Van with portable toilet considered "self contained"?

[Catina]

Newbie here!  I've been weighing pros and cons to getting a van and converting it to a DIY campervan vs a Class C.  I'm wondering if a diy van with a portable toilet is still considered "self-contained" and welcomed at RV parks?  I'm too chicken to call them and ask!

 

[Almost There]

Privately owned RV Parks make all their own rules so there is absolutely no standard set to go by.

Some won't allow anything over 10 years old or vans, or sleeping in your car instead of in a tent etc. etc. Some don't care at all.

Most of us  here don't use private parks that much, preferring to boondock on BLM or National Forest land. If choosing a campground at any time, most head for state, county  or federal campgrounds. They are generally less expensive, bigger sites and more scenic.

State Parks and National Park campgrounds and other government operated parks don't make a lot of rules other than in regards to the comfort, security and safety of your camping neighbors (hours of generator use, dogs on leashes, etc.)

Is there any reason you're particularly interested in private campgrounds (commonly called RV Parks) over all the other types of camping opportunities?

 

[Wabbit]

For the LTVA's, it's not generally considered self contained. Can't speak to much else than that. I looked into that when I was considering trying one. I could still stay there, just had to park near a vault toilet. Thinking it was within 500 yards, but it's been a year or two since I looked into it and that distance isn't said with much confidence.

 

[Catina]

Thank you for the info!  The plan is to travel and boondock most of the time... but it would be nice to be able to fall back on being able to rent a hook-up space every now and then if I need a break or to maintain an address if I find something cheap enough.

 

[WanderingRose]

It’s my understanding that self contained means you must carry your facilities with you, so I don’t know why a portable toilet in your van wouldn’t qualify.

I’m in a Class B, and campgrounds I’ve been to the last 17 years that require units to be self contained have no toilet or shower facilities, but often full hookups.

If you look at campground apps, such as AllStays, any restrictions and requirements for individual campgrounds are listed, and requiring self contained units are definitely in the minority.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Usually self contained would mean a toilet, a container for your gray water and enough water for a certain period of time. Depending on where you are and who makes the rules that can be 12ltrs per person for both grey and fresh water, that is the amount I read once for a self containment certificate in a certain area, I am sure that varies but does give you some idea.

 

[highdesertranger]

well as everyone is saying the rules vary. I do know as far as the BLM is concerned a Portable toilet is not self contained. highdesertranger

 

[WanderingRose]

And, for what it’s worth, I don’t think I have ever seen a van in an RV park but for a few that had basically been made by their owners into Class B Motörhomes.

 

[Plant]

My understanding is that self contained at an LTVA means having a toilet plumbed to a black water tank.  So it could be a class B or other if it meets that criteria.

 

[maki2]

Don't worry too much about it. There are plenty of city, county and state parks around. They would not typically shut you out for using a portable toilet or even for not having any toilet in your van. Of course there are always exceptions around but remember that I did say typically.

I have camped in many such places in my previous trips with vans or truck with canopy topper and no portable toilet or sometimes with a portable toilet or other times with a car and tent. I never once have had an issue even raised about being self contained or not. I only rarely stay in RV parks and that is when there is not a publicly run park around. But again that subject was never raised to me by the RV park. I suppose it was because the RV parks I have stayed in had restrooms and showers available for the people who stay there.

 

[cyndi]

If a campground allows tent camping, not being self contained isn't a problem. They may require a tent.

 

[bullfrog]

Besides the BLM long term areas the only place I've seen it written in the rules that you have to have tanks is an Escapees park in New Mexico.

 

[WanderingRose]

It is not uncommon for RV parks to list “self contained units only”, tho it is clearly the exception in my experience.

All of these I have been in over the years have no bathroom or shower facilities, just hookups, and usually full hookups.

 

[Catina]

Thank you so much for all the great information! I'm looking forward to the day when I am a "seasoned pro" and can contribute to the forum as well!

It sounds like I have unrealistic expectations. To have a van-type vehicle to go "stealth" when I want to, but still be welcomed at an RV park should I have the need.

Or, if I had a van that was configured to be a qualifying "class B" with the black water tanks and all. I like the idea of a Class B RV... but I would have to give up the stealth idea if I wanted to park in a city environment.

 

[WanderingRose]

I have a Class B, and I love it, but I agree it is not a stealth vehicle for urban areas.

It does work fine for a WalMart, Cracker Barrell, truck stop, etc. It depends on what you think you will want to do most.

Speaking of self contained, that and it’s compact nature is what I like best about it.

Close your blinds and you are home, if it is raining or otherwise inhospitable outside, you can park and step to the back and have everything you need for living.

Might consider renting something and trying it out, either a van which would be relatively inexpensive, or a Class B, which would not.

Our first RV was a Class C, and it suited its purpose but the bulk of those is a world away from a Class B.

Good luck, and remember that we were all new to this once.

 

[Catina]

Thank you!  It sounds like a Class B might be welcomed at more "rv parks" than just a regular diy van conversion.  

I am looking at a used class B listed for sale at $3200.  It is a '77 Dodge Borough and it does have "real" shower/toilet and kitchen facilities.  60K miles I think.

Am I able to post a link if it is not a live clickable link?  I think I saw that in the newbie rules. 

 

[Catina]

Woops!  Too late.... that Class B sold this morning.

 

[WanderingRose]

You would want to evaluate anything that old and at that price very carefully, as it may be liveable but not roadworthy.

 

[Almost There]

Thank you!  It sounds like a Class B might be welcomed at more "rv parks" than just a regular diy van conversion.  

I am looking at a used class B listed for sale at $3200.  It is a '77 Dodge Borough and it does have "real" shower/toilet and kitchen facilities.  60K miles I think.

Am I able to post a link if it is not a live clickable link?  I think I saw that in the newbie rules. 

You have enough posts (10 substantive posts) to be able to include links so you're good there.

I think you dodged a bullet on that van. That thing is 41 years old and only has 60K on it. It either has 160 or 260 (the odometers didn't go to 6 digits back then) or it truly has only 60K on it which means that it's been sitting for probably 31 of it's years. It would be a very rare beast to be in any kind of shape that you want to have to deal with.

Also keep in mind that all the appliances in it (frig, stove, plumbing/holding tanks, furnace etc) are the same age as the van. Life expectancy for all of the RV parts is somewhere between 10 and 15 years.

If that price range is what you're shopping for, you are far better off IMO, buying the newest empty cargo van you can possible find and outfitting it yourself.

 

[grandpa pete]

Read up on requirements for National parks . On you tuber said that you HAD to have a tent if you wanted to stay in a cheaper tent space even if you were staying in the van ...if you didn't have a tent you had to pay the more expensive RV rate
anybody else have any info on this ?