By Chuck Woodbury
FOUNDER AND PUBLISHER
I have been RVing as a writer, editor and publisher for more than 4 decades. For 10 years, in 1980s and ’90s, I was the subject of several hundred media interviews because of my unusual occupation — traveling the American West in a motorhome while publishing a quarterly “on the road newspaper” about what I found along the way. I called it Out West. A handful of subscribers have stuck with me through the years as readers of RVtravel.com.
One question that came up frequently back in the Out West years was from both the media and my readers who asked “Are campgrounds safe?” Most were referring to RV parks, not public campgrounds. I remember always replying, with barely a moment’s thought, “Yes, very safe.” Even then I kept a close eye on camping and RV industry news as well as crime reports in newspapers across the country. I almost never saw anything about crimes at RV parks. It’s different today, where trouble in parks is reported daily.
If the questions to me back then were about “trailer parks,” I would have answered far differently. “Trailer parks” or “mobile home parks” were often home to people who could not afford traditional housing. It was too often the only housing option for having a roof over one’s head. The same can be said today about an increasing number of RV parks. You have likely seen such places. I certainly have.
What is happening today is that many of the RV parks of yesteryear, where guests mostly visited on brief vacations, have now become permanent homes of financially strapped persons. I’d go so far as to say some of the parks are slums. Of course, to be clear, most RV parks are still fine places that cater to RVing tourists.
Trouble in paradise
Last February, we asked RVtravel.com readers if they had ever called the police because of an incident in their campground or RV park. More than 1,300 readers responded: 10 percent reported they had called the police at least once.
In another poll, just last month, we asked readers “What percent of all U.S. RV parks are too undesirable to stay in?” Of the more than 1,000 readers who responded, only four percent estimated that “all” were okay. Almost a third reported that 30 to 50 percent of RV parks were unacceptable. “Regardless of how glossy the brochure, the amenities list or the family/pet/big rig friendly label, they’re all just trailer parks with a variable turnover rate, even those that stick the word, ‘resort’ at the end of their name,” one reader commented.
RVs today are far more luxurious than mobile homes of the late 20th century. For many people, rich or poor, an RV is an appealing place to call home. For those well off, RV resorts with pools, tennis and pickleball courts, cocktail hours and social activities are highly desirable. But for the poor, a rundown RV park with cheap rent is the only option besides the street. I have stumbled upon these places in my travels, often after reading an encouraging review. I almost always stumbled out just as fast.
My advice to RVers who ask me for advice about good places to stay with their RV is to “rule out all parks that allow year-round occupancy.” My guess is that would eliminate 90 percent of the undesirable and occasionally unsafe places to stay.
Do you agree with me? Whether yes or no or maybe, would you please leave a comment?
##RVT1165
As a travel nurse who lives in an RV with my husband, I’d have to disagree. We stay exclusively in places that allow for at least a 3 1/2 month stay. We’ve been doing it for 3 years and have yet to have any trouble. The parks are friendly and clean. Some were too crowded but most were quiet, great places to stay.
I totally agree, some parks are good and keep long term people and works all together but not all.
I wonder just how many people who consider themselves full timers also have homes to return to. Before we started our journey about 5 years ago, we had sold our house to our daughter then moved into an apartment. DH retired from his job and we decided to become full timers and hit the road – no house – no apartment. Little did we know that the housing market would become what it is today. Perhaps this why people are becoming long term residents at campgrounds because they can’t afford anything else.
I concur…it took no time at all for incessant greed to permeate people’s minds. Why does a 50-70 year old house cost $300,000 now when 10 years ago it was $120,000?
Because that is what the market will bear…???
Ummmm…. policy driven inflation?
and that dreaded supply and demand. Inflation has driven EVERYTHING up. Demonizing hard working people who are motivated to self reliance and supporting more people not working by choice vs the working population is going to cause misery across the country.
Don’t forget that in the 80s my house with many houses in the USA were considered to be “under water” because house values dropped to less than the loan. Housing markets do fluctuate over the time of ownership.
Totally agree that park safety is not what it was in the 80s and 90s … but nothing is the same as 30-40 years ago. In Florida, ruling out a park because it allows year-round occupancy severely limits your options. For many senior citizens it’s the best or only place they can afford to live and they are not making RV living unsafe. I suggest reading Yelp or Travel Advisor reviews would give travelers a good idea of safety and condition of parks they want to visit.
I have found that most RV parks that allow long term residence are fine. It mainly depends on the location.
