Many RVs built more than a decade ago are still going strong. As vintage RV appreciation grows, many RVers ask, “What exactly is a vintage RV? Is an older RV like a fine wine that gets better with age or is it just old?”
RV owners with older rigs may confront this debate head-on when reserving a spot at RV parks that enforce the Ten Year Rule.
Is this 1989 RV “vintage” or “old”?
The ten-year rule at RV parks
“The Ten Year Rule” is a code that’s enforced at many upscale RV parks around the country. The rule implies that RVs older than 10 years are too weathered and worn and should be prohibited.
The rule is often enforced regardless of how pristine the RV actually is. Not surprisingly, the “vintage versus old” RV debate is the subject of many lively internet discussions. Last week RVers on Facebook shared their thoughts about the rule at RV parks in places like Florida’s Williston Crossings RV Resort.
“I believe as long as any RV is well maintained and doesn’t look like it’s ready for the dump, it should be welcome anywhere,” says full-time RVer Mindy Smith. “The 10 year rule is rude and prejudice,” she added.
The 10-year rule applies at Williston Crossings RV Park
Although the majority of vintage RV owners shared her point-of-view, full-time RVer and workamper Sam McClyde says he agrees with a business owner’s decision to enforce the 10-year rule.
“The campgrounds that I have worked at that have the ten year rule did not have that rule to discriminate against those with older RVs. It is the easiest and best way to keep old broken RVs from becoming permanent residents,” explained McClyde.
Business owners who enforce the rule will make exceptions. If an owner calls ahead and shares photos of their RV, the rule might be waived.
When asked if he feels like his vintage RV puts him at a disadvantage when locating RV parks, full-time RVer Kevin Strong disagrees. He defends his vintage RV with gusto. “(I’m) not afraid to take the OL 1989 anywhere! She’s a CLASSIC in my opinion.”
However other RVers aren’t quite as confident that RV parks with the 10-year rule will appreciate their well-loved RV.
“I’d say we’re approaching vintage, but not like vintage muscle car, more like vintage Cabbage Patch dolls,” says Amanda Baker.
In the antique car world, experts concur that the 20-year mark is what sets a vintage model apart from other vehicles. When something is vintage, it’s generally considered more valuable than ever.
IRV2 member Bowtie621 added clarity to the definition by saying, “A dumpy, scary motorhome or rolling wreck and a restored motor home are two different things. The production years may be the same but the vehicles are very different.”
Restored Minnie Winnie.
This photo of his 33-year old restored Minnie Winnie is a perfect example. RVer Kevin Horn further explained this distinction between vintage and old RVs by sharing that “Vintage, like fine wine, has body, character and life. Old connotes unkempt and possibly at the end of its life cycle.”
RVers who want to try workamping may be surprised to find the rule can apply to them as well. Park owners often state what kinds of RVs they want their workampers to have. This scenario leads many to wonder. Is it smart to exclude workampers because of the age of their rig?
Vintage RV appreciation is on the rise. As more RVers join communities like the iRV2 Vintage RV Owners Group, more owners of older RVs will confront the rule.
In the meantime, it is possible that park owners may find that it’s time-consuming to evaluate RVs on a case-by-case basis and drop it altogether. Only time will tell.
(Main Story Photo Courtesy of iRV2.com)
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Very simple to this situation, LIE! Providing your RV is well maintained and looks good, your RV will always be 9 years old. Unless someone actually looks at the DATA Plate (which they won’t) who’s to say your RV isn’t always 9 years old.
So you lie, as far as I’m concerned, who cares.
What is more wrong is the RV parks that charge extra for 50 amp service. Unless you are staying longer than a week and you are probably already paying a high fee to stay at this park, they should not be charging extra for 50 amp service. These are RV parks that I avoid!
Don’t lie. It’s not nice. Vote-with your wallet and pen, or keyboard. Write a review. I’d rather learn about these places and avoid them. Besides, I’ve seen newer RVs that look much worse than my well cared for and maintained 26 year old Toyota Dolphin. I guess I’d be disqualified anyway with a Toyota. Not much status there in the first place.
No status?? It still is going How many Ford, Chevy, Dodge ? of that vintage are still working?
Ive been working on restoring my 1981 Dodge/Fleetwod Sportsman Olympic Edition RV with a 440 Wedge for more than 2 years now. I love her but still havent taken her anywhere. I want to live in it but I’m terrified of the 10 year rule. She’s clean on the outside but definately needs a coat of paint, caulking and sealing too. I’ve got a fresh water leak too, either the tank needs repair or it’s in the lines. Not sure yet. She’s all original as far as I know (less engine repairs/parts. I’ve only had mechanical work completed thus far and all at Precision Auto on State Street in South Salt Lake. I never want to let her go but sheesh!
Ours is a 1980 31 foot Pace Arrow, 16,000 original miles and pristine bodywork and great paint. Have not really started traveling yet either and parks I call say either ” too old or send us photos and we’ll decide”. I figure they must not want people’s business that bad, or are just elitest snobs. I am old and broke down and my finish is really rough but they would take me in a new motorhome ! Patronize friendly parks.
I avoid pay to park like a plague. There are tons of turnouts, NFS, State parks to work with. Scenery is mountain creeks instead of kids screaming and watching people watch TV and there cell phones. That’s the reason I bought an RV, avoid the noise.
I have a 1985 holiday rambler on a ford e350 frame what is doing a fine job for me thank you.
I have a 1991 Champion Ultra Star I love her she has a Cummins diesel engine and Allison Tranny and only 40,000 miles . In my mind she’s got alot of miles to
go
We have a 1996 and it is still going!!!! Haven’t been turned down in any parks we have gone to either. We are always working to keep our RV in good looking condition and running condition also. If it is kept up and looks good you shouldn’t be turned down at any RV Park.
We own a 1985 motorcoach cross country she a beautiful girl. Have seen the rv discrimination also. I’ve given her a fresh coat of paint top to bottom obviously, she runs traveled the top to bottom of Colorado just seems a spot to permanently reside due to age is the problem.
I have a 1998 chevy dolphin 38 ft with a slide out. She runs great, it gas a bit of oxidation from being here in Arizona for so long.
My 1986 Ford F-150 4 X 4 PU is 32 years old and still going
I agree, I’ll put my 2001 up against some of the newer one anyday I’m very meticulous with my motor home if they had like a car show for rvs I know I would beat out some newer ones, I’m not bragging but I truly believe It
I have a 1996 coachman santara and am in the middle of restoration does that mean after restoration it could potentially be denied entry to some parks?
I find it to be very discriminatory. 10 years old is nothing. Any rv that is less than 10 years old would cost the potential owner over 50k to buy. If you have that kind of money you arent likely needing a long term stay. Most people don’t have alot of money to pay which is why they often go this route. Housing costs have risen so much that it is forcing people into rv living but where can they go if no one will take them in. Thats why so many are on the side of the road or on someone’s unused land. They are simply trying to survive. Just my opinion, k
I agree vote with your wallet and don’t stay there. I also have a problem with parks that charge your for 50 amp, your tow car and atv. There is a park here in Westcliffe, Co that does this and they nickle and dime you, because they think they can with the Good Sam claim. Plus the owners fight with each other and you can hear them screaming at each other all the time. We didn’t stay there and will never stay there.
Vote with your wallet and don’t stay there? I guess I missed something. They won’t let you stay there.
Rofl
Haaaa. I just caught that.
So what a person’s suppose to go buy a new rv every ten years? With the payments you just get done paying for an rv then have to turn around and buy a new one to go out and enjoy camping anymore. I don’t think so whats wrong with this picture. Its wrong and I don’t agree with it. When a person comes into a park for camping or staying for a period of time the park should look at the trailer if it looks good ok if not send them on their way simple as that. Older trailers there’s nothing wrong with and if they want to turn you down well then their loss not yours!
You are absolutely correct,public media either sells or sinks some parks. My veh. Is 4 and looks brand new if at 10 I’m told no and it still looks the same it’s their loss not mine and I will share my displeasure with every site I have access to ,the list is long!
Here’s some for you:
Galveston, TX: I wrote ahead to let them know my 1994 Class C RV was faded, but otherwise in good condition and got back “guidelines state, no rigs older than 2009” https://www.sandpiperrvresort.com/
and too many to list in San Diego.
I had not even heard or seen this before this year.
I think it is ridiculous and Rude. I understand if a motorhome in poor condition that could cause it to leak, be immobile, or require some type of insurance so that any damage or towing fees would be covered, etc but to restrict it simply on age . . .
The good thing is it lets me know they, and those that stay there (essentially complacent about that idea) are snobs that I don’t want to associate with anyway.
I think we should start a website that lists these, maybe then even new RV owners, that may not have known about this would not patronize them either, then they may rethink that policy
We are in the same shoes. We have an 86 travel trailer which is a tied down unit with a Flordia room on it. We bought it that way, about 15+ yrs ago. NOW the owner is telling all of us with older Units we can’t sell them. The 10 yr rule. Like us we had gutted the unit & redone everything. & so have the others. They are all well kept. We this year wanted to put actual house siding on it, owner of park said no. How she can tell me who owns the leased lot I’m on & have been there for 15 yrs can stop me? Just this last couple of years changing the “rules” on all of the rest of us who have these units. Telling I lady she had to get another unit within 2 yrs. She had been there over 30+ yrs & had updated hers. She actually sold her unit as scrap & went in debt for another. She is 70yrs old. The owner can be a horses ass, she inherited the camp ground from her parents.
