I've been happily turning a new Transit T250, medium-high roof van into a "travel van" to get us back and forth from FL, and to do some sightseeing and weekend camping. The dinette turns into a bed with ample storage underneath the benches; the kitchen sink disappears, and we have a portapotty so we don't get booted from our condo complex for having an "RV". From the outside, it just looks like an upscale cargo van with extra windows.I read on another forum, that some RV Parks won't allow "converted vans". As we travel, we plan to use RV parks - I enjoy the quiet and safety that comes with being amongst RVers. I intend to reserve space for a Class B, since that's more or less what we have. After all - ALL Class Bs are converted vans.....LOL!Are we going to pull into a park, only to have someone turn us away because we have a "conversion"??

Usually the restrictions specifies the RV must have RVIA certification which means the RV has been built to specifications pertaining to plumbing, electrical, wiring and other building standards adopted by the RV manufacturers. This is a restriction placed on RV parks by the liability insurance carrier they use. Home made units no matter how well built will not meet this requirement. So the RV parks turn them away to be able to maintain insurance coverage.I would guess 9 times out of 10 if you pull into a park nothing will be said and you'll be able to get a spot as long your conversion looks fairly professionally made. I have never had someone from an RV park go outside and check my RV for an RVIA certification sticker (most manufactured RVs have them).

Many other options other than lousy rv parks

rjxj wrote:Many other options other than lousy rv parksVery true, there are lots of excellent RV parks, and campgrounds.

Reality - They have the right to refuse you a spot. Practicality - Not likely to happen.

Most parks generally won't care too much provided your unit looks halfway presentable. Generally speaking, the fancier and more expensive and more "exclusive" the park, the more stringent they may be. There are some RV resorts that only permit class A motorhomes (and not class C's or trailers of any sort), and places that don't permit school bus conversions, and many other permutations...but also a great many fine campgrounds that only care whether you behave decently. I doubt any state park would turn you away, for example.Not to long ago, I was camping in a nice campground with neighbors who arrived with a U-Haul and promptly set up a tent or two.If you can register your van as a motorhome, it may prevent some difficulties. Typically that requires meeting some number of various listed minimum equipment standards--things like having cooking facilities, permanent sanitary facilities (not a portable toilet), sleeping spaces, a 120V electrical system, etc. Check with your state for the details if you're interested.

Conversion Vans not allowed at some RV Parks? | Good Sam Community

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
Thanks, everyone! The RVIA certification makes sense, but I agree with others that as long as we appear to be decent folks who simply want a safe place to sleep for a night, they won't turn us/our money away. I've never aspired to stay at a "resort" - our decade of happy Class C ownership kept us from such lofty goals ;-) I know State Parks are a good place, I've camped in truly ratty work vans (NOT converted) during weekend kayak-camping trips, and nobody blinked an eye. And yes, compared to those old work vans, my Transit IS a "Prevost".....LOL!

Regarding staying in RV parks in general?? I have wonderful memories of our travels, the destinations we've stayed, and the wonderful people we met along the way. If they give me a little bit of electricity, the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing I'm among kindred spirits, and a quick shower in the morning - I'm more than happy to support them. :-)
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Most all campgrounds are privately owned and as such can set the rules of admission any way they want to, and do. It is, after all a private business. If refused, go elsewhere or 'stealth camp' on the street or Cracker Barrel or Wal-mart are wherever. Nothing you can do about it. Live with it and move on.

My problem (but I doubt it's only *my* problem) is that I'm a very light sleeper. We've tried Flying J/Cracker Barrel/Wallydocking in the past with our Class C - and all the ambient traffic/activity keeps me wide awake. When we had our bare-bones popup truck camper, we discovered that many campgrounds also have "limited service" sites available, or would even let us use the tent camping sites as long as we didn't run a generator. So all-in-all, I really doubt we'll have trouble finding a spot at an RV park.
memtb
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
These campgrounds may be having "flash-backs" to the 60's, hippies, peace symbols, and flowers! ;)
GordonThree
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
Private business - their land, their rules. This isn't (yet) a communist state.
gbopp
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
Sea Dog wrote:
Write "Prevost" across the font with a magic marker.
Problem solved!

Or 'Privost', they'll think it's s Chinese knockoff. :B
Veebyes
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2017
Sea Dog wrote:
Write "Prevost" across the font with a magic marker.
Problem solved!

BINGO!
Adam_H
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
If the RVIA sticker is indeed the major hang up, have one made and stick it on. I don't put too much faith in the RVIA anyway because they certify all the RV's and we all know how crappy they are built.

Adam
mowermech
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
The way I look at it, any RV Park that refuses to allow me on the premises is too "upscale" for this old retired mechanic anyway.
That is the benefit of being on wheels; I can get on down the road, I just do not need them!
That being said, I have only been turned away once, and it was over pets. We had 2 cats and a dog, and they had a 2 pet limit.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2017
Theory: There are many parks which have "Restrictions"
No RV's over xx years old
No Rv's other than ____ Type.
No Rv's of ____ type.
No Kids
No pets
No _________

With one or two exceptions (NO BOOZE/DRUNKS)

My theory is they have so much business..... They do not need mine ..

THere is always somewhere more accommodating nearby.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Sep 22, 2017
Tell them you’re L, B, G, T or Q. Or all of them at once.

It works at the cake shops.

:):)