When making reservations, how old of a coach is too old?

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Chi-Travels

Chi-Travels

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Nov 27, 2014
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Just tried to make a reservation for our first trip.  The RV park asked us the year of our MH and said the 1998 was too old and that the industry standard is 2000 and newer.  That seems hard to believe.  Has anyone ever had an issue with trying to book a reservation and was told their coach was too old?
 
There are some RV parks that place an age requirement on RV's.  We have not encountered such a restriction as it seems to be the exception rather than the rule, but I have heard of them. 
 
Yes, it is not what I would call common but it is not uncommon either.  Our previous coach, a 1991 Beaver Contessa, when we wanted to stay at the Outdoor Resort RV park in Las Vegas years ago, we had to send pictures of the coach before they would take/confirm out reservations.  They told me with the owned sites they have to uphold the shareholders wishes to keep old run down rigs out of the park.  I understood that as if I were in a $2M dollar Newell or Prevost sitting there I wouldn't necessarily want Cuzzin Eddy pulling in next to us.

However, once we sent them a couple of photographs we were welcomed in no problem, nor did we have any issue on any visit after that as they had us on record.

Portal RV in Moab has a very similar 10-years or newer policy in their south section, owners section, and since we have been going their regularly since the coach was only 4 years old, they allow us to continue using that section even though our coach is now past that ten year mark.

I have been asked about age from a few rv parks here and there but to be honest we have never been turned away.  There are some that simply won't stay an any place that has such a policy and I respect that position as well, it is just that some of the parks we enjoy visiting do have an age policy.

Mike.
 
You might want to read one of our previous discussions on age of motorhome.  See http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,76696.msg696227.html#msg696227

ArdraF
 
The notion of an "industry standard" age is laughable and your report is the first I've heard of a "2000 and newer" requirement. Ten years is probably the most widely used entrance requirement, but even that is not exactly widespread. Seems to be more common nearer metro areas or at high class parks in resort areas.
 
I have a now 22 year old rig, have been asked how old it is, have not yet been turned away. If you keep it looking sharp, with somewhat year appropriate paint and graphics, it's not considered old, it's considered vintage. People dig vintage.

Bill
 
It may help some of us with older rigs to know what park you are talking about. It's not a crime to list their name.
 
It is called Auburn Gold, an RV park near Auburn, CA.  Since the park is close to my brother's house which would be a convenient location for us, my wife called to discuss the issue and was told that they can make an exception.  Thanks to everyone for the comments. 
 
This is another artifact of our crazy laws and legal system. If the park looks at your rig and says "You can't bring that piece of junk in here", they can and almost surely will be accused of "discrimination" of some sort or another and have a difficult time defending their judgement. But they can legally make an arbitrary rule, e.g. no RVs over xx years old, and then use their judgement to grant exceptions and it's perfectly ok - no grounds for a lawsuit.
 
Gary RV Roamer said:
This is another artifact of our crazy laws and legal system. If the park looks at your rig and says "You can't bring that piece of junk in here", they can and almost surely will be accused of "discrimination" of some sort or another and have a difficult time defending their judgement. But they can legally make an arbitrary rule, e.g. no RVs over xx years old, and then use their judgement to grant exceptions and it's perfectly ok - no grounds for a lawsuit.
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That part makes perfect sense Gary, hadn't thought about the legality of it before.  I just figured they are a private business/private property and reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.  The legal implication makes perfect sense.

Mike.
 
The business can refuse service but they better have a really solid story if the customer alleges "discrimination" as the reason. It's very easy to file a discrimination complaint these days and the business is pretty much guilty until proven innocent if that happens. Very expensive and time consuming to defend.  Therefore a non-personal and easily demonstrated reason is a better choice for the business. They can still make an exception and appear to be a "good guy" by doing so.

Just one of many regulations and legalities a modern business has to contend with. We worked in campgrounds for several years and are friends with the owners of a couple places, so we have had a lot of first hand exposure to this sort of issue.
 