I used to work at a dealership that did some work on diesel pushers we were actually a truck repair shop and some of the newer rvs I’m talking a couple of years old were beat to death inside and out it was a shame the way they were taken care of they looked like they were a lot older then they were. I have a 2001 Damon that I take excellent care of I hand wax twice a year a complete professional paint job 4 years ago and I constantly clean inside and out and I’ll put it up against a brand new one any day of the week, I’ve had people tell me they thought it was a new one cause of its condition but yet a campground is going to turn me away cause of its age, if they turn me away it’s their loss because I’ll just go down the road to another campground cause I’m sure they’ll be glad to take my money !
I have a 1991 Champion Ultra Star I love her she has a Cummins diesel engine and Allison Tranny and only 40,000 miles . In my mind she’s got alot of miles to
go
Resort type parks in NH are or have placed an age limit on park models already in place. I have read that this is a new code? By who? I also wonder if this is legal. They are forcing you to upgrade. Can this be discriminatory?
It’s not generally possible to “lie” about the age. They frequently request and may check your VIN number which is pretty absolute.
The quality of the RV is not indicative of the quality of the owner. I’ll take a park with nice people over a park full of nice RV’s any day of the week.
I will say (and may get flamed for it), that I’d rather see a park encourage campers to keep their sites picked up and try to have a relatively neat appearance rather than arbitrarily choosing 10yrs as a rig cutoff. That has more of an impact on the appearance of the park than the RV parked in it.
We lie too. We have a 2003 Arctic Fox 5th wheel in perfect condition inside and out. We work hard to make sure its something we are proud of.
If I was the owner of a park, I’d walk outside to see each unit as a “safety Inspection” and ask questions. If the unit is in poor condition, then refuse entry on the basis of condition. We’ve seen some pretty new units that have been “rode hard and put up wet” that look horrible and are less than 10 years old.
Paul, you may have hit on what is going on. Rv dealers working with campgrounds to pressure current rv owners to upgrade. Trade in old Betsie for a newer model to beef up sales to offset a slow market. What is sad, many repair shops will not work on units over 10 years old.
Im may we towed a 1976 Trailer to the Alaska border and back and never used a powered site., these RVs of ours have it big batterys,power plants, . why pay $50 for some power. we can fiill water and dump gray at any town with a RV station..Now we have a diesal pusher thats 24 yrs old. not going to give those fancy RV parks the satisfaction of saying we cant stay there. Hey, the guys with the half million dollar RVs stay at Wal Mart !
So in the back of your mind is a feeling of envy or what, about those who bought a newer RV that is more expensive than yours? I don’t envy you for your camping choices, but I do respect them. I think, though, it’s presumptive of you to believe that everyone who owns a high end RV doesn’t want you around, so therefore you feel the need to criticize them. Please; people who choose to live the RV life do it for a variety of reasons and spend their money based on their desire to be comfortable. If there are people out there who ARE more concerned about their social status than they are about just having all the comforts of home at hand, then I can only feel sorry for them.
I actually don’t care if a company doesn’t want my business for any reason I am ok with that. We have met great people in all types of parks and lots and have been to some very nice RV parks that sell to anyone.. If a park is Class A only or 10 years or newer that’s their choice and they invested in their business so they can run it as they please. Happy Travels to all.
I couldn’t agree more. For now; this is still a free country.
My only thought is that they publish this fact everywhere, so I don’t waste my time and precious fuel traveling to their campground.
What about the trend toward making a new RV look vintage?
Must be they have stock in some RV manufacturer.
That’s what I do.
I agree 100% it’s what We do.
If you upgrade one thing on your RV you now have a newer RV lol.
Safe Travales
I’ve been a full timer now for nearly 20 years, traveled thousands of miles stayed in hundreds of parks. In defense of park owners, different owners are trying to create different atmospheres and cater to a particular group of customers. I’ve seen luxury RV resorts, ocean front with swimming pools, game rooms, etc luxury all the way. I’ve seen RV parks that were dumps but they catered to the low end of the spectrum. If you vacation in a $500K Provost I can understand why you don’t want to be around a Skoolie or a slide in pick up camper. You’re a snob and that’s fine with me. Just like hotels there is Motel 6 and there is the Hilton. It’s up to the owner to decide who he wants to cater to. If you are in doubt I would suggest you drive through the park, see what kind of people and rigs he’s marketing to. Not your kind of place? Get on down the road, you didn’t want to stay there anyway.
Nice comparison however at hotel they don’t care if your social status as long as you pay for stay – no matter Motel 6 or Hilton.
it is a disaster for the environment that people cant be encouraged to remodel these old gems instead of making endless new ones as the industry tries to make these treasures defunct after 10 years- trying to make us fill the garbage dumps with valuable resources so they can make more profit! get outta here
As a rv park owner I would like to tell the public why we try to keep older RVs out. People in general do not maintain their RVs therefore when they plug in they tend to fry the panel box. I know this from 20 years of repairing the electric panel after they leave.
Either you’re fibbing or you don’t have circuit breakers in your panel box. If your customer had poor wiring with short circuits, it’s only going to trip the breakers which can instantly be reset. What’s the problem with that?
I own a 20 year old class A. I guarantee its electrical system isn’t a problem. Do some due diligence and check rigs before you rent to them. There are plenty of people with new RV’s who will fry your electrical system as well because they don’t know what they are doing so your claim really isn’t valid..
As a person with a 1989 RV that’s lived in my current park residence since December 2017 I TOTALLY DISAGREE! I’ve NEVER ONCE fried my box! But an electrician yesterday told me the box actually fried and shorted my trailer.
9 year rule…. pretty blatant way to ensure that only people in a certain income can be admitted. The irony is, that most of those people are cookie cutter and uninteresting as hell. Retired sales reps from the midwest and their homemaker wives, who shop at Costco every weekend like clockwork, are JUST SO FASCINATING! lol
My name is Ray, wife Dian:
We have been RV’ers all our marriage of 35 years. I moved to California towing a 1959 Fan Luxury Liner By Thor. I had retired from my own business Ventures in 1979 and decided to relocate. I moved into the Silver Penny R. V. Park on July 24, 1980. I had owned a truck Stop as well as a Lake resort in Lake Perry and Meriden Kansas. I even had my Fan Luxury Liner there at my Truck Stop as a place I could rest We always welcomed all Recreational Equipment as well as Tent Camper’s plus cross Country walker’s, Biker’s and Hitch hikers. I trucked across every Highway in America owning my own Trucking Company,
I am 82 years old and still travel. I am going to give you a tad of advice from an Old man with many Millions of miles under my belt and holey jeans. If you want to enjoy Traveling in your Old Motor Homes and RV’s, Get away from the yuppies and the snobs of America, I guarantee you, you will enjoy your Motorhome or R. V. Much better and you will learn that you can still enjoy America without paying an arm and a leg. Stop looking for those big advertiser spots to stay. start enjoying America instead of the Government planned traffic ways that take you nowhere but between A and B. You can go to small towns, say in a Motel or even a Historic old Hotel for from 1/2 to 2/3rds the price, Gas is always cheaper on the outer Edge of town and the people will talk to you from table to table across a full room of great real people.
I now travel in an old 1997 Winnebago Class A Explorer, and when I stop at a R. V. Park and they say They do not allow my older RV. I tell them Itis not the RV I drive, It is how much money I have in my pocket to spend in their Restaurant and Gift Store. I then open up my Billfold and flash several $100.00 Bills and tell them at least when I come I spend money and not Plastic and walk out.
This is a true story, I stopped at a Restaurant in Meriden , Kansas while driving a Truck on the road. I was from St. Joseph, Missouri and was known all over the whole Midwest as the Country, Western and Hillbilly Blue Grass Entertainer Cousin Clem aka Clem Johnson one of Roy Roger’s and Dale Evans Wranglers. The waitress said they did not allow dirty Truckers to eat at the restaurant, (Perkins Cafe) I seen a For Sale sign on the window and I called from right there on a Pay phone, woke my Attorney up in Chicago, Illinois and told him the story. I told him I was going to stay there until heard from him later that day. I stayed and My attorney had everything drawn up for a Hot sale of the Restaurant to close in 30 days but they had to train all my new help. I fired the Waitress the very first thing when I went back into the Restaurant and ordered a Cup of Coffee. They had no idea who I was.
I like what JT says. I’m the second owner of a 2009 Bounder (mechanically a 2008, but sold so late in the model year that they apparently decided to call it a 2009, and that’s what both the data sheet and the title say, but the manual correctly states that it’s a 2008. Chassis is a 2007 Ford) and it’s in great shape. Since it will be 10 years old in either two or three years, depending on how you count it. Since I’m in my mid-fifties and unlikely to have another motorhome between now and retirement (and maybe not after), it’s likely to stay 9 years old for years to come 🙂
OTOH, I’m not entirely sure I want to stay in parks that have a 10-year rule anyway, so it may never become an issue.
Hey JB,
Thanks for the reply. We just got a new 2016 Fifth Wheel and with the cost and up keep, we won’t be buying another one. The RV is always covered in our shed and we keep the outside clean and waxed. I like to look good going down the road and watch peoples heads turn when we pull into an RV Park.
