Private RV Property versus Resorts and Campgrounds

 

RVing is a lifestyle choice, and there are a lot of alternative approaches. We’ve been RVers since 2013 and we have tried them all. In recent years we have noticed some significant changes.  There are romantic notions about the RVing lifestyle.  Many are exaggerated. 

We have observed a lot of changes in the most recent 10 years.  Our advice is to be resilient and be aware that one gets what one pays for.  Although it is not a subject in this post, our conversations with RVers indicates that getting repairs done in a reasonable time is becoming more difficult.

What RVers are discovering about camping is a lack of available sites, and RV camping site prices are increasing. The days when one could drive up to a campground and get a site are over.

There are a number of reasons for this. One is the popularity of RVing. Today, there are more RVs than all of the campsites in the US, combined. The CCP Covid-19 virus altered the behavior of RVers. RV campsite fees are increasing making nightly stays more costly. KOA for one is making modest site improvements and charging significantly higher fees. Finally, high gasoline and diesel prices contributed to a tendency to stay in one location for longer periods.

In 2013 when we decided we would become RVers and took our first steps, I told G that in the near future, the carefree days of camping would be history. And so it is.

There are several ways to deal with finding campsites. First, always make reservations as far ahead as possible. Second, go for longer stays in a specific location and use it as a base for local exploring. By local, I mean a radius of 400 miles or so, although more distant excursions are possible. Another possibility is to purchase land and equip it for the RV. There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach.

The boom in RVing has had negative consequences. Today we encounter more complainers, RVers who prefer to walk through our campsite, allow their dogs to defecate everywhere and anywhere including at our site, and groups of roaming children who like to inspect other sites and get into mischief. Campgrounds with good management which enforces the rules goes a long way to deal with this. Campgrounds and resorts with activities and specific activity areas also control this. Boredom is a motivator for mischief and bad conduct among adults and children.

Long term reservations at campgrounds

This sounds straightforward. But it isn’t. One can’t always predict where they will be a few weeks or months into the future. Furthermore, reservations may not be available. This is particularly so at popular State Parks, or during peak RV season. Weather too is a factor. Along the Florida coast and the gulf hurricanes are a reality. These make staying in specific areas chancy during specific times of the year. The destruction by storms results in the closure of resorts and campgrounds for long periods.

Longer Stays at campgrounds and resorts or owning property

Making the decision to stay in a location for longer periods has benefits. It reduces fuel costs, and wear and tear on vehicles. It can be more relaxing. It also reduces the cost per night for a stay. Resorts may have lots of activities. We’ve encountered more than a few RVers who are bored out of their minds. Staying at an active resort, in an area with a lot of amenities may be the best of all worlds. Camping and campfires, group activities, fine dining, museums, various entertainment, even nearby National Parks make for interesting living.

Alternately, one may choose to purchase land and create a personal RV site. This may be the least costly approach, boondocking aside. However, not everyone wants to live in the woods, distant from the benefits of civilization with minimal socializing. Furthermore, there are costs. There may be annual fees and to do this properly the site must be equipped with water, sewer and electricity.

Another approach is seasonal or annual stays at an established resort or campsite. This puts one closer to the “action” without being in the middle of it. This approach also allows one to escape to their site. However, one must be choosy about selecting the resort or campground. This approach is less costly than nightly stays, but may be more costly than owning improved land. One benefit is the ability to alter the site to one’s personal taste. Repeat annual leaseholders may be allowed to install decks, gazebos and so on. If circumstances change, one can leave. Resorts that permit significant improvements by leaseholders (concrete patios, shelters, sheds, improved utilities, etc.) frequently allow these amenities to be sold to the next tenant, so there is little financial risk.

Boondocking

This is a low-cost approach. However, there are costs involved and compromises. There are also risks. Crime is on the rise and it is foolish to pretend it occurs elsewhere. Longer term stays require access to water and dump stations. Some popular boondocking areas attract lots of RVers, vandwellers and car dwellers. As a consequence, there may be a support system. Trucks rent large water storage tanks and fill them periodically. But electricity is scarce, unless one has many kW of solar and batteries. Plan on frequent trips to a dump station and minimal AC in warmer areas.

