After looking into the concept of “Selective Reasoning” I find a mixed bag of tricks. One can compare selective reasoning to what a sub-division home owner might call CC&R’s (covenant, codes and restrictions), they are good for some folks and really a turn off for others.

Some RVer’s think they have too many rules while out camping while others don’t think there are enough of them. Let’s go over some of those issues first hand; person (A) might not like the idea you can’t bring your own firewood, parks having RV age limitations, not allowing pets or kids, no tent trailers, no slide-outs, no awnings out past the concrete pad and the list goes on. Person (B) thinks only luxury motorhomes and fifth-wheel trailers should be allowed where they camp, full hook-ups standard, concrete and pavement everywhere their RV treads and the list goes on.

After talking with many folks and reading around the internet I find the definition of “Selective Reasoning” really misinterpreted more than anything, mainly by those who do enforce it, the park managers. The biggest said complaint is usually from that meticulous owner of an older RV whom does not meet the maximum vehicle age requirements of a particular RV park. What has happened is some park owners or management companies draw up a selective reasoning rule to keep out the scum bags who drive in with their half falling apart RV, maybe a mobile drug dealer or just plain bad folks making a complete nightmare out of a nice friendly campground. The concept of selective reasoning does make sense if it is not overly restrictive and allows flexibility on the manager or camp hosts part. For example if you are going to make an age limitation figuring most of the rough looking RV’s are older, than as the camp host/manager, you better be flexable with the RVer who has a well taking care of unit no matter what the age might be.

If you feel that your older RV is in great condition and you run into this kind of situation, please do yourself and all other like RV owners a favor and complain in a nice way, either directly to the RV Park, or in writing to whom ever is in charge or owns the park in question.

There is good reason for this concept if the rules are written with “flexibility in mind”, well thought out understanding of concept and meaning.

There are not that many of these types of parks as of yet, so you should not run into this problem too often. If planning a trip ahead of time, call ahead and ask if there are any restrictions you may not agree with, and if so see if there is any flexibility and if not move on down the list. Don’t let this type of thing restrict you from enjoying your older RV or camping experience