Like I said, if asked my RV will always be 9 years old.
Just found out yesterday when I went to have oil changed in my 2013 Ram 3500 that the engine in the truck was actually a 2012 Cummins. Couldn’t find a fuel filter that would fit, so decided to go back a year and found the correct fuel filter. There is no mention in any of my user manuals that the truck has a 2012 Engine in it. Amazing!
BTW, thanks for the article and look forward to more.
jB love your take on life..we could have a great time kicking around great stories..
My self built 2004 ram 3500..ladder frame..Born free 24 sales shell mounted, only first class anything in the build..solar.220V.mini split seer 38 runs off the inverter for say 6 hours straight or longer if great sun…Full queen aft. very adequate head/shower..
Stick-5.9 Cummins,13-14 on the flat…@65.Self built diesel genset 3.5kw used Yamaha refer engine…
Interior is all mahogany and stainless.
Built wood boats in Japan in the 60,s after flying the F8u for the marines..
I laugh at the high end stuff out there..and the 10 year rule… as I blow by them @13-14mpg.And can navigate back roads fine..
The 5.9 /stickm has a lot left at 77…
Get off the grid..forget th I.S.
Art Krause
You know what? Dont lie; boycott places like this park. Proud to park my ’04 rig anywhere else. I’ve yet to meet an RV’er that didnt take care of their rig regardless of age. Love talking to GMC enthusiasts and the like about their set up, meeting new people is what makes RV’ng interesting and fun.
My only beef with this rule is when the don’t advertise the rule. Just like motels that don’t advertise that they charge more for a pet than a child.
As an independent business owner, I defend the right to do with my business as I wish, and respect that in others but my policies are upfront and if you don’t like it go elsewhere. To pull after a hard day’s drive to be told your rig is to old with no other advance warning is just wrong.
Put it out there in BIG letters and don’t be afraid of it.
Agree with you totally, Patti! Thanks for the feedback.
Well said.
i agree. on our trip to Alaska in june we checked into a mice motel.told them we had 2 small kennel dogs.$40 extra.. we didnt stay,
Totally agree with that. When we first got our ‘84 trailer we draw to the Bay to find out that none of them accept older than 10….non of them saying at the web sites……apparently is sort of a law in California…..luckily we found place in Pleasanton after sending pictures first.
Great way to put it. Well said.
I have stayed in a park that has this rule. It did not apply to me until now. My trailer turned 10 this year. I do not agree with a blanket rule of this nature but I do understand the idea behind it. My suggestion to parks is not state the rule in years but design a different rule like: RVs with an exterior in obvious disrepair or not maintained as original well-maintained condition or rigs that are home made, etc. are not permitted- something like that. Basically it is about condition more than anything so that is what should be addressed. Years is a non disputable factor however, well maintained can be too. Also, the type/length of stay should determine more exacting standards. A week or a few days versus 6 months is a different scenario and well maintained can be discussed in depth.
A blanket rule is less arbitrary than being subject to judgment by different individuals at check in. A blanket rule , while discriminating against quality older units, is more easily understood when miles away making plans.
I had a 15 year old MH and when I was Asked the age of the rig I always replied the year before the reservation was made body asked when I checked in. I wouldn’t want to spend my vacation beside Lucy and Ricky Racado with laundry lines and junked surrounding material
People with brand new RV’s sprawl out all of their crap and make camp sites horrible to be around. That has nothing to do with the age of the RVs.
Or the fact that their interracial. Scooter, that was a bit suspect.
I once stayed a few months at a high $$ RV resort in AZ when my motorhome was only 2 years old and was told when I made my reservation that my unit was subject to inspection and acceptance upon arrival. I passed inspection as I expected, but didn’t like the attitude of the park. They catered to ultra high dollar rigs and looked down at my mere $100,000+ motorhome as second class.
That high end RV resort wouldn”t have been Voyager RV in Tucson would it?
When making reservations I’ve been declined a spot because I have a Class-C and not a Class-A or “Super C”. Some of the higher dollar ones are just really narrowing down their desired demographic. I don’t fault them for it honestly but it is really annoying. My Class-C was as much if not more than some of the silly small Class-A’s they do let in, but it’s about appearances and perceptions, not actual value or cost.
Our RV is a 1985 model and I have no problem with POSTED 10 year rules. Because of the age of our RV I always check to make sure that there is no age rule when I make a reservation. However after a long day we pulled into Napa Valley Expo in Napa Valley CA and the camp host checking us in stated he would not honor our reservation because they had 10 year rule. After he got a copy of there policy and no where in it was a ten year rule he finally agreed to let us stay. Funny thing was one of there policy’s was no RV was to be allowed to stay if ANY door was missing yet he checked in a RV missing compartment doors.
Not sure as an RV Park owner if I am supposed to be commenting on this, but if permissible I would like to give my opinion of the “10 year rule”.
IMHO this rule was probably set up for a couple of reasons:
1. Owners of somewhat exclusive parks wanted to have only nice, late model rigs in their park.
2. Absentee owners wanted a simple rule for their managers and/or employees to follow. Rather than
question the potential customer about their RV condition and make a judgment call, they simply said
“nope, if it’s more than 10 years you can’t enter our park”.
Have owned my RV park for 20 years and always stressed to my personnel handling reservations, “it’s the condition of the RV, not the age”. We have a minimum conditions list (no window units; rooftop a/c must be
working, all windows and doors in place, etc.,), but we don’t even question the age.
Would sure hate to be following the 10 year rule and turn down a 1973 Airstream some guy had invested a cool $30 or $40 thousand into restoring to like-new condition.
Thanks for your insight Phil.
I’ve seen new RV travel trailers and some restored units sporting window AC units. I have a home built trailer I’ve worked hard to ensure a clean tidy appearance that has one. None of these would be acceptable ? Won’t recommend a campground that’s as judge mental as yours. Just my opinion.
Question for park owner Phil Griffin who stated: “We have a minimum conditions list (no window units, ,,,)” – My 2014.5 Thor Outlaw toy hauler came from the manufacture with a window unit in the garage area, does this mean that I would not be welcome at your park?
Not the park owner, and hopefully he’ll speak up here… but my GF’s ‘Office’ (2016 Summerland) which I pull behind my Class-C came with a window unit mounted in the wall. We’ve never gotten problems for it because it has nice trim around it and was obviously very specifically designed to be there. If yours doesn’t look like a home-done hacksaw and duct-tape job, I wouldn’t think it would stand out that much and be an issue.
THIS is how parks should do it. I get the blanket rule, and you’re staff can easily parse that as people come in, or lean on it if they need to with certain customers… but it’s down to the attitude and appearance. You might have the best tenants ever right at your gate but pass them up because of a model year technicality if you don’t have flexibility. Likewise, you could end up with a lot of shiny new RV’s and the worst people possible, causing bad reviews and lowering business. Nice to have a steadfast black and white rule, but important to have flexibility either way.
As for the window airs… this summer has been really hot, it is amazing how many NEW (much younger than 10yo) RV’s were sporting window airs shoved into windows and bays. The rooftop airs could not keep up with the triple digits.
Personally I try to avoid the parks that have the stupid rules like 10yo or RVIA required. I have a self converted school bus. And I have higher standards than the RVIA. I can usually find another place to stay. But then I have a different criteria. You see, I am one of those scuzzy “working” Rvers. I have not won the lottery yet. Even if I did, I would still live in my 1986 bus because it suits me. And I still would not want to live in the parks who could not take my bus. I vote with my $$ as to where I stay. And not all us “working” Rvers are trashy. I have had more stolen from me by the occupants of upscale RVs than the “riff raff” that the occupants of the “worker”, “permanent”, “semi-permanent”, “older” RVs have (used to have a food cart where we had drinks stolen overnight… actually seen with own eyes).
The funny thing is I have seen posts about parks that had the 10yo rule take vintage rallies for people who they would turn away at other times. Hypocrisy? Yep. The rallies should avoid those parks.
Thanks for speaking up. Would like to hear from other park owners, as well! I can fully empathize with owners who put a lot of effort into running a well maintained park. I’ll stay there, even if the park is more than ten years old.
My rig is now 28 years old, and I’ve spent a lot of time, efort and. $$ in restoring it to its original appearance. I’ve also upgraded and customized it to my personal needs and taste. It is the most comfortable and convenient place I have ever lived. Age is totally arbitrary as adeciding factor. I do feel that park owners should be able to keep their property from becoming a Slab City, however, I also feel that actual appearance and condition are the real issues, ot simple age. Those guidelines need to be posted prominently in the park’advertisements, and stated briefly when the reservation is made.
Personally, I’m much more offended by the High Roller with the yappy miniature poodles he fails to restrain or pick up after. and who feels entitled to set up his grill so that it sets off the alarms inside my rig, or who brings along the spoiled grandchildren with no manners. or discernable social skills, who he also fails to correct and/or contain. Or the Cool Dude with the slick new rig, who feels entitled to chain smoke tobacco or Weed wiithin range of my rig. Behavior is, IMHO, as much or more important than mere appearance. These folks should be issued their walking papers the minute they violate covenants of respectful behavior.
