I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!

[Following Tom in Jax]

I am so frustrated right now I could spit! I am about to rant with some disclaimers. First disclaimer, I am all for a free market economy, I am also for property owners being allowed to whatever they want.

However, camping in Florida has now become "exclusive". If you don't own a $150K class A pusher or recent model 5th wheel, you are not welcome in most of the campgrounds in Florida. Case in point....I am an off roader, Jeeps in particular. Every year for the past 5 years we held a rally in Ocala at a rather large campground. We called to reserve this year and were told the campground had been sold, selling lots, no popup campers or tents. Well that pretty much ruined the event. We were the only group in this campground on this particular weekend, except for about 20 square dancers. THere were 300 of us, paying for our sites, keeping it clean, just there having a good time. I called around to other campgrounds to no avail, the snowbirds were here and not a vacancy to be had. All the campgrounds said they'd take us (if they took the tenters at all) in April/May and anytime after. My opinion is our money should be good enough for you at anytime, regardless of the season.

THe issue I have is that most people started their camping experiences many years ago in a tent. After being rained on a few times in the tent, they moved up to a popup. After a few years in the popup, if finances allow, you start moving up through the ranks of TT, then a Class C, then maybe a Class A. Personally we are in the market for a new TT, 26-29 feet, because thats what we're ready for now. But, I've already decided that given the choice between camping in a campground that is exclusive, and one that allows tents and popups, I'll take the tents and popups.

RANT OFF! Thanks for listening.

[Following Tom in Jax]

I am so frustrated right now I could spit! I am about to rant with some disclaimers. First disclaimer, I am all for a free market economy, I am also for property owners being allowed to whatever they want.

However, camping in Florida has now become "exclusive". If you don't own a $150K class A pusher or recent model 5th wheel, you are not welcome in most of the campgrounds in Florida. Case in point....I am an off roader, Jeeps in particular. Every year for the past 5 years we held a rally in Ocala at a rather large campground. We called to reserve this year and were told the campground had been sold, selling lots, no popup campers or tents. Well that pretty much ruined the event. We were the only group in this campground on this particular weekend, except for about 20 square dancers. THere were 300 of us, paying for our sites, keeping it clean, just there having a good time. I called around to other campgrounds to no avail, the snowbirds were here and not a vacancy to be had. All the campgrounds said they'd take us (if they took the tenters at all) in April/May and anytime after. My opinion is our money should be good enough for you at anytime, regardless of the season.

THe issue I have is that most people started their camping experiences many years ago in a tent. After being rained on a few times in the tent, they moved up to a popup. After a few years in the popup, if finances allow, you start moving up through the ranks of TT, then a Class C, then maybe a Class A. Personally we are in the market for a new TT, 26-29 feet, because thats what we're ready for now. But, I've already decided that given the choice between camping in a campground that is exclusive, and one that allows tents and popups, I'll take the tents and popups.

RANT OFF! Thanks for listening.

[C&C R]

I think we are at that campground.
First time here ----- won't be back.

[Following Tom in Jax]

Are you waaaaayyy out in the boondocks in a huge campground alongside a lake?

[diandtom]

I got a couple friends that only want a TT because they can still haul things in the bed of the truck . I see nothing wrong with that. I like my fiver because we do not have a good dealer around here to repair a class A or C motorhome. Most of the things on the fiver I can handle myself.
We just left Florida as couple weeks ago and the campground at Crystal River was sold and the new owners are selling lots starting a $49,500 and up. There is no way I would pay that much for a place to put a RV and use, a few weeks a year. They also got monthly and yearly fees. I have heard they already sold 10 lots. I quess there is a sucker born every day. I also don't like going to the same place all the time.
Tom

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We just left Florida as couple weeks ago and the campground at Crystal River was sold and the new owners are selling lots starting a $49,500 and up. There is no way I would pay that much for a place to put a RV and use, a few weeks a year. They also got monthly and yearly fees. I have heard they already sold 10 lots. I quess there is a sucker born every day. I also don't like going to the same place all the time.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Actually Tom, from an investment perspective those lots may not be such a bad deal.

If someone were to make a leveraged purchase with about 20% down, and if the lots appreciated, say about about 5% per year, in 5 years they might be worth almost $64,000. Then, after a sale and paying off the loan, the original $10,000 invested would then be worth almost $24,000, a 140% increase on investment or about 28% per year average.

Of course that gain would have to be reduced by the cost of the debt service, taxes, and maintenance during those theoretical 5 years of ownership.... but if the lot were placed out for a rental, even some of that could be recaptured. Plus, the investor would have a place to park his rig during the winter saving around $2,000 for a several month stay.

Maybe selling lots is not so good idea for some of us but for others, who might be called 'suckers', it doesn't look too bad. All this I'm saying is speculative and hypothetical, but it might be possible to make a buck or two on them while enjoying RVing on someone else's nickle.

