If you own an RV that’s 10 years old or older, listen up – we need your help!
Have you ever been turned away from a service center because your rig is “too old”? Have you ever been turned away from a campground or RV park because your rig is “too old”? Please leave a comment on this page and tell us about your experiences. We’re working on an upcoming story about this and would love your input. Thank you!
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I’ve never been turned away but I also avoid any resort or campground that says it is too good to have older units in their space. I have a clean 03 Class A DP.
I have not yet, but if I read that it’s age restricted I stay away. They must feel they are too good for me so they don’t need my business
We have never been turned away from a camp ground because we only use county and Corps of Engineers parks. Now dealers are another. Our 93 Itasca Sundancer is in great shape. Clean, damage free and looks really good. But most dealers with will not work on anything over 10 years. So you have to shop around. I have a mobile service guy half a mile from me that will work on my class C. Getting harder to keep the old girl as original as possible, but we try. RV THERE YET?
I think you can do better with the small, private service centers or mobile operators. Generally don’t have to wait months as with dealer service.
Our coach is a 2000 U320 Foretravel and we have fulltimed for 9 years and never been asked let alone turned down. Keeping your rig in top shape makes a difference and pride shows.
I can’t afford to associate with those kind of people, Business or Campgrounds. I like the simple things and that is the reason I will not get a newer RV, my 1995 suits us just fine.
Our 2006 Four Winds travel trailer has not been turned away, but we have been told (when making reservations) that due to the age of our rig it may be turned away at the gate.
Our 2008 Country Coach is stored indoors, kept in top-notch shape, and looks almost new. When asked how old it is, it’s always 9 years old, and I offer a photo to prove it. Virtually no one, and in particular no one at any RV Park check-in desk, has any idea how to tell the age of any coach. 🙂
Only the ‘glamor RV’ campgrounds. Got to keep their ‘image.’. I’ll keep my green, thank you.
not even the ‘glamor’ ones. We recently made a reservation at a typical rv park, inland San Diego, and they asked the age. Their park is okay, but nothing to write home about. Not fancy at all.
We’ve not been turned down at a campsite, but I’ve noted several that ask for the age when trying to make a reservation. In these cases, I don’t even try with our ’05 itasca Meridian.
We weren’t turned away, we just didn’t bother to try to make a reservation.
Since our rig is a 2004 and looks like new (we store it in our garage when not being used) I just tell (lie) to the people asking that it’s 5 years old. With all the different rigs out there do you think the people checking you in would know makes and model years? If you had a beater like the one in the picture your not going to get away with it. It’s worked every time for us.
With manufacturers making replicas today, how they going to know.
My across the street has an old Shasta with the little wings up high in the rear. Fully restored. Looks like new.
Didn’t I see a new old Winnebago recently. Modern everything but looks from the 70’s
I requested a reservation at Dayton Nevada RV park and was told they do allow any RV over 10 years. I had even included pictures. I feel it’s the condition not the age. Their loss, I stayed at Virginia city R V park. Very nice.
In 2018, we purchased a 2004 American Tradition Class A in 2018 in Oregon. On our trip back home, we called ahead to make overnight reservations and several RV parks asked what year our RV was. When we gave them the 2004 date they asked for pictures and when we sent them, they said “No Problem”. The coach is in nice condition but had it not been we would have been disappointed with their answer. I have seen many older RVs in “like new” condition, and of course, those in poor condition. I am not a fan of the “No RVs Older Than 10 Years Allowed” mantra but it’s their park and I can always go down the road and find another park if I want! And just FYI, we have never been asked that question in Alaska RV Parks, just sayin!!🤔
Well I haven’t yet cause my HUGE camper is a 2006!? But it’s rt on the cut off line now! And I DO KNOW THAT EVERY SINGLE PARK THAT I HAVE BEEN IN ABSOLUTELY DOES HAVE A CUT OFF!!! IF UR CAMPER IS OLDER THAN??? THEN I R OUT!!! I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY RETARDED ABSURBED RULE!!!!
