Florida State Parks

Mercator

I was surprised to learn today that a campsite in a Florida state park that will allow a tent or pop up will not allow a T@B. I tried to explain that our trailer is smaller footprint than most pop ups, but to no avail. I question why they have 30 amp service for tents. 

judymac

Been there, done that.  We have been searching many state parks and it surprises us as well.  We have found some that will allow our new T@B but not our add-a-room.  One site asked for pictures of how it is designed.

judymac

Mercator, would you might sending me a PM with the name of the particular park?

Michigan_Mike

Mercator said:

I was surprised to learn today that a campsite in a Florida state park that will allow a tent or pop up will not allow a T@B. I tried to explain that our trailer is smaller footprint than most pop ups, but to no avail. I question why they have 30 amp service for tents. 

I travel in Florida and would be interested in knowing what state park you are referring to?  These are teardrop trailers and when registering, most places don't even have a line entry for a teardrop and I end up classifying it as a pop-up style camper.  

Mercator

This was at Little Talbot Island SP, near Jacksonville, but the person that I spoke with worked at the Florida SP head office.

judymac

Mike, we have a couple of places in Fla we are reviewing and they specify no pop up campers allowed; however, when they ask for a pic, no problem.
Our county clerk didn't know how to categorize ours!

jkjenn

I would think a teardrop would fall under travel trailer. Why do they restrict types instead of sizes?

judymac

Jenn, I assume it is a new concept for some folks.  It was new to me until 15-20 pulled into our town being towed by Classic A and T Models.  I went nuts over the teardrop from that point forward.
I agree, a travel trailer is just that.

Mercator

jkjenn said:

I would think a teardrop would fall under travel trailer. Why do they restrict types instead of sizes?

I agree.  That was the puzzle to me - that they would OK a pop up on the site but would ban a teardrop that likely has a smaller footprint.

Michigan_Mike

The only time I've seen them ban anything was a tent.  Why they would eliminate a T@B or teardrop trailer is beyond me?  Maybe it's because they don't fit in with 40' diesel motor homes with slide out units?  LOL

Jimbo

I have heard stories about type/size restrictions at private campgrounds and don't
like it but understand their right to do this. But, for a state park??? that is just wrong..Maybe LGW should look into this and if necessary file a complaint or educate the state on behalf of their customers. They would be a bigger voice than just individual owners. Oh well that's my 2cents..

SweetlyHome

We have camped at Little Talbot, a nice park.  I'm a little confused.  Having just checked, Little Talbot as well most Florida state parks generally have  two classes of site per the reservation system, RV (tents are usually ok in these) and tents.only.  Do I get the suggestion correctly that they will actually allow a pop up in the tent sites, but not a teardrop or T@B?  I've seen many of these tent sites in Florida and wouldn't want to attempt a trailer in many of them.  

Just to clarify, thanks.

Mercator

SweetlyHome said:

We have camped at Little Talbot, a nice park.  I'm a little confused.  Having just checked, Little Talbot as well most Florida state parks generally have  two classes of site per the reservation system, RV (tents are usually ok in these) and tents.only.  Do I get the suggestion correctly that they will actually allow a pop up in the tent sites, but not a teardrop or T@B?  I've seen many of these tent sites in Florida and wouldn't want to attempt a trailer in many of them.  

Just to clarify, thanks.

I have booked campsite 003 for February 25-28.  Under "Site Details" - at the top of the description - it says "Tent Only".  However, at the bottom of the page under "Alerts and Important Information" it states " We allow up to 2 tents per campsite in our campground.  This site is Tent or Pop-Up Only".  

When I got a call back from the State Park head office the woman on the phone told me that I wouldn't be allowed with a trailer on the site (even a T@B).

Based on information that JudyMac obtained, I called the park office directly.  Robbie said that I could camp with the T@B there if I wanted, but they restrict it to tents as it is very tight space getting in to the site from the road.  

I think that I am going to chance getting in there with the T@B as I can easily unhook and push it in by hand.  The puzzle to me is why they think a pop-up could get in but not a T@B.

TABaker

I wonder if it might be a height issue as opposed to a length issue.  I've seen some that have low branches into the site, which then opens up somewhat.  They may limit it to tents and pop-ups, knowing that the top won't be too high.  Just a guess. Teardrops are certainly not "new".  Their popularity began in the 50s.  However, there is never a category for us.

SweetlyHome

Mercator,
Thanks for the info, didn't notice the fine print.  

TABaker's comment is interesting as when we last camped at Talbot we had to work the T@B into our RV site carefully due to a big, low oak in the middle of the site.  Could not have imagined getting a Class C in there.  Talbot is an "old style" camping area.  Narrow winding dirt roads and odd shaped sites.

We wish you a great extended weekend and warm weather in February.

If you get as far south as West Palm drop us a note.  We live in Jupiter.

Wanderoo

That looks so lovely!!!  Oh, I can see myself there (and not in the snow and ice in Denver, Colorado).  Glad to see you guys are camping.

Michigan_Mike

TABaker said:

I wonder if it might be a height issue as opposed to a length issue.  I've seen some that have low branches into the site, which then opens up somewhat.  They may limit it to tents and pop-ups, knowing that the top won't be too high.  Just a guess. Teardrops are certainly not "new".  Their popularity began in the 50s.  However, there is never a category for us.

Good point and I have camped in AZ where there were trees and limited height that would have made it impossible for a T@B to get into the site.  Most campgrounds will state these type of clearance hazards and restrictions therein.  

vanderado

The problem might be perceived fairness. I get the logic that T@B's are sometimes smaller than popups. Popups are easy for the campground hosts and customers to categorize, they are never 40 feet long and always roughly the same size. Everyone knows if they have a popup or not.

Once you allow T@B's in popup/tent sites, the guy with a hard shell camper that is 2' longer will complain, then the guy with a Bambi Airstream will complain "mine is just a few feet longer" and now the campground is in the middle allowing T@B's and not slightly larger hard shell campers. The line gets too muddy.

Right now the pull down categories are nice and neat and everyone knows what kind of camper they have and where it will fit. The T@B disrupted these categories. I would like pull down menu options to be TENT / T@B / POPUP / CAMPER / RV. But as you can see, a T@B would be 2 categories and confusing.