I've been toying with the idea of buying an RV park/Campground and I'm looking for someone who can give me any advice. Do's, Don'ts, things to think about or any advice that you would care to share.
Thanks.
Daryl Rose
Daryl Rose
2008 F150 Super Cab
2007 Aerolite Zoom 718QB
Never owned a campground, but as a former small business owner I have a little exerience.
1 Bring in more money than you spend.
2 You can do that by having what people are looking for. Have a place that people will want to come to. Location and/or features will attract them.
3 Treat people right (the way you would want to be treated). I always let customers know I appreciated them. Without customers, no business.
4 BE THERE! If you leave it all to a paid employee, you are asking for trouble.
Good luck with whatever you do.
Full Time
2006 32' Keystone Everest
2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel
1971 Camaro in storage Keep A Light On, We're On Our Way
RichardLiz wrote: Posted By: RichandLiz on 06/30/08 09:17am
Let us all in, TT, A, B, C, TC, PU..., we're all good people.
Richard,
My wife and I are first time TT owners. We bought a small TT last fall. So far we have only been out four times. Three last fall to a local state campground, and then earlier this spring we took a trip down to Carthage, Mo. My TT was the smallest in the park, and my wife and I were the youngest. But, everyone there treated us great. They could tell that we were novice, and that we didn't have a clue as to what we were doing. Perfect strangers came up to us and asked if we needed any help. If we had everything that we needed. My wife and I were very, very pleased with our experience.
On our way home we both commented several times on what a great experience this was. So much that we both expressed interest in owning our own campground.
We both work in the 9-5 office rat race, and for years we've been looking for that way out. This suddenly seems like the answer that we've been looking for. So to make a long story short, I know that you all are good people, and we defiantly would not discriminate against anyone RV owner, no matter what size of rig you pull or drive. We felt right a home and we would do the same.
I'm not an owner, nor do I have experience in the management of a campground, but, there are web-sites on campgrounds for sale, the building of a campground (planning/zoning/rules/regs, etc).
To be prudent, I would suggest you investigate campground ownership further - and even get some hands-on experience work-camping, before investing.
I retired from the police department and was looking for something to do. I have always loved to fish and spent much of my summers in Northern Wisconsin. We decided to buy a 10 room motel in the area where I spent my summers. We really enjoyed the experience of the motel and all the nice people we met. We forgot about the bad ones. After living our dream for almost four years we sold the motel. Reason: we had no time to ourselves. The business always came first. I never got to go fishing until we sold and I lived on the lake with my boat sitting in the water. So, sell your RV you won't need it. I'm not sorry we bought but I'm not sorry we sold it either.
John, Connie and Miles!
1998 Winnebago Adventurer
1999 Ford V10 chasis
2004 Jeep Liberty
Most small businesses require ALL your time to be successful. Many times I have observed campground owners and wondered why they did it, because they couldn't really be enjoying themselves like campers do. If a business is done right, however, its value will grow and the investment of time and money will be repaid handsomely. Just don't wait too long to do it. life is for enjoying.
Yes, you all are correct. I realize that if I do pursue this idea, that I will be putting in long days, and probably be working 365 days a year. Well, I'd rather put in 50, 60, 70 or 80 hours a week working for myself, doing something that I would enjoy rather that putting in that kind of time working in a cube trying to meet a deadline.
Believe me, the amount of hours that I will have to put in is something that I've greatly considered. And its something that I'll have to put into my decision making. At the moment the biggest issues that I have are: trying to find a location that I will love to live and spend all of my time, and finding something that is within my price range.
Just the 3 of us...SpoiledRotten, TotallyRotten, and ALittleRotten
2000 F-250 Lariat, CC
7.3 PSTD-Superchipped
2005 33RL2 New Vision - AKA "SpoiledRotten"
2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition
Not to discourage you...but there is NO way I would ever do this..
I had a small shop for a while and its not only the hours but
just the stress is enough to make you crazy..you are talking taxes, salaries, illnessess, dependability, accountability, honesty..
I think the worse part of it is, that no one will take ownership of
it like you will and they will walk away at quitting time to go about their lives and you will be stuck there to keep things going unless you are incredibly lucky and have dependable and honest help.
I hate to sound so pessimistic, but I wish someone would have drilled me with this kinda stuff first I might have reconsidered it all.
It was not a good experience for me and looking at all the small business out of business, I dont think I am just speaking about just my experiences..
the thought of being in business for yourself is the best part of
entire operation, everything else is what kills it for you..
Maybe you should go and work at it for someone else for a while to see
how it goes and then decide...I think someone else on this thread suggested that also...
JMO...good luck on whatever you decide.
Buffy America-Land That I Love
Hubby, Wife and Daughter (U. S. Navy Hospital Corpsman)
2006 Suzuki Boulevard M109
2002 Honda VTX1800C
2000 Kawasaki Ninja 600
1999 Ford F350 Dually
2005 K-Z New Vision 36KX2 Toyhauler
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and do not discriminate against any RVs. Let us all in, TT, A, B, C, TC, PU..., we're all good people. 
