If I wanted to get cash rich a CG wouldn’t even be on the radar of ways to do it…
In a large part of the country CG’s have a 3 month season and are open for business maybe 6 or 7 months of the year… many others might be open with limited services available during the off season if their open at all…
Even in season occupancy is normally pretty low 4 days a week leaving only 3 days a week 4 on the 3 major holidays to get rich… good luck whit that…
I am a cheapskate myself and would love to see low rates everywhere, but more than low rates I want a lot of choices… to have that they need to make enough money to keep the gates open and that might mean some are expensive and I can’t afford all of them and have to limit my stays in others…
So while rates matter I look first for value for my dollars… by searching out value and low cost, heavily using memberships and discount clubs in public CG’s and private resorts even WM on a few occasions I have kept my total average CG cost very low (below $6 a day)… that’s for full timing from 1995 trough 2010... So its is possible to find inexpensive places to stay already but it takes some effort to find them…
The idea that a full CG at half the rate is better than one that is ½ full at full rate is a bogus claim…
With revenues being the same in either scenario the cost is certainly not… its not good for the owner and not good for many of the campers either…
What can’t be seen in the books are the headaches and complaints that accompany the overcrowding in a full park causing the owner to split time servicing twice as many peoples needs…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
jaycocamprs wrote: It would not make sense for a destination type park to put in cheap spots. They have already spent the money putting in the pool laundry and bathhouses, and you are paying full price. But it could make sense for Pilot, FJ, Loves or the like to do it. They already have spaces for RV's, put in the electric power and charge $2 hr for it. They want you to stop so they can make the money on the fuel and stuff in their store. If it makes sense to put in the IdleAir for $2 hr, electric hookups should also.
mowermech wrote: "I have been camping for over 20 years and never been to a park that had me wear a badge.
Pogoil. "
Spend some time at the Great Falls KOA, and check in to using the pool. You WILL get a wristband!
At least, that's the way it was a couple years ago. We don't go there very often.
"Then they have to pay staff to go around checking wristbands. More overhead."
Well, YEAH!! If you wish to establish a security program, you have to be willing to bear the cost of the program. DUH!!!
If you are going to have a lifeguard at the pool (and you should!), he or she can check the customers.
No problem.
Again, some say "It can't be done, it is too much trouble and too expensive!"
Others just do it. William Lear was a fine example of just getting it done.
Dick's RV in Great Falls MT. Full range of prices including "dry".
Talked to lots of folks who know about that CG - never heard of a
KOA in GF.
But "bracelets" sounds like a KOA!.
"Expensive" Kali - Flying Flags at Solvang - same thing.
(Plenty of space with no-hookups)
RV parks make money from amenities - including full hookups.
Solvang is a prime example - the dry area (which is very nice) has few takers.
The fact that this niche hasn't been marketed successfully says it all. Really, there's nothing left anyone can say that makes much sense.
The CG/RV market has been around for a very long time. While this proposed, unique niche may ever-so-remotely exist for some of us RV.net expert speculators to help someone figure out, I can tell you that those of you arguing that it is feasible doesn't carry much weight with me. In fact, this really doesn't warrant the attention it's getting with back-and-forth bantering other than as entertainment. Yes, I do enjoy that too.
There are so many experts out there who have so much more knowledge on the matter (over so many years) than we could ever have and they can't make the model work. This is if you get super-specific to RV renting. There are also many other closely related rental avenue cousins that I've seen that can't make it--or similar models--work. Myself, I have experience in housing, owning rental property, and it is so very hard for me to break even. Yes, I've considered and tried varying models to make some money. The bottom line issue from my experience is "people." Most are difficult to factor in--lazy, careless, dishonest, etc, etc, etc, etc. "People" don't care if I make money. They just WANT FOR THEMSELVES. Most EXPECT things. We are so entitlement-minded as a nation, it scares me. I'm just so glad most of us here on RV.net aren't like that. It's refreshing.
For those that can't afford the current market-based/supply-demand system, I say try another hobby, get another job to help support this hobby, or give your ideas you mention here a go in actual practice. You may just be that brilliant guy or gal. If you are, I'll praise you for moving us forward.
So, the thread continues and I've now made my peace. Let the games continue!
"Talked to lots of folks who know about that CG - never heard of a
KOA in GF."
Then I recommend the next time you go through Great Falls, Montana, on 10th Avenue South, you pay VERY close attention to the businesses on the East end of town. If you have ever been there, I really don't see how you could have missed It!
I stay there about once a year!
IF the Famcamp at the base is full...
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
The Great Falls KOA is a family-friendly recreational RV and camping park located on the South-East side of beautiful Great Falls, MT. This family-run establishment has been in operation for more than two decades and features the finest amenities you'd expect at a top-rate KOA kampground including but not limited to: free wireless internet, Montana's best KOA waterpark, professional bi-annual fireworks displays, an enormous selection of RV sites, camping sites, and KOA kamping kabins/kottages.
DwnSth wrote: Around here, how can they offer overnight boat accomidations with elec. for next to nothing (as long as your not over 35 ft.)? At comunity docks, it's somtimes 'donate if you want to'. I know apples to oranges but that dock had to cost something and getting the elec out there did too.
Again as OP, I really just wanted to find out why this isn't done on larger scale. Still think there is something to be said for providing inexpensive overnight stays of 8 hours or so. I may come back and stay for the week if the park is nice!
Those marina facilities were most likely built with funding from grants or at least matching funds from the federal or state governments. Such grants are funded by boat registration fees, marine fuel tax receipts, the federal excise tax on fishing tackle and even fishing license revenues in some states. The dump(pumpout) stations were likely built with grants from the EPA or state environmental agency.
Many states have dedicated funding sources for boating, fishing and hunting programs that are not subject to the annual legislative process. The funds come from fees and taxes that the sportmen levied on themselves. There are only a few cases where this has been done by RVers and campers.
* This post was
edited 04/06/12 01:54pm by trailertraveler *
In 1985 I traveled thru Oregon and saw many camper parks. At the time it was $10 a nite and drive thru. No water, sewer cable. Just electric. I would love to see them more often. Used something simalar last winter in Illinios just off hiway 39 Kind of a lifesaver as weather was getting bad and cold. Had an attached gas station with a subway and a burger king.$20 and they had a dump if you needed it price included.
"Then they have to pay staff to go around checking wristbands. More overhead."
Well, YEAH!! If you wish to establish a security program, you have to be willing to bear the cost of the program. DUH!!!
Well, DUH you just answered your own question. Why on earth will they go through all this trouble so that you and your cohorts can get a $10 site? They would have to have extra staff lingering around every amenity. Park security on payroll do not go around sitting beside each amenity checking badges or wristbands. They'd have to add more staff to do that.
There is simply NO incentive for CG's to do this when they already are paying for amenities.
As for your quote about 'some just do it!"....they'd be stupid to do it as there is no financial incentive to do so. CGs and parks do not operate on altruism.
The thing with this debate is every time it comes up the people who want it to happen cannot come up with a single good incentive for a CG or park to switch to this business model.
aruba5er wrote: In 1985 I traveled thru Oregon and saw many camper parks. At the time it was $10 a nite and drive thru. No water, sewer cable. Just electric. I would love to see them more often. Used something simalar last winter in Illinios just off hiway 39 Kind of a lifesaver as weather was getting bad and cold. Had an attached gas station with a subway and a burger king.$20 and they had a dump if you needed it price included.
Adjusted for inflation (CPI calculator) that $10.00 site in 1985 would be $21.40. With things like Passport America, such sites are pretty common and you get water, sewer, cable and wifi in additon to that electicity.
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