When you’re in the market for a new RV, there are all different types of models to choose from; travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, pop-ups, and park models.
It can be tough to decide which one is the right fit for you and your family with so many options. A park model is a perfect option for families, but many people have never heard of it.
A park model RV is a trailer-type RV that is reminiscent of a mobile home that can be lived in for extended periods of time but can also be used for seasonal travel, camping, and recreational purposes.
If you’re wondering if the park model is right for you and your family, this article will take an in-depth look at what a park model is and what its features and benefits are.
What is a park model?
If you’re new to the world of RVs, you may be unfamiliar with the different models, specifically the park model, which many people have not heard of.
As stated above, park models are made to resemble tiny homes and can be parked and lived in for an extended time period.
Alternatively, they can also be moved around to be used for camping, recreation, or seasonal travel.
If your family wishes to live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, the park model may be the perfect RV for you. A park model RV is constructed on a single chassis and placed on wheels.
Although park model RVs are fully equipped and frequently purchased by RVers for use as snowbird homes in the southern US, they aren’t necessarily intended to be lived in full-time.
What is the difference between a traditional RV and a park model?
The length of time the RV spends in one location is the primary distinction between park model RVing and more conventional RVing. Traditional RVs are built with mobility in mind.
With conventional RVs, you unhook from your connections, pack up, and head out. Park Model RVs are intended for longer-term occupancy. They aren’t as portable as a standard RV.
A lot of people would think of park model RVs as smaller mobile homes. Since many park model RVs have a variety of amenities and are connected to standard city utilities, this isn’t far off.
These park model RVs are housed in sizable RV resorts for snowbirds and other people who like to relocate for a few weeks or months.
Some people use park model RVs as weekend retreats or vacation homes. A park model RV can be purchased outright, including the lot it sits on at a campground, rented long-term or seasonally, or simply rented.
Another difference between the two models is how they are designed. There is a bit more space and some more amenities inside park models than your traditional RV. Park models may also be built with porches and a pitched roof versus a flat one.
Advantages of Park Models
Compared to conventional RVing, this unusual style of RV has a number of benefits.
Park Models have more space. The majority of park model RVs are large, measuring up to 400 square feet. Although this might appear small in comparison to a classic brick-and-mortar house, an RV is a palace.
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The park model can be equipped with features that RVs cannot because of the lack of space.
Park models will feel more like a home because you get to spend more time in them and can customize them more easily.
They also have tons of features that a more traditional RV may not, such as a front or back porch that you can lounge on in the summertime.
Many park model residents opt to rent or lease their park model rather than purchasing it outright. If you frequently travel, renting a traditional RV wouldn’t make sense, but renting a park model would.
For several weeks or months at a time, you rent out your park model to a hotel, delegating responsibility for maintenance and similar duties to someone else.
Disadvantages of Park Models
Park models are an amazing choice for many people looking to buy an RV. However, they do come with some disadvantages.
Although a park model is an RV, taking it on a trip to see the sights would prove difficult. Park models are designed for occasional, not frequent, travel.
The park model will frequently need to be transported by a specialized truck. Although you can occasionally move it to different places, it lacks the true mobility of traditional RVs.
Park models can range in price, but they are significantly more expensive than other RV types like travel trailers. Additionally, renting a park model at an RV resort will cost much more than trying to rent a space and bringing your RV.
Where can you buy a park model RV?
Park model RVs can usually be found for purchase at most RV dealer lots. As with any dealer of any good, the stock they may carry will vary from place to place, so it is always wise to call ahead to see if they have a model you want to look at.
Once on the dealer lot, you are able to look around and go inside the unit to see if the layout and features are exactly what you want before signing any papers.
Sometimes, RV parks or campgrounds will have park models fixated on a few designated lots that they will put up for sale or for rent. This is another way you can purchase a park model and, usually, the lot that it is sitting upon.
Conclusion
Park models are a great option for those people looking to purchase an RV that will make a more long-term home but also has the ability to move around periodically to different campgrounds or RV parks.
The features and added space make this RV look and feel more like a permanent home than a traditional RV does. That is why many families choose to go this route versus an RV that cannot hook up to city utilities and is made to move around more often.
Park models make the perfect “mobile” home for nomadic families!
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(Feature image: forestriverinc.com)
Erick is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast. Growing up in Nairobi Kenya and now calling Glasgow, United Kingdom home. Sipping on homemade spiced swahili tea and enjoying a good book is his idea of bliss.