Exactly! Plus if the park has more than enough business, they can be choosy. It’s their profit margin. I didn’t realize age was an issue till I bought my ’91 and got turned away. FREE is best and and there’s plenty of it but those days are rapidly coming to an end. In Washington State within 60 miles of Seattle I can’t even shop at grocery stores without getting kicked out before the groceries are put away. NOT. RV friendly here.
this is also not unlike many municipalities and counties where no Mobile Homes over 10 years old are allowed to be moved in, and even those that are less than 10 years old must be setup on at least a 1 acre plot of land, and cannot run perpendicular to the roadway…
some keep up their homes in fine fashion no matter what the age, and some don’t really care what their home looks like to others… I agree with rules, and the age rule seems to be a fit for some parks, but also good judgement is just as fine of a ‘rule’, though it’s subjective nature could pose problems for staff. the nature of rv parks and campgrounds, and resorts, is always going to bring some degree of ‘comparison’ of my rig to yours mentality. I would think that what most of us would readily agree with is that we would hope that our neighbors are kind, considerate, and quite – regardless of what their rig, coach, motorhome, travel trailer, or camper actually look like.
That is for tax reasons. The higher the value the higher the tax revenue.
Easiest way to deal with this is simply avoid any park with a ten year rule. My fifth wheel is a 2006 my Ram a 2003. So far I have not had a problem. If, in the future, I do run into a snag, I will simply avoid that park forever. Past experience has proven that RVers with older equipment can be fine people and some with the half million dollar rigs can be total slobs. Money does not necessarily make you fun to be with!! Just my opinion.
IMHO, It doesn’t matter if your RV is 5 or 50 years old, If it looks like crap I don’t want it parked next to me.
The suns UV rays eats decals, salt air and road salt causes rust. I’ve seen new RVs with unrepaired body damage.
Decals can be removed and replaced, or painted to increase resale value and make the RV look young.
Nobody wants to be parked next to hillbilly rigs and junker RVs held together with rope, straps, duct tape, tarps and exposed plywood or have one parked in front of their stick house.
I have seen RV parks allow rigs over ten years old as long as they have no damage and look vintage (well maintained).
Let’s face it, most of the RV parks that impose a ten year rule are privately owned and they can do whatever they want to. They will never get my business and I doubt they even care. We recently saw a RV park that did not allow tow trailers…go figure
What bothers me is some state parks are looking to implement this rule and I think they are making a huge mistake. Not everyone wants to trade up to a new RV after spending years getting what you own “just right” by fixing the terrible quality of some RV manufacturing.
Oh well time to boondock.
Besides which, State and National Parks are supported by tax dollars, so that means you and me, we are paying for these parks! They have no right adopting such a rule!
I’ve only owned my present RV for 5 years (I’ve had one previous RV which I traded on my current one after six years), and because I’m not retired yet have only put 5,200 miles on my 2011 Fleetwood Expedition. In all my travels to date, however short those trips might have been, I have yet to see some “hillbilly rig” or “junker RVs held together with rope, straps, duct tape, tarps and explosed plywood”. The parks I generally stay at are affiliated with Coast to Coast, Passport America, Camp Club USA, and a couple others. I have seen million dollar plus rigs down to $75K rigs in those places, and I just can’t envision a scenario like many of you have described. The fellow RV’ers I’ve encountered are friendly, responsible, and take good care of their rigs and their accouterments. I find many of the comments to be insensitive, somewhat elitist, and occasionally downright insulting. I’ve never been to a park yet that had a 10 year rule; all the parks I’ve visited seem to draw a well behaved and responsible crowd of RVers. Guess I’ve led a sheltered RV life so far, huh.
Resorts that are affiliated with larger networks like you mention, tend to have standard levels they maintain. Even if it’s not specifically mentioned, there will be fine print somewhere they can fall back on to deny entry or longer stays. Sometimes they just “get full” and can’t extend a spot to a rig that doesn’t fit, causing it to have to move on. Smaller private parks that are not affiliated will have more of the rigs people are describing. If you ever stop at a spot that isn’t really close to a large tourist metro area, you’ll most likely fine ‘workers’ camped there seasonally or for months on end, and those will tend to get run down more as well – it’s a place to sleep between shifts closer to the work site, not a vacation spot. When you get some more miles and states under your tires you’ll come across some 😉 if you stay to the big network camp resort sites, you’ll minimize your exposure for sure.
I agree Michael. I love the camping because of the friendly people and the exchange of ideas of how to make your unit better and the tips of how to DO things better. All the RV’s I’ve seen are always in good repair regardless of age.
I understand the 10 year rule, but if it were me as manager, if it was a ”hillbilly” unit I’d just say sorry.
I happen to be from WV and proudly refer to myself as a hillbilly. Retired military, retired school teacher and now tired. I travel the country in my 2009 Fleetwood Bounder DP that always looks newer than the actual age. When the kids were small we traveled in pretty much what we could afford at the time. I remember a 1967 rig we had that ended up when we sold it that had almost 200, 897 miles on it and still ran like new. Happened to have sold it 2 months before hurricane Andrew destroyed our home. All the RVs we have had were upgraded and were in as good a shape as many new ones. Now that my current rig is approaching 10 years old, I am wondering what resistance we may encounter.
I understand the problem many RV parks are having with older RVs coming in and breaking down in the park. The owner of the RV does not have the money to repair, then he doesn’t have the money to pay camping fees so the park has to start eviction proceedings which is expensive. Customers of the park are complaining about the looks of the campsite and all the other problems. It takes several months to finally get a court order evicting the offenders. Then the owners of the MH file a stop eviction suit based upon hardship so they get another 2-3 months etc…… One morning the park owner realizes they are gone but the trashed MH is still there so now he has to pay to get a wrecker in to haul it out. One very expensive task to get rid of the offender court wise and lost revenue to the park.
There are a lot of people today looking at cheap RVs to live in full time while they get back on their feet. Some very good people who have had a run of bad luck are in this position. Maybe they will pull out of their problems and get back on their feet but then again would you want to be the park owner dealing with the situation?
It just goes to show you there is two sides to every problem. I was in WV 3 years ago and camped next to a family that was one as described above “hillbilly” rigs that was throwing trash on the ground, their kids were walking through campsites and the kids music was overly loud. These people do exist out there and in this case their rig was less than 10 years old. Ten year rules do not necessarily prevent bad situations from happening.
If a person of authority is not making new or changing old rules, in the eyes of many they are not doing their job. Any organization with rules prohibiting us in some way from doing business with them has done us a big favor because they do not deserve our business anyway,
We just bought a VERY NICE 2005 38′ motor home with 8,000 miles so with the 10 year old rule we are already out of the club. We appreciate people that appreciate our business so I can feel good about spending my money with them…
On the surface this rule seems wrong and it gets peoples hair up. But look at it from the park and from the RV ers side. I for one (sorry if I offend you…ha, not really)…do not want a 1946, purple school bus with four dogs and hippies smoking dope and singing cum-by-ya every night…..ok, so maybe that’s an exaggeration…..but you get my drift. Oh, just so you know, I am not some rich prude without a sense of adventure. I have seen very nicely done older school buses and many more vintage coaches that folks have put many hours and dollars into. Our coach is a well maintained 2002 that has never been turned down and will forever be nine years old if questioned. So with all that said, it is my opinion that the rule is to give the park the option of turning down a rental. So when the above mentioned hippy bus calls and says they have a 2015, 45′ Essex and show up with what they have, they can be turned away by “YEAR” rather than having the hassle of other conditions. My two cents…..err, maybe twenty five cents.
I think the major issue is that they should just state “at discretion of park staff” instead of a hard fast year limit. I’ve you put $75k into a 1950’s school buss and have it in ‘car show’ quality cleanliness… a year written on paper shouldn’t cause you to be turned away. Similarly, if you drive up in a 3 year old Class-A that’s dented and worn to hell because you don’t care about it’s upkeep and just hammer it to death because you’ll trade it in after a few years… a park should be able to tell you “no thanks”.
“Ugly is in the eye of the beholder!” I would sure hate to see the fireworks when a very very tired RV owner is turned away by a park staff member who doesn’t dig his rig. I guess odds would be in the RV owners favor if he came at night when it’s too dark to be discriminate. My ’03 looks beautiful when clean and not so nice after a long day of driving thru dust, dirt and insects. Agreed?
You nailed it. When I last posted,, I was 1 year from falling under the 10 year rule. Today our 2009 Bounder diesel pusher is 11 years old and looks brand new. I just took the Diamond Shield off the front, touched up some places where the paint came off and it looks brand new. Anyone looking at my rig would think it was much newer than it is, I agree that the wording should be at discretion of staff. I have met a lot of nice people on the road and enjoy 99% of the people we have met.
I think owners of campgrounds have a right to determine if they want to take a chance on some one by the looks of their rig but a well maintained rig reflects the rig’s owners attitude toward camping.
I don’t mind the hippies it is the run down 30 year old campers with rust hanging out and the red neck, drugged out idiots that harass you while you are trying to relax outside. I don’t know how to limit this (my Class A is older than 10 years but in great shape) but I do not like to camp in a trailer park either.
If “four dogs and hippies smoking dope and singing cum-by-ya every night” is the problem, ban pets, dope smoking and singing every night. Somebody with a brand new rig could have even more dogs, do even more drugs, and sing and yell all night long. Ban the behavior, not the age of the rig.