Boondocking means there is no campsite host to keep the peace. One would think that there is a lot of space available which means adequate separation. That may not be so. Of course, one can always relocate.

Dealing with a lack of availability of sites

When we began planning our extended stay approach to RVing we decided to rent seasonally or annually at several locations. We purchased a Class B and used it to explore and find our “lily pads”. We did discuss land purchase, but decided against it for the present. We like to socialize, but on our terms.

In 2013 we began our quest. It was fun. We investigated “mega resorts” as well as smaller “mom and pop” managed campgrounds. We ultimately decided upon two locations, one of each type, to establish our lily pads.  Each was chosen because of location and nearby amenities. 

Mom and Pop campgrounds

These are smaller campgrounds usually with minimal amenities. The owners live on site in a house or RV. The campground will have a bathhouse and some will have an activity room or building. There may be a couple of cabins for rent. In northern areas these usually close for the winter.

We decided it was best to stay at campgrounds which do not allow tents. For our summer season we also decided we wanted to select a campground with a healthy percentage of seasonal campers and which close during the off-season.

Smaller campgrounds are not necessarily managed better than the larger ones, and the owners may be inclined to avoid conflict between campers. That makes stays "interesting". 

The benefits include more of a community feel. Seasonal RVers do understand campground etiquette and will follow the rules. Many live at the campground for the entire season and then close up their RV at the end of season, leaving the RV in place during the winter off-season. They will add decks, gazebos and shelters to make their site more comfortable. There is a sense of ownership. There is also stability, as many sites are set up this way, and the seasonal campers return year after year.

Fees are determined by location. Popular locations, within a few hours' drive of major metropolitan centers are more costly. Access to lakes, etc. also drive up the costs.

Our experience has been to plan for 5% annual fee increases.

Preparing the summer campsite for winter

Resorts and Mega-Resorts

These are very large campgrounds open all year. They offer short-term as well as seasonal and annual rates. If one chooses an annual, repeat lease, it may be possible to make site improvements to one’s taste. However, this varies from resort to resort. Improvements may include shelters, concrete patios, buildings with residential washer-dryer and so on.

Mega-Resort Improved Site

Mega-resorts may have an on-site bar and restaurant. There may be a lot of activities in-season including a chapel, ballroom for entertainment and so on. Multiple swimming pools, tennis, pickle ball and all sorts of workshops and group activities may be available. However, these are usually managed and staffed by volunteers. If people don’t volunteer, the party stops. There may be modest fees and costs of materials, too.

Mega-resorts may have tiny homes available for purchase or to rent. These “park models” are about 400 square feet but may be larger. This is a popular option for retirees. The cost of purchase of a used model may be low, and annual fees manageable. Some resorts are HUD age qualified, which means 80% of the full-time residents may be 55 or older. Resorts built decades ago may have a very large percentage of elderly. The reality is, this is much less costly than assisted living and that is a financial attraction. It may be a turn-off for younger RVers.

In such resorts children and the elderly may not mix well. Management controls pool hours and access, etc. to keep everyone happy.

As for fees, these too will increase annually and there are rules and regulations. An RVer with an annual lease will sign a contract which is a legal document and can be quite elaborate. Aging infrastructure increases maintenance costs and that leads to increasing fees and breakdowns that can interrupt an otherwise pleasant stay.

In recent years we have noticed the mega resort we stay at is off-loading as much as possible to sub-contractors. There are fewer maintenance employees, and more contractors are utilized. This may limit the costs for the resort owner while guaranteeing revenue. There are draw-backs. Contractors are not necessarily less costly and must be coordinated and managed. There may be a tendency to use a "cash-flow" approach to repairs, which extends them by days, weeks and in some cases, by months. When an issue occurs, the contractor who is an off-site business, may not be available. Running a resort restaurant has been difficult during CCP Covid-19 and the aftermath. When a resort owns and manages an on-site restaurant it can absorb the temporary losses at the restaurant. A small establishment may not be so lucky after paying the lease, overhead and staff. A resort we stay at handled this by off-loading the entire management of the restaurant and bar to a subcontractor.  

The resort has also been turning over other costs to the residents. This may include the responsibility for pool maintenance, weekly trash pickup, etc. Normally water is included and electricity separately metered and billed for each site. But this is changing, too.

(c) N. Retzke 2022