certify BUS for RV park

richard5933 · March 07, 2021, 05:32:33 PM

Quote from: Tedsoldbus on March 07, 2021, 05:09:56 PM
You just have to word it carefully when you talk to RV parks. I have a 1980 shorty Prevost. Got it in November. So when they ask what I have and how old it is, since it is a Custom Coach conversion and I have only had it six months (which makes it "new" to me) I just say "Country Coach Bus and it is new.". But some good advice above is given above. We usually stop early in the day, so if they ask us more than one question we don't like, we hang up, keep driving, and Rita pretty quickly finds one that will take our money. We generally get approved everywhere we have tried so far. It is however a rapidly changing scenario. Last three trips the bigger challenge once in the gate of an RV park has been trying to drive around the now immensely popular 40 foot 5th wheels with a truck sticking out in the RV park road in front, and bicycles on the back of the trailer sticking out on that lane. Just have to take it slow. Record sales of big 5th wheels last two years running means we better get used to it...
Safe travels.

Like I said, I've only been asked once. If they don't bring it up when making a reservation I don't offer any information.

chessie4905 · March 07, 2021, 06:42:44 PM

As many rv parks are nearing full capacity for most of the season, they can pick and choose more.

Iceni John · March 07, 2021, 07:24:32 PM

As my bus (and it will always be a bus to me) nears completion and its metamorphosis into a motorhome, I'll just have to get used to calling it a "40-foot diesel pusher motorhome" - mentioning the word "bus" is usually not a Good Idea when dealing with the DMV, insurance companies, campgrounds, and pretty much anyone else. Mind you, I don't intend to stay in campgrounds any more than absolutely necessary - that's why I built it for extended boondocking.

John

richard5933 · March 08, 2021, 03:51:17 AM

We built in the capability for dry camping, but in reality there are not that many places east of the Mississippi to dry camp for extended periods of time, at least not like in the west.

When going to campground for shorter stays it's just not been my experience that campgrounds are fussy - it's usually the long term stays where they get fussier.

luvrbus · March 08, 2021, 04:39:49 AM

This is what they are wanting now at some parks only found on a motorhome the travel trailers are not the same,lol you need to rotate it I forgot how,after around 2000 they are not removable

richard5933 · March 08, 2021, 04:51:19 AM

This is nothing new. This conversation has been going on for many years, and not just with bus conversions. Go read any of the many forums for people restoring vintage trailers and they have the same conversation. Once the stickers are removed for the restoration they cannot be easily replaced.

My bus has a sticker which vaguely resembles the RVIA one, but I've never been asked for any sticker at all. Of course, I've never stayed long term at a campground either.

luvrbus · March 08, 2021, 04:54:40 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on March 07, 2021, 06:42:44 PM
As many rv parks are nearing full capacity for most of the season, they can pick and choose more.

RV park owners have a lot to deal with we were partners in a KOA in Payson AZ for a few years Ron and I finally shut it down and sold off the land lol since neither of us could deal with the public and local authorities that well

luvrbus · March 08, 2021, 05:04:47 AM

Quote from: richard5933 on March 08, 2021, 04:51:19 AM
This is nothing new. This conversation has been going on for many years, and not just with bus conversions. Go read any of the many forums for people restoring vintage trailers and they have the same conversation. Once the stickers are removed for the restoration they cannot be easily replaced.

Most RV parks with long term parking over 30 days require a back ground check, credit check and a insurance certificate the insurance card you carry don't get it and you pay for the back ground and credit checks

windtrader · March 08, 2021, 08:39:24 AM

Hey, no worries about the RVIA plaque. Just get a fake off alibaba for 10 bucks and glue it on.

richard5933 · March 08, 2021, 08:43:33 AM

Quote from: windtrader on March 08, 2021, 08:39:24 AM
Hey, no worries about the RVIA plaque. Just get a fake off alibaba for 10 bucks and glue it on.

Or make your own. Not difficult to make something that looks similar and which will pass when looked at from a few feet away.

windtrader · March 08, 2021, 08:46:21 AM

Correct, I have heard there is someone here who has some experience with 3d printing. A scan of one and copies start popping out. Spray with some copper patina paint and you're good to go. I'd buy made in USA, where does one order one? lol

richard5933 · March 08, 2021, 08:52:10 AM

Quote from: windtrader on March 08, 2021, 08:46:21 AM
Correct, I have heard there is someone here who has some experience with 3d printing....

Van · March 08, 2021, 09:48:22 AM

TwoFeathersRD · March 08, 2021, 06:11:46 PM

Quote from: richardkillmon on March 06, 2021, 09:53:52 AM
Hello all,

Can someone explain what kind of certification I need for my bus that RVs have so they are allowed to stay at parks.
Thanks

Rick

As a builder of custom RVs. RVIA has a certification that our RV builds have to be put through and standards we must meet or exceed to get the coach certified. There is a fee we have to pay. Just taking a tag off an old RV is not a way to bypass this. If a campground was to think it was real, so be it. But, each Cirt. has a number that is unique to the unit it is applied to and can be looked up. We have to take our units out to Elkhart, Indiana to get the Cirt. done.

I hope this helps

pabusnut · March 08, 2021, 06:51:47 PM

I think many of us are building our "bus conversions" to a higher standard than the RVIA "mandates".
Solid copper wire in a vehicle that goes bumping down our high quality public roads is unimaginable to me, but that is what meets the RVIA standard. And so it goes.

I do understand the need for safety, and I see lots "van builds" that look way more dangerous than most bus conversions.

If a park refuses me, no harm no foul, as that is their right. What is not right is after taking a very truthful description of your bus conversion to refuse entry and keeping your payment!