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Park Model Campers
Park model campers are one of the types of towable campers. But, although they
are towable, they are not a type of camper that is meant to be towed frequently
from campground to campground like the other types of towable campers are. They
are a destination type RV, which means the park model RV is purchased, towed to
its destination, hooked up to the utilities, and left at that site for an
extended period of time – usually until the owners either sell it; have it moved
to a different long term site; or purchase a new park model camper.
This makes park model campers a great choice for people who have long term
campsite rentals or who have purchased a permanent campsite. Then instead of
having to hook up their camper every time they want to go to the campground,
they can just pack their clothes and some food and head to their park model
camper to enjoy themselves.
It’s also a great choice for people who like to spend several months a year
living in warmer areas and who want an affordable vacation home. There are
numerous RV resorts, vacation, and retirement communities where space for a park
model RV can be rented, leased, or purchased. Depending on local ordinances,
park model RV campers can be placed on leased or purchased land and used as
hunting or fishing cabins as well.
 Although park model campers look like small mobile homes, they are not mobile
homes. They are meant to be temporary or seasonal housing. Although, at least in
some warmer areas of the United States, people do live in their park model RV’s
nearly full time as their retirement homes because they do have all the
amenities of a home and can be quite spacious.
Transporting
The park model campers that are 8 feet wide don’t need any special permits for
transporting. But the wider 12 foot models that are very popular have to be
transported by a professional transportation service and special highway permits
must be obtained from each state in which the camper is going to travel. If you
are considering purchasing one of the wide models, try to find one you that is
reasonably close to the site it will be placed on.
Site Placement
The site your park model camper is going to be placed on may dictate much of
what you may or may not have in the park model camper you purchase because of
the rules and regulations of that particular RV park, local zoning ordinances,
and laws and regulations a particular state may have in place.
For example, some RV parks may allow house style toilets in the park model
campers in their RV parks because they have sewer systems; other may only allow
park model homes that have marine toilets with holding tanks. Also, RV parks may
dictate whether the appliances in your park model home are gas or electric
because of what type of electrical hookups they have available for that purpose.
And, although many people enjoy the roominess of a 12 foot wide park model RV,
they often find that many RV parks don’t allow them because they are too wide to
fit on the available lots. A different option to consider to obtain more
interior space is a 8 foot park model home with slide-outs.
If you are a first time purchaser of a park model RV/trailer (although this is a
nice convenience package for anyone to purchase) , you may want to consider
purchasing a “turn-key” setup package from one of the companies that sells,
delivers, and set ups park model RV’s. The services typically included are:
• Obtaining all necessary permits.
• Doing a preliminary review of the site to make sure the home you are
purchasing is suitable for that site.
• Delivery of the unit to the site.
• Blocking and leveling of the unit on the site.
• Tying down the unit.
• Hookup of utilities.
• For an additional fee, many companies will also put a skirting around the
bottom of the park model so the leveling blocks and
chassis of the park model itself aren’t visible.
Eight Foot or A Wider Model?
The most commonly purchased park model for people who are putting the park model
on a permanent campsite rental in a seasonal campground is typically the 8 foot
wide one because it is much easier to transport and fits on the allotted plot of
land. The 8 foot park models are built on a single chassis mounted on wheels.
Keep in mind that hook up to onsite utilities is required because there is no
alternate source for using utilities such as a 12 volt battery like there is
with other towable RVs/campers. If the RV park where you want to purchase a permanent
campsite in doesn’t have the proper utility hookup for a park model home,
consider purchasing a 5th wheel camper and parking it on the permanent campsite.
It’s a viable option.
 Although the wider models of park model RVs (12 feet is the most common although
there are some that range from 10-16 feet in width) require special
transportation, they are usually only transported once and are very popular
because of their roominess, the vast array of available floor plans and
customization options available, and their feel of a home. Of all of the types
of towable RVs, I think the wider park models feel most like a regular home
because they are very spacious and have the amenities and fixtures of a regular
house.
Amenities & Construction Features Available (varies among models and
manufacturers)
Exterior:
• Vinyl, Cedar, or Log Siding
• Snow Load Trussed Roof Rafters
• Fiberglass Shingles
• R-11 to R-22 Insulation in Roof, Walls, and Floors
• Self-Storing Storm Windows
• Trapezoid Windows
Interior:
• Loft Area
• Full Size Kitchens
• Solid Surface Countertops
• Solid Wood Cabinets
• Stainless Steel Appliances
• 6 Panel Doors
• Crown Molding
• Custom Draperies
• Entertainment Centers
• Hardwood Floors
• Surround Sound
• Air Conditioner
• On Demand Hot Water Heater
Cost
Prices vary widely because of the many choices of floor plans and amenities.
Prices of the 8 foot wide models start a little under $20,000 and the 12 foot
models start around $30,000. Models with popular upgrades already set up on
sites can easily cost upwards of $60,000.
Manufacturers
Some of the U.S. manufacturers of park model RVs are:
• Breckenridge Park Homes (Pictures On This Page Are Of A Breckenridge
1240dbdl-t)
• Cavco Park Homes
• Kropf Park Homes
• Forest River Inc.
• Woodland Park
• Athens Park Homes
• Canterbury Recreational Park Homes
• Dutch Park Homes
• Trophy Park Trailers
• Lee Enterprise Manufacturing Company
• Heartland Park Homes
• Heritage Park Models
• Playmaker Park Models
• Hy-Line Enterprises
 Before buying a park model home, take the time to go look at models and to
decide what its primary use is going to be. Is it going to be a hunting or
fishing cabin, a vacation home, a camping retreat, a guest house, a winter
getaway, or a retirement home?
Do you want to place it on land you already own or are you going to lease or
purchase land in a park model resort? No matter where you want to place the park
model home you’ll need to find out what the laws and ordinances are so that you
purchase a park model that meets all the necessary requirements.
It may sound daunting to find something that you’ll enjoy using and that’s also
in a desired location, and that meets all the rules and regulations of the area;
but it’s not as hard as it may sound. Any reputable dealer of park model homes
can help you with everything that needs to be done and make the process as easy
and fun as possible so that you are enjoying your park model home in no time at
all.
Related Topics:
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Camp in Luxury While Nestled in the Woods Without Buying An Expensive Motor Home
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