WOW! First observation: Why are all the reports about long-term RV’s parked along roads & streets out west? Why not in the east? Second observation: ALL. And I do mean ALL the
RV parks with full-time residents we’ve stayed at in the SE I would consider 100% safe. Third: We have heard of one (1) shady RV park in FL that a couple said had “questionable full-timers”. There are most likely more but we really don’t hear about them from the other RVers. So is this primarily a western US problem? If so, why? Now we do use RV reviews to determine where we stay. Fourth observation: Of all the photos from reviewers of Full-time RV parks in the SE show clean, well maintained parks.
When somebody doesn’t pay their rent the apartment owner must go through a lengthy process but can eventually evict a renter. When that same person rents an RV spot, doesn’t pay rent, the rig deteriorate and the RV spot becomes littered with junk it is a far more difficult and expensive process to get rid of the now blighted area. We have found that park managers even have a difficult time finding a tow company willing to tow a broken down RV. We have been unable to store our RV in some out of state places for this same reason. I believe this is also the impetuous behind the “10 year rule”. I would like to hear from RV park owners
We operated a seasonal only park for 60+ years in a northern state with heavy winter snowfall and only a mid May to mid October occupancy. 95% of campers were from out of state. The small claims court procedure for non-payment recovery require it to filed in the defendant’s state of residency, making it basically a non option for balanced recovery. We implemented the ten year rule 50 years ago on incoming RV’s because lacking winter maintenance resulted in collapsed roofs from unshoveled snow loads on roofs – sometimes for deliberate insurance claims. If the unit is then abandoned, it requires an abandoned property procedure for removal at campground costs with minimal recovery reality.
We are finishing a 44 day jaunt from Kentucky, to Newfoundland, the New England states, and then to PA, OH, and then home. In this time, we noticed a couple that were awful, and a few that were difficult to maneuver, and a few more that were populated by seasonal campers. Those were occasionally borderline, because of the accumulation of stuff around the sites, but also the atmosphere. The one that was the worst had potholes throughout, accompanied by worn signs telling us that if we raised dust, we were going too fast…and the grounds were very unkempt. However, the scenery was spectacular, the owners were so very kind, and we concluded that they were tired, and unable to do the maintenance.
Like any business to keep all the amenities up and bad behavior out takes time, effort and money. It is not a build it or buy it business.
We have stayed at many RV parks that allow full time renting, even some KOA’s now have monthly rentals. Most were very fine parks, with pools & laundry facilities. All have had offices & staff at the park. Stay away from parks without on site offices.
Since my divorce over 8 years ago, I have been FT because it’s all I can afford. My RV will be paid off next year. My RV park was privately owned for the first 4 years, then a company out of state bought it. The weeds got high before the new company hired groundskeepers, and it did look like a slum during the covid camping craze. But I never felt it was dangerous here. It just looked bad for a while. Now the RV park is maintained and those families are gone and it’s back to the quiet, mostly empty RV park. I am thankful for that. But with the high housing prices of today, I honestly wonder why more people are not staying here FT. I am in Florida.
I totally disagree with your comments about ‘trailer parks’ and ‘mobile home parks’ of years ago being home to low income or people who could not afford afford traditional housing. When we got married in the 70’s, we moved to another state because of my job.
My new wife and I discussed renting an apartment. Then realized that all that rent money would be lost. We decided to buy a mobile home and move into a “trailer park”. It was not what you were describing. No run down homes or ‘poor’ people.
We lived there for 7 years until we finally found a house. We sold our ‘trailer’ for what we paid for it and used the money as a down payment on your house.
Sorry Chuck – based on personal experience I disagree with you. Don’t automatically put any RV park that has year-round residents in the unsafe category. Yes, I also know there are parks as you describe, and no I wouldn’t stay at one – at least not more than time to grab some shut eye and pull back out.
However, there are many very good and safe RV parks with FT residents. The FT residents tend to fall into two categories – FT RVers who often for health or age reasons, no longer want to travel; and workers who undertake longer term contract projects and bring their families with them. None are worried about paying their bills.
Less often you will find professional or skilled workers who took a new position locally, and know it will take a year or two to find the housing they want. In one recent park that included law enforcement. They see enough trouble at work and don’t want to deal with it after hours and want safe places for their families.
