderful experience.
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| Q. |
Hi! My wife and I will be visiting Canada in April 2012. Our plan is to arrive in Calgary on April 7th, have a couple of nights in the city and then spend approx seven days travelling down to Vancouver where we intend to spend approx five days enjoying the city.
The idea of making the journey form Calgary to Vancouver by motorhome is of great appeal to us, therefore I would like some advise please;
1. How much should we be paying for a rental motor home? (including additional costs such as one way fees)
2. What's the average fee for parking at a campground for the night (including taxes etc)
3. What would be the best route? (in your opinion)
4. How much on average would a motel cost for the evening?
5. Also, what are the MUST see's of my suggested journey?
This will be our first visit to Canada and we would really like to make the most of our stay!
Many thanks!
Aaron (Aaron Haggas, UK, (U.S.A) 2/5/2012) |
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You have asked a number of questions, Aaron. Firstly, you're pushing the season by arriving in Calgary in early April and driving through the Rocky Mountains. As snowbirds wintering in the U.S. Sunbelt we do not return to Alberta until the third week of April and will on occasion experience snow or freezing rain.
Two major motorhome rentals are CanaDream (http://www.canadream.com/) and CruiseCanada (http://www.cruisecanada.com/). Check with them regarding rates and availability. Campground costs will vary with services offered, location, and time of year. Expect to pay from $25 to $50 or more per night. Note that many of the Mountain National Parks do not open until May 15 or later. From Calgary you'll head west on Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Banff (stay at Tunnel Mountain Campground), Lake Louise (stay at Lake Louise Campground), through the Rogers Pass to Golden, Revelstoke, and Sicamoos. From here you have two excellent scenic choices. Take Highway 97 to Mara Lake and onto the beautiful Okanagan Valley (Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton). This an area of wonderful wineries and soft fruit growing (peaches, apricots, pears, apples). Then take the Hope-Princeton Highway to Vancouver. Your other option is to continue west on Transcanada 1 from Sicamoos to Salmon Arm through the Fraser Canyon to Hope and onto Vancouver. If you have the time you could drive to Vancouver on one route and return to Calgary via the other route.
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| Q. |
Hi GUYS I am planning a trip to canada and usa from Ireland,we have done a lot of wild camping all over europe and we would like to no if it is ok to do the same in canada we ar shipping our own camper and would apprecate any advice e could give. thanks from tony in Ireland. (Tony Connolly, Ireland, British Columbia 10/19/2011) |
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Most national and provincial and state parks require that campers overnight in 'organized campsites'; however this requirement is often overlooked in some locations. The worst that could happen is that you will be told to move on for the night. Camping on private property is a no-no unless you first obtain permission from the owner. Wal-Marts and other large stores and truck stop often permit overnight stays. Again, obtain permission first. Winter can be brutal in much of Canada and parts of the U.S. If your plans are for the winter season head for Florida, U.S. Gulf Coast states, Texas, Arizona, or southern California.
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| Q. |
Hi Guys
I was wondering if you guys know of a link or suggestion on how to build a peak support for my truck camper for winter storage. We can get up 4 feet of snow like last winter.This is my first year for storing the camper for the winter.My camper just setting in the back yard open to all weather conidtions dont't what to build a permit shelter something that I can disassemble in the spring
Thanks Guys
Shane (Shane Hennebury, Prince George, British Columbia 9/18/2011) |
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The best I can suggest is to check locally with RV dealers, construction companies, and/or building supply stores.
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I will be living in Mirabel, QC, Canada for 6 months to 2 years. Where can you camp in a RV year round in Mirabel, QC, Canada? Preferably with 3 services. (James, Mobile, AL, (U.S.A) 9/14/2011) |
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Try Camping Lac Lafontaine, 1100 Boulevard du Grand-Héron, Saint-Jérôme, QC, J5L 1G2. Located 50 minutes from Montreal off Highway 15 North at exit 41, Just follow Camping Lac Lafontaine blue sign for exit. Approximately 3.5 Km. Camping Lac Lafontaine has a total of 360 sites including full-hookups.
Phone: (450) 431-7373 or toll free 1-877-441-7373
email: info@laclafontaine.qc.ca
Website: http://www.laclafontaine.qc.ca/english.php
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| Q. |
My battery was getting low, so i gave it a charge for about half a hour. Then my wife checked the battery/water display board and it had stopped working? Checked the fuses and they all look ok ....can you help ? Thank you!
Additional info: The trailer is a 1993 Gulfstream Innsbruck and the battery is a 12 v on the trailer. The panel board shows me the display of the charge of the battery and also the water levels of my gray & black water from full to empty. There 's also a button ( red ) beside to turn on the water pump ( which is working ). I did check the fuses and they all look ok. Note that I lost the display board (lights) after starting my truck to give the battery a bit more charge .
