I had made reservations in December for this July in an area that has a history of no openings anywhere in the area if not booked months ahead. When we arrived yesterday the camp host informed me that I could not stay because the RV was over 20 years old! When I informed him that I had a reservation he said it did not matter and when I said that it did not mention any age restrictions on the reservation he handed me a copy of the park rules and said it was in the rules. It was the same rules that I had a copy of and after pointing out that there were no age restriction in the rules he still would not allow us to park. After being told he could not contact his superiors I informed him that he could either show us where our assigned site was or I would find it myself and park with or without his permission. He finally "allowed" us to park till this morning and could talk to the managers. We are still here and was told that the host and managers had been told that there was a age restriction by the owner but did not realize that it had not been changed in the park rules that are given to guests or on there web site.

Sadly that is NOT new news.Almost all CG's have the 10 year old rule and use it when 'necessary'.And as you found out and that CG is not the only one, CG's do not post it on the websites or in the CG rules. My guess is that the owner of your CG knows it's not on the website/rules and just saying that it just was overlooked because you called stick on it. He has no intention of putting it in print. It usually is never printed anywhere except in the high end resorts. There it is printed in bold print on everything!!:B

What's the name of the campground?

"I informed him that he could either show us where our assigned site was or I would find it myself and park with or without his permission. "Really?While I understand your frustration you were indeed fortunate that his next call was not to the local authorities. I'm sure they would have been happy to find a place for you to spend the night. :R

What is the reason for this ten year rule? Is it arbitrarily assumed that a ten year old RV isn't safe and functional?

You have my absolute respect for handling it the way you did!

Older RV Owners Be Aware | Good Sam Community

70 Replies

colliehauler
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2013
As I have said before their park their rules. I do not want to stay where I'm not wanted (or my wallet). In 15 years I have never been refused entry.
paulsang
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
All this is starting to make me nervous! We just purchased a 2000 Diplomat. It is in great shape. However, after 5 weeks on the road, we have discovered the front bumper was cheaply painted by previous owner, and it is now showing wear from road debris. Does it look bad? No, in my opinion. We keep it heavily waxed and polished to help the condition. Just this week, we detailed it and removed black streaks. Viva la difference! (or whatever)

We shall see what happens. 10 more weeks on the road.
H345
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
.

OP mentioned some fading paint and animal strike damage to the right front . An initial image goes a long way . Old unrepaired damage and faded paint may not be part of the park image !
The attitude also plays a big part .

.
Lauren
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
That is where the ol' "pride of ownership" becomes the scapegoat; they can hang their hat on that they want each and every time - let a 50 year old converted Greyhound bus in but refuse a 2 year old class A whatever.

Years ago, on our first trip to the OR Coast, we had a reservation at Pacific Shores. Showed up with our less than one year old towable Hol Rambler. Seems that from when we made the reservation and when we arrived they went moho only and he refused us a site we had paid for. Even had assigned. Even had a copy of the reservation. All they could do was tell me to get it out of there and I was being politely firm (not knowing where to start looking for another place at that time in the afternoon). But would not move the rig. I finally asked him if I could use his phone (before cell phones) to call the police to iron it out. Well, we got in but did not get the "guarantee'd" spot but the worst spot in the place. Being politely firm helps but I was ready to make the call as he had no reason to ask me to leave. That's ok, they have gone belly up a couple of times now I think.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013
DarthMuffin wrote:
Bea PA wrote:
Reservations usually mean that you have made a deposit. If they have my money, I would expect a site.

Exactly. With the reservation fee a contract has been made, the terms of which were agreed to and did NOT mention an age restriction. I'd have said either give me my spot or I will see you in court for breach of contract.
Not really. Say you made a reservation and showed up with a skoolie conversion with the full hippie package. Or you showed up with graphics advertising a porn site covering your brand new Newell. Or, you just came in with a foul mouth and a bad attitude and started abusing the staff. In all of those instances it would be within the park's rights to refuse a site under the clause we all have somewhere that says "management reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason." I would assume a business would have the right to alter their policies at any time. If a restaurant changes the dress code, they sure don't grandfather in the reservations. But a business should make every effort to let reservations know of any change in policy or accomodations. And a good business will make any reasonable accomodation they can in situations such as the OP experienced. In this instance, I think the park handled it correctly, they didn't get the word out about the policy, so they let the people stay.
drsteve
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
The OP says:
We are still here and was told that the host and managers had been told that there was a age restriction by the owner but did not realize that it had not been changed in the park rules that are given to guests or on there web site.
so it sounds like an error was made by management, and they acknowledged it by not kicking the OP out of the park.
wbwood
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
Campfire Time wrote:
wbwood wrote:
I think there are some misconceptions here. First of all, it was a private park and they can do what they want. Yes if you made a deposit, you are due your money back. You could of been escorted off the premises or arrested/cited for trespassing if you didn't vacate the premises.

As far as the 20 year rule, well I guess they can change it when they want to and if they didn't like the way you parted your hair, they could refuse service to you as well. But what are you going to do about it? Sue them? Law Enforcement are not going to make the Park let you stay. They may try to smooth over the situation and try to come to a reasonable solution, but if the park owner says no, get off my property, then the Law Enforcement Officer has to enforce the trespassing charge as long as the park owner/representative states so.

Doubtful. This isn't trespassing. And the park cannot "do what it wants", at least not on fly. The OP had a reservation (and most likely a deposit!) and documentation that there was no age restriction. Since there was no way for the OP to know that they were violating the rules, that amounts to a contract that the park has to legally live up to. He made that reservation in good faith and had a more than a reasonable expectation that the campground would honor it. Kicking him out would NOT have been reasonable. The host did the right thing, allowed them to stay and work it out in the morning. The OP said they are still there because the owner did not change the rules on the web site. The owner knows he's in the wrong and has no ground to stand on. Lets say they did call a LEO and the OP showed the LEO the documentation. Do you really believe he/she would have kicked them out?

If he was told to leave and refused to, he could indeed be charged with trespassing. Is a business and they have the right to ask anyone to leave and not be on the premises. Just as a store can ban you from their property. If you do not leave or return within the ban period, you can be charged with trespassing.

LEO's are not there to play judge and jury (as I am an LEO). They may try to reach an amicable conclusion, but in the end if the business doesn't want the person there, then the LEO has the duty to remove the person from the property. Normally there will be paperwork completed, such as a ban from property in which the LEO will use to charge the person for trespassing.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2013
RetSgt7114 wrote:
I'm sure they've heard of it..
2edgesword wrote:
What is the reason for this ten year rule? Is it arbitrarily assumed that a ten year old RV isn't safe and functional?
Given that comment, I don't think they have.

rockhillmanor wrote:
When a camper makes a reservation far in advance and 'pre-pays' for it and does not know about the 20 year rule..!

I believe it's a 10 year rule. So I guess by logic it would be an 11 year rule, 12 year rule...
mikestock
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
I have heard of the 10 year rule but the only CG I am familiar with that has the rule does publish it in their brochures and web page. Any CG that has such a rule and fails to notify people making a reservation should honor that reservation. Keep in mind that the customer may have passed up a chance to reserve a different CG and not be easily able to find a place. Not knowing about the OP's situation, I could see where the customer is put in a difficult situation if he arrives late at night or if there are no reasonable alternatives.
drsteve
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
Bonefish wrote:
Over the years I have not found many private campgrounds worth staying at anyways.
Agree 100%.

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