Thank you, Chuck! 🙂 I don’t have enough information, don’t travel enough to know how accurate your comments are. I do agree that eliminating campgrounds or parks accepting year-round guests probably makes it unlikely that one books several nights in an RV “slum,” but I don’t “know” this to be true. We tend to stay at Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds as well as those in state or regional parks. We have seen older RVs in these places, but they are all reasonably maintained. Thanks again, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I see lots of evidence of rv homelessness around where I live and they are just parking where they can for as long as they can and there’s no doubt finding a semi permanent place to park is a better option than that. I appreciate the input on checking private rv parks and their stay policies. That’s not something I would have thought of but we’re living in different times now.
Sound like judging a book by its cover.
Perhaps many gossip hounds should walk a mile in someone’s shoes who are in these unfortunate situations…instead of badmouthing them so much. For many folks in these situations…it was other greedy people who caused them to be there…mainly corporations. I know…I can hear the naysayers already…as I said…walk in their shoes for awhile …then come back and tell us more about it. I know these things because I have been down that trail before…but managed to crawl back up.
I completely agree with your sentiment JB. Understanding and compassion thru that understanding are two of the keys to happiness. The only thing I break from you on is the why. Life is NOT a zero sum game. When one does well, it rarely at the expense of others. When one does poorly, it is rarely someone else’s choices that made it happen.
Someone does not get poor because someone else got rich.
Middle income folks are just one medical crisis away from destitute.
I do not disagree Cee. My point was only that life is not a zero sum game.
Someone didn’t get poor in order for someone else to get rich. If someone gets half the pie compared to someone else’s small piece, bake another pie and get 2 small pieces of each, or 3 pies, or 4 pies. Pretty soon the plate looks like a 1/2 pie but is really 1/8 of 4 pies.
In the above comments, for context, greed implies someone had to get poor for someone else to get rich.
Hi proof, sometimes that’s true… sometimes it’s not.
Now I want to eat berry pie!!
Desert Storm only place in my young 68 did I feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Article suggest a level of paranoia but that might be just my take on article.
Some full time RVers don’t have another option. No judgement simply a fact.
I disagree to avoid RV parks with long term sites. I have stayed in two different ones twice a year on our way to and from our home state of Florida for the past 4 years. Both put them (seasonal/stationary) at the back of the park. They have strict rules about “stuff” outside your rig. The one lets them have small shed if needed which must meet the guidelines for the park policy.
We have stayed at RV parks that obviously needed some rules for the seasonal/stationary. I didn’t feel unsafe. It just wasn’t pretty. The only place I felt unsafe was a very crowded rest area which we left. They were some quarreling and disturbances going on. I turned around to return to my vehicle immediately.
We also avoid any stays at parks that have year-around occupancy. They are usually not clean or neat, and to us, that is a signal to stay away. People can be poor, but there’s no reason they can’t be clean and pick up after themselves. If they don’t have respect for themselves, would they respect our campsite?
It is unfair to generalize about RV parks/Resorts that have long term residents. I belong to a coop that is 100% fulltime and due to the nature of the ownership is more well kept than many parks. I have been in rundown parks with long term residents that were not well kept and did not feel unsafe, just unwelcome. I have been in places I would not choose to stay more than a couple of nights, mostly because they were unkempt not because they felt unsafe. I have encountered police activity in KOAs and other commercial parks and in big entertainment venues with rowdy campers. I was a witness and did not feel threatened. We have been on the road since 2001 between full and most time.
It’s absolutely fair to generalize about the nature of those long term parks. Just because you reside in one that you find acceptable doesn’t make it so that ‘generally’ that is not the case. It’s not always about you.
I’m sure there are many “nice” people living in “trailer parks”. I briefly stayed at a very lovely one in Brookings Oregon recently. Unfortunately, it is also indisputable that many or most of such places also harbor far more than the average number of losers, social dropouts, criminals, bums and “meth head” types. You simply cannot deny that. The second day at Brookings, the edgy-looking fellow with the big Rottweiler living F/T in the rig behind me was outside spray painting his AK47 machine gun in camo colors, I smiled at him…and left that afternoon for another park… just following my instinct. And no, I’m not a “liberal”.
“Life is hard…but it’s harder if you are stupid”
And if you walk a mile in my shoes, you’ve got my shoes, and you’re a mile away. Now what do I do?
Well, if it were me I would give them a pair of old shoes I didn’t want and then they would be a mile away so that would be a good thing. Then you phone them and tell them to keep the shoes and that you had to go out for a while.
