Anyone Own/Operate RV Park/Campground??

[Deleted member 995608]

My wife and I own/operate a small 20 room motel located on 21 acres in Cen Ca.



We like our lifestyles and and enjoy meeting people from all over the world. I maintain our water system, paint, mow the grass and plunge an occasional toilet and my wife runs the desk, files the paper work and over looks the few employees that we have.



We are however, growing tired of the individual room mtce, linen service and the forever re-accuring problem at 11PM, "My TV remote dosen't work".



We fully understand that an RV campround will have it's own plethora of problems but feel that it closely resembles our current lifestyle and income but at a lesser pace.



Have been seriously considering adding our motel to the market within a few years with hopes of purchasing an RV park in exchange.



Anyone have experience in the campground business??

 

[Barry]

I have never owned a camp ground. But I dealt with camp ground owners for years and worked for a man that still owns a camp ground.



With motels, you get the general public dropping in. You have no idea of who or what they are... ... ... ... ... ... but you already know that.



In the RV lifestyle, 99 out of 100 are super folks. There is that rectal orifice that you will run into now and then. But by in large, RVer's are a great bunch of folks.



Are you looking for a "Destination Camp Ground" or a pass thru camp ground? Are you looking for an all year CG or a seasonal CG?



If you build or expand an existing RV CG, the average cost is about $5K per site to build... ... ... ... ... ... . not counting roads.



There is also a program to become a "Certified Camp Ground Operator". I strongly suggest you complete the course and become certified if you intend to operate a CG... ... ... ..... it will also save you a BUNCH on you insurance.



Hope this helps... ... ... .....

 

[Barry]

One more thing. A lot of RV parks have "Camp Worker" programs. They pay you a small wage and give you free stay camp site in exchange for several hours work a day doing menial things around the CG.

A lot of times, the wife works in the office while hubby works outside mowing lawns, etc. Might give you a way to check out the different aspects of running a park.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Thanks for the info Barry.



We're aware of the "Work Campers" program. I'd pryed hard on the work campers this last month (June) while we we're enjoying our family vacation through the Big Sky states. Learned all sorts of different aspects.



Wasn't aware of the Certified Camp Operators course, though. Have to research that one.



Thank You!

 

[Barry]

Probably the best CG organization in the country is TACO. Texas Assoc. of Camp Ground Owners.

Great folks and a wealth of information. I would also suggest you attend one of their annual conventions.

 

[HBarlow]

Barry gave you a lot of valuable basic information. You are probably already more knowledgeable and better prepared than many RV park operators from your experience owning and managing a motel.

You might try talking with KOA which is an old nationwide franchise operation. You probably would not want to be a franchised RVP owner but you might learn some additional helpful information from them.

I've been an RVer for many years and have experienced lots of them. I've run across some owner/operators who are so friendly, welcoming, and pleasant it is a pleasure to stay in their parks and some who seem to be natural born bullys who just want to use their RVP as an opportunity to make and enforce rules over their guests. It takes all kinds I guess.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

You might try talking with KOA which is an old nationwide franchise operation. You probably would not want to be a franchised RVP owner but you might learn some additional helpful information from them.

We're looking into KOA as well. We actually belong to a franchise that rep's idependant motel owners.



Take in about 45% of our annual gross from them. Have to adhere to several demands, etc but from a financial standpoint, it's priceless for what we receive in benefits.

 

[Barry]

Know what you mean. Taco's search engine in their area (Texas and New Mexico) is second to none!