[Following Tom in Jax]

Its an effort for FLorida campground owners to pass off the property tax burden to the lot owners. If all of the "lots" are owned by someone else, the campground owner only has to pay property taxes on what is in his name. Thats life in FLorida at the moment.

With regard to renting the lot, thats all well and good except for the fact that you can't rent your lot to someone who plans to tent camp or use a popup.

I never got to go to Rock Crusher Canyon, have some friends in Crystal RIver though and they've been. I've stayed in a cabin at Elite Resorts in Salt Springs and everything was great-til they went condo. Now its too expensive and they won't take my tenting brethren...

[diandtom]

Richard, The $49,500 does not get you much of a space to park your RV on. Where we stayed at they wanted $80,000 for it and the monthly and yearly fees can go up. It just seems very high for me for a place to park a RV. I got a Realstate book from down there and some wants to sell a cement pad with a small building on the lot with kitchen, bath and laundry room for $49,000 but it probably don't have the club house or the pool that you can use there.
Tom

[Tom N]

We're staying 5 miles from Rock Crusher Canyon. Our 6th winter here. This year I'm paying $2250 for 6 months with cable TV, HBO, MAX and SHO and free WiFi.

You do the math.

Nature's Coast 5 miles north of Crystal River still has lots for sale and it's new sister development, Chassa Oaks, south of Homosassa has 105 lots for sale.

http://chassaoaks.com/

http://www.naturecoastlandings.com/

-Tom

[diandtom]

Hey Tom,
I did the math and you can only stay there 22 years and don't have the taxes and other fees. This was paying $50,000 for the lot, not the $80,000 that some are going for. I am sure the cost will increase over the years for you to rent the lot. I should have not use the word sucker but I don't see how you can come out ahead on this property. I would have liked to hear the sales pitch for the lot. I have been to Crystal River for the last four years and was ready to move on after the first week. It was not because of the sale of Rock Crusher but I like to see something new. Next year we are going to move more south.
Tom

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by diandtom:
It was not because of the sale of Rock Crusher but I like to see something new. Next year we are going to move more south.
Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This year's weather has been the worst in the 6 years we've been coming here. If this year's weather was normal I would also be further south.

We like the Crystal River area because the traffic is much lighter than further south. My Dad had a winter home in Bradenton for 20 years so I'm familiar with further south.

I like RVing but I'm not interesting in investing in a "trailer park". These lots have to be improved (concrete, landscaping, etc) at the owners expense which can become costly. Buy a lot and get a bad neighbor or two and you're locked in to an unpleasant environment. We have no plans to sell our home in PA so we do not need a place to call home. We'll probably be back here next winter but we always have the option to go to another area.

As an investment, I would buy a home or a condo before a lot in a trailer park.

-Tom

[Following Tom in Jax]

But do all of you view yourself as "elitist" not want to mingle with those of us just starting out in the camping and rv life?

[Half Dimes]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Following Tom in Jax:
But do all of you view yourself as "elitist" not want to mingle with those of us just starting out in the camping and rv life? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think you've phrased your question into somewhat of an unfair generalization. Most of us on this forum got started in the camping/RV life at some point. When we tent camped with the kids years ago, it was mostly at state parks that were geared for that type of camping. Private for profit 'resorts' just aren't generally geared for that. In the winter, they are seeking the seasonal visitor rather than the weekender.
As to your original complaint about campgrounds in FL, especially in the winter, it's always been hard to find a spot and it's only going to get worse as property values and taxes go up and higher uses of land are found. Us FL natives can't even get a spot this time of the year unless we plan way ahead.
Lastly, we've camped with a good number of folks from this website and I haven't met an "elitist" yet.

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Following Tom in Jax:
I am so frustrated right now I could spit! I am about to rant with some disclaimers. First disclaimer, I am all for a free market economy, I am also for property owners being allowed to whatever they want.

However, camping in Florida has now become "exclusive". If you don't own a $150K class A pusher or recent model 5th wheel, you are not welcome in most of the campgrounds in Florida.

There were 300 of us, paying for our sites, keeping it clean, just there having a good time. I called around to other campgrounds to no avail, the snowbirds were here and not a vacancy to be had.

RANT OFF! Thanks for listening. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know of no FL campground that can rent to a group of 300 (150 site??) off-roaders, or any group that requires 150 sites, during snowbird season. Summer would be less of a problem. You may find a park that can accommodate 300 campers in northern FL in the winter.

With the advent of toy haulers many FL campgrounds accommodate those with bikes, golf carts and ATVs but not a group that requires 150 sites. Currently a fellow in a 40' toy hauler 5th wheel is parked next to me. He has a golf cart and a H-D. But this park only has 84 sites and many of those are rented by the year and they want to rent the remainder for a 6 month time period. You can call this park and ask about renting 30 or 40 sites after snowbird season. The owner does a little mud bogging so he may accommodate your group in the off season. Tell them Tom on lot #41 told you to call. http://www.quailroostcampground.com/

-Tom