We were staying a month at a resort in Savannah. Last night there we were shot at 5 times in the middle of the night. We heard the gun shots but just went back to sleep. Next day upon setting up at new location we noticed a bullet lodged in our steps and 4 more in our toy hauler back door. 2 bullets went thru the back door and were stopped by screen door. This was an expensive popular resort . Park did nothing until I pressed them to make police report. Bullets came from 2 story house behind the 8 foot fence we backed up too. Cost our insurance over $12,000 and put us on high risk insurance!!
They must really hate toy haulers. Too many rounds in the same place to be explained as random.
When anyone can have a gun, some of them are going to be crazy and start shooting. That’s just the reality of the USA.
Sgt. Hime’s four cardinal rules for conflict avoidance apply regarding campgrounds and everywhere else for that matter.
“Don’t do stupid things in stupid places at stupid times of the day with stupid people.”
Only YOU can maximize your personal safety ANYWHERE. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Thanks for that short and sweet piece of advice. That’s worthy of a wall-hanging.
Agree! You can’t fix stupid!
I totally agree with Chuck. Avoid “trailer parks” if you are using your rig to travel and explore; ie, as a true RV…”Recreational Vehicle”…..as opposed to being used as a static residential unit. You will then find camaraderie and have a completely different experience.
Unfortunately- such parks are getting rarer and rarer as way too many are seeking to maximize their revenue stream by becoming “trailer parks”. I’ve seen this same thing happening in yacht harbors, too…especially with the big powerboats. Most have become “floating condos” or “houseboats”….a place to live rather than ‘yachting”. And that changes everything as far as the “vibe’.
“My advice to RVers who ask me for advice about good places to stay with their RV is to “rule out all parks that allow year-round occupancy.” My guess is that would eliminate 90 percent of the undesirable and occasionally unsafe places to stay.”
I have to disagree chuck. We were Snowbirds and stayed in a RV Park in the southwest every year for 24 years. There were probably a dozen full time residents in the park we stayed at. There was never any crime or problems when we stayed. Never saw any riff raff or junky trailers or motor homes. Many of the parks in the area let residents stay fulltime if they wanted to.
Mel
You stayed in one RV park for 24 years! Seems your experience is severely lacking.
I just camped at the Lakeside RV Campground in Provo, Utah. There were many fulltime campers. Most of their RV’s were not rundown pieces of junk. I did see a couple of 5th wheels that were really old. Only a couple of sites had accumulated “junk” outside of the RV. I did not feel unsafe at all. I’ve started to inquire about theft/crime in a park in which I’m going to stay, however because I was only staying one night, and I had a new 5th wheel with practically nothing in it (i.e. chairs to sit outside, grill, etc.), I did not inquire about theft/crime.
When I spoke with the manager of an RV park in Las Vegas, NV I was told not to leave anything outside because the homeless would steal it.
And because crime is on the rise most everywhere, I try to only travel to States where I can protect myself. Twenty-seven States are now Constitutional Carry, meaning no license is required to carry a firearm either concealed or openly. Twice I have been to States (e.g. CA) where I’m the criminal if I carry a firearm. On both trips I was not armed, and I was approached by two individuals asking me for money and when I refused to give them any, they got irate and could have done bodily harm to me. I’ll spend my money in those twenty-seven States.
That’s why we stay away from California.
And I’ll stay in the other what I consider safer states where I don’t have to be terrorized watching possibly nut jobs walking around with AR-15s.
Your article on Park safety and the changing environment couldn’t be more truthful. Last spring while visiting family we stayed at very nice resort. Each morning, 45 kids walked down to take the school bus. It was as you said Chuck. The days of pulling up next to fun seniors is quickly fading.
Too bad there isn’t an App that could provide accurate police report data to assist in making campsite decisions. (Today’s million dollar idea for any young entrepreneurs here). In general, crime is correlated with economic and demographic statistics so as a rule I do not camp in any urban areas and as far away from any cities or state capitals. I don’t care about Why crime is happening, I care about Where it is happening as that is what I can control (to some extent). That said, societal behavior has not improved in the past 20 or so years and RVing imitates life.
When Hurricane Ian swept thru the West Coast of Florida FEMA mandatory law was no RV Park could exclude “FEMA Trailer” from being placed in the park. This practice has created a number of slums in what were very nice parks. FEMA will not enforce any rules so what you have are all the drug trafficking people run freely. Low class with dogs running freely and they either thumb their nose at you or try and fight if you call them out. Local police have their hands tied due to critical staffing shortages.
