You’ve probably heard of the 10-year rule in campgrounds and RV parks. Some parks may not let you in if your rig is 10 years old or older. If you’re unfamiliar with the rule, you can find more info on it here. If you own a vintage trailer, or keep your RV in tip-top shape, you may find this rule ridiculous!
While the rule is often intended to keep properties looking tidy and to avoid accepting rigs in poor condition, it can feel like a blanket judgment against older RVs. Many RVers take exceptional care of their rigs, investing in regular maintenance, upgrades, and even restoration projects that make their RVs look and perform better than some newer models. This leaves some owners frustrated by the assumption that age equals disrepair.
Interestingly, some parks apply the rule inconsistently or make exceptions for unique cases. For instance, a meticulously restored Airstream or other vintage trailer often turns heads for all the right reasons, and some park managers may be willing to waive the rule once they see how well-maintained the rig is. It often comes down to first impressions.
If you want to learn about ways to get around the rule, click here.
When you’ve made a campground or RV park reservation, have you ever been asked your RV’s age? Were you asked to submit a photo of your RV if your rig is more than 10 years old (this happens sometimes)? Tell us about your experience in the comments below, please.
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On line reservations often ask year, make, model, and length in addtion to #of people, vehicles, and pets.
Beat me to the punch! Totally agree!
Never ran into that. Only length, type of RV (TT, motorhome) , slides and number of people and pets.
Same here, Bob, and we’ve made reservations coast to coast and North to South through most of the major reservation services as well as individual campground sites.
But then, we travel with two dogs, so probably not staying where GrumpyVet stays! 😉🙂
Probably so! 🙂
We can’t afford to hang out with those kind of people.
My trailer (molded fiberglass) is 10 years old. The style hasn’t changed only once in the 10 years, and my trailer looks as new as it did when I purchased it. So I really don’t have any problems if asked.
Hmmmm, how ’bout turning the tide and have a beat up, rusted out, faded truck towing your pretty new rv, wonder what they would say about it, LOL…
I usually camp in State or County parks. They never ask the age of my camper.
The first time was only 4 months after buying it. It was sold as a 2012 in 2011. I told them I wasn’t interested in staying if the age mattered & by the way it was a 2012. Only one other time since then. We are limited more by having large dogs than the age of our rig.
I have an airstream that is older. I lied and told them it was a reissue of a retro model and gave them an age of 5 years instead of 15. They never asked to see a registration.
:You are right. An Airstream is an Airstream is an Airstream. My Roadtrek built within a white Chevy van, is a Chevy van, Chevy van.
I’ve not been asked about the age but when I said we have a truck camper, I was asked about whether or not it was fully self-contained along with other questions related to the truck camper.
I have seen many older RV’s ,even Bluebird Wanderlodge’s, that would put fancy new junk to shame. They were built way back when people had work ethics and were proud of the product they put out…unlike today.
Said yes, but to be fair, it was either a stock question built into the on-line reservation system licensed to the park, or only asked for long-term (month+) stays.
We keep a TT in the south for seasonal use. The current long-term stay park we are in did not ask or care about RV age, they wanted current photos that included a digital date stamp and did background checks.
We have been asked this many times particularly out west and certain companies have a no exception policy. Our RV is well maintained and in tip top shape so usually ok when we send a picture. It is wrong to have a reservation made then find out when you get there they won’t accept your RV purely because of age and you have to find another spot. These “resorts” need to have their one star rating spread all over the internet
Preach it, please name them on here. I’d love to just avoid the hassle to begin with, If I know who and where they’re located. Safe travels.
What is the difference between a 2015 Class C RV and 2018? I guarantee you that the teenager checking you in can’t tell. When you call to make a reservation just figure the year that would make it 8 years old. No one is going to ask to see your registration.
.With online reservations if they require the year and model of RV then in effect they are asking the age. Whether that information is used to ID age is another story.
Over the past 20 years, I think I may have been asked 2-3 times. It wasn’t an issue with me because I understand the rationality behind it. They don’t want old junky RVs in their campgrounds. Not all older RVs are junky but statistically, most junky RVs are over 10 years old.
I’ve been asked too and they just asked to text a pic of the my motorhome and when I did they said no problem, come on down. I have no problem with that.
I Just tell them Class A, give the length (38) and that’s the end of it. The desk is usually finding a site that we will fit.
We were staying at “fancy” RV resorts for rally’s when the question was raised. Sent a picture and we were welcome to pay our money and stay. Coach looks like new when it is washed and waxed. I have no problem with resorts limiting who can enter. Our coach is a 12 year old diesel pusher (soon to be 13 YO).
Thank you, RV Travel. DW goes into the campground office when we register. I do not think that she has ever been asked. I do think that an on-line reservation form has included a question asking the model year of our RV on one or two ocassions. Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
A lot of class A resorts that are individually owned with a HOA have rules. We have been asked in Orange Beach Alabama and in Palm Springs ,California. We are going to Ruidoso in May and it’s a class A only resort.
That subject was crossed in a RV park in Las Vegas. It was not disclosed on their website, when booked. However, it came up during check-in. Fortunately our rig was just detailed a week before, and we passed inspection.
I was rejected by an RV park just outside of Salem OR. They said on the website it was subject to inspection but on the phone new management took over and said no exceptions. We found a better and less expensive RV park on the other side of town. It was closer to our Daughter’s house anyway.