Yes, a new rig could have that problem also, but more likely not. Unfortunately Larry, once a vehicle is in the park it is another bag of worms to remove them. Being proactive is the route to go…..a lot less hassle.
I would never even consider staying in a park with this rule!!!!
But I won’t even stay in “no tent” parks.
That’s just me.
I talked to a member of a GMC Group, his was a 1974/Pristine Condition, who told me that he had made reservations for several rigs at a WELL KNOWN RV Resort. He went there to finalize the Reservations, a month before the event. When they saw his GMC, he was told that they wouldn’t Host the event if they were a group of OLD RVS!
He went down the road and found another CG that was glad to have them and even located some extra sites at another CG to accommodate the group. They have been going to that same CG for over ten years and had doubled the amount of those attending.
So many opinions. Please allow me to comment on just a few.
The resort I’m in does not allow pull behinds and has a 10 year rule.
Our property is zoned by the city for Class A and Super C only. We almost got fined when a city employee saw a 5th wheel in our resort and reported it So, sometimes it’s not the owner’s fault.
As of this writing, we have a 1997 BlueBird in the resort. It looks practically brand new. Last week, a Prevost in near perfect condition almost as old.
Our reservation personnel are required to ask for front, side, and back -RECENT- photos when a rig is over ten years old. (We’ve had people send marketing photos or photos from the day they bought it umpteen years ago .These folks we’d prefer not to have in the park anyway). When we get the pictures we often see that the rigs are in great condition. We call back and set the reservation. If current pictures are not sent upon request then we are reasonably sure the owners know exactly in what condition is their rig.
Lastly, we sell sites here as well as rent them. Lost sales have occurred when we’ve bent the rule, We have heard plenty of comments from prospective buyers about the above mentioned RVs that were allowed in. Why are such rigs here in the first place?
We’re not so insensitive as to refuse someone entry after their having driven many hours to get here. We try our best to help them find another place for the rest of their outing.
In summary, the owners may have very good reasons for their policies. Those reasons may bother or even anger those of us who travel and workamp. But we get to pack up and drive away. They don’t
Thank you.
As a former ’83 BlueBird owner, this infuriates me. My pristine 2004 truck camper was turned away in May when I was only looking for a place to sleep until morning.
My hope to replace my 83 BB with a 92 SP version is now on the rocks – at least until the dust clears around this snobbery.
All of that said, I won’t pay $$$ to stay in an RV park that looks like a low-class trailer park – so I have some empathy to the business requirements at play.
It should be more of a guideline than a rule. As we age, 10 years seems to happen in the blink of an eye. I’m working on refreshing my now 10 year old class C. I’m doing some serious compounding and waxing, painting or replacing plastic parts, sanding and painting the rear bumper, weatherstripping replacement, dump-valve replacement and roof treatment. Other than the model year and paint scheme, you cannot (hopefully) tell it is older. The problem with class C is the van frontend dates the vehicle. Otherwise it is a shiny box, just like all the rest. Camp On!
I truly don’t know how old my RV is. Its a Class C that I bought new. I’ve always stored it in a heated building that I own, So other than weather when I’m on the road, it never has to deal with weather. If I’m asked the year when making a reservation, it magically becomes 9 years old. If they make me prove it, my ‘C’ has wheels. I would hope that they reveal their 10 year rule when I make the reservation. So far, no RV park has asked me how old my money is.
So, when I pull in with my newly polished and restored vintage Airstream that I invested thousands to restore, which looks like new or even better, they will kick me out. NO thanks, I do not want to stay there, They do not deserve my business.
We have a nice clean well kept 1996 Newell. Never had a problem staying at any park from Florida to Maine, or from Florida to North Dakota to to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Flaming Gorge, Moab Utah, Durango, and back to Florida.
Only heard of it once, so don’t put too much stock into this, it seems far fetched in my experience.
We used to have a couple of restored silver trailers that were well over the 10 year rule. A couple of times I had to send photos to get a reservation. One well-know and respected RV resort north of Houston would let us in only with a rally. If we came on our own, they would not let us in.
People would come up and knock and ask if we would show them the trailer…it was a beauty and better looking than some of the cheap trailers they had in the park.
On another trailer that turned 10 while we had it, we just adjusted its model year and it was a 9 year old trailer for several years. Few people can tell the year that accurately and as the trailer is nice looking, who cares.
But by the same token, one place in Shreveport had the 10 year rule to keep out the less desirable folks. One morning, there was a really bad looking trailer, Locker doors missing with garbage bags taped over them, trim falling off, windows held together by tape and a broken and flopping antenna. The park owner found them the net morning and as soon as someone showed up, they were told to leave.. Can’t blame him as he had a nice campground and wanted to keep it nice. Oh and we were there in our 18 year old silver trailer…no problem
In a perfect world deciding if a RV is acceptable after a inspection or at discretion of park staff would be great.
However we are in a very litigious world and sooner or later someone whose RV did not pass inspection or was not approved at the discretion of park staff would file a discrimination lawsuit. That discrimination suite could be based off of age, ethnicity or life style just to name a few. If the owner of the RV park was lucky they could settle out of court for $5000.00 which would be cheaper than fighting it in court.
You might not agree with this but this a fact of life today. The only way that it can be avoided is have a rule that is absolute.
I don’t believe one would have any standing in court for a case of discrimination based on the age of an RV.
“That discrimination suite could be based off of age, ethnicity or life style just to name a few” age in this case would be the age of the person whose RV was turned away not the age of the RV.
I am absolutely supportive of having the rule on the books for this reason, for sure. I just think the actual enforcement of it should be a bit more flexible in the case of very well kept vintage and classic trailers.
Hmmm Maybe R.V parks that are over ten years old should be shut down and re-furbished.
I dont profess to be Mr. CAMPER but I agree with what you said. I have stayed at one CG for the past 10 years and told them each year to trim the trees so that the taller MH can clear the branches. Still hasn’t been done, after turning in the gate key to get my $20 bucks back they told me, see you in a few weeks. I answered back. Call me when you trim the trees and I will make a reservation
Havent heard from them yet and I have found a new CG for $5 bucks more, with 6 to 8 vists a year @ $5.00 or $40. Buck is a small price for my DTV antenna set up @ $3K system. On theoption list.
Now THAT is a fantastic idea! Many of us have been in campgrounds that needed minor things like a fresh coat of paint or major things like whole new electrical system and septic system. Perhaps the “undesirable” RVers need to start getting a little pickier.
We work at a campground and old or vintage are not an issue. We don’t ask the age. In 8 years of RVing there have only been a few places that ask and they were the more elite, pricey parks.
What is an issue are dirty, unkempt RVs. They are usually a sign of what I call a dirty camper. They care for their site like they care for their unit. Trash, dog pooh, cigarette ends, they just litter at their site. They do not care about or respect the property. It means we spend extra time cleaning up after them and policing them, which in turn translates into higher costs for everyone. It also builds a bias towards these folks. Some parks may just not want the hassle, and thus the age rule. I have to add that some folks with brand new units are also dirty campers…but not so much.
So don’t lie…wash and polish your rv…keep your site tidy…and leave a good impression on your neighbors and the park owners. Maybe then attitudes about age might change.
Thanks for the great insight, Patrick.
BTW… How and where do you clean your RV when on the road for a few weeks. Last week we got through some storms and construction to our next campground. I looked over the RV and it looked like we had been through a coffee storm. Most campgrounds will not let you wash.
Look for truck stops that have a Blue Beacon truck wash. They will wash your RV for you for about $30-$40 in a matter of minutes. The times I have used it, it’s come out great and fast. They put about 10 guys on it at a time. They usually also give my Jeep a rinse down too since it’s attached.
http://www.BlueBeacon.com
Excellent suggestion about Blue Beacon; I just recently discovered it and plan on taking my rig to Fredericksburg, VA, this weekend for a total wash and wax (they don’t do roofs, though). Looking forward to it. I drove down to check it out a few weeks ago, and spoke with an RVer in line from Florida, on his way home from a month or so in Maine. He said he makes that trip every year and always stops at Blue Beacon to clean the road dirt off his rig, and he’s never been disappointed! Sounds good to me!
There are Blue Beacon’s all over the US! I highly recommend them if you’re on a long trip. Glad you had a good experience with them as well.
I actually drove down to talk to the manager about the possibility of franchising, since there’s nothing like Blue Beacon closer to where I live (just outside Washington DC). They don’t franchise, and my contact with their corporate offices was not well received. Oh they were polite, but they just poohpoohed the idea of a facility near DC since they already have one in Fredericksburg, VA. I explained that that facility is about 75 miles away from here, and there are tons of RV owners in my area that would really like to see one up here. No dice; they apparently have their business model all fixed.
They are mainly for truck drivers, not RVs, so they are on the outer edges of metro areas only, where the truck stops are.
Believe it or not, we actually have “truck stops” in Northern Virginia, too. Imagine that.
I have always had good experiences with Blue Beacon when I can find one. I use the app for them for the locations. I had one bad wash in N Carolina. I can remember which one it was but one the way to the Outer Banks.. I wrote a letter to the headquarters and with my complaint and within in a week I had a letter from the President and a coupon for a free wash at any location. Thye have treated me well in the past. I have used the BB in Niles, Michigan, one out side of Ann Arbor on I94, and the Toledo at the end of I280 right off the Ohio Turnpike. When I make my plans for a trip after the route I thern fill in all the BB and Flying J’s/Pilot along that route. .
