Long Term RV sites

We recently stayed four days at Maxwell Gunter recreational campground at Lake Martin, Alabama. All of the waterfront lots are taken up by permanent, i say again, permanent campers.

Lot 55 and all of the 30 series on the waterfront are taken up by people who have been there 2 to 3 years. They pay $300 per month whereas a daily rate is $15.00 per day. The problem is there are very, very, few daily lots available. Lots 52, 53, and 54, 57 and 58 are daily lots on the water and that is about all they have. The land belongs to Alabama power and light, and is leased to the airforce and is contracted by a private contractor. The contractor states that if it wasn't for the permanent residents they could not make it financially. Everyone would love to be able to live for $300 per month with water, lights, sewer and garbage included.

There are thousands and thousands of A.D. , disabled and retired veterans who are deprived of being abled to use the facility because of a few people that are taken total advantage of the situation. I feel this is a total injustice to all of the vets who would like to camp on the water but, cannot because of a selfish few. I feel this policy should be changed immediately if not sooner. Or up the rent to $600 per month per lot and do away with half of the permanent campers and increase the daily lots on the waterfront. This way they will get the same income they are getting now, and a few more vets will have daily spots to camp on the waterfront.

This subject is open for replys.


J. Troutt (cw4 retired)
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I agree with allycat. I stayed at the campsite a couple of years ago, and it was all taken up by the full time homesteaders. I also would like to live for $300 per month all utilities paid, on the water and living the great life at every one elses expense. The rules should be changed for these permanent people.....

ALLYCAT QUOTE:I feel this policy should be changed immediately if not sooner. Or up the rent to $600 per month per lot and do away with half of the permanent campers and increase the daily lots on the waterfront --

That would certainly get the attention of the "homesteaders" ... but then if they moved, the rest of us would have a nice $600 bill instead of the $300 we're entitled. The real answer is to make a permanent policy like many bases have that forces a rotation everytime the sites get full -- then the longest "visiting campers" move out and start at the beginning of the "wait-in-line" process. Then everyone gets to use the facilitites as intended. Some may say that was not the original intent [original intent was short term housing for active] but that has gravitated to camping over the years because short-term housing took care of it self eventually. So, now we need to share this camping benefit equally -- rather than have a few selfish individuals hog the sites as if we still have the old time "sqatters rights" from the 1800's.

I like the idea of having a limited number of days people can stay and a no reservation policy. I have had much better experience getting into parks with these policies.

Last month when we pulled into Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota they were full, as they pretty much stayed all summer. They have a 14 day stay limit and do not take reservations. We spent one night in the overflow, which had 30 amp elec and nothing else and then moved into the park. With their 14 day limit people were leaving daily as their time ran out.

Last winter, while in Florida, we stayed at three different Naval Bases. No problem getting in. We tried to stay at Mac Dill AFB in Tampa but could not get in. They allow people to stay up to six months and take reservations. The snow birds come every year and take up all the spots all winter. Before they leave for the summer they make a reservation for the next winter. Newcomers to Florida never have a chance to get into that park.

Personally, I would like to see a 30 day limit in and a required 7 to 14 days out. Also, I like the parks that do not take reservations with the number of days limit.

Just went to Del Mar Beach Resort and I saw this order posted on their website. Action is started to be directed against those that are residing full time at their Fam Camps.
www.mccscp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/0...ngthofstaypolice.png

We are just getting started RV'ing (retired Army) and I've been concerned we may run into this homesteading issue. What can we all do to ensure fair play by all?