| Topic: Conversion Vans not allowed at some RV Parks? |
|
Posted By: Deb and Ed M
on 09/22/17 09:43am
|
I've been happily turning a new Transit T250, medium-high roof van into a "travel van" to get us back and forth from FL, and to do some sightseeing and weekend camping. The dinette turns into a bed with ample storage underneath the benches; the kitchen sink disappears, and we have a portapotty so we don't get booted from our condo complex for having an "RV". From the outside, it just looks like an upscale cargo van with extra windows.
I read on another forum, that some RV Parks won't allow "converted vans". As we travel, we plan to use RV parks - I enjoy the quiet and safety that comes with being amongst RVers. I intend to reserve space for a Class B, since that's more or less what we have. After all - ALL Class Bs are converted vans.....LOL!
Are we going to pull into a park, only to have someone turn us away because we have a "conversion"??
|
|
Posted By: the bear II
on 09/22/17 10:15am
|
Usually the restrictions specifies the RV must have RVIA certification which means the RV has been built to specifications pertaining to plumbing, electrical, wiring and other building standards adopted by the RV manufacturers. This is a restriction placed on RV parks by the liability insurance carrier they use. Home made units no matter how well built will not meet this requirement. So the RV parks turn them away to be able to maintain insurance coverage.
I would guess 9 times out of 10 if you pull into a park nothing will be said and you'll be able to get a spot as long your conversion looks fairly professionally made. I have never had someone from an RV park go outside and check my RV for an RVIA certification sticker (most manufactured RVs have them).
|
|
Posted By: azrving
on 09/22/17 10:22am
|
Many other options other than lousy rv parks
|
|
Posted By: fj12ryder
on 09/22/17 10:24am
|
rjxj wrote: Many other options other than lousy rv parks Very true, there are lots of excellent RV parks, and campgrounds.
Howard and Peggy
"Don't Panic"
|
|
Posted By: troubledwaters
on 09/22/17 10:27am
|
Reality - They have the right to refuse you a spot. Practicality - Not likely to happen.
|
|
Posted By: DrewE
on 09/22/17 10:40am
|
Most parks generally won't care too much provided your unit looks halfway presentable. Generally speaking, the fancier and more expensive and more "exclusive" the park, the more stringent they may be. There are some RV resorts that only permit class A motorhomes (and not class C's or trailers of any sort), and places that don't permit school bus conversions, and many other permutations...but also a great many fine campgrounds that only care whether you behave decently. I doubt any state park would turn you away, for example.
Not to long ago, I was camping in a nice campground with neighbors who arrived with a U-Haul and promptly set up a tent or two.
If you can register your van as a motorhome, it may prevent some difficulties. Typically that requires meeting some number of various listed minimum equipment standards--things like having cooking facilities, permanent sanitary facilities (not a portable toilet), sleeping spaces, a 120V electrical system, etc. Check with your state for the details if you're interested.
|
|
Posted By: fred42
on 09/22/17 10:42am
|
In the past, I have built two class B's both with rooftop AC. They were obviously homemade. I used them at RV parks for decades without any problem.
The problems started when I got a RVIA certified truck camper.
|
|
Posted By: MrWizard
on 09/22/17 10:50am
|
40+ years ago i converter a used Dodge van into a camper
Stayed in KOA campgrounds all over the Midwest and South never had one question me
But KOA are camp grounds, for campers, not upscale RV resorts,
There are differences
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !
....
Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s
|
|
Posted By: Sea Dog
on 09/22/17 11:08am
|
Write "Prevost" across the font with a magic marker.
Problem solved!
Life is short,Death is long,
Take a vacation.
|
|
Posted By: ctilsie242
on 09/22/17 11:28am
|
With class "B" vans going upwards of $300,000, they are the the second most expensive type of motorhome there is. Some RV park turning down an Advanced RV 4x4 Sprinter with air ride suspension, for some reason, is just plain dumb.
Vans are not cheap. I see 20 year old conversion vans still selling for $20,000, and 10 year old Sprinters selling for the price the van was originally worth, especially the older T1Ns that had the five-banger.
There is no difference between a class "B" and a converted van except for a RVIA sticker.
If I go the custom route, I'm probably going to do similar, except have Sportsmobile upfit a SRW T-350 van.
|
|