If an RV Park offers anything more than daily or weekly rates (i.e.: monthly or annual rates) it is a no go for me!
Good
We have found in past year that many, many overnight stops now are primarily seasonal or FT residents. Many of these parks are nice, with clean, well kept amenities.
However, when we have a choice of where to stay, we now choose a more costly park, all things being equal. If nothing else, choosing a higher price tag may make a difference in who is camping next door. It may make a difference, just a thought.
Lots of thoughtful comments. Personally have parked in all kinds of situations including among ancient trailers, ancient people and in a few high priced glamp camps. No serious issues and no gun play. Maybe campers would be more comfortable if parks were placed in separate legal categories. How about “Recreational Vehicle” parks and “Residential Vehicle” parks? Personally, I enjoy people from all walks of life. We all have stories to tell. So, why not put the pressure on park owners and managers to keep their parks clean and safe and weed out the bad apples?
Regarding Chuck’s quote “rule out all parks that allow year-round occupancy.” I feel that would rule out a number of fine places, for example: Escapees Co-Op parks, or places like Tucson’s Rincon Rv Parks, which are good examples of places with full timers and good places we like to stay at for shorter terms.
Agree to some extent but I’m not a big fan of the word always. We travel all summer, but over winter we stay at F O Y in southern California. There is a combination of short term, longer stays 3 to 4 months and people with permanent trailer which is their only residence. But there are rules and people follow them mostly except for occasional weekenders.
My husband and I spent two months traveling in our trailer this year. We traveled across country from California to Georgia and back again. We found no RV parks that didn’t have year around campers. We did not have any trouble at any of them. We found friendly people everywhere. Yes, a glossy brochure was misleading in some cases. We noticed many parks are offering tiny houses/cabins now and some for sale as a permanent residence. It could be a trend that won’t go away. I was sorry to see children being raised in trailers being picked up by school buses at the parks.
How do you know which parks allow year round occupancy? Do you ask when booking and get honest answers?
Depends on the park. If you were to look at my small RV parks website, you will not see it mentioned. I did that on purpose because I know full time RVers have a negative connation. It all comes down to the parks management & policy enforcements in terms of how safe and well maintained they are. But reviews provide great information. Google is fairly accurate in my opinion. PS. If you were to call me & ask, I’d definitely tell you the truth though. I just don’t want the park to be immediately discounted because I need some long-term sites to help when periods are slow. Wendy Oaks RV Resort (I inherited it from my sister, Wendy) 🙂
I’m the owner of Branson Shenanigans RV Park in Branson, MO. We’re a small, family owned and operated park of 30 sites. Our customer base is 100% tourist. Rarely is anybody here longer than a week. We get calls all the time asking what our monthly rate is, we don’t have one. I want to be an RV park, not a trailer park. I don’t want people living here.
Love this article. Perhaps standardized language would help by using RV and trailer & mobile home not so interchangeably and primitive to resort with some designations in the middle to help truly define the location. So tired of camping where full time residents live and really wonder if counties or states need to participate more.
Living in Florida I understand there are only 3 counties that allow you to place an active RV site on your own property yet places pop up in our campsite searches & not what we want either
Getting ready to travel & will now be asking every campground if they allow year round residents so thanx for the tip
Hi!! Please review my comment above (M Wagner) before you discount us in general. Reviews – especially google – is very informative in terms of safe, clean RV parks. For small RV parks, it truly comes down to management and the efforts they make. 🙂 If you’re ever en route to south FL & AL through MS, check us out on our website & google reviews – Wendy Oaks RV Resort 🙂
It seems this article is alleging that financially challenged people are undesirables or criminals. There is a housing crisis in this country, especially for the working poor.
We are full-timers, but we generally spend winters in and around the resorts in Mesa and Apache Junction. Often, we are given a space among the residential park models, however, several resorts separate their RV spaces from their residentials. In our experience all the folks we have met (residential or RV) have been outgoing, friendly and have no issue with us sharing the amenities. We have yet to feel unsafe.
I have spent the last 15 years as a defense contractor living out of an RV. Most of the time I stay in DoD Rv parks on base which have been very good experiences. Spent some time in mobile home parks as well. The best thing I always did is become a good neighbor and I never had any problems.
I definitely have noticed too many undesirable type in campgrounds the last few years. Fort Stevens seemed like it was a homeless camp.
