Is your property ready to host travelers? - Part 2

Will it fit? 

By Audrey Lynch 

It is important that we build confidence in our travelers. We do this by ensuring our host properties are well-prepared and thought out. This article addresses RV space requirements and how you can determine what kind of RV your property can support. Part 1 of this series discusses routes and the importance of providing good directions to your travelers.    

At the Site: Now let’s talk about your property a little. You are confident they can find your place but now think about where you want to park them. Some of the same considerations that you just thought about with regards to getting to your property will be valuable to you here also and you will want to mention them in your listing. These are: 

Space to Fit - RVs and travel trailers come all shapes and sizes - anywhere from a 6-foot trailer to a 55-foot land cruiser. So, you need to determine how much room you have and what size vehicle you can accommodate. It might be best to utilize a tape measure to determine the length and width your property can accommodate. By law vehicles that travel the roads are 8 – 8.5 feet wide (or 96 – 102 inches). This is the driving width with the slides and awning(s) retracted and does not include the side mirrors, retracted awning housings, turn signals or exterior lights, handholds, safety equipment, solar panels, or other exterior attachments. When parked you will find that RVs unfold and expand in many ways, (a bit like origami), stairs will come down, handrails will fold out, slides will extend, and awnings unroll. For comfort, there needs to be enough walking space around the RV so that people do not have to turn sideways to inch past the slides or stairs without hitting their shins and to allow storage compartments to be opened and accessed comfortably. Make sure you take these factors into consideration when you are designating a space for your guest. Finally, consider where your guest will park their towing vehicle or dingy (this is an additional trailer that many RVers use to haul their personal cars around). Do you have additional parking? Do they need to remain hooked up? 

Overhead Clearance: Look for trees or branches, power lines, signs, street lights, or any other object (natural or otherwise) that may impede your guest’s ability to get into the site. Motorhomes and travel trailers can easily be up to 14 feet tall and the top of the RV or the rooftop A/C units can easily be damaged by building overhangs, low power lines, or tree branches. Make sure your driveway and the camping area are free and clear of any overhead obstructions. 

Space to Navigate – if an RV is able to pull straight into the camping spot and then drive away that is called a pull-through site. If an RV has to back in or out of the spot, there will need to be plenty of room for the motorhome or travel trailer to navigate and make as wide of a turn as necessary. Because of their length most RVs have to swing over to one side before attempting to turn in the direction they desire to go or they will run over curbs or flowerbeds, or into fire hydrants, signs, or any other roadside objects. When a motorhome or travel trailer makes a turn, the back end will swing out in the opposite direction; this is called “Tail Swing” and can easily be a distance of 30 inches or more. As a host you may want to consider staying in communication with your guest and be available when they arrive to assist with parking. 

Here at UpClose-RV, together we are undertaking a journey where we will learn from each other. We are really doing something different. You will find that seasoned RVers may have an idea or two that you may want to implement. New RVers may need a hand or some words of wisdom. Those Newbies might even teach us a thing or two. Again, if there is any way we can help you, please send us a message at admin@upclose-rv.com.  

Thanks 

Audrey