Age Restrictions

Some of the most interesting people I have met were in older RV's that had seen much better years. Some of the most obnoxious people I have met have been in $150,000+ clean and shiny motor homes.

I agree that those restrictions should be listed if they are going to enforce them. Even though mine looks like it's right off the showroom floor I would avoid those RV parks.

mockturtle wrote:
Many of you seem to be missing the point of this thread. Its purpose is to determine whether or not Good Sam campground guides should include RV age restrictions in their park information. They already list pet restrictions (by breed, number, size, etc.). While my motorhome looks much newer than its age, I do not patronize RV parks that discriminate by RV age, even if they let me in.

Pet rules are a common thing. I would gather that almost every park has rules for pets. As far as age restrictions for rvs. I would guess that maybe 5% or less have restrictions of anything over 10 years old. I've never been to or even looked into going to a park that stated they have a 10 year rule with exception that the Wilmington KOA has a rule if you are long term. I've only seen a handful of posts here on the forum of places that do. I don't see it feasible to add an age restriction column just for a few. These books are updated once a year and by the time they roll out, they are obsolete already. He parks can change their rules and restrictions at anytime. The book is a guide and not the bible. RVers should take on some responsibility beyond looking at that book and investigate. Especially if you know you have an older rv and know that some parks don't allow them. Many places don't allow class c or trailers. Many allow everything except pop ups some allow motorhomes of any kind as long as they are a certain length and not a trailer. Research...use the Internet (your already there if you are reading this).... Call ahead.

It has been my experience that they do 'not' list the 10 year rule on websites etc.

The rule is something that the CG's use "at their discretion".

And for the very reason stated earlier. If the rig looks and is a junk they use the rule to turn you away. If your 16 year old RV looks clean and kept up when you pull in.....you most likely will never know they even had a 10 year old rule as they sign you in and issue you your site!

My first RV over time became over 10 years old! It was polished and clean at all times. I was NEVER turned away from any CG's. And that was RV'ing Full-Time where I will use hundreds more CG's than the week end RV'er! :C

That said I've seen some resort areas where when you call to reserve they ask how old your RV is. If it is older than 10 years they will simply tell you to come on down and if your RV is presentable they will allow you to stay.

I for one like this practice. I do NOT want to pull off the road for a couple days of relaxation and be parked next to run down dilapidated RV's that look like they should be in a junk yard. And plse spare me the oh the humanity that not everyone has money for a new RV. It doesn't take any money to use your elbow grease to clean an RV. And THAT is what the CG rule is for! :B

Many of you seem to be missing the point of this thread. Its purpose is to determine whether or not Good Sam campground guides should include RV age restrictions in their park information. They already list pet restrictions (by breed, number, size, etc.). While my motorhome looks much newer than its age, I do not patronize RV parks that discriminate by RV age, even if they let me in.

Maybe call them for reservations and ask about restrictions then. While it may be frustrating arriving someplace and find out they have a restriction, I would think it would be equally frustrating arriving and find out they have available spots for you at all.

You know that you have a vehicle that is older than 10 yrs old and you also know that there are parks with restrictions. So you know there is a possibility of coming across such places. You need to do more planning to make sure you are not wasting your time. There is a park not too far away that if you go by the name with "motorcoach resort" in it, that you would think that a trailer is not allowed in it. We see them in it all the time. Mostly fifth wheels. So sometimes, it takes a little more than seeing a place in a book and putting the address in your GPS and going. With today's technology, Internet, and cell phones with unlimited calling, there's no excuse to be able to do more research. If you fly by the seat of your pants, you can expect a snag ever now and then.

mowermech wrote:

DavisK wrote:
I agree that all restrictions should be listed.

ALL restrictions? No, I don't agree. There is no need to list the requirement to pick up after your dog, or keep your dog quiet, or many other rules that are pretty much standard throughout the industry.
However, rules and/or restrictions that are unusual most assuredly, IMO, should be listed in directories and reviews.
For instance, I know of one RV park that states in their rules that firearms and fireworks cannot be in any RV on the premises. They also have the 10-year rule. It would have been nice, several years ago, to know that BEFORE I called to make reservations. We did not stay there.
Another RV park had a one-pet rule. Even though our two cats were inside at all times, they said we could not stay. I'm sure they did not miss our money. Another wasted phone call.
Both of these parks are in the Seattle area, where we had a 13 week contract. I found an RV park near Poulsbo, across the bay, that was glad to have us, our two cats, our 1999 fifth wheel, and our 1994 truck. AND, they gave us a very good (IMO) monthly rate!

I didn't say rules should be listed, only their restrictions as to whether or not they will permit you to stay on their property. The OP mentioned RV age. I was referring additionally to pets (number and variety) and type camper (MH, TT, 5th wheel, tent, etc.).

Where are you looking for the restrictions? I have never seen a park that had odd restrictions that didn't post them on their website. If you are just looking at a camping guidebook, those listings are provided by the book publisher and the campground has limited input into those ads. To get out more information they need to buy ads, and when you buy an ad, you tend to put in information to sell your product, not list the restrictions, since space costs money. The best bets are look at the park's website and call.

A simple phone call before arriving will solve this problem. We always (well, mostly always) call ahead several hours before we plan to stop.

Every year my RV get a year older. We are at the 10 year mark now. However, we keep it in good condition as we are retired and have lots of time to keep it up. If there is a 10 year rule, my RV is 8 or 9 depending on my mood.

We've discussed this before. Probably many times. No campground owner is going to turn down perfectly good money because you have an 11 year old rig. I doubt you could find a CG owner that can identify the year of every make and model of every RV ever made by looking at it. They will turn one away that looks like if they let it park, it will never leave. In the morning, the TT will be sitting there with license plates removed and the TV is gone, never to return. And its really difficult to throw an RV away without the title.
Owners are also aware of this forum and others, where people complain about the junky RVs in the park and swear never to return. Most RV parks have an office window that looks out on the check in spot so they can see your rig. But on the chance that they turn you away, move on down the road. They have wheels.
Mine is a 2003 and facing the possibility, but I bought it new, its always been garaged and runs like a top. If some CG operator wants to check the title and turns me down, I'll move on down the road. It isn't like they're taking away my next birthday. I just don't get to stay.
Frankly, I can't imagine anybody towing an Airstream getting turned down. Not only are they classics, every year looks the same.