The irony here is that the RV dealers push ridiculously long loans on their promo pricing … 12 years! If you are foolish enough to sign on for one of those, you’ll find your rig not welcome long before you’ve even paid for it.
Yes, a poorly kept rig is not attractive but so is a jerk at the reservation desk who can’t evaluate condition without a pedantic checklist. I’d vote with my wallet on that one.
An RV is still in my future at this point, but I’d never stay in an RV park with a 10-year rule. Even if I had a new model, I would rest better being in a place where I knew that there were folks who could help me fix anything that broke, or who knew the secrets of keeping an RV looking new, regardless of age. The passing along of that kind of information is vital, if the industry wants to attract new buyers.
Most importantly, a newcomer to the RV world would probably find that kind of rule offensive and not very far from rules that used to say that only people who looked a particular way could buy a house in a certain neighborhood.
I also dislike the notion that RVs and their contents are totally disposable items when they reach the 10-year point. We don’t need more stuff in dumps and landfills.
I agree, I rebuild RVs, I just picked up a 1990 Grandville with 34,000 miles on it, the skin is in poor shape, so is all the furniture and appliances, however, it sold for less than scrap, once I rebuild it, install a newer front nose, and skin, doors & hatches, and a few maintenance access points, new carpets, redesinged cabinets and electrical and plumbing, it will look like a Millionaires RV.
I have an 08 28′ trailer model that is still manufactured. The differences are minor, darker wood – ignition stove – flat screen TV – etc., Otherwise the interior and the exterior are indistinguishable. Makes me agree with the standard being condition.
Thanks for all the feedback. I think the real issue here is knowing which campgrounds have the 10 year rule and how stricktly it is inforced. The REAL PAIN is getting to the campground, after a long tiring day, and being turned away. I have not seen the 10 year rule show up on any of the campground ratings sites but maybe it should be an item on the list.
Another middle-ground would be if campgrounds with the 10 year rule would allow an evaluation night for the first night. This way you could get some sleep before moving on to friendlier destinations.
I am just a 10 years and 2 months on my RV so I have not experienced any of these issues…. Yet. If I do, I will move on and report it as best I can. FIDO (Forget It and Drive On)
Frankly I worry more about the older campgrounds with many folks living there full time. The ‘aged” RVs and debris fields around them worry me that sex offenders and worse are living there under assumed names. Just thought I would throw that in so you will have something else to worry about 😉
See Y’all down the road…
As if there’s not enough to worry about already when you’re on the road, you have to go and throw in the spectre of sex offenders. Nice. We’ve let our grandson (8) pretty much have free reign; now I’m not so sure!
Sorry! Offenders must register their home address and whereabouts so probably not the case. Trust but verify.
That law is broken about as frequently as speeding. Make all the laws you want but that doesn’t get people to abide by them.
Any year should be allowed to enter, as long as it’s in good condition.
We have a vintage 1962 Air Stream we have never been turned away from any camp ground .
Our “Tin Tipi” has been a draw as many knock on the door asking about it as it is in great shape.
lets see what the snob mobiles look like in 54 years
My Newmar that is 11 years old is valued at 120,000 it is a 2005 4320 with almost 30000 miles and hard to tell that is not a current year model. All new LED lighting, latest TVs and Sound, Carpet, leather, etc . I have noted that some Prevost units that are 20 years old fetch $500,000 or more. IMHO I would recommend a different method for determining disqualification.
We lost a great buy on an RV lot in NC last week because the rules has a ” no older than 10 years ” rule! Our 2001 Coachman Santara 3602 is has 28,000 miles on it and looks like it’s 7 or 8 years old on the outside….. Prestone on the inside! We were very disappointed because we loved the lot and it was a great buy! Stupid rule!!!! BooDaddy in SC
We have a 1992 American Eagle and I have not been turned down anywhere because of age. I had an owner
ask me the year at one campground in Florida and was holding my breath. All he said is that motorhome sure
looks good to be that old.
I’m a currently %40 disabled Airforce Vet. I live full time in my 1993 Starcraft RoadRunner class A 36ft MH (bet you’ve never seen one before). I live on just my disability pmt thanks to bad local economy and physical limitations. I take pride in everything mechanical being in top shape, replaced all lighting with LEDs, replaced all rusted door piano hinges with stainless, etc. Still working on exterior as MY body will allow, it needs a paint job but dont have access to a barn or shop to get it done myself and cannot afford to “just pay someone” to get it done. I keep a clean and organized yard where I have been parked. Guess MY TYPE is not desireable by elitist snobs that either own these parks or those same type p****s that can barely drive their status symbol that comes out of a storage unit out once a year. While my HOME may not have cost 200 to 500k and isnt shiney like a snobs brand new status lounge, it is a great place and I’m an even better person that would break my back to help if you needed it. I do not travel much and if/when i ever do, I will NEVER patronize a snob lot or help a j**k a** that would justify those policies. And, like a horrible animal vet I just used, WILL make the facts known in as many places as i can to make it cost your discriminatory buisness alot more than having “scum like me” me stay a while. And keep your personal predudice about people based on what they drive (like if your rig isnt new you must be a sex offender b.s.), it WILL cost you immensely someday when kharma puts you in that place…
Boy was I surprised while reading these posts! I thought I was living in America, rules that protect the actions of one person infringing on the rights of another are fine; but rules about looks, color, age, type, and rules that try to prejudge if you might be a hippy or a hillbilly seem totally out of place to me. Comes across like the KKK trying to make rules that only the “right kind of people” can vote in their state.
I guess I would rather park next to that dope smoking hippy, than next to that wealthy couple on their 2nd bottle of wine still fighting about who gets to fire the housekeeper when they get home as their poodles continue to bark well into the night. See (class-typing) can represent many views.
I am lucky enough to be paying on a Class A 2016 Thor motorhome, but spent many happy years at the wheel of 1973 Dodge Travco and was never turned down at any campground and have always tried to be a good neighbor.
Garry H
My, my, what indignity we can encounter over a relatively trivial circumstance. How dare they have rules for their own establishment!! If I that is ME, I want to use their facility, what right do THEY have to deny me my desire? Well, I hate to throw any cold water on your hurt feelings, friend, but anyone who owns a business has a right to provide or deny service to whomever they have a mind to, EXCEPT for reasons of race, religion, color, or sexual orientation……at least that’s the theory. But to deny someone access because of the make, model, color, year of an RV? Get over it, dude! If you don’t like the rules, go somewhere else.
I see your point and agree that hey have their rights, it was just my opinion that it’s poor business and no way to be a good citizen. It is just that a small majority of business owners forget that when they open to the public, it means the public and while they may own their business it was tax dollars from the public that built the roads, provide water, electricity and police and fire protection and other services..
The point that proves my position is I have yet to see one campground that has put up a sign or placed a 10 year rule notice in their advertisements, they know that would be bad business and many people would avoid them altogether. .
So your point is that you have yet to encounter this rule? So if you’re an experienced RV traveler, that must mean in the geographical area within which you travel, there may not be any establishments that have this rule. I’ve never encountered it either, but then again I usually stay at camps that honor Passport America, Camp Club USA, Good Sam, and a few other I’m affiliated with. Those are always excellent camps, well kept, efficient and friendly staffs, etc., largely because if they falter, they will lose their affiliations (e.g., Yogi Bear, whatever). Keep on travelin’ and hope you avoid the “rule.”
Hear, hear, to the vet who does the best he can. This ten year business is COMPLETELY outrageous. It is discrimination pure and simple.
My partner and I are in our sixties and facing a very basic retirement. We just bought a vintage (Class C) 1988 Ford Rallye motorhome.149K km, good shape and the size and price was right. It’s not perfect but it will do. It’s built solid and drives great. It has a lovely wooden dash tray 🙂 (Reminds me of my 1985 Olds Delta 88 which is still on the road.) Would’ve bought an Airstream but what can you do. Coercion to buy new stuff which is intentionally built cheap is wrong.
The eighties was the last decade they built things to last. An eighties vehicle was what I wanted and this was what we could afford. We have as much right to camp as anyone else. If some park operator wants to see new rigs he can bloody well pay for them. If he is open for business he should be open for business to ALL. If there is an issue with cleanliness of sites or behaviour of occupants, that is another matter. The rest of this nonsense is simply class discrimination and NO it is not permissable. Count your blessings and keep quiet. We are citizens too.
I am totally shocked by the blatant discrimination. And it is compounded by this nonsense of having to figure out whether you are going to be turned away at any given park or not.
Maybe what is needed is some sort of membership model for those who are too good to mingle with the great unwashed who like quality vintage vehicles and/or buy what they can afford. Camping is supposed to be the AFFORDABLE vacation option.
Quite frankly I don’t LIKE the look of new rigs. How about we exclude any rig newer than 1990 because, well, we just don’t like the look of it.
Give me the “hippie” in the purple bus any day. The kind of person who would discriminate against those with less in today’s world needs some intensive education. Tomorrow it will be you.
I almost have to wonder if corporate kickbacks are involved. Those new rigs are an OBSCENE amount of money.
I had no idea about any of this stuff, and honestly I am just appalled.
