How to define RV

Our HOA forbids RVs and trailers.

We have a resident with a Mercedes Sprinter van that is also a "camper"

The essence of the covenants is to prevent big ugly RVs trailers etc.

A sprinter van is similar to a work van or even a commuter van.

How do you define an RV?

By my reading:

The definition of RV is not the issue.

Nor is "the essence" or a guessed intent of the covenant the issue.

What matters is the actual words. This brings us to Thee First Issue (AFAIC):

The issue is the vagueness of the covenant prohibiting "RVs." If RV is vague and ambiguous, and a reading of the entire declaration does not clearly reveal anything else about what was intended, then the courts tend to rule that covenants like this are interpreted in favor of the owner, and against the HOA.

Thee Second Issue IMO:
Does the HOA really want to spend money to see if the court rules in its favor? Does the HOA want to get into a game of chicken with the RV owner (and vice versa), where each side spends a fortune on attorneys until one side gives up or the court rules (a few years from now)?

Your covenants were undoubtedly written before such a variety of vans, SUVs and RVs became available. Do not try to force a square peg in a round hole. Let the guy keep the van. Possibly consider amending the covenants for more clarity.

Per Montana code, specifically 61-1-132, the vehicle would be considered an RV.

Per that statute [emphasis added]:

61-1-132. Recreational vehicle. The term "recreational vehicle" as used in 61-4-101 through 61-4-105 and 61-10-141 includes travel trailers as defined in 61-1-131, motor homes as defined in 61-1-130, and other self-propelled vehicles originally designed or permanently altered to provide temporary facilities for recreational, travel, or camping use.

Personally, I wouldn't have an issue with it (but I have not seen the model).

I appreciate TimB4's work and his adding something intelligent to the discusison. But since the Montana Motor Vehicle Code expressly says the definitions apply solely to a particular title of the Code; since the OP's covenants do not say something like " ' RV ' shall be defined consistent with the current definition given in the Montana Motor Vehicle Code"; and since there might be an argument that the definition that does apply is the one in place at the time the covenants were recorded with the county; then I do not buy that the Code's definition applies. To me, a vagueness and ambiguity issue remains.

We are currently revising our Covenants and looking to make them clearer.

Currently, they read

"All campers, trailers, motor homes, boats, and all other recreational equipment and the like shall only be parked within the building envelope. In no event shall such equipment be parked on roads, nor shall any equipment be parked such that it is visible from the streets or adjacent lots for a period exceeding three (3) days in any 30-day period."

The board received a complaint about a Sprinter van parked in a driveway claiming it is an RV and therefore cannot be permanently parked there.
It was the board's opinion that a Sprinter van is not the type of "RV" that we are trying to prohibit. From appearances, the van looks like a work van and is not unsightly.

We are looking for a better way to word this that prevents unsightly RVs and trailers and allows Sprinter Vans and perhaps small pop-top campers.
In some research, I found different classes of RV.

Class A RV Size: 26 to 45 feet
Weight: 13,000 to 30,000 pounds.
These are the motorcoach bus type

Class C RVs: A Mid-Size Option
Size: 20 to 30 feet
Weight: 10,000 to 13,000 pounds
These look like U-Haul trucks with a cab.

Class B RVs:
Size: 17 to 23 feet
Weight: 4,000 to 9,000 pounds
These are the Sprinter Van style and the type that we want to allow.

I suppose we could simply define it as non-Class B RVs that are greater than 23 feet and greater than 9,000 pounds.

It's also becoming more difficult to define "Recreational Equipment" as many new rooftop truck tent systems could make a truck into more.
eg: https://vagabondoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Rob-Claybon.1.jpg

Certainly an argument can be made either way.
Therefore, the boards decision on the interpretation would stand until it is challenged in court.

I truthfully think attorneys (who typically write the documents and the statutes) use the language they do for the purpose of having arguments either way - a simple way to stay in business.

I agree with this. A sprinter van is a van. An RV is self-propelled camper so one must apply common sense in reviewing a potential violation.

Using a Sprinter Van is an interesting "hack" for traveling.

There is a DMV definition
61-1-132. Recreational vehicle. The term "recreational vehicle" as used in 61-4-101 through 61-4-105 and 61-10-141 includes travel trailers as defined in 61-1-131, motor homes as defined in 61-1-130, and other self-propelled vehicles originally designed or permanently altered to provide temporary facilities for recreational, travel, or camping use.

61-1-130. Motor home. "Motor home" as used in 61-3-521 and 61-3-522 means a motor vehicle:
(1) designed to provide temporary living quarters, built as an integral part of or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or van;
(2) containing permanently installed independent life support systems that meet the ANSI/A119.2 standard; and
(3) providing at least four of the following types of facilities:
(a) cooking, refrigeration, or icebox;
(b) self-contained toilet;
(c) heating or air-conditioning, or both;
(d) potable water supply, including a faucet and sink; or
(e) separate 110-volt or 125-volt electrical power supply or a liquefied petroleum gas supply, or both.

Now in the case of the Sprinter Van, from the outside, there is no way of knowing what is inside.
Montana does not identify the type of registration on the license plate. Therefore, we as an HOA can't identify it as an RV by the state definition without seeing what is inside.

I still like the idea of what is the primary purpose of the vehicle.

The key I believe is an unambiguous definition. The vehicle could be defined by either wheelbase limitation, weight or, does the vehicle have the ability to fit within the garage structure or all of the above.