Popup discrimination

[gadgetadam]

Has anyone ever run into a problem where an RV park would refuse a popup because their rules said no popups and/or tents allow in their parks?  

Does anyone know why some RV parks have this silly rule that discriminates?  I have seen many trailers that are in much worse shape than my popup.  

What can a popup user do to fight this type of discrimination?  I strongly believe ALL RV owners should be treated equally from popups to the big rigs.

[AustinBoston]

Has anyone ever run into a problem where an RV park would refuse a popup because their rules said no popups and/or tents allow in their parks?  

Does anyone know why some RV parks have this silly rule that discriminates?  I have seen many trailers that are in much worse shape than my popup.  

What can a popup user do to fight this type of discrimination?  I strongly believe ALL RV owners should be treated equally from popups to the big rigs.

There are a variety of reasons for this.

In a few places, pop-ups and tents are banned because of problems with bears.  If the campground/RV park is not in the middle of the wilderness, that's not the reason.

Two reasons I've seen for "no tents" are that the sites are on concrete or gravel pads and are not appropriate for tents, and/or there are shallow service lines that could be damaged by stakes driven in the ground.

But the main reason is snobbery.  A typical new class C or fifth-wheel is 6 to 10 times the price of a pop-up.  Some class A RVs sell for 10 to 100 times as much.  These owners with sky-hooked noses don't want to be parked in the same RV park as a "trailer trash" pop-up.  Often, they think of pop-ups as ugly or looking like dirty laundry.  I've even seen the snob attitude directed towards hybrids that were actually nicer looking than the old, rust-stained travel trailer whose owners "knew" they were superior.

In all of these cases, I'll camp somewhere else.

Austin

[Larry in VT]

Last week I called a resort in New Hampshire to make a reservation for Labor Day weekend. I asked the person if they had any sites available, she said "yes, what are you camping in". When I told her a pop up, she said "I'm sorry we have nothing for you!" I called back 2 hours later, same question, but I told her I had a travel trailer, all of a sudden there were sites available! I have tried to make reservations twice at this resort and as soon as they know I have a pop up, no sites are available. They have no stated rules against pop ups. I have sent them an e-mail about this, I'm waiting for their reply. If they state up front NO POP UPS, fine, I'll move on. If there is nothing banning pop ups in their rules, and I get turned down, that is what I object to! It sure makes you wonder sometimes!

Larry

[Looneytoon]

Well, I must confess that I bought my pop up as a "warm up" to buying a 5th wheel sometime in the near future (2-3 years).

I figured if I could get my wife comfortable PU camping, she would really enjoy the 5th wheel.

Now, let's get one thing straight..................I am not a snob and I am not a A$$hole, but I have seen some pretty interesting setups around some PU sites.  I still can't figure out how some of these sites can charge $25-$45 a night for a darn campsite!!!

I took mine for it's maiden voyage 2 weekends ago and I could not stop laughing as I was putting up roof and awning...................I mean, people were asking me what I was laughing about.  I was the only PU, everyone else was camping in a tent.  Needless to say, I always had visitors under the awning!

You see, I have moved up from backpacking to a PU!  So, I just keep amusing myself every time I open the camper door and see 2 huge beds, the sink, sofa and dining area.  I mean, it is just too easy and too nice!

When I would backpack or car camp, it took 30 minutes to an hour to setup the tent, get the air mattresses in place, hang the rain tarps and organize a place for the kitchen stuff.

So, you can see how I am just tickled and can't stop grinning with the entire setup taking about the 15 minutes now.

Back to the snobbery thing.........................I am finding it to be a bit disappointing when trying to find campsites rustic and private enough with electric service.

I mean, I can find tons of places with "full hookups" and "water and electric" and those places are expensive and then having to put up with the snobs???

I just might like it when I move up to a 5th wheel.  At least I can afford the weight of lots of water, a generator and camp in more rustic settings............

[AustinBoston]

I just might like it when I move up to a 5th wheel.  At least I can afford the weight of lots of water, a generator and camp in more rustic settings............

Let me know the first time you plan on camping in a 5th wheel in a rustic setting...I just gotta see how the parking goes... :yikes:

Austin

[Old Goat]

Popup descrimination or RV profiling? Perhaps we should add an amendment to the constitution to outlaw this along with campground snobbery.........

[mountainrev]

Let me know the first time you plan on camping in a 5th wheel in a rustic setting...I just gotta see how the parking goes. Austin

A couple of weeks ago, we took our PUP up to a NF campground near Crested Butte, CO.  The way there consisted of about 15 miles up a steep gravel road(not too rough, but not the greatest, with lots and lots of hairpin turns) followed by about 2 1/2 miles of very rough and steep dirt road.  There were only 11 sites at this 9,000' elevation campground, and nearly all of them were difficult, at best, to back a PUP into.  Far more suited for tents.

Nevertheless, we saw at least half a dozen large fivers pulling through (and mostly, not stopping, since there were few or no vacant sites).  However, one guy pulled up in a large 5th wheel and decided to back into a very tight, short site.  He was all by himself (why he needed a 5th wheel, I don't know, but to each his own).  Obviously, he was having a difficult time backing in with no one to guide him.  I thought about offering help, but figured he'd done it before, and might not appreciate my offer (besides, what if I guided him into a tree or something?).

He would back in a few feet, get out, run to the back of the fiver, jump back in his pickup, back another foot or two, repeat, etc.  Once, as he was backing, there was a sickening crunch.  I didn't have the nerve to go and look.  But he corrected and re-backed and finally, got it set and unhooked.  

So, if there's a will, there's a way.  Fifth wheels can camp at rustic spots.  Not this camper, however!  I had enough problems backing my PUP into my spot!

[Looneytoon]

Quote:"Let me know the first time you plan on camping in a 5th wheel in a rustic setting...I just gotta see how the parking goes...  

Austin"

Touring Colorado last year, I saw number of areas very suitable for rustic camping in a 5th wheel.  The unit I am looking at is 25' from bumper to end of unit with 30' of living space.  Heck, my PU is 16'!!!

I figure I can learn to negotiate the addition 9' for the complete "dry" camping experience.  Besides, I plan on spending anywhere from 10-45 days at a time on the road and the PU will just be getting too much of a workout.. besides I would miss the fireplace and surround sound system as well!!!

Sounds like I am a bit spoiled already, doesn't it :eyecrazy:

[howlinowl]

Most of the places I've seen that "discriminate" I wouldn't want to camp at anyway.  One place I looked at from the rooftop of a shopping center I was workiing on had just concrete pads.  No trees, but had a pool. Right in the middle of town, about a block from the main drag.  Might be ok for the RVers, but I prefer to get the heck outa Dodge and be out in the sticks.

One advantage I've found was that sometimes I can camp in the "tent" area of a campground.  Water and electric, but no sewer.  Generally I can save a few bucks parking there than in the full hook up area.

Allan

[chkster]

There are several places along the CA. coast that do not allow popups ...
because they are not self-contained. They must have had trouble with people "dumping" is all I can think of.