RV camping is all about freedom, adventure, and the open road—unless your rig is deemed “too old” by certain campgrounds. That’s right, some RV parks enforce a strict “10-year rule,” turning away perfectly good RVs simply because of their manufacturing date. Imagine driving for hours, only to be rejected at check-in because your well-maintained, luxury motorhome is one year past the arbitrary cutoff. Meanwhile, a brand-new budget trailer with questionable build quality gets a prime spot. It’s enough to make any RVer scream into their campfire.

Thankfully, the RV community is pushing back, and some campgrounds are finally ditching these outdated policies. We found a great video from The Grateful Glamper that dives deep into this frustrating rule—below are the highlights, but make sure to watch the full video at the end of the article!

1. The 10-Year Rule Is Outdated and Unfair

“This policy is discriminatory, outdated, and completely illogical.”

The so-called “10-year rule” means some campgrounds won’t allow RVs older than a decade, no matter how pristine they are. Meanwhile, a cheaply made 2025 model with peeling decals and a wobbly axle gets a free pass. It’s like refusing to let a classic Rolls-Royce into a parking lot because it’s “too old,” while a brand-new golf cart gets VIP treatment. Shouldn’t condition matter more than a number on a title?

2. Luxury Older RVs vs. Cheap New Ones – The Absurd Double Standard

“A well-maintained 1998 Prevost could be worth over half a million dollars, but a brand-new budget trailer is automatically accepted.”

Some older RVs are built like tanks, with high-end materials and meticulous upkeep, while newer budget models can feel like they’re held together with duct tape and hope. Yet, campgrounds would rather host the latter just because it’s fresh off the lot. It’s like a fancy restaurant rejecting a perfectly aged steak because it’s “too old” and serving a microwaved burger instead. Priorities, people!

3. Campgrounds That Get It Right – Where Age Doesn’t Matter

“Thankfully, there’s a network of campgrounds where your RV age won’t matter at all.”

State and national parks don’t care if your RV is older than your grandma’s fruitcake—they judge based on condition, not age.

Plus, services like RVnGo (sponsor of the video) help you book spots without worrying about arbitrary rules. It’s refreshing to know some places still use common sense instead of a calendar to decide who gets to stay.

4. The Rise of Dishonesty – Why People Are Lying About RV Age

“This rule encourages people to lie… are campgrounds really going to verify the year by checking insurance? Probably not.”*

When faced with an unfair rule, some RVers have resorted to… creative honesty.

Since many older RVs look just as good (or better) than newer ones, folks are fudging the numbers to avoid rejection. It’s like telling a bouncer you’re 21 when you’re technically 20 and 364 days old—except in this case, the bouncer can’t even tell the difference.

5. The Future of RV Camping – Condition Over Age

“Many campgrounds are shifting their policies and realizing that condition-based rules make more sense.”

The good news? More parks are ditching the 10-year rule in favor of inspections or photo submissions. It’s a win for inclusivity and logic—unless you’re rocking a DIY bus conversion held together by dreams and zip ties.

But hey, at least we’re moving in the right direction!

Watch the Full Video

For more insights (and some hilarious real-life examples), check out the full video. And remember—fight for your right to camp, no matter how old your rig is!