Not sure if anyone has seen or read this already but HUD jumped into the fray here a few months ago and decided to start classifying Park Model trailers as manufactured homes. The RV industry is freaking out because this change has a series of major consequences for manufacturers and RV parks. ie manufacturers would be held to construction standards for manufactured homes not RVS and RV parks zoned for RV use would need to remove "manufactured homes".The industry is pro-actively seeking to squash the HUD ruling and get legislation introduced that clearly states that Park models RVs are "not homes".Personally I kind of agree with HUD, Park models sure do look, act, and operate like manufactured homes but I also get the RV industries assertion that they are small and light enough to be towed on a highway without special permit.Here is the article link. Also here is the text of the bill link What do you think?

I owned a park model RV and it was 399 sq ft It did not have a factory installed porch. I contracted with the RV park owner to have a deck and screened in room added. That way it conformed to the park model standards.

When park models first came put, their design was specifically to keep the MH standards out of the mix. It only seems to take time for the gov to catch up and regain power on these sorts of issues.

Difficult for me to understand what is the true intent since the 2nd link only includes a snippet of one version of the bill and states it's an amendment to definition of the original 1970's bill. I suppose the Feds are looking to standardize park models and certain styles of RVs to conform with housing standard norms. Prolly useful in areas prone to hurricanes and tornadoes yet I need more info to not guess. Should this law's definition not have been updated since the early '70's it's prolly about time to do so. Lots of RV innovations since then.

jules6 wrote:I owned a park model RV and it was 399 sq ft It did not have a factory installed porch. I contracted with the RV park owner to have a deck and screened in room added. That way it conformed to the park model standards.when I looked at them in wisconsin dells, the deck/screened room could not be fastened to the Park Model, as that would void the deal. it could be and was abutted to the PM.bumpy

Park Models RV or Not? | Good Sam Community

36 Replies

MattFromPA
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
keymastr wrote:
I would not call it a money grab for property taxes. Many of these parks are permanent residences and as such use tax dollars for public services, hospitals fire and rescue, police, water, sewer, power. Why should they be charged nothing for all those things?

There are places like Newfoundland that have similar laws regarding porches and many houses do not have porches and stairs because that would make them subject to taxes. Pretty low rent way to live if you ask me. Don't say bad things about welfare scammers if this is how you think it should be.

The park model resort I've looked at does not allow permanent residency. You cannot have an address or receive mail there. It is truly a weekend/vacation getaway. Legally it is still a 'campground' as long as the units are considered RV's. It's the kind of place I would consider buying into someday. The owners there do pay taxes on the lots, which helps pay for local services. I'd imagine these types of park model resorts are going to have a hard time, and the new regulations will drive business to campgrounds that offer permanent sites. Ultimately if they want the tax dollars, city hall will find a way.
holstein13
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
In general, I would favor less government regulation and allow market forces to determine the market. If someone wants to live in a park model built to whatever standard, I'd say that's their choice. If a municipality wants to tax that park model however it sees fit, then it's up to the affected to resist the assessments or move the trailer.

But there is one area that I can see where HUD may want to get involved and that is FHA loans. If you buy your park model with cash, then you can do whatever you want, but if FHA is lending money on your park model, then maybe they can have a say in the matter.
keymastr
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
I would not call it a money grab for property taxes. Many of these parks are permanent residences and as such use tax dollars for public services, hospitals fire and rescue, police, water, sewer, power. Why should they be charged nothing for all those things?

There are places like Newfoundland that have similar laws regarding porches and many houses do not have porches and stairs because that would make them subject to taxes. Pretty low rent way to live if you ask me. Don't say bad things about welfare scammers if this is how you think it should be.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Oct 26, 2014
I have never stayed in one, but have also seen that.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
now that I think of it, when we stayed at a yogi bear in Texas, I think the "cabin" we stayed in was a park model.
bumpy
MattFromPA
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Its a money grab for tax revenue. As I understand it, a mobile home is deeded and titled and subject to property taxation. The big issue with park models has been whether they are subject to property tax. At one park model resort I considered buying into, they required that all decks and stairs not be physically attached, and permanent residency was not allowed. By doing this the owners would only be subject to property tax on the lot, but the park model itself would be considered 'temporary' and not taxable. This is in PA, I understand every state and even locality is different.

I guess this would be a big problem for campgrounds that have park models for rent. My current favorite campground has a mix of true cabins and newer park models. It also turns these park model-only resorts into 'trailer parks' overnight I suppose.
keymastr
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Wrace wrote:
mlts22 wrote:
Just... no.

Once HUD rules apply to park models, it is very easy to get those rulings to apply to all RVs, even the motorcycle tent trailer with very minor tweaks. What then? Most RV parks make a razor thin income with all the new regulations, higher taxes, and customer demands (if Wi-Fi isn't perfect, even though the place is paradise, people will give it a one star.)

With HUD rules for anything that parks at a campground, this would completely kill the RV ecosystem, just like how the EPA killed steel production, forcing us to buy all metal from China. Parks would be charging $100 a night or just closing overnight.

Is there any burning reason for HUD to be wanting this? Are people dying because park models are not classified as permanent structures? If not, the economy is still quite weak before adding additional burdens onto RV parks, RV companies, and RV buyers. I wonder if this is being done because it brings in more tax revenue, as opposed to actually doing good for anybody else.

You should probably receive some sort of internet penalty for exceeding the common sense quotient for a single post. Well said!

You are actually blaming the EPA for killing the steel industry? Do you remember when rivers in this country would catch on fire, you could not see more than 2 miles and breathing outside was hazardous to your health?

Nobody is interested in coming after your RV, they simply want to make sure that people are safe in their permanent residences, which is what park models are. Stronger roofs and hurricane straps arer what they want, not your Jayco.
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 23, 2014
it really simple
dispite all the complicated definitions

if its designed to be pulled by a car or truck at few minutes notice,
has all the lights, the battery on the tongue for the break-away-braking etc..

its an RV

park models have lights, because they could not be transported to the site with out them, but they are NOT designed to be moved, by just anybody that wants too pick up an go
ryoung
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
The answer to the OP question "Park Models RV or Not?" can be elusive unless one realizes that there are two types of park models build to different standards.

The A.N.S.I. Park Model unit (under 400 square feet) is built to comply with the R.P.T.I.A. ANSI A119.5 Standard for Recreational Park Trailers. This type of unit is licensed and titled as a Recreation Vehicle.

The H.U.D Park Model (over 400 square feet but not more than 500 square feet) built to comply with the H.U.D. Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. This type of unit is also licensed and titled as a Recreation Vehicle in Florida only.

ryoung
colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2014
Wrace wrote:
TechWriter wrote:

Not quite. It looks like HUD is going after some park model manufacturers who tried to get around the 400 square foot maximum size for a park model by including "factory installed" porches.

That's the first thing I thought of as well.
These are some nice 'Park models'
http://www.escapehomes.us/#!plans-and-pricing/aboutPage
That is nice. I would love to have that on my seasonal site.

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Park Models RV or Not?

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