THERE R MANY RETROS THAT HAVE BEEN REDONE BEAUTIFULLY!!! AND MANY LIKE ME PLAN ON GETTING A SMALL BUS AND OR CARGO TRAILER AND DOING A CONVERT TO IT!!??
Rt now I have a VERY OLD 32+ yr old TRUCK AND LIKE A 50ISH OLD 70+ MODEL SLIDE-IN ON IT! So both r quiet old!!! And BOTH need things done! My old truck is is SEVERE need of a paint job!!! Plus repairs!!
And recently I had stopped at a beautiful college campus to hike with my dogs for serenity peace beauty and exercise!! I am now filing complaints against their SO CALLED SECURITY!!?? WHO IS BASICALLY 2 DIRTY OLD MEN ON GOLD CARTS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO UNIFORM NOR ID!!! FOR ASSUMING THAT SHIT & STALKING ME ETC. IT IS A HUGE ISSUE!!! TY!
It’s a really sad rule, probably because there are some folks traveling around in old RVs that need maintenance and look bad. But if they really look bad, they likely won’t be able to afford those ‘resorts’ anyway.
I’ve seen so many beautiful, older rigs maintained beautifully with new paint/surface jobs. What they should do is simply tell people that if they have an older rig that hasn’t been maintained at least on the outside, that they may have to leave after one night. At least let them stay the night.
Our class A is 2007, when asked upon making reservations I say 2012, never a problem our rig still looks like new condition.
I figure it’s only a matter of time. It just turned 10 this year. Funny thing is, it was originally sold as 2012 (chassis is 2011) & during that first summer of 2011 I inquired about availability at an RV park in the Denver area. Their reply started I had not told them the age of our rig. I had since found a state park site & was glad to not stay in a place that only.
We have a beautifully renovated 1965 Airstream that we typically have to send pictures of her when making a long term reservation. We live in her full-time so we mostly stay at campgrounds a month or more. My husband did all of the renovations and keeps her pristine. Once or twice we were denied even though I offered to send pictures as they only heard it was a 1965 camper. It’s definitely their loss as we typically have people come to talk about her or even ask to see inside. We would never trade her for a new one just to get into campgrounds. As far as repairs, my husband did all the renovations so he also does all the repairs too so we haven’t had to go to a repair shop.
My Georgetown is 14 now (though we bought it new 12 years ago – Great Recession leftover) and we normally stay at state parks and military famcamps. Her outside has a few streaks due to being stored outside, but she’s in great shape overall and we’ve never been turned away from anyplace. Honestly, I won’t frequent places that have a 10-year limit unless they will take a photo. There are way, way too many ‘snooty’ people in this world, why should I support their biases??
21 year old Fleetwood Southwind. Well maintained but it is still 21 years old. We have never been turned down and did stay in a AZ campground that had a 10 year policy.
18 yr old Winnebago Ultimate class A diesel. Never been turned away from anywhere due to age.
We have never been turned away,but it is becoming more frequent to be asked to send pictures. Our rig is a 2000 National Tropical and once they see how nice it is there is no problem
I have a 2001 Lazy Daze motorhome and a 2005 Toyota ECHO, both in very good condition. I keep them clean and shiny. In 2017 I had to leave the RV park in Austin, where I had lived for several years, because of the huge rate increases. I called all the other Austin and suburban RV parks about long-term rentals and none of them would accept me because of my RV’s age. One of them wouldn’t even accept me because my Lazy Daze is under 30 feet long! Finally I did find one that would let me stay until I could get into Escapees CARE. Isn’t snobbery just wonderful?! :>(
2002 Dutchstar repainted in 2017, under warranty! (we had to pay part of it, but more than reasonable). So, no problems.
Gosh Diane Mc, what warranty did you have to cover paint ? Just curious. I have a 2003 Dutch Star and recently paid out of pocket for touch ups
Yes I was turned away from a RV park because I own a 1989 sandpiper RV. They said it was too old , they never even looked at it. Don’t get me wrong. It is old, but its perfect for me and my wife with my 3 kids. It sat untouched for 20 years and then I bought it looked it over and everything was still in it and it all still works. So now I find myself with family having to move it every three days because I can’t find a park that will allow us to park in it because of its age.
