This past weekend we checked into a campground we visited last fall and during the check-in we were handed a booklet which I don't recall seeing last year. In this booklet was all the information about the campground, local attractions and the 'rules'. One of the rules forbids the use of electric heaters and another forbids the use of air conditioning. With lows in the 40's we use our electric heater at night and when we get hot humid days this summer I would use my AC (if I were there). Is this 'rule' common? I'm paying $50 per night for a site with 30/50 amp service, water and sewer, why would I not use my AC when it's hot? Their web site does not list these rules so I think they are new. I signed up for the spring special (pre-pay for 3 weekends), once I pull out I may not be going back (for a variety of reasons) but I sure as heck would not go there during hot months with a rule like that.

Common? Not at all.Did you ask them to clarify these rules?Speculation: they ether have an electric grid issue in their campground, or they are trying to save on their power bill.If they enforce this rule, they will have very few return customers. If it were us and we were there, we would hitch up and move on down the road.

I have seen no electric heater rule before. I used it anyway. ;)

Is this rule "common"? Probably not. I've not seen such a thing, nor have I read anywhere else of such a rule. It would actually raise a red flag for me, and likely others. Why would they have such a "rule"? How are they going to know if you're using your electric heater inside your rig? (A/C would make noise, but not a heater inside). This would seem to indicate they have some sort of issue they are not disclosing, with their electrical system. Only way to know the answer(s) would be to ask them. Call and ask why this is a rule, and see what their response is. That way you, and others if you post their response here, can make an informed decision.

At $50/nite, I would be using whatever I needed be it a electric heater or my AC.Having rules like that make no sense other than to keep their utility bills low.

There is a campground on Highway 10 / 90 / Lafyaette Street, at Mariana, Florida that has the same policy, no electric heaters. When we were at Florida Caverns State Park over Christmas (2015), and we were being told we might have to evacuate because of flooding, we checked out this campground since it was so close to the State Park we could spend the rest of our week there.Well, when we read the rules about no Electric heat, we were a bit taken back on that. So, when it DID finally happen, and we did have to evacuate, rather than going there, we just headed for home. We actually stopped at another campground about half way home that still had full hook-ups and water (in December) and stayed there a couple more days. So yea. I personally would not stay in a campground that would not let us run air or electric heat! My camper will turn into an oven on broil without air! I couldn't even stay in it. My suggestion ... find another park... BUT! Be sure to tell them why you're not going there! I did tell them at that park in Mariana. The guy just looked at me like, ... "Oh well ... it's your choice ... someone else will camp here!" ... well ... maybe so, but it won't be ME!

No AC allowed? | Good Sam Community

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
May 16, 2016
Crowe wrote:
Sorry, but at $50 a night I better be able to have A/C or heat.

Around here I'd be happy to FIND a campground for $50/night! Guess I'm so used to sticker shock up here I think that's quite reasonable.

I don't know how "around here" Plymouth is to you, but:

Pinewood Lodge Campground, Plymouth, MA

Premium 50 Amp Electric, Water & Cable Pull-Through $35.00 (Off-peak)
Premium 50 Amp Electric, Water & Cable Pull-Through $48.00 (Peak)
jdealcpa
Explorer
May 16, 2016
I have stayed at CG that charged extra for A/c. I've paid the extra and used the a/c to do other wise would be stealing. To run a/c and heat regardless of the fee structure is not only foolish but also stealing. IMHO
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 16, 2016
Crowe wrote:
Sorry, but at $50 a night I better be able to have A/C or heat.

Around here I'd be happy to FIND a campground for $50/night! Guess I'm so used to sticker shock up here I think that's quite reasonable.
Along the coast East and West prices are higher, along with property values and wages. A campground in the Midwest is more reasonable.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
May 16, 2016
DownTheAvenue wrote:
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Obvious there are major electrical supply issues with that park. Could be the park's electrical system is poor engineered, or it could be they cannot adequate supply from their electrical company. Either way, I wouldn't be staying there. Way too much chance there will be low voltage issues that will cause damage to some electrical components in your rv. Especially the A/C system. Heaters, no really a problem with damage, but low voltage will increase the amperage draw on the circuit, so you will probably start tripping breakers.
Curious as to how their pricing compares to other parks in the area. Are they a whole bunch cheaper, which would at least be semi-fair or are they just trying to soak the suckers.

This a quite an assumption. Why this assumption may be true, another real possibility is the park attempting to lower their costs by lowering their electric bill. There is no way know the real reason for the rule.
Sorry, but having that policy because they are trying to control costs is about as likely as finding a water supply labeled "Non potable water Do Not Drink" because they are trying to hold down water usage. They will obviously lose more business with their current policy than they would by raising the rates a couple of bucks a night to cover any increased costs. They have a supply or distribution problem.
Calicajun
Explorer
May 16, 2016
Stayed at one park that charged one rate for short time campers with full hook ups and no restrictions. They charged a lower rate for longer stays (more than one week) but metered the electrical use and then charged that to your final bill. Seemed okay to us as we only stayed three days for water skiing (in the summer of course)and definitely wanted AC in the desert heat.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 16, 2016
Many RV parks have metered electric. That's what a park should do if they say no electric heaters.
phillyg
Explorer II
May 16, 2016
I wouldn't stay there.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
May 16, 2016
Yup! I've stayed at one. Actually every year for a sporting event in Gray Summit, MO.

The NO AC ALLOWED comes into play depending on the weather and how many RV's are there. Especially the number of big coaches with 2 AC's sometimes 3 ac units on them. All turned on full blast.:(

And to the people who blatantly disregard this rule? Please do all of us a favor and just LEAVE!

We had people disregarding the NO AC and it shut down the power in the CG. Causing everyone else major inconveniences. :R
tpi
Explorer
May 16, 2016
These restrictions are rare in my travels. At one time OC CA. Fairgrounds had 20 amp service and asked you not to use AC or electric heat. Said due to electrical system. But it was very reasonable rates, and generally mild climate location. Maybe that has changed by now.

I've heard some with $2 charge for AC or electric heat, but in years of camping rarely or never stayed in one. At least the ones I saw with that rate structure (adding extra for AC) tended to have low rates for the area.

I'd rather it was rolled up into one ball.. especially stuff almost everyone uses, such as power for AC in the summer. Or electric heat in the winter. If almost everyone pays it (looking at you "resort fees") just roll it into the rates and be done with it.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
May 16, 2016
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Obvious there are major electrical supply issues with that park. Could be the park's electrical system is poor engineered, or it could be they cannot adequate supply from their electrical company. Either way, I wouldn't be staying there. Way too much chance there will be low voltage issues that will cause damage to some electrical components in your rv. Especially the A/C system. Heaters, no really a problem with damage, but low voltage will increase the amperage draw on the circuit, so you will probably start tripping breakers.
Curious as to how their pricing compares to other parks in the area. Are they a whole bunch cheaper, which would at least be semi-fair or are they just trying to soak the suckers.

This a quite an assumption. Why this assumption may be true, another real possibility is the park attempting to lower their costs by lowering their electric bill. There is no way know the real reason for the rule.

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