Before You Sign: The Monthly RV Park Checklist

A monthly spot is closer to renting an apartment than booking a campsite. Rates, rules and surprise fees vary a lot between parks, often on the same road. Ask these before you pay a deposit.

Money

• What's the monthly rate, and what does it include? Ask specifically about water, sewer, trash, Wi-Fi and cable.
• Is electric included or metered? Many parks bill electric separately on a meter. In a Texas summer that can add $100 to $250 or more a month. Ask what a typical summer bill runs.
• Deposit, move-in fees and pet fees? Find out what's refundable and when.
• Is there a lease or minimum term? Some parks require 3, 6 or 12 months. Others go month to month.
• How much notice to leave, and is there a penalty?
• Are prices going up? Ask when the rate last changed and how much notice they give.

Rules that can get you turned away

• RV age rule. Many parks only accept RVs newer than a set age, often 10 years. Some make exceptions for well-kept units if you send photos.
• RV type and length. Are fifth wheels, park models or toy haulers allowed? Will a big rig fit the site and the turns?
• Pets. Breed and size limits, number of pets, and leash rules.
• Vehicles. How many vehicles per site? Are work trucks, trailers or company vehicles allowed?
• Skirting, sheds and porches. Allowed? Required? Any approval needed?
• Guests and occupants. Limits on how many people live in the RV, or how long guests can stay.

Day-to-day living

• Mail and packages. Can you receive mail or deliveries at the park?
• Wi-Fi. Fast enough to work from, or only for email? If you work online, ask to test it.
• Laundry, showers, propane delivery.
• Quiet hours and work schedules. Shift workers should ask about noise and early-morning traffic.
• Who's on site? Is there a manager on the property? How are repairs and complaints handled?

On the Gulf Coast: storms and flooding

• What's the storm plan? Does the park require you to leave for a named storm? Will they hold your site?
• Has the park flooded before? Ask directly, and look at how high the sites sit.
• Can your RV be moved quickly? If you don't own a truck, line up a mover before storm season, not during it.

Moving in without a truck

Most people living in an RV long-term don't own a tow vehicle. A local RV mover can bring your trailer or fifth wheel in, back it into the site, and get it level. Line one up before you sign, so move-in day isn't held up. How RV moving works.

More guides: metered electric explained · hurricane season for long-stay RVers.

Print this list or keep it on your phone. When you call a park, the answers to these questions tell you more than any photo.