Thanks,
New RV’r. Rob
I have not gotten the polls for over a week!!
Sorry, Judith. I don’t understand the geeky stuff, but here’s what one of our IT folks, Jessica, says: “Sometimes script blockers and ad blockers interfere with our polls since they are from a 3rd party site. If you have one of these, try and turn it off and see if that fixes the issue.” I hope that works for you. Have a great day. 🙂 –Diane
Tiffin in Red Bay has a policy (new?) that they don’t service their motorhomes if they’re older than 5? 7? years. So yes, they declined our ‘07 in 2015. We took it to a shop in Red Bay (Bunk House RV) owned by a former long-time Tiffin employee and they did splendid work for lower cost than Tiffin. Our rig still looks great so never had a c/g turn us away — even those w/ policy of ‘no older than’, once they see photos we send.
We drive a Class-B on a Sprinter chassis. They all look pretty much the same, year to year. Never been asked, but then we don’t usually use high-end campgrounds.
We had a truck camper and a truck that was over 10 years old that was in excellent condition. We even asked them to look at it because it was like new restored. They still said no. That place was Garden of the God’s campground in Colorado. We ended up down the same road at another place that was wonderful.
Just about every Park in San Antonio Texas and a lot of RV campgrounds In Texas will either downright reject you or ask for you to send pictures if you have a RV older than 10-15 years old. I only know of one in San Antonio that’ll take RVs older than 10- 15 years old without pictures and that’s mission trails RV park. But mission trails RV Park is not exactly the cream of the crop type of RV Park.
Our Monaco Windsor coach is a 2002 model but delivered in 2001. SO technically it is now 20 years old. We have never been turned away from anyplace but then again we dont choose to stay in those fancy Motorcoach Resorts that are persnickety about what your coach looks like, etc. plus charge you astronomically high prices to stay there.
We were asked to wash our tow vehicle and cltravel trailer before being admitted to a campground, near west entrance to yellowstone. Been on the road for about 3 weeks
Campground updated itself. Any RV older than 10 years was forced to move out. We were one that had to go. It was a pain in the butt as we were really settled in where we were. Our only option was get a new RV. Campground expected that we and others would all upgrade. We all left and went across the street. Their criteria was if it’s in good physical and visual shape you’re welcome here.
Been in this campground for about 8 yrs now and all is good. We did upgrade in 2018.
No but we have a self contained Sprinter van and I was told “We don’t allow vans”. Don’t think I would have liked that place anyway!
Due to the growing homeless population in my city we have been denied entrance to more than a handful of campgrounds and RV parks. We have a 1983 Tioga, but it’s been remodeled and looks great. That doesn’t matter though. Nothing older than 2000, and even 2010 in some places, are allowed in. There are a few that allow older models but only for short-term stays.
We work in park system for 10 years at no time this happen in all the time we hosted at the State parks.
After retirement we purchased an antique trailer so many campers stop our camp site to comment our trailer.
It’s posted on Belfair state parks reviews.
1973 16′ trailer
All of the time!
Never been turned away. 2007 Lance 1055 truck camper on 2016 F350 crew cab dually. We do stay in national/state/county/town CG’s most of the time.
should be asked not over 10 years.
I have been turned down by several parks with my 2008 Monaco Dynasty. I didn’t realize that it was that old until then. It’s still an extremely nice coach in my view!
Lake Fork Texas will not allow any travel trailers over ten years old on permanent yearly lease.
They all got together, this is any park!
I have a 2001 Gulfstream Conquest Sport. Been turned away from a few sites purely due to age. It has 53000 miles on it! It could use a little paint but its in awesome condition!
