Park model trailers, although considered recreational vehicles, are transportable and primarily designed for long-term or permanent placement at a destination where an RV or mobile home is allowed. When set up, park models are connected to the utilities necessary to operate home style fixtures and appliances. Park models are popular with people for use as a cottage, vacation or retirement home.
In the United States, park models must remain under 400 square feet (37 m2) to qualify as a recreational vehicle under federal and state laws. In Canada, park models must remain under 540 square feet in order to qualify as a recreational vehicle. Over that size they would be considered a manufactured home and subject to different taxes and regulations. Many units feature slide-out or tip-out bays, which collapse into the unit for travel, and then expand outward when parked to increase overall living space. All floor plans are designed to remain under that limit when adding bays. If buyers want to stretch a plan, then the width may need to be narrowed. If they want to widen a plan, then the length has to be shortened.
A park model usually has steel tie-down straps for attachment to ground anchors. These are often required to satisfy local zoning and/or mobile home park regulations.
Standard campers without fresh water and/or holding tanks are often mistakenly identified as park models.