(mike lapierre, kitimat, British Columbia 8/24/2011) |
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electrical problems such as yours are very difficult if not impossible to solve, without being their to follow the wiring and voltage from the source. There may be an inline fuse close to the battery or in the chargeline form the truck - If you are able to start at the source with a voltmeter (charging system of the truck and work your way to the battery and then from the coach battery to the panel, or only other option will be to take it to a tech
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I was researching the need for safety chains, specifically on fifth wheel trailers and goose necks in Alberta and if I go to the government site it says that I do not need safety chains on 5ers but I do on goose neck or regular trailers? I understand that this applies to all jurisdictions, and the use of safety chains on fifth wheels is not required, but can be left up to the user/operator. Caution would need be exercised in use of safety chains on 5th wheel hitches i.e. use of enough length to ensure safe turning and make sure that they cannot be entangled with the hitch so as not to interfere with the driving. Your thoughts? (George Gartner, Edmonton, Alberta 8/3/2011) |
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Chains are not required on 5th wheel trailers. I would be quite sure that is throughout North America. As you mentioned there would be some issues with chains on them as they could get caught up in the hitch plate, etc.
I would not recommend ever using chains on a conventional 5th wheel, but you must use them on anything that is connected using a trailer ball.
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| Q. |
We are looking for Yurt camp sites in the Vancouver Canada area (Melissa Kay, Yelm, (U.S.A) 5/31/2011) |
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Locating campgrounds that offer yurt camping in the Vancouver area proved to be quite a challenge. After searching numerous websites and making several inquiries, I was finally able to find one lead for you to check out: Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park is located 24 miles (38 km) north of Vancouver and 12.5 miles (20 km) south of Squamish on the Sea to Sky Highway 99. The park is open year-round and is usually full during good weather.
http://www.yurtco.com/images/parks/page_01.htm
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Rex: Would you know the average cost of full-hook up campground fees across Canada. I would like to budget my road trip from BC to Labrador. I am a Canadian living in Yukon. (MaryRose Metcalfe, Whitehorse, Ontario 5/4/2011) |
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Thanks for your question, MaryRose. Although there is some variance between provinces expect to pay in the range of $35-45 for a 30-amp electric site with full hookups. In most cases you’ll pay more for a pull-through site, 50-amp electric service, cable TV, and WiFi; also expect to have GST/ PST/HST added which in some provinces (e.g. B.C.) will add up quickly. As they say in real estate—location, location, location. You’ll pay more for a site in a major city (e.g. Vancouver) or a summer resort area (e.g. B.C.’s Okanagan Valley. The rates at Glowing Embers RV Park in Edmonton range from $38-45; at Mountain View Camping in Calgary expect to pay $42, Holiday Park Resort in Kelowna $45, and Bridgeview RV Park in Lethbridge $52.
Since you’re traveling during peak season advance reservations are advised.
Many RV parks in Canada (as well as the U.S.) are members of Good Sam and offer a 10% discount to members. In no time you’ll pay for the membership. I’d also recommend that you purchase a 2011 North America Campground Directory—preferably Trailer Life since it lists all Good Sam parks. You may also wish to check out a 50% discount camping club such as Passport America. It will pay for itself if you use it 4 or 5 times.
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| Q. |
Hello, Greetings from Brazil
My name is Danilo Galletto, a brazilian medical doctor. I Will be travelling to British Columbia and Alberta next september with my family and I kindly ask for some information to help us with our trip.
This is the first time I travel to Canada in a motorhome, so we need a lot of information to get the Best of this trip and know the beautiful country of Canada. We already reserved 5 motorhomes for this trip. Our group has 5 families , total of 21 persons. We will be travelling in a convoy of 5 motorhomes, and need to reserve the Rv parks/campgrounds in advance.
I need your help with the itinerary and suggestions about RV Parks to stay on.
Please, feel free to change the cities, days, and rv parks as you wish.
Please, provide me information about major attractions in each stop .
Please, which are the Best rv parks to stay?
We prefer rv parks resorts like with places to eat with such a big group ( restaurants).
Pick up and drop off in Vancouver. We already bought all the airlines tickets.
My initial itinerary is this . I listed some campgrounds, but dont know what are the Best suggestions. Please fell free to suggest other route or city, like TOFINO, KELOWNA, CANBROOK, ETC.
