Conversion Vans not allowed at some RV Parks?

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.

With class "B" vans going upwards of $300,000, they are the the second most expensive type of motorhome there is. Some RV park turning down an Advanced RV 4x4 Sprinter with air ride suspension, for some reason, is just plain dumb.

Vans are not cheap. I see 20 year old conversion vans still selling for $20,000, and 10 year old Sprinters selling for the price the van was originally worth, especially the older T1Ns that had the five-banger.

There is no difference between a class "B" and a converted van except for a RVIA sticker.

If I go the custom route, I'm probably going to do similar, except have Sportsmobile upfit a SRW T-350 van.

Write "Prevost" across the font with a magic marker.
Problem solved!

40+ years ago i converter a used Dodge van into a camper
Stayed in KOA campgrounds all over the Midwest and South never had one question me

But KOA are camp grounds, for campers, not upscale RV resorts,
There are differences

In the past, I have built two class B's both with rooftop AC. They were obviously homemade. I used them at RV parks for decades without any problem.

The problems started when I got a RVIA certified truck camper.

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.

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

rjxj wrote:
Many other options other than lousy rv parks

Very true, there are lots of excellent RV parks, and campgrounds.

Many other options other than lousy rv parks

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).