trouble making campground reservation

[Woodbutcher]

When checking in or making a reservation, some CG's don't know or have a classification for a teardrop. It's not a popup not a travel trailer, so my friend Jerry says that it's a hard sided tent. I have mentioned that a couple times and got a tent rate, because they need to plug something into the computer. If you think about it we take up less space then some tents with no foot print in the site.

[Vedette]

Good Thought!
Brian

[Socal Tom]

I found this

http://www.calarvc.com/resources-links-parkmodels.html
It’s Your Responsibility that RVs in your park comply with ANSI Guidelines

Every trailer, motorhome, tent trailer, 5th wheel, or park model/park trailer that is occupied in your park, must comply with ANSI A119.2 or A119.5. California Health & Safety Code 18871.5 states, “(a) No recreational vehicle within a park shall be rented or leased unless it bears a label, an insignia, or an insignia of approval required by Section 18027.3. (b) A recreational vehicle that does not bear a label, an insignia, or an insignia of approval, as required by subdivision (f) or (g) of Section 18027.3, may not occupy any lot in a park unless the vehicle owner provides reasonable proof of compliance with ANSI Standard No. A119.2 or A119.5 depending upon whether it is a recreational vehicle or park trailer. A department label or insignia shall constitute one form of reasonable proof of compliance with ANSI standards. This subdivision does not apply to a recreational vehicle occupying a lot in a special occupancy park on December 31, 1998, unless the vehicle is moved to a different park on or after January 1, 1999.”

[Shadow Catcher]

Well Tom that is interesting. Here is the NHTSA requirement for trailers http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CCIQFjABOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhtsa.gov%2Fcars%2Frules%2Fmaninfo%2Ftrailer002.pdf&ei=Car_VJFupbWxBKP7gugO&usg=AFQjCNHa2kbzwqaY9Kzf68lXU1VJh72i7w&bvm=bv.87611401,d.cWc&cad=rja What do you bet the RVIA tag lists the two ANSI standards. ANSI standards are at times 'influenced' by the industry!

[Socal Tom]

The only info I got from those regs was how to create a VIN number for a trailer.

From what I found, all RV parks ( at least in CA) should be checking for the RVIA inspection sticker.
I found this list of standards ( probably a summary)

Code: Select all

Standards
The RVIA Standards Department serves as administrator of the RVIA inspection program based on the adopted standards for construction of recreational & conversion vehicles and Recreational Park Trailers.  The Standards Department has maintained as its primary goal the enhancement of safety through the monitoring of the member manufacturer's pledge to build units to these adopted standards.   In addition, in an effort to promote and protect the RV industry and its members the Standards Department is committed to providing educational opportunities and training tools for the member manufacturers to utilize in order to meet the Association goals.
Within this section are numerous categories that provide additional information on technical bulletins, adopted standards, code and handbook enforcement making process, training documents and related educational seminars.
RVIA organizes standards in the following way:
12-Volt Electrical Requirements as specified by ANSI/RVIA LV Low Voltage System Standard.
Addresses the interfacing of the original chassis manufacturer and the RV manufacturer designs so as to be compatible.
Overcurrent protection tables and conductor (wire) sizing and protection criteria.
Requires listed lighting fixtures and other devices and appliances to be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s written instructions.
120-Volt Electrical Requirements as specified in Article 551 and other applicable sections of NFPA 70, of the National Electrical Code.
Ground fault protected receptacles are specified where they are appropriate.
Only listed electrical fixtures, appliances, equipment and materials that have been labeled by nationally recognized testing agencies are allowed.
Dielectric tests are performed on the completed Recreation Vehicle to determine that the electrical system is installed correctly.
Fuel Systems and Equipment as specified in ANSI/NFPA 1192 Standard on RV’s.
Venting requirements for propane appliances are specified where necessary.
Propane piping sizes are required to ensure a propane supply that provides for proper appliance performance.
Over fill protection devices (OPD) are required on all installed propane containers.
Propane line routing and accessibility - all joints in propane lines must be accessible for periodic leak testing and repair. Lines may not be installed in spaces where a nail or screw could pierce the line.
Fuel burning appliances must be listed for RV use and labeled by a nationally recognized testing agency that has found the product to be suitable for its intended use.
Sealed combustion and direct venting to the outside is required for all propane appliances, except for gas ranges, to provide for a complete separation of the combustion chamber from the interior atmosphere.
Each propane system must be tested upon final assembly to determine proper leak-free performance.
Fire & Life Safety Requirements as specified in NFPA 1192 Standard for RVs.
Interior finish flame spread limitations are required.
Minimum exit facilities providing unobstructed travel to the outside of the vehicle must be available.
Smoke alarms, Fire extinguishers, CO alarms and Propane detectors are mandate based on applicable criteria.
Plumbing Systems as specified in ANSI/NFPA 1192 Standard for RVs.
Only listed plumbing devices, fixtures and appliances that have been labeled by nationally recognized testing agencies are allowed.
Water distribution systems are sized to provide adequate flow rate and designed to prevent backflow contamination.
Fixtures with traps and vents must be provided to protect against siphonage and back pressure.
Vents to release gases from any waste holding tank must be provided.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as specified in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 Part 571.

Honestly, the standard probably make sense, even for a homebuilt. However, I haven't found a way to legally get an RVIA inspection sticker without being a manufacturer.
Tom

[Backroads4me]

Wow, it never occurred to Bob and me that we could possibly be shunned like some no account drifters---due to not having that pretty golden RVIA sticker! This is the manufacturing documentation from the builder, and what we showed the Wisconsin DMV (for our not required, but I got it tagged anyway plates), and our insurance agent (it wasn't leaving our driveway without insurance). I covered up identifying info. before scanning.



The state parks we have stayed in (Gov. Dodge, Wyalusing, Copper Falls, Perrot, Hartman, Koehler Andrea) only ask for the license plate number of the tow vehicle. Apparently the Castle Rock county park doesn't have any problems with the 100+ teardrops of every style, home or manufacturer built that show up for the annual Camp Inn sponsored gathering. We've only stayed at one fancy RV style park "with all the amenities", Indian Trails just east of Portage, but that's were TCTeardrops has it's annual gathering and provides a couple of their teardrops there for rental.

I can see where having safety requirements and manufacturing codes for RVs are a good thing,---considering all the electrical, plumbing, heating and everything including the kitchen sink crap these big rigs carry. Okey dokey, but there's no yearly inspections after the sale??? Just like in a lot of mobile home parks, there could be rigs in these fancy RV parks that have been repaired or retrofitted by owners or people who don't have any clue as to what they're doing. You have no way of knowing whether the home or RV you're living or parked next to isn't going to someday erupt into flames or explode due to no or shoddy maintenance? If the paperwork I have, and a quick visual inspection is not going to be adequate for the park owner's sensibilities, or granted, their insurance policies----I don't need to stay there. As other posters have mentioned, it would be nice if there was a notice on their website or advertising that the little RVIA sticker is required.

Oh, and keeping us small guys out due to the possibility we may be followed in by the "there goes the neighborhood" drifters or riff-raff----we saw one big trailer parked at a state park, with so much stuff thrown around their campsite, including two barking dogs, towels and clothes thrown over every tree branch, garbage, toys, etc., etc.----it looked like a junk yard. A large passel of children running around/screaming at the top of their lungs, mom yelling for them every five minutes. It was in the electric site portion of the campground, don't know how long they had been there, or how long it took someone to complain or take notice. We sure as hell wouldn't have stayed 5 minutes next to that loud, messy bunch, wonder if they had their RVIA sticker though?