Can’t find a I I ace to live with three kids because I have a 1995 Dutchmen in excellent condition but still noone will accept the year
Between my Winnebago being “too old” (it’s a 1970s Chieftain), and places that say “pet friendly” except for my service dog “pit bull”, my 1976 Ford F250 Super Cab towing my 1964 Aljo trailer I’ve been turned away from more places than I can count. My restored Aljo is nicer than most of the new ones too.
We live in No. Cal & yes we have . We lost our home to a fire a few yrs back My husband is disabled & I care for him .We live on his S.S.I. which is not much. After the fire we could only afford a older fifth wheel but it works. All the parks in our area say when it comes to age that the don’t take them because of insurance reason. It just cost to much to let them in. The other thing I have heard was that parks think that if you own a newer RV you have money. People with older RV,s are either low income types or there people that do drugs. Thats why they can’t afford a newer RV. And the 1 we did find that would take older RV,s was over $900 a month. Since our fire we have had to live the last 4 yrs on property with no running water ,sewer or power. So I have too go get water & dump our sewer. We also had to buy a generator for power. Which means buy gas which depending on gas prices, sometimes we go without power.
I have 97 newmar 2 places in hemet of all places turned me down … My RV is always washed and is clean everything works no missing parts or dents.. kinda pissed me off..
Have a 2002 holiday rambler endeavor in great condition! A few “rv resorts” in Florida turned us away as they refused to see pics that we have been asked by a few places here ans have had no issues! I love when we pull I to a park that’s 35.00 a night and someone with a brand new 500,000 rig pulls in and does nothing but complain about the price! When we are refused we leave a review for that campgroune/rv resort!
We were almost denied to get a seasonal campsite. That was until one of the owners came to look at our 12 year old Travel Star Hybrid and saw what good shape it was in, and that we took good care of it. Plus that it was registered and insured and was going to stay that way, because we did still use it to go on out of state camping trips a few time during the season. So he said as long as it stays that way that we could fill out the application for the next season. And the next season we did get the site.
We were traveling home from Oregon and needed to find a campsite overnight because the kids just couldn’t handle the drive.
After making a few phone calls we finally found a campsite on our route with availability. Then they asked about our rig…we tow a super cute, restored 1959 Rainbow canned ham travel trailer. They apologized and explained that they couldn’t allow us to camp at their park because they had a “strict” policy that all rigs must be 10 years or younger.
They could hear the kids crying in the background and relented after asking me to send them a picture of the trailer and assuring them that we would only stay overnight.
We were very grateful but when we got there the first thing we noticed was that almost all of the rigs camping were older than ten years and a couple were in obvious disrepair. We appreciated them allowing us to stay overnight but were confused by their initial insistence since it’s obviously a rule they do not follow.
We’ve been turned away time and time again cuz my RV is “too old” and a class c motorhome every park with the same story ” one of those caught fire here once”
I was really upset when we were not allowed to camp at a KOA because our motorhome was over ten years old. I don’t even try to camp there now, no matter how old my RV is.
We had a 2007 Allegro Class A for a couple of years (2 years ago) and never had an issue.
I’ve had to send a picture to campgrounds a couple of times. One was a joke. A guy was building a trailer in the site next to me. Lots of messy permanent residents in that park.
We have a 2004 Tiffin that is well maintained. In our nine years of almost fulltime RVing we have been turned down by two RV parks because of a 10 year rule, most recently was last year. Also, my hometown truck repair shop that I use for chassis maintenance tried to turn me away due to 10 year rule, but I had been doing business with them for the previous 5 years. I appealed to the service manager and I never heard about the 10 year rule again. They continue to do my chassis maintenance. I say good riddance to these places, I would rather spend my money with a business that is not so uppity.
We have a 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire DP, pushing 200k miles, which we’ll attain this year. So far, we’ve never been turned away.