Well it is their park and they can make the rules, there are several of them on the gulf coast of Texas, my MH is 4 years old but it is my option to not stay at those kinds of parks so I don’t
The problem is identifying which parks have and enforce this rule. When I make a reservation I expect to arrive and stay; not be turned away. Rhymetime!
Should we create a blacklist of RV parks?
I agree with Dusty that the parks have the right to turn older ( I want to say uglier ) rigs away. I just want to know which parks are doing so before arrival.
Thanks all. Good comments.
I like the idea of a blacklist….even though I’ve never personally encountered this rule, it’s not because it might not have been there; I’ve just never thought to ask. Perhaps even on this site a running list of RV Parks that hold to a 10-year rule would get the word out. The pocketbook is most often much more powerful as a way to protest than is complaining in a blog. Knowing where NOT to go, and letting people know why, may have some dramatic effects over time.
I hope not to jinx myself, but I’ve never had this issue come up when booking at a campground, and I’ve camped from coast to coast. . I’ve heard about it on the blogs etc. I camp with a lot of people who have much older units, but they are nice and well kept. Some people like buying older and restoring them to their liking. Not to mention they purchase a unit at a low cost and once it’s restored, they don’t have a payment! But again I’ve never had this issue come up. My coach is an 2005 so I’m over 10 now. We shall see! Happy Camping!
I’ve heard this, I bought a school bus to convert and it concerned me, they’re really looked down on. I’m buying a 94 Holiday Ramble Imperial and I imagine I will have to deal with it. To me it’s pure snobbery, 10 years, WTH? Some of our coaches were “Top of the line” when they were new, as long as they still look good why should anyone care? Not all of can afford $75,000 to $200,000 rigs. Like others have said, if they want to act like that, vote with our wallets, boycott parks that have that attitude and post the heck out of it. And yes if I have to I will probably lie first if asked, what are they going to say? NO? They would say that anyway if they are asking. So STUPID, STUPID RULE ……………..
I have never heard of such a thing… I think you you all have, including myself replied to someone nightmare!
I have a 1977 holiday rambler class c Ford econoline. With 460 engine. I have only been turned down once in Galveston tx. Although there were several antique travel,trailers parked there. Came from Washington state to golden Colorado to Phoenix az to Texas to MARYLAND ,now in New jersey. Haven’t really come across any rv age discrimination yet. Although a couple places I called did say nothing older than 1997 or 10years. Most places I just showed up and was let in. I do have a window air also. God has blessed us with good rv parks
I guess I am with the bunch that wouldn’t stay at a campground or RV park that had a 10 year rule anyhow. We usually pick from our Passport America book, and are well served where ever we go. If there is no room, we can always find a truck stop or gas station that will allow us to park overnight for no charge. Many even have wifi that we can hook up to.
We should compile a list of 10 year parks. Then we can all call them and make reservations…but right before completing it (after wasting 10 minutes of their time) we should ask how old the park is. Then we can inform them we have a 10 year rule that we do not accept parks older than 10 years…regardless of how well maintained or restored they may be. Good for the goose, good for the gander.
That good one
Another poster said “So far no b one has asked how old my money is.” Bravo!
If I make a reservation, any such rule had better be stated DURING that process, not when I roll mY *vintage* 1961 Silver Eagle conversion through the gate. If it’s not, I threaten to summon the demons of online reviews. My money hasn’t been refused yet, in such an instance.
I’m not only a RV’er [Jayco Eagle 31.5RLTS] but a private pilot that owns a plane. You folks think you have a problem with limited choices of RV parks due to 10-year rules? Try limited access to airports due to noise ordinances and airport closures due to people that choose to live near small airports then complain about the noise… America is full of whining babies that only care about appearances and themselves.
It’s simple… take your camping elsewhere, you have choice!. We personally are not members of any club so we do not limit ourselves as such. Yet we will never have enough lifetimes to visit all the RV parks we are able to see in this beautiful country. Find the parks that welcome you and give them your business.
As for paying extra for electricity? Try on landing fees and fuel prices that range from $3.50 to $10.00 per gallon… Do you think for a minute I don’t research where I am flying before I depart? Even when camping in my 5th wheel, I take into account the area average prices, fees and competitive information. For me the area is the destination, not the RV park. Once I am there, I detach and explore. Some parks discourage long-term campers with extra daily charges like electricity up charges and even daily bath house fees. Take all these things into account and find the best bargain for the area and RV ON! (i.e., get over it!)
Don’t like it? Sell your rig and buy a plane. Then you’ll learn quickly just how good you have it.
Only problem with your solution, Pilot Camper, is that it’s much easier to drive an RV than it is to fly a plane, and you don’t need anything other than a driver’s license!
We just bought are Class C Rv 2007. At the time we bought this we were told the older ones were made better than the new ones.
I called to see how much the rates were at the Amorality in San ANTONIO TX. THEY ASKED WHAT THE YEAR. SHE SAID WE HAVE A 10 YEAR RULE. YOU STILL CAN COME IN YOU MAKE THAT 10 YEAR RULE. I SAID TO HER I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS 10 YEAR RULE. I LIVE IN ,ARE RV FULL TIME I WANT IT TO LOOK NICE SO I KEEP IT UP. PLUS THE OLDER RV AREN’T BETTER BUILD THAN THE NEW ONE’S. SHE SAID THAT TURE. SOME JUST CAN’T GO OUT AND BUY NEW RV, WHEN THERE RV GET THAT 10 YEAR. MARK. SHE DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WE WELL LET SOME SEND PICTURE OF THERE RV. SHE SAID WE HAVE A 10 YEAR POLICY. NOTHING MORE WAS SAID.
I put older RV aren’t better buildit. That’s not what I was trying to say. The older RV are built better.
I have a 2006 Prevost H3/45 looks great It still fall into the ten year rule, Like buying a Mercedes or Cadillac Escalade you cannot tell how old it is since the body style changes every 10 -12 years
First off let me state that our Rig is two years old and is exempt from the 10 years rule. That said, having such a rule is just a thinly veiled tool of bigotry and elitism! It allows park owners to exclude a large percentage of the American public based upon their econiomic level and nothing else. As stated throughout this article many vintage RV’s are worth thousand dollars more than their new counterparts. However, after travel coast to coast, north to south I have several restored Airstreams exempted from the ten year rule. The owners seem to like the money of these owners just fine. However if you are.a middle class family, keep on moving along. These Snobs don’t want your type around to ruin the view of their much better than your RV’s!
One of the best topics I have ever read. I am. 74 years old, now without a wife, she passed on. I am ready to buy a “New” 2018 Rockwood Mini-lite and full-time it. I am disabled, able to take care of my-self, and a qualified nature program presenter, I have been a camp-ground host in Florida State Parks, founded a Florida State Park citizen support organization in 1990, and am credited with over 10,000 hours of volunteer service. My history includes 30 plus years of camping in tents, pop-ups, prop-ups, class C’s, 30,000 miles of driving a 39’ diesel pusher. I went back to a small new Rockwood hard-side that I could pull with my full frame 1997 classic Lincoln TownCar, and then to a high-end 4 season 8 person dome tent. Thank you to RV life.com for opening my eyes to a very relevant subject, Campers are some of the best people to meet!
What happens when a park refuses an older Ada complient rig..
Just a thought.
I find that most up scale rv parks that discriminate for age are what I call parking lot campgrounds. They may be something desirable to some but I prefer a more rustic type of campground. I have never been turned down with my 25 year old Fleetwood Bounder because if I need to park in a parking lot I’d choose a Walmart (never).
That is a snobbish attitude, if an RV is well maintained it should not matter. We have a 20 year old Newmar Mountain Aire, it looks as good or better than the average 10 year old model. I like vintage! No monthly payment is nice!
Our 1975 GMC (with full paint and shiny alloy wheels) looks much better than most 1o year old or newer RVs. Most of the ten year rule RV parks are too expensive anyway, We prefer to stay at Forest Service or state park campgrounds anyway.
A lot of RV’s look nicer out side then newer ones, so lie! Or if you have upgraded anything in your RV that makes it newer.
Boycott to always good but I don’t thank it will work very good due to the masave growth in the RV world.
Great artical great comments.
Safe Travales to all.
No-Hurries-No-Worries
When you buy a new diesel pusher and it is financed for 15 or more years, these campground owners are saying it is too old when it reaches 11 years of age. Yet my 2009 looks as good inside and out as any new coach. Next year the old girl will be 10. I am 76 years old and maintain the coach in pristine condition. I have no plans to buy another coach so I guess I will vote with my money. I agree that campground owners should be upfront and honest in their advertising.
on Dec 31, we stayed at the Grand Siera, in Reno, Nevada. they were vary friendly. and 2 weeks later we called to reserve a spot and was told that any RV older than 10 years old can’t stay there. I said you didn’t have a problem when we were there new years eve night. sent them a picture of motor home and the age , built in 2006. they said it looked new. and they were sorry. I said that is all right it happens. and two of the 5th wheels not far from us looked really bad shape. yuh don’t make sense. I told them I had been staying there for years but I will be on the look out for another RV park.
I had a classis 1975 FMC and I promise you, it drew a lot of attention wherever I took it. One time, I stumbled into a park that was hosting a Bluebird Wanderlodge rally, and it took me an hour to set up, because everyone wanted to see it. It was in superb condition and I did not shame the park owner by being there.
