RV's too old to park in their campground???

[Cheryl_B]

I bought my motorhome with the intention of leaving CT, and spending quality time with my family who has relocated to the outskirts of Indianapolis this year. I was paying my rent here in CT yesterday and I told them that this would most likely be my last month camping here.

I get back to the rig and find that finally, this IN campground has answered my emails (I sent them 2 and got no response and called them instead.) So that's how I found out that the RV's need to be 15 years old or newer. I called 2 other places (only places open year round there) and they had similar policies. I'm persona non grata.

I've researched RV living for YEARS, accumulating into decades and this is the first I have heard about age limits for RV's. Is this a typical problem that you encounter in your travels?

Do I really have to spend the winter in CT????

[mountainsam]

I would keep going past Indiana, which can have terrible winters, and head south . Have a nice visit coming and going. Winterizing an older model rv can be a real challenge. Even the new ones are pron to freeze ups. And theres not a lot of insulation in those walls. I know many people like to winter camp but it can be a headache. Good luck.

[DutchmenSport]

Cheryl_B wrote:
The state fair place will let anyone camp there....
I tried looking up that state park you mentioned but it doesn't say they're open in Nov/Dec. Are they? Thanks for the information.

You REALLY do not want to stay on the State Fairgrounds camp sites. They are set up, mostly, for the Carnies that run the fair rides and vendors who honker down during State Fair time. As I recall, they do have full hook-up, but it's not a very desirable camping area, actually inside the Fair Grounds, and yes it is just a parking lot and right in the middle of everything. And the surrounding neighborhood has never been all that great either. Although I've not heard anything in a couple years, thefts and car break-ins was pretty common a while back. I've never wanted to park anywhere in that area, even inside the Fair Grounds, as there has been reported break-in thefts (even this year) too during fair time. There are events going on all the time, all year round, so there is always activity too. The camping area is just too close to all this commotion. You will not enjoy it there.

Indiana State Parks turn the water off November 1 and turn the water back on April 1. Anyone can just drive in (no park entrance fees during these months, no one at the gate). You drive in, pick your camping spot and set up. Electric is still on. Eventually, one of the Park Workers will come around and collect your camping fees. If they are not driving a DNR vehicle, they are not legitimate.

The fee for camping is considerably less during these months, but there is no water, bath houses and restrooms are closed and locked. You can still dump at dump stations, but the water is turned off there too.

If you can carry in your own water, it's absolutely a great experience! Especially when there is snow on the ground!

Of course, camping during these months is still iffy-iffy with Indiana weather. It can be 20 below zero one week, and 40 above zero the next and back to below zero the next. But the water remains off until April 1.

[Cheryl_B]

The state fair place will let anyone camp there. It sounds like an open, empty parking area covered with grass or gravel. But in Nov/Dec, they shut off the water to those camping site hook ups. You call security to tell they you're there and checking in, but you are pretty much on your own after that. I'm assuming there's a dump station but maybe not a sewer connection at the site. Have to get your water from a spigot and fill your holding tank. How you keep that from freezing is another matter for me to learn on another day.

I tried looking up that state park you mentioned but it doesn't say they're open in Nov/Dec. Are they? Thanks for the information.

[TyroneandGladys]

Check out the Indiana State Parks volunteer/camp host positions. For a little bit of time and work free site. Brown County State Park is about 40 miles away and are needing volunteers do not know if site is provided or not.

[Matt_Colie]

We have an old classic coach. The newest of our group are 37yo this year and ours is now officially 44yo. We have had it a while. We stay away from places that call themselves "RV Resorts". Here is why.

One of our chapters arranged, negotiated and scheduled a rally at an RV resort it came highly recommended. The wagonmaster was going by there and decided to use that as excuse to get first hand information. (He has a gorgeous example.) When he pulled and went to the desk, the not so nice desk person told him then that they have a hard and fast 10 year rule. He inquired more and got nowhere. He then asked if that would be cause for a refund as was responded affirmative. He when out to his coach and got the reservation list 38 names long and went in and cancelled 38 reservations and told them that if he did not have all the refunds in cash before he left charges of fraud would be filed. They had to hustle to get the refund in cash before the banks closed. He did settle for a notarized bank check, but he went down the road about eight miles to a campground he already knew. They were glad to have us and it was a great rally.

Do you think they noticed the loss?

Matt

[Cheryl_B]

Wow. There's a new twist. Good point.

[BillHoughton]

Our son has heard that the parks will do it to keep RVs that are too old to get a decent sale price from being abandoned there - expensive things to junk!

[Cheryl_B]

I hear ya. I'm gradually getting my faith back and leaning toward leaving CT after the 26th. That was my plan and I think I should stick with it. I know I'm not alone.

[bob_nestor]

Cheryl_B wrote:
Bob, that must have really got you steamed up.

Nah, life's too short to get all that angry dealing with idiots. Besides, I figure the Universe has to balance out and this might have been a case of payback for all the dry camping, Walmart camping and camping for free in friend's backyards I've done.

I've discovered that you don't have to look very far down the road to find someone else with a totally different view. I'm sure you'll find that too and locate some nice places to camp that aren't all that concerned about a 10 or 15 year rule on RV age. For the most part those rules are like the ones about "no alcohol in National Parks" - the rule is there so it can be selectively used by the Rangers to kick someone out who is not behaving.

[Cheryl_B]

Bob, that must have really got you steamed up.

[DutchmenSport]

bob_nestor wrote:
I was turned away from an RV Park, as I recall it was a State Park, because their rules didn't allow "van conversions". My RV was a brand new Roadtrek 210P, but the gal at the gate had never heard of Roadtrek and insisted that my vehicle was nothing but a van conversion, not an RV. I took my RV and my money down the road.

You should have told them you were tent camping then and you probably could have stayed. Throw out a lawn chair with a blanket and call that a tent. I'm sure people drive "vans" into campgrounds loaded with tons of tenting equipment!

[DutchmenSport]

Cheryl_B wrote:
... this IN campground has answered my emails ...15 years old or newer. I called 2 other places (only places open year round there) and they had similar policies.

Would you please name these parks that had these rules. I live North and East of Indianapolis about 35 miles. My Great-great grandfather homesteaded in this area, and this has been my "home" all my life.

I've never heard of any of the campgrounds or RV parks with this rule. I'd be most curious to call and find out their reasons for such a rule.

I do know, there are some very old campgrounds in the Central Indiana area that traditionally have been smelly arm-pits. Some of them are attempting to clean up their act and reach a better clientele. Maybe, because of the "image" and "reputation" of some of these places, these parks started enforcing this rule.

Still, I'd REALLY like to know which ones they are! Please provide?

[njtony]

Try Indy lakes in Southport in. Nice people.and as long as the unit looks nice , no problem.

[bob_nestor]

I was turned away from an RV Park, as I recall it was a State Park, because their rules didn't allow "van conversions". My RV was a brand new Roadtrek 210P, but the gal at the gate had never heard of Roadtrek and insisted that my vehicle was nothing but a van conversion, not an RV. I took my RV and my money down the road.

[IAMICHABOD]

j-d wrote:

The Chevys look enough alike that they're the hardest to date just by the look.

:B