Poorly designed campground site causing damage?

Suprnova74 · 06-09-2022, 08:37 PM

So I was at a campsite Tuesday and had the horrible misfortune of getting a "pull through" campsite that had a short but steep incline to a flat pad. We just finished 8+ hours of driving and it was getting dark so the alarm bells didn't go off. I pulled up and heard a sound no one wants to hear -- a loud scraping noise from underneath. The power step took quite a beating as it scraped along the blacktop/pavement and bent quite spectacularly.

It was enough to shift the door/doorjam slightly as well so it wasn't latching right.

I managed to get the door latching semi-ok before we left early the next morning and had a traveling RV repairman straighten the step enough so it works once we got to our final destination, but was wondering if such things would be up for some kind of reimbursement.

I believe there's all sorts of "use at your own risk" verbiage in any camping agreement (It's a KOA site) so guessing things would be limited, but offering that site when we told them what we were driving and no signs about clearance on the site were posted leaves a very bad taste.

Murff · 06-09-2022, 10:20 PM

Send the KOA your repair bill. Worst they can do is deny paying it.

Murff

Marcm157 · 06-10-2022, 04:49 AM

I don't believe they have any liability in this case. Your own statement says you just finished 8 plus hours of driving and it was getting dark. There might have been a better approach to the site that may have prevented the damage that occurred. Campground staff can't possibly know the frame / undercarriage configuration of every RV out there. They gauge site assignments by general length and dimension as reported by the person making the reservation.

My 33RBTS has the sewer connection that hangs much lower than my previous RV. It was something I noticed backing in to my first site with it. I hope that I remember that each time I get to a new place.

JDug66 · 06-10-2022, 05:59 AM

I know exactly what you are talking about, it's that rush of dread when you hear it. I agree with Marcm157: "My 33RBTS has the sewer connection that hangs much lower than my previous RV. It was something I noticed backing in to my first site with it. I hope that I remember that each time I get to a new place."
Good luck out there everyone and encourage those Co-Pilots with flashlights to do a quick pre-entry site walkabout.

Old and soft · 06-10-2022, 06:53 AM

Sorry to have also read your other thread about how far off your door lock is now. Sounds like more than an adjustment.
Now the harsh part you won't like. Its your fault. Your rig and you were driving. It inhales profusely to find your limits the hard way. At any time you could have stopped and looked. It's your rig, your responsibility.

OnTheGo · 06-10-2022, 07:48 AM

Some campgrounds have warnings for their sites that have restrictions. Regardless, it's nice when you purchase something that it can be used for its intended poupose.

As far as dealing with KOA, I think they are a marketing name with no real authority to influence the actual campground management.

You probably aren't near there any longer, but it would be interesting to know if the point where the contact was made is worn from other occurences.

Scott · 06-10-2022, 09:00 AM

I agree, there are many poorly designed campgrounds. Or they were designed many decades ago when RVs were much smaller.

I once had a pull through site that have trees on either side right at the road that were so close I could not even get my truck through there without doing a 3 point turn. There was no way with the 32' trailer. We ended up backing back out of that site at the end of the weekend.

Marcm157 · 06-10-2022, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

I agree, there are many poorly designed campgrounds. Or they were designed many decades ago when RVs were much smaller.

I once had a pull through site that have trees on either side right at the road that were so close I could not even get my truck through there without doing a 3 point turn. There was no way with the 32' trailer. We ended up backing back out of that site at the end of the weekend.

I often find myself backing out of "pull through" sites. The campgrounds as you say were built and designed for much smaller rigs and really should be labeled "pull in sites"

Between my truck and trailer I am a few inches shy of 60 feet. I actually prefer back in sites as they are usually more private and sometimes a bit more spacious. But pull thoughs are my go to for 1 night stop overs when travelling to a destination.

craigav · 06-10-2022, 11:53 AM

It is my understanding and I suspect this could be different in different states, that it is the driver's complete responsibility to insure they don't cause damage to their vehicle or even another vehicle regardless of everything else (short of someone running into your vehicle). Even if the campground employee tells you that you can park there, and even if they are helping you park and you end up hitting something and cause damage.

With that said, they can't legally charge you for a camping spot that you can't use and that they claimed you could use. Also, they may be willing to accommodate you with something ($$$ or refund your charges) if you request it from them just to maintain good relations with their customers, worth a try for sure.

Depending on the damage costs, I would contact my insurance company and file a claim and then the insurance company will subrogate the damages if they believe that the RV park has a legal responsibility for the damages.

Regarding the door, and I saw your other post, so just a quick thought, some door frames I have seen have an adjustable latch plate that may have been pushed way out of alignment and can be re-adjusted. I am not sure if that is the case on yours though or if the frame itself is damaged. If it is a damaged frame, I would file a claim with your insurance in case the repair needed is a costly one. ~CA

Suprnova74 · 06-12-2022, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigav

Regarding the door, and I saw your other post, so just a quick thought, some door frames I have seen have an adjustable latch plate that may have been pushed way out of alignment and can be re-adjusted. I am not sure if that is the case on yours though or if the frame itself is damaged. If it is a damaged frame, I would file a claim with your insurance in case the repair needed is a costly one. ~CA

I took another look and it wasn't as off as I was thinking, thankfully. Loosened up all the allen screws on the door lock and latch plus a few screws on the door lock to loosen things up and it was able to shift things enough for it to latch. Whew.

Walker0301 · 06-15-2022, 09:01 PM

Your insurance policy will pay but you probably have a deductible.

Dave A · 06-16-2022, 08:01 PM

I pulled into a campground 2 years ago, had made a reservation for a "Big Rig" site (5th wheel is 43 ft long). Nice campground, has been there for years. Maybe new ownership, I don't know. They had added a new section and it was very nice. Drove to the assigned site and there was no way to get into it short of using a helicopter. I called and they sent a Maintenace guy down and he agreed.

They found a site we could get into. You would think they would make sure RV's can get into the sites they build at considerable expense I'm sure.

You may also like: