I have never towed a car on a trailer but I am getting ready to.I once got cited for refusing to pay extra fees in CA for a boat. The law a the time stated for an extra vehicle and a boat was not a vehicle nor was it's trailer.The ranger cited me, I fought and beat the ticket and due to this and other problems he got fired from the system. It was not his first offense needless to say.Anyway, within state and federal parks I will assume that they charge extra for towed cars?

States, yes. Federal I have not been charged.

At state parks in California, and at some county parks such as Sonoma county parks, if you tow the car in there is no charge. If you drive the car in there is a charge.

RognBon wrote:At state parks in California, and at some county parks such as Sonoma county parks, if you tow the car in there is no charge. If you drive the car in there is a charge.Interesting.

RognBon wrote:At state parks in California, and at some county parks such as Sonoma county parks, if you tow the car in there is no charge. If you drive the car in there is a charge.Almost the same thing happened to us at Devil's Tower. We had stayed at the campground right outside of the park. We checked out and then went to go into the park. We had expected tight parking so we hadn't yet hooked up the Jeep to the MH. We had a pass in the DF's name which is good for two people in one vehicle. Because the Jeep wasn't hooked up to MH, with one of in each vehicle, they told us we needed two passes or else hook the Jeep up to the MH. We hooked up the Jeep, went through the gate and then unhooked it to park...........Bill

I have experience towing car in, but as soon as I disconnected it, enforcement was right there after money. Happened twice in Idaho and once here in Washington.

Charges for towed car/trailer | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Ivylog
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2016
In 15 years of towing a car I cannot ever remember being charged extra for it when hooked up to the MH at a CG.
Dutch_12078
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2016
KeninAZ wrote:
I have never towed a car on a trailer but I am getting ready to.
I once got cited for refusing to pay extra fees in CA for a boat. The law a the time stated for an extra vehicle and a boat was not a vehicle nor was it's trailer.
The ranger cited me, I fought and beat the ticket and due to this and other problems he got fired from the system. It was not his first offense needless to say.

That defense wouldn't fly in NY State. NY Vehicle And Traffic code Section 156 defines a trailer as:

"Any vehicle not propelled by its own power, drawn on the public highways by a motor vehicle as defined in section one hundred twenty-five operated thereon, except motorcycle side cars, vehicles
being towed by a non-rigid support and vehicles designed and primarily used for other purposes and only occasionally drawn by such a motor vehicle." (emphasis added)
Dutch_12078
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2016
cvbdsl wrote:
Letchworth State Park in NY is the only place I've been charged for my toad when hooked up. They stated it was the "park manager's policy".

I booked through Reserve America and there was no mention of any extra charge. Had to pay cash.

I've never been back, lots of good parks in the area that don't charge.
Vote with my $.

Chris

We stayed at Letchworth SP last fall and were not charged anything extra for our attached toad. I just handed them my ReserveAmerica pre-check-in printout and they printed out our car pass.
vic46
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
error
cvbdsl
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Letchworth State Park in NY is the only place I've been charged for my toad when hooked up. They stated it was the "park manager's policy".

I booked through Reserve America and there was no mention of any extra charge. Had to pay cash.

I've never been back, lots of good parks in the area that don't charge.
Vote with my $.

Chris
Hikerdogs
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
enblethen wrote:
I have experience towing car in, but as soon as I disconnected it, enforcement was right there after money. Happened twice in Idaho and once here in Washington.

In most places the park issues a pass to be used for the towed vehicle. Apparently they feel an entrance fee for the motorhome and a charge for the campsite is sufficient.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2016
.duplicate deleted
msmith1199
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2016
KeninAZ wrote:
I have never towed a car on a trailer but I am getting ready to.
I once got cited for refusing to pay extra fees in CA for a boat. The law a the time stated for an extra vehicle and a boat was not a vehicle nor was it's trailer.
The ranger cited me, I fought and beat the ticket and due to this and other problems he got fired from the system. It was not his first offense needless to say.
Anyway, within state and federal parks I will assume that they charge extra for towed cars?

I'm trying to figure this out. You got charged what for a boat by a ranger where and for what purpose?
J-Rooster
Explorer
Sep 04, 2016
Ken, I'm just throwing this out there in case you ever come to Washington State. In WA. St. Parks if you tow a vehicle into the Park it's no charge. If your vehicle is not towed into the Park your charged $10.00 per day. I don't know about Federal Lands I don't camp out on them.
carringb
Explorer
Sep 04, 2016
KeninAZ wrote:
RognBon wrote:
At state parks in California, and at some county parks such as Sonoma county parks, if you tow the car in there is no charge. If you drive the car in there is a charge.

Interesting.

This is State Park policy in Oregon, as well as for BLM and Forest Service sites.

Sites incude one RV and its tow vehicle (if a trailer) or its towed vehicle if its a MH. I am not aware of them charging extra once the car is disconnected however, as long as it came in being towed.