Our previous motorhome was a 1991 Journey (not a Winnebago) front engine diesel in good shape. We owned it from 2003-2017 when we got our Newmar. The only park we had concerns about was an Encore in the Oklahoma City area with the 10 year rule and they didn’t turn us away either.
I have a 2004 Pleasure Way, and a place in Texas near Alvarado didn’t want my rig in her campground, but I told the owner that it had been “completely redone”, so she said to bring it down and she’d look…I arrived late at night, and when she saw it in the a.m., she was impressed with it!! I’d post a pic if allowed!!
We have an 18 year old Class A RV, we have been to all 49 Contiguous States and 7 Canadian Provinces over the last 4 years, staying at hundreds of campgrounds.
We have NEVER been turned away from an RV park or repair facility.
We have “heard” of the 10 year rule, but we believe maybe because our budget doesn’t allow for the fancy “resort” type campgrounds, that we have not come up against this “discrimination”. LOL
Our 2003 Titanium 5th wheel sustained floor and wheel well damage from a tire blowout. Called a dealer we had used in the past for repairs and were very satisfied. Upon our arrival we were checked in and all seemed well until a service person looked at damage and said, this rig is too old and we won’t be able to get parts. They knew the story when we first called and never said anything regarding age or inability to get parts!
Ended up having to drive to another repair shop run by the same dealer (only option in the area). To our huge relief, the 2nd location had no problem getting parts and fixed our old faithful RV home good as new. Lesson learned… RV repair shops with different locations don’t always operate consistently at each shop. The first location appeared to service nothing but newer rigs. (less than 10 yrs old). If we’d known that from the start, could of avoided a lot of angst!
We weren’t turned away but, a resort campground in Las Vegas asked me to send a photo, which I did. They said it looked fine. When we were there we walked around and were amazed at how bad some were. Either they were hard up for campers or just being picky.
In 2009, we inquired of an urban Van Nuys, CA, campground about space. After letting us know that our 1997 travel trailer was “too old”, they relented and allowed us to camp there for the week we had intended to use. We learned after setting up that because it was the 1st of May, and the movie industry shuts down annually through May, nearly all of their regular customers were leaving the campground to head to their sticks and bricks homes somewhere else. In other words, the campground would have been nearly empty but for those of us with “too old” rigs! Because there’s always a lesson to be learned: Camp in Van Nuys in May, their age-restrictions are looser.
We have a 90’s model fifth wheel and have had numerous situations where they have required a picture or flat refused to allow us. We have had some that want the pictures and state that during the busy season they would not accept us, but since it’s the slow season we were allowed.
There’s a KOA in Richfield, UT that will not take our reservation. Our RV is 20 years old but you would not know it from its looks as we’ve kept it up. Their competitors in Salina have been benefitting from their arrogance.
A few other RV parks have asked us for a picture of the unit before confirming a reservation, but once they’ve seen the picture there’s been no problem. I think the appearance of the rig is more important than its age, but how would they ask that. And the KOA in Richfield doesn’t even ask for a picture — they must have all the business they want as is.
We have, however, been asked twice to submit a picture of our unit ( 2008 fifth wheel) and truck. Guess we passed muster, as stayed at both places.
We have not been turned away, but have been asked twice to submit photos. Our Winnebago class A motorhome is in very good shape.
When we were traveling in a truck and camper, I always telephoned ahead and asked, especially at more upscale destinations. Never were we turned away.
I don’t get it. Even when making reservations I am not asked how old my rig is. Length, number of slides, number of occupants but never how old it is.
I’m with Jim on this one.
Yes campers will not touch any RV that’s all 10 years or older.
No I wasn’t turned away but I had to reassure them that I don’t have any duct tape anywhere on the 1989 Coachman RV
I have a Coachmen Mirada that is old enough to drink. I’ve only had 1 campground ask for a picture and we were accepted.
I have never been asked, but I live in Canada and do not go to high class RV resorts.
