Your 2016 Quartzsite Gathering Hosts - Greg, Janea and kids.
This gathering is for all brands of Molded Fiberglass Trailers!
We were surprised and thrilled when George, Betty and Gene (our friends at Casita Forum) approached us to be the new hosts for the 2016 Quartzsite Gathering. This is one of the largest Molded Fiberglass Gatherings in the country and SOI is proud to be hosting this event going forward. We'd love a big SOI turnout, so make your plans early to come to this great gathering. You don’t need reservations, the camping is free for up to 14 days, always room for everyone, and no check-out!
We’d like to acknowledge our good friends George and Betty and the tremendous job they have done hosting this incredible gathering for the past eight years. They have built it into one of the premiere gatherings for Molded Fiberglass Trailers and we are going to miss their presence in the years ahead as they segue into new adventures.
Dates: Due to the number of trailers arriving early in the week in recent years we are elongating the official gathering dates. Last year we had 66 of the eventual 104 trailers in by Wed.
- February 8th to 11th - Early bird Quartzsite Pre-Gathering (Mon thru Thurs)
- February 12th to 14th - Main Event (Friday thru Sunday)
If you can attend the Main Gathering, the Pre-Gathering, or the entire Quartzsite Gathering we’d love to have you come and enjoy the good times. Some even stay for a Post-Gathering for a few days if you’re so inclined.
Where: Same location as always, Dome Rock area, Quartzsite Arizona. Approx. 5 miles west of Quartzsite on I-10, south side of highway next to the frontage road.
GPS: 33.643617,-114.304752
Who Can Attend: Owners of all Molded Fiberglass Trailers brands - Casita, Scamp, Escape, Burro, U-haul, Bigfoot, Lil’ Snoozy, Compact Jr., Trillium, Boler, Parkliner, Eggcamper, Perris Pacer, etc. This gathering has always been, and will continue to be, a melting pot of all molded fiberglass trailer brands.
Registration: There is no pre-registration, as this is free BLM land. We will have a registration/signup table at the Host Trailer. This is just first name(s), town, state and trailer type. Make sure you stop by the Host Trailer because not only do we want to meet you, the first 200 people will receive a FREE 2016 Quartzsite Gathering commemorative button!
Camping: Free BLM 14-day dry camping (no facilities) on hard packed dirt. Market, water and dump station are all located in Quartzsite, 5 miles to the east.
- BLM Permit: A BLM permit must be obtained and displayed on your trailer. These are available free of charge from the BLM host trailer located a mile or two from town on the frontage road.
- Campfires: Campfires are allowed. Please bring some firewood if you can. As usual we will have a central fire pit.
- Generators: Generators are OK, however quiet ones are even better. Please try not to run them too early or late. Respect your fellow campers.
- Check-in Check-out times – None. Come in and leave when you want to. Maximum stay in this area is 14 days. Best of all there is no bill and nothing owed when you leave!
Pets: All pets must be kept on a leash while within the camp area. You are responsible for cleanup and sanitary disposal of your pet’s waste.
Vendors: No outside vendors will be allowed without prior approval from the hosts.
Activities: The Quartzsite Gathering is traditionally not highly scheduled with activities. The few activities we have are on Saturday.
- Soup Thing: If everyone would bring a can of soup (Not cream style) they are poured into a couple of large pots and shared with everyone on Saturday afternoon. Snacks are welcome.
- Ladder ball Tournament: Right after the Soup Thing. Great fun to be had at the Quartzsite Gathering Ladder ball Tournament. Never played? Not a problem. It is quick and easy to pick up the game and compete for great prizes. Last year’s tournament was quite an event and drew as many spectators as players. Join the fun and sign up your team at registration.
- Quartzsite Flea Markets: Throughout the town of Quartzsite, the Flea Markets run in the winter months during the influx of RV winter visitors and are quite interesting to spend a day or two rummaging around and finding treasures.
White Board: Check the white board at registration for activities and approx. times.
