Full Hook-up or Preferred

[Dutch Oven Man]

We have been bouncing around reservations, trying to cobble together a whole week the week of Christmas. I finally got 12/21 through 12/26 in a Preferred site, but I'm worried about being able to fit in. We have a 38' Fifth Wheel and a Crew Cab truck.

I have read on Fort Friends and other places that folks with large rigs should avoid the 100,200 or 300 loop at all costs, and should only go to Premium. Problem is, Premium never seems to have any openings, but now I have a choice between Preferred or Full Hook up for a full week.

For a 38' rig, should I replace my Preferred reservation with a Full Hook up?

 

[North of Mouse]

We have been bouncing around reservations, trying to cobble together a whole week the week of Christmas. I finally got 12/21 through 12/26 in a Preferred site, but I'm worried about being able to fit in. We have a 38' Fifth Wheel and a Crew Cab truck.

I have read on Fort Friends and other places that folks with large rigs should avoid the 100,200 or 300 loop at all costs, and should only go to Premium. Problem is, Premium never seems to have any openings, but now I have a choice between Preferred or Full Hook up for a full week.

For a 38' rig, should I replace my Preferred reservation with a Full Hook up?

From our experience, the preferred do have 'tighter' sites for larger rigs. We have a 34' mh and especially in the 'inner' sites of the preferred loops have had a few instances where it was a very tight maneuver.

There are lots of times where people 'hog' the road by their sites and you can barely squeeze through - sometimes they have to be asked to move (if they are even there). It may just be a matter of 'which' site you end up with whether you will fit easily.

 

[bama_ed]

DOM,

While the Preferred and Full sites are supposedly equivalent (only the location in the Fort is different), I agree with NoM that some Preferred sites are more challenging than others. The Full sites on average feel a little more widely spaced and the curves in the circle that make up the loop are not as tight as 100-200-300.

That being said, it comes down to what you can get. An alternative (albeit not preferable) is to get your trailer into the site but park the tow vehicle in the overflow lot.

Just be patient.

Bama Ed

PS - I wouldn't go as far as to say to avoid Preferreds at all costs because this question comes up sometimes and folks say they can get their 40-footer in, etc. But folks blocking the back-in turns needed can be an issue. Bring an extra does of friendliness...

 

[jbrostek]

preferred and full hookup seemed the same to me. I had no issue getting my 38' Monaco in a full or preferred site, and I had no issues getting my 40' 5th wheel into a site on the 300 loop, though I did have to ask to change sites as the one initially assigned to me would not work with a rig that big.

The preferred is just as tight as full hookup, but premiums while they have less occurances of blocking, its not gone either. I have seen many times where vehicles are parked right on the edge of the loop road to leave more room on their site even in premium.

With the new 5th wheel setup, I started taking my truck down to overflow. I dont need it as I have a golf cart, and I am do not like to think of myself as one of the offenders trying to squeeze in a vehicle at my site that I wont use 95% of my stay that will make it difficult for others.

 

[Teamubr]

Like others have said, the Preferreds can be a challenge with a bigger rig, but

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

The preferred sites proximity (especially the 100 loop) is well worth any extra time and patience it takes to get into one.

FWIW, I've never had issues getting into a 100 loop site. My trailer is slightly smaller than yours, but my truck is a long bed, crew cab dually.

j

 

[articfox676]

The earlier you arrive the better chance you have of changing sites within a loop if there is a parking problem. Once you are parked let the magic begin.