My family is eyeing opening up a few RV parks in the Central Florida. Location or locations have not been decided on definitely. What businesses are *needed* or *preferred* to be near RV parks. When I ask about businesses, Im really looking for businesses needed specifically for RV campers. Im looking for businesses that are preferred and needed, to try to help pick locations. Thank you

Hi,I prefer to have a place to buy fuel and propane.A corner store with gas station would be even better.I enjoy "getting away" from it all, but cell phone access would figure into my choices of places to stay.Over build the electric supply. Code is woefully underestimating the power needs of modern RV's. Bump up the wiring gauge.I would not install wifi internet, even at the office, unless you are prepared to have the capacity to do streaming video to every site in the park. That does not come cheap.

No businesses are needed near an RV park, the fewer the better. Also, the land is usually less expensive the farther from town.

RV park or campground? Two whole different animals. Do you see yourself as a high end upkeep person? Or do you see yourself as a avid outdoor woodsy person? Do you want to clean clubhouses, pools, game rooms, a bar, and store, mow lawns, trim bushes and the such? Or do you just want to empty the trash every morning and sell firewood from a small storefront?

Before you do anything. Check local zoning. Then get an engineers estimate for a sewer treatment plan for the size park you want. Septic ain't gonna cut it. Then get an Estimate from Florida Power and Light as to bringing Electric power to the site.Then there is the cost of WATER. Government red tape will bury you. You will find this to be a VERY expensive proposition. Better off to go buy an existing park if that is what turns your crank.

I have never looked to see what businesses are close by, I look for things to do. In FL, I look for beach/bay proximity, or we have enjoyed the different springs. We are still working and have kids, so we are vacationers. We try to make sure we have everything we need so we don’t Easter vacation time at a store. If you are catering to long term campers, it may be a concern.

potential new rv resort | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

dedmiston
Moderator
Jun 17, 2020
The OP has only had one post, ever, and hasn't returned to his/her own thread. I'm closing this until the OP comes back and joins the conversation.

OP - PM me when you're back.
mdcamping
Explorer
Jun 17, 2020
wapiticountry wrote:
mdcamping wrote:
GAdawgs0688 wrote:
What businesses are *needed* or *preferred* to be near RV parks. When I ask about businesses, Im really looking for businesses needed specifically for RV campers. Im looking for businesses that are preferred and needed, to try to help pick locations. Thank you

Having a RV service/repair in the area where maybe you can set up a business agreement.

As mentioned, but for us this is very important. Having a decent Grocery store maybe 10 minutes away is a big bonus, especially if your planning a destination type park or similar.

Gas nearby

Mike
I guess different strokes for different folks. We have never considered whether or not an RV repair facility was nearby as a criteria for choosing a park. Same with gas stations and grocery stores. The RV has a 600+ mile range, refrigerator, freezer and storage so those conveniences don't need to be a stone's throw away. Much more important to us is what are the nearby attractions and activities. I.E. what is the reason for going there in the first place.

It's not my criteria either when choosing a rv park, I'm just trying to help the OP. I know of RV service shops where part of their buisness is to travel to local RV parks and do service repair/warranty repair on both permanent and transient rv's. This info might be helpful to the OP

My Tacoma has a 21 gallon fuel tank :)

What we look for is similar to what you look for but I always check the online reviews first before choosing a campground/rv park

Mike
wapiticountry
Explorer
Jun 17, 2020
mdcamping wrote:
GAdawgs0688 wrote:
What businesses are *needed* or *preferred* to be near RV parks. When I ask about businesses, Im really looking for businesses needed specifically for RV campers. Im looking for businesses that are preferred and needed, to try to help pick locations. Thank you

Having a RV service/repair in the area where maybe you can set up a business agreement.

As mentioned, but for us this is very important. Having a decent Grocery store maybe 10 minutes away is a big bonus, especially if your planning a destination type park or similar.

Gas nearby

Mike
I guess different strokes for different folks. We have never considered whether or not an RV repair facility was nearby as a criteria for choosing a park. Same with gas stations and grocery stores. The RV has a 600+ mile range, refrigerator, freezer and storage so those conveniences don't need to be a stone's throw away. Much more important to us is what are the nearby attractions and activities. I.E. what is the reason for going there in the first place.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 17, 2020
I think the OP is just looking to have suggestions from campers. He will pick and choose among the replies. Each of us has different styles. I'm 90% a boondocker--and in 2019 I paid $15 for campgrounds.
mdcamping
Explorer
Jun 17, 2020
GAdawgs0688 wrote:
What businesses are *needed* or *preferred* to be near RV parks. When I ask about businesses, Im really looking for businesses needed specifically for RV campers. Im looking for businesses that are preferred and needed, to try to help pick locations. Thank you

Having a RV service/repair in the area where maybe you can set up a business agreement.

As mentioned, but for us this is very important. Having a decent Grocery store maybe 10 minutes away is a big bonus, especially if your planning a destination type park or similar.

Gas nearby

Mike
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Jun 15, 2020
^^^^^^^^ Lots of "experts" on here for sure!
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2020
My advice is to find better advice than on this forum - all you will get here are answers in the form of questions that make assumptions on your wealth, knowledge of building codes, business experience and experience regarding RV's/camping in general. You will be told how expensive it is to put in a septic site, and all the horrors of permitting something like that. You will get several responses asking how far from a major freeway it will be and endless debate on which is better - closer to the interstate for those who want a quick overnight, and those who want peace and quiet. Then, someone will come along and tell you that buying or building a CG is not going to be the cash cow you expect it to be, and that it will not be a vacation.

Good luck in your endeavors - more CG choices are always welcome.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 14, 2020
So what's your build budget and what's your experience running an RV park?
What's your experience Rv'ing?

The fact you are asking this question, suggests there are more important questions to answer first.

Building a new campground is typically well into the 7 figure range with many headaches. What are the nearby amenities while important are among the lesser concerns.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jun 14, 2020
Most Important:

* Gas
* Groceries

Nice to have:

* Propane
* Fire wood
Horsedoc
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2020
I have seen several 'used to be KOAs" that failed because there was nothing to attract customers locally. Most of what they had was over-nighters traveling and long termers trying to stay afloat.