Picking the wrong site type can turn a relaxing trip into a frustrating one. Full hookup RV sites and non-electric sites aren’t interchangeable, and which one you need depends on how you travel, what you’re towing, and how long you’re staying.
Here’s how to think through it before you book.
What full hookup RV sites actually give you
Full hookup RV sites connect your rig to three utilities: electric (30 or 50 amp), water, and sewer. You run your AC, charge devices, use your water heater, and drain your tanks without moving the RV or rationing anything. It’s as close to parking in a driveway as RV life gets.
At Dad’s RV Park in Victoria, TX, full hookup sites also include Wi-Fi, so remote workers and long-term guests aren’t hunting for a coffee shop every morning.
Full hookups make the most sense when:
- You’re staying more than two or three nights
- Your rig has a residential fridge, washer/dryer, or other high-draw appliances
- You’re traveling in summer heat and running AC constantly
- You have kids or pets and need reliable water access
- You work remotely
What non-electric sites offer
Non-electric sites drop the power connection. You’re working off your battery bank and whatever solar you’ve got. Water and sewer hookups may still be available depending on the park, so “non-electric” doesn’t automatically mean primitive camping.
The tradeoff is obvious: no shore power means you’re managing your energy budget. Experienced full-timers with solid solar setups and lithium batteries handle this fine. Newer RVers or those in rigs with older 12V systems can find it limiting fast, especially in July heat.
Non-electric sites work well when:
- You have a well-designed solar and battery system
- You’re only staying a night or two
- You’re trying to spend less (non-electric rates are typically lower)
- You prefer a quieter, less developed spot
The cost difference
At Dad’s RV Park, daily rates start at $50 with hookups included. Monthly rates start at $375. Non-electric options are available at lower price points. For a one-night stopover, the savings on a non-electric site might be worth it. For a week-long stay in South Texas in August, paying a little more for full hookups and reliable AC is usually the right call.
The South Texas factor
Victoria sits in a part of Texas where summer heat runs 95-100°F for weeks at a time. This matters when choosing your site type. A 30-amp full hookup site can comfortably run one AC unit. A 50-amp site handles two. If you’re in a large Class A or fifth wheel with multiple zones, 50-amp is worth specifying when you book.
Non-electric sites in this region during summer require either a generator (with noise and fuel cost) or a serious battery/solar setup. Most weekend travelers will be more comfortable on a full hookup site.
30 amp vs. 50 amp: worth knowing before you pull in
This is a question that comes up a lot at the front desk. Most travel trailers and smaller Class C motorhomes run on 30-amp service. Larger rigs, especially fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes over 35 feet, typically need 50-amp to run everything comfortably at the same time.
Running a 50-amp rig on a 30-amp site isn’t dangerous, but you’ll need an adapter and you’ll have to be selective about what you run simultaneously. Two ACs, a microwave, and an electric water heater pulling at the same time will trip the breaker. If your rig is 50-amp, book a 50-amp site. It’s a small detail that saves a lot of headaches.
Long-term stays deserve extra thought
Travelers passing through for a night don’t need to overthink this. But if you’re staying a week or a month, the site you choose shapes your whole experience. Full hookup RV sites let you settle in and live normally. You cook, do laundry, shower without timing anything, and let your tanks drain on their own schedule. That matters a lot when you’re not just camping for a weekend but actually living out of your rig for an extended stretch.
Dad’s RV Park is a popular base for traveling workers, construction crews, and retirees spending the winter in South Texas. Monthly rates at $375 make full hookup living genuinely affordable. The park also has a clubhouse with a commercial kitchen, showers, laundry, and a dog park, so the amenities fill in whatever your RV doesn’t have.
How to decide
Ask yourself three questions. How long are you staying? What appliances do you actually need running? And what’s your energy setup?
One night with a simple travel trailer and a decent battery? Non-electric is fine. A week with a 40-foot motorhome in July? Book a full hookup site and don’t think twice about it.
Dad’s RV Park offers both options at 203 Hopkins St in Victoria, TX. Contact us to check availability or reserve online through RoverPass.