Seasonal Camping Sites

Just think, packing a few pieces of clothing, a short drive from the Twin Cities, stopping at the large local grocery store for a couple of items and another 2 minutes of driving and you have arrived at a vacation home personalized just for you. We can’t imagine having a better location for a seasonal lot. An “Up North” feel without the long crowded drive each weekend. Permanently park your rig and enjoy each weekend or the whole summer, without the hassle of moving your rig from place to place.

Our seasonal community is very strong and many of our events focus on their involvement. We have live bands playing at the rec hall, community pot lucks and card games.

At A-J Acres we allow our seasonal residents to modify the lot to better suit your needs and lifestyle to make it feel more like your home away from home. We encourage decks and landscaping for your enjoyment and betterment of the site. However, we do require approval from A-J Acres owner for any such improvements. All improvements must also meet local building codes and not affect fellow residents or campers.

Helpful Tip: Decks

At just about every seasonal campsite, the resident has added a deck. The problem with a permanent deck is you will have to tear it apart if you would like to reposition your RV. A solution to this is to build a modular deck system consisting of multiple 4’ x 8’ sections bolted together. Then when you want to move it you can unbolt it and if needed move it in sections in the back of a truck. This method does require more pieces of wood but the structural members are much smaller. Additionally, each corner must be supported by a footing. If built according to the method described below, the decks should meet local building codes. However, you are responsible for verifying the design meets local codes.

Lay out two 2x6-8’ rim joists on saw horses and mark intersecting joists locations 16” on center. Using a scrap piece of 2x4 as a guide, install joist hangers so the 2x4 guide is flush with the top of the rim joists. Starting with one of the long rim joists using 3” screws, install the end rim joists. Then install the middle 2x4 joists into the joist hangers. Follow up with the other long rim joist and repeat. Now you have the frame built.

Place the frame on flat ground and install the two straightest lengths of decking you have along the long rim joist flush to edges. Using 2” screws, attach one screw to each joist. Square up the mini deck by measuring from corner to opposite corner. The measurements need to be the same or the additional decks will not be able to be bolted together. If not, push or pull on the corners till they are. Finish screwing down the deck boards you have already attached. Place remaining deck boards between the two you have installed, spacing them equally.

Drill bolt holes for the carriage bolts in each joist bay and 3 on the ends. If you space them the same way on all modular units, then the deck will bolt together no matter how you arrange the units. Mark out on the ground where you plan to place the deck. On each of the corners of each of the modules, you will need support. If on grade level you may use patio blocks to support the deck. Pier blocks can be used if you need a little more height. If installing the deck higher than that you will need a regular deck footing.

If you are not able to crawl underneath to bolt it together, a deck board (one at a time) may be removed and reinstalled after the deck is in place. If you doubt your carpentry skills, please contact a local carpenter for help.

Material List: (Each section)

2 2x6-96" green treated boards
2 2x6-45" green treated boards
5 2x4-45" green treated boards
9 5/4x6-45" cedar decking
2" & 3" triple coated deck screws
3/8" Hot dipped or stainless carriage bolts 4" long w/ nuts and washers