In some areas, "RV" means motorhome. They think the rest of us are strange using "RV" for trailers.  Then there are those who use "winnebago".

Okay, so you know that Recreation.gov (federal campgrounds) and ReserveAmerica (many state park systems and some private RV park systems) are the main reservation booking systems for most of the public campgrounds in the country.  The same company runs both websites and the reservation booking systems are exactly the same.

They have individual contracts with each state park system and each contract includes "Type of Campsite" as one of the items to be completed for each campsite.  Each park system designates whether each campsite is suitable for an RV, Trailer, Tent, etc.  Some places consider an RV to be motorhomes only, while other places include trailers in their definition of RVs.

On the websites' Frequently Asked Questions, there is nothing that defines the difference between an "RV Site" and a "Trailer Site".

Okay, let's say four parks have 40-foot sites.  Under "Type of Site" one park may designate all their 40-foot sites as "RV Sites" AND "Trailer Sites" as they can give multiple designations.  One park may designate all of their 40-foot sites as "RV Sites" only.  One park may designate all their 40-foot sites as "Trailer Sites" only.  One park may designate some of their 40-foot sites as "RV Sites", some as "Trailer Sites", and some as both "RV Sites" AND "Trailer Sites".

So, it all depends on how the park has designated the sites as to what comes up in your search criteria.

Just for kicks I just did a search at Allegheny State Park in New York.  When I searched for "RV Sites" of at least 40 feet, I got 52 sites that met that criteria.  When I searched for "Trailer Sites" of at least 40 feet, I got 61 sites that met that criteria.  Upon further review, most of the sites had both "RV Site" and "Trailer Site" designations in the details, BUT some were designated only as "Trailer Sites" and NOT "RV Sites" even though there didn't appear to be any difference in site size or amenities.  If I had searched on "RV Sites" only, I would have missed nine additional sites that might have worked for us - that can be a big deal.

In all of the years we've been doing this, sometimes I search on "RV Sites" and sometimes I search on "Trailer Sites", but I almost never do a search on both UNLESS the search result comes back funky (now I know why that might happen).  I didn't think it mattered as long as I put in the length.  Well, as it turns out, it does matter .... sometimes .... depending on what each park put in the "Type of Campsite" field for each campsite.

As we say here, there are no "dumb questions".  And your question helped me learn something today.  From now on, I'll be doing a search of both "RV Sites" and "Trailer Sites". 

Because of the way most floor plans are laid out on motor homes, the driver/passenger end has the most advantageous views when pulled straight into sites with water views or scenic views. On the other hand, most floor plans for RV trailers - especially 5th wheels - have floor plans with the most advantageous views out of the back end and when backed into a site beside a motor home that has been parked with the front end facing the view both may have equally rewarding views.

We have been to a number of RV parks with sites having utilities - water, electric, CATV - and parking pads configured for both pull-in & back-in parking. I don’t recall any difference in pricing but we have a 5er and only asked about it.

FastEagle

-- Edited by FastEagle on Friday 18th of April 2014 09:04:30 AM