I visited an RV website the other day that said they had a "10-year rule," but what it really meant was that if your RV was more than 10 years old, they wanted to see a picture of it -- just to make sure it wasn't an obvious eyesore. So you might not encounter many issues if you keep your older RV looking as nice and clean as possible at all times (at least on the outside!).
 
jglass said:
I wouldn't care to stay at a park with a 10 year or newer rule anyway.
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Agreed.  I have no problem with them turning away rigs falling apart limping in on flat tires.  That could interfere with the other guests enjoyment of their stay.  But if it looks livable, able to be moved in and out of the park safely on it's own power, and otherwise will not affect other Rv'ers, to turn them away would be clear discrimination.  It's not my problem if you don't think my RV is pretty.  I acknowledge that there is a difference between unattractive and an eye-sore, but you don't have to have a $75,000+ rig to be acceptable.
 
Yea, Unfortunately there are many parks that have age restrictions here in Sunny Southern California. I think it is a shame because there are some very nice RV's that are older. Of course I have seen people with newer ones that have not been cared for and look like total hell as well. I think it is an unfair rule although I do understand the idea. A couple of the nicer parks in the Disneyland Area are pretty strict with these rules. Sometimes the rule will only apply if you are looking for long term too.  Good luck finding a good spot.  ;D
 
NannaBear said:
Yea, Unfortunately there are many parks that have age restrictions here in Sunny Southern California. I think it is a shame because there are some very nice RV's that are older. Of course I have seen people with newer ones that have not been cared for and look like total hell as well. I think it is an unfair rule although I do understand the idea. A couple of the nicer parks in the Disneyland Area are pretty strict with these rules. Sometimes the rule will only apply if you are looking for long term too.  Good luck finding a good spot.  ;D
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First off welcome to the forum, I just noticed that this was your first post.

Secondly, I don't know if any have been turned away with a "nicer" old rig, just that they would like to see the condition over that 10-year mark.  Maybe others who have been turned away can chime in but personally, I have never been turned away, only been asked to provide a picture of the 10+ year coach.  No big deal, I have shot them a picture and been able to make my reservations.  Only ran across it once so far with this coach but was just over the 10-year old mark this past year.  However, on our previous coach it was 16 years old when we had to provide proof of condition.  Again, I didn't think it was that big of a deal although I know some have stated they would NEVER stay at an rv park that required proof of condition or had a 10-year old ruling.  No problem, free market enterprise and we are all free to choose the campground/rv park of our liking.

Again, welcome to the forum.  Great people here.

Mike.
 
There is no industry standard as to age limits. And I have seen some gorgeous older motor homes where I'd be ashamed to park beside them because mine would look shabby in contrast...

I have a theory, one I have held since the age of this rig was measured in months, not years (As it is now).

IF they have to ask "How old is your rig" this means they need to limit their customers,  This is because they have way too much business and thus they need not my custom.. So I'll shop elsewhere.

I might add this applies to some other situations as well Such as a store that turns away a customer due to, for example, a physical disability.. If they do not need his or her business, they do not need mine thank you.
 
My rig is only 2.....decades old. Haven't been turned away yet, only been asked for a picture once. Was asked if there was any duct tape another time, I said well yes, holding the reflectix on the bedroom windows.

Bill
 
One thing that puzzles me about this rule is that it is usually the higher priced parks that do it. Methinks the kind of people--and less face it it is people--they are trying to dissuade wouldn't normally be paying their rates.

I live in Arizona, but very close to Laughlin, NV. In some, if not most, of the casinos you can park in their parking lot. The Riverside Casino, for instance, doesn't even ask you to register. Most of the people there stop overnight or so, and gamble or eat at the facility. But there are others who seem to barely make it into the parking lot and seemingly make it their home for as long as they can--even with laundry hanging to dry outside. I hate to be judgemental but some of the rigs look like they could be out of a bad movie or the show Breaking Bad. I admit to trying to park away from them, as bad as that sounds. (We usually only overnight so we can dance and party then only have to walk back "home.")




Michael
 
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