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hanford10's avatar
hanford10
Explorer
Sep 25, 2017

Messed up

Went camping at coast/county park and paid for 2 nights. Filled out envelope and deposited in iron ranger. Went to play golf and left doormat, trash can and firewood plus tag on post. Came back 4 hours later and someone had moved my doormat and set up 26 foot trailer with ever jack/wheel chock tongue leveling device known to mankind. My buddy laughed (he was camped next to me) and we started fire in my old fir ring. I moved my RV to his spot and soon the host shows up and says "1 rv per space". I say he took my spot and then she says well you marked your ticket on the box with 2 (days I paid for) instead of dates (which the iron ranger tag had). I said did you look on your list of who paid as the campground takes internet reserves also . She said I don't have that info and the other camper said I left nothing to mark my space. My fault but there were 15 other spots within 25-150 ft. So they(squatter) came back as we drank beer and talked till 10 with no apology. I said he could stay and I moved 15 ft to the next spot. We were leaving in the morning and talked to the real ranger and he agreed with me that the host should have at least looked at site instead of taking his word that there was nothing marking the spot. I learned a lesson use my reading glasses and leave more stuff. :)
  • From hearing these stories, I have found that doormats, chocks, and such are not sufficient to "mark your space". Whether it's because they are flat and not really visible or what, they just don't say "occupied".

    Trash bag and firewood - I would not really consider them as indicators of occupation at any time.

    Seems chairs, tents, etc., set up for use (not just laying on the parking pad) are better indicators.

    I have not had this problem (I don't usually drive away from my site), but if I did, I would make a simple "Occupied" sign and laminate it. Hang that on the post with the small envelope tag showing the dates on top of it. That will have "occupied" very visible and the official tag with dates available for closer inspection. Normally I reserve online for popular campgrounds so my site usually has the big tag on it that makes it easy to know it's taken.
  • Before we started towing the Suzi, I made a sign using the graphic of a Bounder from the sales brochure, had it laminated and screwed to a stake. If we left our site with the intention of returning later, I would post it prominently in the site. The wording around the graphic was, "SITE OCCUPIED BY A BOUNDER".

    On occasion I used the screws to affix the sign to the table or a pile of wood we had at the site.

    It was never stolen and no one ever threw it in the bushes and took my spot, I know it could have happened but most folks are respectful and left it alone.
  • Live and learn . I have also used old tent but have had stuff stolen (old lawn chair set right in middle of parking area) My buddies still laughs at the incident but I'll get him someway some somehow LOL. With metal thieves anything aluminum is gone. Sign of the times. I posted just in case he(squatter) reads this LOL We will meet again as this will be my fav campground as a few golf courses are nearby (3)
  • We carry a small two person dome tent, for the rare times when we find ourselves in just this situation. We can put the tent up in about 5 minutes and it guarantees there is no "misunderstanding".
  • That's one advantage to a TT or MH with a toad...dropping something big and then scooting off. Yes, I put dates on my self pay tags but...geez.
  • Sorry for your troubles. I'm always weary of leaving stuff at a camp site to mark it while I'm not there. Something I've done in the past that works is to buy some inexpensive orange cones (CW sells them) and place them at the entrance(s) to the site. This better conveys the message that the site is taken. Other than leaving your rig at the site, I've found that this works best.

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