Ruined Vacations Due To 10-Year RV Rule

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Lakes. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Next year will mark ten years since I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R. 

That's when I may face the notorious "ten-year rule" of some RV parks. I'm not concerned about it as my motorhome is in good shape and it is kept in a garage to protect it from the elements.

This is the topic of an article by MSN.

It begins with:

RV owners risk having their summer vacation ruined this year due to a rule that prevents RVs over 10 years old from parking in certain US parks.

Travelers who have had their vehicles for a while might want to do their research before they head out on a family adventure, as they may be denied a reservation.

Oftentimes safety issues are cited as the reason for the rule. Older vehicles can have a higher potential to develop problems such as leaks and electrical issues.

Some park managers are also trying to avoid their sites looking run down due to a build-up of older RVs, meaning the issue of aesthetics also comes into play.

To read the full article, go here. 

Avoiding The RV 10-Year Rule

Above, Cousin Eddie's RV from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

My motorhome will be 10 years old next year. So the following may become an issue then. But I am not worried about it as it is in great shape.

It us the "ten-year rule" that some RV parks and campgrounds impose to keep out junker RVs (like Cousin Eddie's in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation). 

RV Travel has an article on how one with an older RV can avoid the rule.

They begin it with:

The video below from the team at Drivin’ and Vibin’ discusses a heated topic among RVers, the 10-year rule. Many parks have a rule that RVs staying there must be under 10 years old.

While we can all understand the sentiment behind the rule is to keep out junker RVs, it remains unpopular because there are many, many well-kept RVs that are older than 10 years. To say nothing of the meticulously restored decades-old RVs still on the road, like the ones our hosts live in.

If you own an RV older than 10 years and have tried to make a reservation at one of the parks, you know what a hassle it can be. So the video was produced to help others in that situation.

To be sure, our host avoids these parks whenever possible because the 10-year rule just rubs him wrong. But there are instances where you don’t have a choice.

To read more, go here. 

Avoid RV Park 10-Year Rule

Since I have been RVing, I have heard of the "ten-year" rule that some RV parks impose. 

This is the rule that RVs older than ten years are not allowed. Mainly, from what I've heard, this is so that eyesore RVs (of the Cousin Eddie of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation variety) don't blight RV parks. But, according to an article in NewsBreak, there are safety reasons as well.

They begin with:

RV owners risk having their summer vacation ruined this year due to a rule that prevents RVs over 10 years old from parking in certain US parks.

Travelers who have had their vehicles for a while might want to do their research before they head out on a family adventure, as they may be denied a reservation.

Oftentimes safety issues are cited as the reason for the rule. Older vehicles can have a higher potential to develop problems such as leaks and electrical issues.

Some park managers are also trying to avoid their sites looking run down due to a build-up of older RVs, meaning the issue of aesthetics also comes into play.

One owner of a 21-year-old Pace Arrow RV fell victim to the new measures after he tried to book a long-term space at the Vancouver Mall RV Park but was refused, the Columbian reported.

The site said his RV was too old and only those 10 years or newer, were allowed to stay more than 30 days. It’s the same story across the US with many parks having the same restrictions.

The good news is rules vary from state to state and there are many parks that will bend the rule. There are ways drivers can make changes to their older RV so they can gain entry. In any case, here is how to avoid it.

 To read more, go here. 

10-Year Rule Is Rare At RV Parks, But Watch Out

Above, this RV is likely to be over ten years old. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I've heard of the 10-year rule of some private campgrounds, but never seen it for myself (my motorhome is now seven years old).

I've heard that some campgrounds employ this rule to keep out eyesore "Cousin Eddie" recreational vehicles as seen in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. There may be more to it than that.

RV Travel says this rule is rare, but with the boom in RV sales, they also say "stay tuned".

They begin an article on this with:

The “10-Year Rule” in the camping business is something that experienced RVers love to debate but likely have seldom, if ever, experienced in their own travels.

Rules that ban RVs with more than 10 or 15 years of “experience” are the Bigfoot of camping. You likely haven’t run into a park that enforces those rules, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.

Most RVers assume the reason for the 10-Year Rule at any park has to do with a big dose of snobbery. Park owners assume those folks in the brand-new $500,000 rig won’t want to rub shoulders with the common folks rolling in with their “vintage” Winnebagos and Shasta trailers.

To read more, go here.