Question for cargo trailer owners who stay in campgrounds now and then

[Queen]

Been looking at travel trailers again, and just can't get past the price v build quality, much prefer the idea of a cargo trailer converted as we see fit.  However, I also know we'll be staying in a lot of campgrounds on our travels (not full time and want access to bathrooms/showers).  Anyone have experience with staying in campgrounds in a converted trailer?

I'm guessing fancy spaces like KOA's are out, but was wondering if places like state parks out West cared one way or the other??

 

[Almost There]

Been looking at travel trailers again, and just can't get past the price v build quality, much prefer the idea of a cargo trailer converted as we see fit.  However, I also know we'll be staying in a lot of campgrounds on our travels (not full time and want access to bathrooms/showers).  Anyone have experience with staying in campgrounds in a converted trailer?

I'm guessing fancy spaces like KOA's are out, but was wondering if places like state parks out West cared one way or the other??

It's usually only the privately owned parks that care about what you are using.

AFAIK there is nothing in any of the state parks regs that restrict what you camp in.

Where you run in to all kinds of rules and regulations is long term stay in privately owned parks where they put rules in place like age of trailer etc to prevent the campground from looking like a red neck trashy place. Since they are privately owned, they can do what they like. State parks OTOH are run by government bodies where putting rules in to force becomes a major decision making process so they don't.

I've only ever run in to one county park system that had a couple of stupid rules. One county in northern Florida has separate campgrounds for tenting and for RVs. I was traveling in a Montana and NOT sleeping in a tent so they wouldn't let me use the tent campground! Because I wasn't traveling in a fully self contained RV they wouldn't let me in the other campground either....silly, silly people. I moved on!

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm planning to build up a cargo trailer, also.  As far as I know, state, county, and municipal parks and campgrounds are NOT allowed to discriminate like that.  But I haven't personally put that to the test yet.

My suspicion is that most of the people here with cargo trailers probably boondock most of the time, and so may not know, either.

If you weren't aware of it, the Teardrops and Tiny Travel Trailers forum has an EXTREMELY active sub-forum devoted to Cargo Trailer Conversions:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=42

If I was you, I'd register over there and ask THEM.  You'll certainly get a much bigger sample than you will here.  And the build threads are awesome!

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I know some people have mentioned some places make you set up a tent if you're sleeping in your car or trailer. So people think you're just a tent camper. It's silly but if it gets you past the rules then so be it I always say. Rest just depends on the place. I've stayed at a half dozen KOA's in my van and trailer on my way to Sturgis a few times. Don't know if they relax the rules during the rally as tons campgrounds along the way were filled with bikes and trailers or if its more the norm when you leave the more restricted east coast.

 

[Queen]

I thought about the tent thing, just seems to silly to have to jump through hoops to sleep for the night, but silly seems to be the name of the RV industry game.

OP - thanks for the link.

 

[rvpopeye]

I've worked in lots of private campgrounds.
Nothing I can say covers them all.
Some do , some don't.
Some will , some won't.
Ask them all , no hard feelings !

 

[johnny b]

My plan will hopefully "look" enough like a camper as to not be questioned. I'll have a slider window on one side, RV side door with screen door and window on the other side, two propane tanks mounted at the front, mounted power inlet, MaxxAir vent, solar, and AC on the roof.
If 'asked' what it is....."a 2017 Proline Multi-Sport 12 Camper".
With Toy Haulers becoming more popular, seeing a camper or RV with a ramp rear door is much more common.
If refused service somewhere, I figure it's their loss....and they'd probably be too 'uptight' for my liking anyway.

 

[masterplumber]

I've been traveling with my cargo trailer for about 3 years now. Mostly I boondock, but have stayed in campgrounds maybe a half dozen times with no issues - all state and federal forest service campgrounds. I don't think KOAs would be a problem either - when our kids were young we stayed in them fairly often as they usually had a pool for the boys to burn off energy and showers to clean up said boys after a day of play. As others have said it will probably only be at private exclusive campgrounds that it will be an issue, and they usually charge more than you will want or need to pay anyway.

 

[Txjaybird]

I usually carry a small dome tent and sleeping bag in my pick up for "just in case shelter".  It does seem silly to need to carry a tent when you have a perfectly good trailer or vehicle to sleep in.  I have slept in the front seat of the Ranger with a dog on the floor while travelling.  This was for quick naps. 

 I think if I got all twisted up to sleep there now I might need a first responder with the jaws of life to get me out  
     Queenie would try to eat them of course.   Jewellann

 

[ArtW]

TxJaybird, we both have Rangers, so I'ma gonna ask
Do you sleep on the passenger side with seat reclined, or what?
I have a cap I can sleep in, if necessary, but I'm curious as you your setup
us rednecks gotta hep each other out, trashy or no