Post any questions you have or to just say “Hello, we’ll be there”! We look forward to meeting many new friends and visiting with many old friends at one of the best gatherings of Molded Fiberglass Travel Trailers (All brands are welcome) in the country.
Was wondering what the temps usually run on that date ?
Launey and Earlene
In the 8 years we've been attending the Quartzsite Gathering we have seen the whole gamut of weather and temps as is normal for the desert at this time of year. Last year it was cloudless, and warm. Days got into the high 70's and 80's and nights dropped down in the 40's and 50's. Running furnace some at night to wearing shorts and t-shirts in the day. We have had years where it has been 50-60's in the day and high 30's to 40's at night. We had one year it rained almost the entire time, which made the 24 hr McDonalds quite a hang out. The first Quartzsite gathering I remember we got hit with 70 mph winds at 3am. Everyone had left awnings out because it had been so beautiful. The "great awning scramble" as it is now known in Quartzsite lore found all of us out in our underwear at 3am trying to help each other get the awnings under control and stored.
Over the years, it has been mostly gorgeous winter desert weather, but the desert in the winter can bring suprises at any time. If you are from here you know that and come prepared for anything. Many come to the gathering from the East Coast or North and think they are coming to hot AZ desert and the flea markets get to sell a lot of fleece jackets.
In the desert in February you will definitely need a jacket for night time campfires, etc. Fleece coats will usually suffice for the temps encountered.
Regardless of the weather, we wouldn't trade the experiences we've had at a great event. You gotta love the free camping, no reservations needed, no check-out times, and meeting great people as well!
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Yes, the desert! We were living just north of Tucson and it was April, Easter Sunday and it snowed. It was wonderful because it was beautiful and gone the next day.
The weather is haywire everywhere now. For dressing, layering is always a great plan.
Cathy
Thats kinda what we were thinking on the weather and that sounds just fine,we dont need perfect weather,tho this dog of our seems to think that rain drops melt a schnauzer if any hits on her back! Since we live in Las Vegas now we are pretty good at carrying jackets everywhere no matter what time of year it is....we laugh cause you can always tell the people from the way north in the winter time here,they are all in flip flops and shorts and we are in jackets lol..We took our boys out to San Franscsco one year back in the 70s in August from Ks and I packed us all jackets and they thought mom was nuts,but I was born and raised there and they had no idea,they wore those jackets with smiles on their faces once we arrived.....We are going to try and work Quartzsite in to our trip in Feb back east it could kinda be on the way :-)
Launey and Earlene
Joy A. & Olive
2001 13 Scamp "Puff"
Full-timer
2019 1500 Ram Longhorn
SOI #168
Can't wait to see you again Lily, and Joy too!
Glad you're going to make it to Q for the first year SOI is the event host. Earl, Janea and I are busy trying to design the commemorative button.
Launey and Earlene, we look forward to meeting you if you're able to make it. I've loved following your shake down adventures. You'd really enjoy this gathering.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
We are sure hoping to make it,just never ever know what might pop up,I guess its called life:-(..Been gone for 3 weeks,had to go to Ks and puppy sit and house sit while brother in law went in for a new knee...We are home now and pulling at the bits to get the scamp on the road{we did not take it to Ks} making plans to meet up with son in Colo for a little mountain bike riding and camping out a few days hope those plans go thru
Launey and Earlene
I might follow my parents & their friends (in their 2 C-Class giants...insert hysterical mental picture here... down, but set up camp with my fellow "little guys"
Deb Staines
2016 16’, layout 4
'Rapscallion'
Hey Deb,
We always have a few SOB's (Some Other Brands) at Quartzsite gathering and all are welcome. We even went to the dark side for two years in a 29 SOB and they still let us come to the gathering, although we got made fun of pretty bad. One of the original organizers has gone to the dark side and comes in their SOB every year. So bring your parents and friends and we'll have them wondering why they aren't in a Molded Fiberglass trailer by the end when they see all the cool different models of molded glass that come to Quartzsite.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
So we just show up? No pre signing up or anything,just come when we want anytime after 2-8 is that correct:-)
Launey and Earlene
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