We have a restored 1975 GMC 26′ Class-A and have been to several RV parks with a 10 year rule. They had us send a photo of the coach and approved us.
Yes from 2 full-time RV Campgrounds in TX back in 2001 when I retired from the Army. I had a 30′ NuWa RB travel trailer built mid 80s towed by a 1988 Chevy Suburban and told it was too old for their parks. Finally found a nice park on a lake to live in until I rented a house about 2-years later.
Before we purchased our 1976 GMC Glenbrook I contacted several RV dealers in my area and none of them will work on anything older than 10 years. Eric, Aurora, Ontario
My MH is 44 years old and showing its age. In the seven years I’ve owned it have never been turned away at any park and fortunately have never had to go to an RV repair shop. A truck repair shop once and they repaired the rear differential the same day. I can fix almost anything when I’m at my sticks and bricks.
Yes in tombstone Arizona, of all places, the owner would not accept my 1989 Fleetwood Southwind that has 19,650 original miles and in perfect exterior condition. Runs great too. 6 new tires and clean rims. Newly sealed roof all white. New awning. No cracked windows no duct tape any where. Another park not too far away welcomed me at a little higher rate.
Can’t believe how picky some parks are.
Almost all R.V parks in Northern California won’t let you in. I had to lie a little. Told them I have a Retro. Lol. A classic .
Our reservation was denied by one “resort” in Carson City NV this past June. Two more in Reno stated the same rule. The staff member that I spoke with in Carson City explained the parks insurance carrier made that rule. She didn’t know anymore than that. We did find a spot in Carson City for the 5 days we needed.
I have also heard that the age rules were derived from safety changes made in the RV industry. I’ve asked for chapter & verse references but no one has come forward to explain.
In our 6ish years of being FT in our DPMH we have seen several rigs of questionable construction & origin. I support a camp owners right to refuse service to a rig that is falling apart as it rolls down the road.
Lastly, the age limit rule causes me to ask “do we really want to stay in such a snooty park?” Our coach is a 2004 Bounder 38N. No cardboard covering the windows, no window A/C unit propped up with a 2×4.
Good luck with the survey. Please publish as soon as possible.
I wonder when they will start asking the age of the occupants of the RV ? After all, there are “no children” campgrounds.
not only is the age of the RV, but also my age has been an issue too…age discrimination on both fronts wth? and of all places in Arizona! apparently not been 55+ disqualifies one from rv resorts in Phoenix for the most part, but did find one that wasn’t after sending emails to several locations around town.
I live in KY and have done all of my camping here. Mainly state and federal campgrounds. This past year i was looking for an annual lease to set up in. I encountered one park that asked the age of my camper but also said they really went by looks, they didn’t want uncared for units.
Yes. Every inquiry I have made for a monthly spot in the last month has been refused based on ten years or newer.
A few have said they would consider if I sent pics all the way around inside and out. I am not going to do this. This is going way way over the line. This has maxxed the line in fact.
Now, reviewers below commenting on they have never heard of this when making reservations, how many of them are making a reservation for a month or more?
I have been told by most of these places, this rule in place for month or more stays, not day week stays. From the horses mouth, these are “the guidelines”. From who are these “guidelines” ? I dont know. I didnt ask . Because it doesnt matter they are enforcing these things so thats that.
If indeed some nepharious measure is being implemented nationwide (I have read state campgrounds are also implementing this) then I would say the goal is to force peoples hand in getting rid of their current rigs paid for or not.
Happens all the time. I’m in a 1889 totally updated and refurbished class c motorhome. Please give me a link to post pictures.
We have been asked age Of our coach in Carson City Nev.
Our coach is a ,1992 and is in great condition. We were told no at first then because we had stayed there the past five Years they let us stay but Said they would have to Inspect our coach when we came in. Which they came out and looked but didn’t go inside. I can see when we are able to start traveling again this Will be a problem from the letters I have read here. Our coach is 43 ft long and no one believes it’s this Old.