I need your help on Teardrop knowlege

[1jager]

Hello:
My name is greg I live in Illinois and I need some info or anything that will help.
First let me tell you I am new to the teardrop trailer ranks I am not an expert and will not pretend that i am,thats why I need your help, Here is my problem.

I was recently divorced Lost my travel trailer in the divorce, had an old snowmobile trailer hanging out so I decided No money to put a snow mobile on the trailer and not enought ot buy a new travel trailer, Oh but I could build a Teardrop on the trailer I already had so I did: It is registered as a Utility trailer but I guess that is how they do it in IL If Im wrong someone please tell me!!! . I have a camp site that I own in a place called Woodhaven lakes Resort in IL. I built the trailer and sleep in it and have for the last two summers, they now are telling me that it is a utility trailer being used to live in, I disagree its a teardrop travel trailer( home built) but still a travel trailer being used to sleep in on camping trips.
they have threatend to have it removed from my lot if I can not prove that it is not a utility trailer, I do not have any manufacturers reciepts because I built it myself, how do I prove what it is , and has anyone ever had anything like this happen to them, thank you and any help or guidance will be greatly appriciated, I originally built it out of desperation, but after spending time in it I love the teardrop and really dont want a big trailer anymore . 1jager out

[TheBizMan]

Any pictures of the teardrop?

[azmotoman]

In Arizona, our teardrop was registered as a utility trailer prior to becoming a teardrop. When we purchased and licensed it, they looked at it and reclassified it as a 'recreational vehicle' (for which we are now required to pay tax and licensing fees on every year as opposed to a lifetime license plate for utility trailers).

That said, you could sell it to a friend, have them register it as an RV and buy it back -OR- let the current registration expire and take it in for another inspection prior to getting registration and get it reclassed.

I don't know Illinois motor laws, but either of these might be the 'work-around' you can use.

Good luck to you.

[NCOretiredEd]

I don't know Illinois motor laws.

Good luck to you.

Take it from me, you don't want to know either or of any other socialist laws that exist here in Illinois, especially those in Crook County......IMO.

[bobhenry]

Hello:
I built the trailer and sleep in it and have for the last two summers, they now are telling me that it is a utility trailer being used to live in, I disagree its a teardrop travel trailer( home built) but still a travel trailer being used to sleep in on camping trips.
they have threatend to have it removed from my lot if I can not prove that it is not a utility trailer,

If "they" are the campground management it is quite obvious to me they don't want you lowering the standards in the neighborhood. They want the Class "C" motorhomes and the big rigs. Tell them to K.M.A. and find another campground.

[Classic Finn]

Give,em the link to the forum and tellem to look closely at the photos and galleries, maybe then they will understand what your trailer is and its purpose.

[1jager]

I will post some pictures omce I get home this evening it nothing special but it is the first thing I have ever built and dont really want to have to get rid of it

[CARS]

Hello:
I built the trailer and sleep in it and have for the last two summers, they now are telling me that it is a utility trailer being used to live in, I disagree its a teardrop travel trailer( home built) but still a travel trailer being used to sleep in on camping trips.
they have threatend to have it removed from my lot if I can not prove that it is not a utility trailer,

If "they" are the campground management it is quite obvious to me they don't want you lowering the standards in the neighborhood. They want the Class "C" motorhomes and the big rigs. Tell them to K.M.A. and find another campground.

That is who "they" sounds like to me. Why would the DMV care if it is parked in a private campground?

You might need the DMV to re-register it as a camper so you can stay.

[parnold]

From the above comments, a trip to motor vehicle may be in order. Explain to them that you took a utility trailer, and converted it to an RV/Camper, and would like to register it as such. See what they say.

Do you have a copy of the contract for the site that you own/rent? Perhaps some careful reading of that is also in order.

[Pottercounty]

Why the hell do they care what you're sleeping in?... Anyway, if the trailer is registered as a utility trailer then you are probably illegally sleeping in a Utility trailer. You used to have really nice bigger trailer on the lot but now you have just a tiny little trailer on the lot and the management probably are just being A-holes about the whole deal because they don't like the little trailer thing....

[Gage]

NEED PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it looks like a piece of cxxp, then I can see why they want it out BUT if it doesn't and it looks like a teardrop trailer, then show them some pictures of trailers from this forum to help prove it is what you say it is.

[nrody]

Read your contract and try and find out what their definition of "lived in" is. Most campgrounds have time limits for occupancy. If it is stored there and occasionally occupied within the occupancy time limits in your contract they may need clarification. are there permenant residents in the campground? If so I would consider their rigs "lived in".

[nrody]

I took a look at the campground rules & regulations. Take a look at article VII, Section 11 & 12 on page 8 and definations on page 12, utility trailer and rv.
I could not find anything that said what type of vehicle registration was an issue other than vehicles and trailers have to be properly licensed and registered. It did not specify types of registration allowed only that the vehicles be properly registered.
Also look at the definitions in the C&R's page 2 of 11 for RV and Travel Trailers.

Then provide them with the definition and nationally (and world wide) recognition of teardrop trailers. I think they will find their case hard to prove.
A teardrop trailer is a compact, lightweight, convenient travel trailer, which gets its name from its teardrop shape. Teardrop trailers first became popular in the 1930s and remained so until the mid 1970s, when they were supplanted by larger recreational trailers. As baby boomers begin to approach retirement, teardrop trailers have made a resurgence and are growing in popularity today. (references)(source Websters online dictonary)
http://www.woodhavenassociation.com/
http://www.woodhavenassociation.com/pro ... enants.pdf
http://www.woodhavenassociation.com/pro ... ations.pdf

Ask them to tell you what the particular violation is regarding your trailer and where to find it in the rules.

The only thing I found that may be an issue for you is if the teardrop is delapidated or in disrepair. That gives them the right to remove it.

Good luck

[Yota Bill]

the simple fact is, its a privately owned business, and you are not the owner. They can refuse service to anyone. They dont need to prove your trailer falls outside what they allow. Even if you do get them to leave you alone about the trailer, they will find other reasons to harass you, or possibly kick you out. They will probably cause you more headaches then its worth. If it were me, I would be looking for another campground, and show them the trailer, or at least pics of it, before agreeing to anything.

[CARS]

Ya, sure sounds like discrimination to me. That sucks.