Are damage deposits at parks customary?

[trailernovice]

There's a close-by commercial RV resort we've stopped using because they implemented a damage-deposit policy for people renting RV sites...$500...fully refunded when, after checkout, the rented site is inspected and found to have no damage

About the policy: Apparently a renter backed over a utility pedestal

About the resort: It's an owner-occupied operation...mostly mobile homes, but owners of 'empty' sites can put them into a rental pool administered by the resort management on a standard rental-rate schedule

The question: Is this customary? We mostly state park camp, so not usually an issue...but we'll use local commercial places for 'weekend getaways'...and will use commercial places when most convenient as overnight stops when en route to elsewhere...Don't want to be on the road and get a 'we're going to hold $500 of your money' surprise at checkin

[gbopp]

I've never seen or heard of a damage deposit.
One time my tail swing hit a pedestal and knocked the door off the box as I was leaving the CG. (yes, I felt like an idiot)
I reported it to the office and offered to pay for it. I was told to not worry about it. I never heard anything about it after the incident.
I did stay at the CG a couple times after that day and was not charged a damage deposit.
My concern about a $500 damage deposit would be, they will find something 'damaged' before you leave.

[johnhicks]

I've never heard of it until now in 13 years fulltiming. I wouldn't do it.

[dodge_guy]

Never seen one or paid a damage deposit. and we stay at parks ranging from $20-$140 a night!

[Darryl_Rita]

Wouldn't want to camp in a mobile home park. Extended stay parks use different rules than weekend parks.

[phillyg]

Nope, never requested, nor would I ever do it.

[BB_TX]

Never encountered that before, but no surprise that some do it. For the reason that someone can easily damage a pedestal, or water faucet, sewer hookup, table, grill, etc. and drive off without telling anyone. I would not let it bother me.

[2oldman]

no

[trailernovice]

(tried unsuccessfully to send this as pm to IDman...posting public)

Not sure what you mean by 'often post about problems'....and, if I DO tend that way, it's kind of the nature of the beast...people more likely to post about 'the service here was awful--steer clear' than 'the service here was great--i highly recommend it'

We don't know each other, and certainly I'm not owed anything...but we like this place and would consider going back but for this new policy...any chance, if I provided the phone number, you could call and check if it's still in place and across the board?

[IDman]

Maybe the RV park has your name and history in their computer. Your reputation has caught up with you, as you often post about "problems" you have while RVing.

[Y-Guy]

I've never seen it. We stay at a lot of State and Private Campgrounds; a few I'd say are a bit pricey, but never one ran into something like that. But I also avoid any parks with a lot of mobile homes in the first place.

[camperfamily]

Never heard of this and I'd almost certainly not stay there. Just raises a flag to me.

[craig7h]

I do not know if its customary! I will say I have never seen anything like that. I am sure there must be something written in the sign in sheet people sign about damage to the property.
If I had to stay at a place like that I would do a pre-site inspection with the owner taking pictures and writing down every scratch, chip, etc on everything.

With that said, move to a different place