So sad to refer to a group of people (homeless, displaced, etc.) as “undesirable types”. They might be exactly who ya need to vacation next to. Gain some perspective and be that much more grateful for what ya have. Maybe have some conversations and find out the folks are desirable, and likely in the situation they’re in for far more complex reasons that “undesirable type” captures.
I (single retired guy) don’t travel to do sociological studies. I travel to enjoy myself and see America.
My “RV” is a 1994 Astro van with a bed and a kitchen. I’m very non-materialist, happy with what I have. I’ve met many other campers, great people, with old VW vans and similar. Not every financially-strapped camper is “undesirable” – not at all. But some are – I’ve experienced them.
If you want to “gain some perspective” by camping next to people who are noisy, stealing, letting their scary dogs run at large, doing and selling drugs – help yourself. You can have my spot.
Totally agree. Rver for 40 plus years also. Looked forward to snowbirding at retirement only to realize that fellow rvers ( full timers) were mostly young to middle age folks who couldn’t afford homes. An RV and living in a park or boondocking was cheaper.
I’m one of those “full timers” living full-time in an RV Park. I’m not doing it because I’m destitute. Hell, all my neighbors work. I’m the odd one out in that I’m retired.
Sold my house and got rid of all my sh#t last year and bought a truck and a 5th wheel.
My original plan was to travel the country, at least west of the Mississippi. But when I came to New Mexico I fell in love and didn’t want to leave.
I’m living in an RV ful time because if I get tired of New Mexico and want to pack up and head north to Colorado I can do that in about an hour.
Being anchored to a house or a lease for an apartment just doesn’t appeal to me any more.
We stay annually at 4 different RV parks that allow full time residents. These parks are all very safe, clean, well kept. There are others that I would not stay at. It just depends upon the management and/or ownership of the individual park.
I definitely disagree w/ you in terms of staying completely away from parks that allow long-term stays. I own a small 38-site RV park in MS. 19 sites are “monthly” sites & 19 are “overnight/weekly”. Campers would be shocked to know how high my monthly expenses are. I need the “monthly” sites to help cover expenses during our slow periods. However, I work very hard to vet out potential undesirables & I have fairly strict rules/policies about site appearances & RV age. My advice – REVIEWS! When I inherited the park, Google was a 3.3. We’re now a 4.5. I have MANY return “overnight” campers because they feel safe here & the park is well maintained.
Yes!
Yes, I agree! We’ve been FT since March, mostly COE because of the short term stay limit. Have had a wonderful experience. But the year-round option is where problems can occur. The real thing that makes or breaks a park is the amount of money the long stay option requires; the lower that cost is the more risk there is for problems.
No one wants to feel unsafe when camping. Unfortunately greed is ruining our country and housing is unreasonably expensive. People who make good money still can’t afford traditional housing so we are seeing big changes in how people live. Many are desperate. RV parks and campgrounds have become places for people to live, not visit. I have had people ask me for food and money at campgrounds. It’s sad and getting worse.
Unfortunately I have to agree, if most of their clients live there year round. I had 2 experiences that have pushed me to that decision. N that’s sad. (Way too long to explain here, but I think others would agree as to why.)
ANOTHER reason I don’t stay in RV parks…permanent residents! Many in their loud, raised pickup trucks leaving for work before 6 am. Prime example, Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop, CA.
My suggestion is is read the reviews, but NOT those on the park site or their Facebook page – the park controls those responses. Find independent review sites and if you are still unsure, call the local police or sheriff’s department and ask them for help. They can be most helpful.
As we age (late 70s), we find it more difficult to move every 2 weeks, so have begun staying 2-3 months in private parks. Strangely enough, we had to call the law in three parks during our 13 years FT- twice in state parks and once in a national park – those were 10 + years ago. During covid we had to stay at a low-end trailer park 5 months and felt perfectly safe.
Go figure.
Folks have been splitting hairs on this a good long many years now. So really, the rv folks just need to divvy up the pie.
Folks on the “no full time campground riff raff full time workers for me” thing, need to declare their side, and move on down the road with those parks. It should rebrand itself as The Highly Exclusive I Got Mine RVrs Club in some way.
Could sell some “members only” cardigans.
Folks on the “It’s not really a big deal Just having a cool weekend with the fam” side, need to go their own way with their own parks. and maybe rebrand as The Kick Back Rvr’s Club. Could sell some replica Lollapalooza T’s with some orange slice.
Two distinctly different sets of expectations.