CANADA – BRITISH COLUMBIA E ALBERTA
Vancouver – Jasper – Banff – Vancouver
September 13th – saturday
Motorhome pick -up
VANCOUVER to WHISTLER 125 KM
CAMPING – WHISTLER RV PARK AND CAMPGROUND Or RIVERSIDE
14 th - Sunday
WHISTLER – full day
15th – Monday
WHISTLER to SUN PEAKS – 355 KM
OU WHISTLER to KAMLOOPS – 300 KM
SUN PEAKS RV PARK =
KAMLOOPS RV PARKS= JANDANA RANCH , Knutsford/Kamloops RV Campground, Paul Lake Provincial Park, Pinantan Lake Resort, Roche Lake Provincial Park, Roche Lake Resort,
Silver Sage Campground
16th – Tuesday
SUN PEAKS to CLEARWATER 132 KM
Or Sun Peaks to Wells Gray National Park
CLEARWATER rv park= Clearwater Country Inn & RV Park, Alpine Meadows Resort, Birch Island Campground,
Clearwater/ Wells Gray KOA, Dutch Lake Resort & RV Park, Helmcken Falls Lodge, North Thompson River Provincial Park, Wells Gray Guest Ranch,
17th – Wednesday
CLERWATER to JASPER – 358 KMCAMPING JASPER = Columbia Icefield campground, Honeymoon Lake Campground, Jonas creek campground, Mount Kerkeslin campground, Pocahontas, Snaring river, Wabasso, Wapiti, Whistlers, Wilcox creek
THE DAVID THOMPSON RESORT ???
18th – Thursday
JASPER – full day
19th – Friday
JASPER to BANFF – 289 KM
The Icefields Parkway
CAMPING BANFF = Castle Mountain, Johnston Canion, Lake Louise tent, Lake Louise trailer, Mosquito Creek, Protection Mountain, Rampart Creek, Tunnel Mountain Trailer court, Tunnel Mountain Village I e II, Two Jack Lake Main e Two jack lakeside, Waterfowl Lake.
20th – Saturday
BANFF full day
21th – Sunday
BANFF to RADIUM HOT SPRINGS Or FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS – 136 KM
CAMPING RADIUM HOT SPRINGS = Canyon RV Resort on Sinclair Creek, Dry Gulch Provincial Park, Kootenay National Park - Crook's Meadows, Kootenay National Park - Marble Canyon Campground, Kootenay National Park - McLeod Meadows Campground, Kootenay National Park - Redstreak Campground, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.
FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT ??
22th – monday
RADIUM HOT SPRINGS or FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS to REVELSTOKE – 251 KM
CAMPING REVELSTOKE = Arrow Lakes (Shelter Bay) Provincial Park, Blanket Creek Provincial Park, Canyon Hot Springs Resort, Lamplighter Campground, Martha Creek Provincial Park, Noah's Ark Resort, Revelstoke KOA Campground, RV Park, Chalet, Williamson Lake Campground.
DIA 23 – tuesday
REVELSTOKE to PEACHLAND - 224 KM
CAMPING PEACHLAND = Camp Okanagan Resort, Todd's RV & Camping
DIA 24 – wednesday
PEACHLAND – full Day
CAMPING PEACHLAND = ???
25 th– Thursday
PEACHLAND to HOPE – 230 KM
CAMPING HOPE = Hope Valley Campground, Othello Tunnels Campground & RV Park, Silver Lake Provincial Park, Skagit Valley Provincial Park, Sunshine Valley RV Resort & Cabins, Whistlestop RV/Tent Park, Wild Rose Good Sampark Campground.
26th – Friday
HOPE –to VANCOUVER – 153 KM
MOTORHOME drop off
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP
DANILO GALLETTO
drdanilo@certto.com.br
(danilo Galletto, cascavel brazil, (U.S.A) 3/16/2011) |
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Thanks your inquiry and congratulations on selecting Western Canada for your first RV tour in our diverse country. You have selected a most beautiful region that attracts visitors from around the world. You have requested considerable information and advice. While it’s impossible to do justice to your queries in this format, I will address several of the issues you raise and make a few suggestions.
Late August and early to mid September is a time of changes in the seasons in our mountain regions and as a result the weather is often unpredictable with snow being a distinct possibility in the higher elevations. As the leaves change colors in September the weather can also be warm and quite comfortable. September is a good month to travel as vacationing families are home since school has started for another term. Normally, reservations are not required as most campgrounds have adequate space. Considering that you’re traveling in a caravan of 5 motorhomes reservations may be desirable though.
Your itinerary appears manageable. I’d recommend several days in Jasper. There are several excellent campgrounds near town in the national park. Be sure to take the Icefields tour at the Columbia Icefields about midway to Lake Louise where you should spend several days camping in the national park campground. While there spend a day hiking at nearby Moraine Lake. In Banff, stay several days at the national park campground at Tunnel Mountain.
I note that you’ve included the beautiful Okanagan Valley (Vernon, Kelowna, Peachland, Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos) in your plans. It’s a beautiful area with lakes, mountains, and vineyards. The famous Okanagan Wine Festival occurs annually late September/early October.
Best wishes on your upcoming tour.
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