My wife and I are full timers and own a 1986 Country Coach 38 pusher. We love it as all the vintage RVers love their own rigs. We have restored it and wouldn’t go new as we love retro. I enjoyed reading all the comments as I love all these older RV’s. You see we like retro campers and RVers. They make the best neighbors, and I love hearing how their ingenuity solved a problem they encountered.
We have no desire to be included with the new. I painted our rig to look like a newer one, but I regret it now. Wish instead I had done something more funky, well done…but funky. Someday I would like to see a network of vintage RV parks that did not allow newer rigs to stay. You see they just wouldn’t fit in. Built to size to suit under 40 feet, etc., and themed with yesteryear appeal. Wouldn’t it be cool if at one place it was the 60’s, and at another place the 40s or 70’s and so on? My vintage dream anyway.
Dear Snooty, Arrogant, and Stuck Up Williston Crossings and RV Parks like them. I have a simple fix for your discriminating practices. See I belong to two Vintage RV Clubs. I can create a List of RV Parks unfriendly to Vintage. Oh wait already DONE. Yep. we the Vintage RV owners do NOT need your snooty judgment or your acceptance. But as PAYBACK we will share our list with ALL RV’ers whom think you are a Bunch of Stuck Up fools whom NO ONE should visit. That’s Right! I will tell Friends and Family to Visit any RV Park, but those unfriendly to Vintage RV’s. That includes Brand New RV’s! You folks sound like those NAZI homeowner associations that Ban a Veteran whom served in Combat from Flying “Old Glory:. I wish you well, NOT!!!.
Those RV Parks that insist upon only allowing RV’s that are less that 10 years old, are nothing more than Stuck Up Snooty Snobs catering to the Stuck Up Snooty Snobby Rich and its Snooty Snobby Society anyway. They all have their noses stuck up so far into the air while looking down their noses at anyone who has one penny less than they do, and don’t want to have anything to do with anyone who can’t afford their style of outrageously high-priced RV’s, and/or those who can’t just go out and buy another one every 10 years just to please their Sorry Snooty Snobby Rich Butt’s. – No Thanks, I’ll take my little home-built Teardrop Trailer and keep on dispersed camping.out in the Boondocks. It’s not only Free, but it has far more beauty to view and admire along with peace, quietness and solitude than having to stare at all of those Metal and Fiberglass Luxury Hotels On Wheels jammed in and around you on all sides, while having to listen to their Stuck Up chatter about how you don’t fit into their society as they are staring down their noses at you. – No Thanks You Snooty Snobby Rich Folks, along with you RV Park Hosts of the same frame of mind ! – I’ll take my lonely Beauty, Peace, Quietness and Solitude of Free Dispersed Camping out in the Boondocks in the middle of No-Where with Nature any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.
I know the owner of an RV Park with the 10 year rule. She told me it doesn’t matter how the RV looks on the outside. They are more worried about old wiring, furnaces, etc.. that “may” catch on fire, burning the RV, maybe the neighbors RV as well as the trees in the park. A fire would destroy their pine tree covered park as well as possibly starting a wild fire. In a drought climate we seem to be in, I can see her point. However, my Cougar 5th Wheel is 14 y/o. If I could afford and new or newer RV, I would love to buy one, but that is not the case. I just hope RV parks don’t start an age limit on their guests. Safe travels to you all.
The newer rigs are functionally unsafe. You just cant see it because they have VERY GOOD gingerbread. Your friend needs to worry more about new ones than the older ones in this respect. They are built more unsafe than ones made in the 2000’s, with cheaper components than those in the 2000’s. We have remodeled 3 now. I can assure you that the underbelly of the new models are horrific. The skeletons of the pre 2008 models are rock solid. Wiring, plumbing, appliances, LP, ect… . you wont find a new one on the market today that has the same quality builds we had mid 2000’s. Its just not out there. Just start asking questions about the build components from the reps. You wont get any real answers.
What these parks are SERIOUSLY MISSING , is the fact that the newer rigs are functionally more flawed than any rig pre 2008. The race to the bottom is very present. I wouldnt buy a new rig for any reason. They are a serious hazard to any camper. Unfortunately park owners dont read rv news. So, we have stopped staying in rv parks altogether now. Just rediculous. I wont be treated with contempt by poeple who are not aware of the current climate of rving today. Bunch of undereducated people.
When I make reservations I will always ask if they have a age restriction or check there park rules, The only time I have had a problem was with Napa Valley Expo RV Park, Arrived late in the afternoon and the host on duty informed me that we could not stay because of the age of our RV. When I pointed out that there was no such rule in there rules he instead that there was and proceeded to get the rules out and after he could not find any age restrictions he changed his story to he was told not to let any old RV’s in. Asked to talk to his superior and was denied informed him that I would not leave the park unless he called the police and that they asked me to leave. Drove to a site parked hooked up and hour later he came by and informed me that he was going to let me stay the night and it would be sorted out the next day. He also informed that by him allowing me to stay it might cost him his job. Ended up staying three nights and never did here from him or any staff during that stay.
The somewhat humorous irony is that many of the reviews I’ve read about parks enforcing the 10-year rule are, in the words of the reviewers, the absolute worst places they have ever stayed at. It’s almost like they’re hoping if their parks have a lot of newer rigs parked in them it will make the park look more attractive to potential long term renters.
We have just purchased a brand new rig, but we won’t be staying at any places that have the ridiculous 10 year rule. Why? Because a) I’ve seen plenty of absolutely horrible camp neighbors that were in brand new rigs (therefore newness of rig does not a considerate camper make, therefore the rule is utter nonsense) and b) we bought a modest 26’ rig that’s worth maybe 1/10th the cost of a fancy class A rig and so it is likely that we would be offensive to the type of people who would stay at these parks anyway. I think that the type of RVer who sips wine in a 500k rig that has 8 pop-outs while their 5 teacup poodles crap all over the campsite is going to find our little 26’ barbaric trailer (gasp!) quite the eyesore! 😂😂😂
I JUST PURCHASED A 1977 DODGE CHAMPION MOTORHOME. EVERYTHING IN IT IS ORIGINAL RIGHT NOW, HOWEVER MY WIFE AND I PLAN TO RENOVATE IT AS A PROJECT TOGETHER. I WOULD NOT BE EMBARRASSED ONE BIT TO PULL UP ON ANY CAMPSITE IN THIS UNIT TOMORROW (BEFORE RENOVATION). THERE IS NOTHING FALLING OFF, NO PAINT PEELING, EVERYTHIMG ON THE UNIT IS IN WORKING CONDITION. IFI DO RUN ACROSS, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE I WILL, CAMPGROUNDS THAT ENFORCE THIS RULE WORD FOR WORD I WOULD NOT WANT TO STAY THERE ANYWAY. I DO HOPE AS WE GET OUT ON THE ROAD WE FIND THAT IT IS JUST AS COMFORTABLE TO STAY OFFSITE!!
It’s my understanding that the 10 year rule started a long time ago for one reason. Campground owners were tired of people walking away from their units that were seasonal or on permanently leased sites. The cost and time involved with getting rid of the units wasn’t recouped and were more of an eyesore and headache to the owners. In theory we all pay for this. I agree with this but not on a nightly or weekly basis.
Sad part is I know military personnel/veterans who cannot afford newer model RV/Camper Trailers, but who take pride in their rigs. As for voting with my wallet is that only creates a system in which “First Class” citizens get the best views or best accommodations. Seems like a “Separate, but equal” mode of enjoying nature.
If they are asking about the age of your RV as you drive in, then they have already passed judgement on both you and your possessions. I personally wouldn’t want to stay at a place like that, but when there aren’t any other safe/open parks in the area, then it might be worth a little white lie. The worst that could happen is that they won’t let you in and possibly spurn you more than they already have. “Voting with your wallet” isn’t really a valid tactic in this situation because they didn’t want your business in the first place. Do I find the policy and its enforcers reprehensible? Well, kinda. It’s their property, so they should have the right to refuse service, especially if they think it is necessary to maintain the peace and comfort for their patrons. Unfortunately, discriminating against someone for the age of their property can at times seem like a thinly veiled excuse to refuse service based on a person’s age(illegal.) It is more likely, however, a discrimination based on wealth or social status(legal yet stupid.) I’d wager that elderly adventurers with neither the desire nor the means to purchase a new RV are being mistreated at more and more places around the country, regardless of the condition of their vehicle. In conclusion, you should just do what you want and deal with the consequences as they arise, as long as you’re not hurting anybody else. That being said, If it discomforts the trust fund baby in his brand new $200k rig to see a middle class couple minding their own business in the spot next to him, then I’d say go for it because that dude probably deserves to have his worldview challenged a bit. 🙂
I drive a 1978 Dodge Sportsman Class C.
It is fully restored, and looks great!
I’m pretty much limited to boon docking though. It is what I like best. Walmart in a pinch. Looking at those so-called “resorts”, just the mere thought of camping there turns my stomach even if they did let me in. Neat little spaces, where your front yard is someone else’s back side dump hose is not for me, even if they do have a golf course and a swimming pool. They look horrible! What really gets me is to see some huge class A trying to drive on the natural trails and pretending to be a boon-docker. I wish we could have a rule against them coming in and running their generators all night. Go camp at the resort, stay out of the BLM.