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An inventive traveler can find places to stop without a fee -- school yards, gasoline stations, rest stops, club members yards, etc. One reason is economics. Those on a budget will enjoy the notion of being "rent free". Another is a sense of independence -- "I can get along w/out any support from anyone". Also sense of adventure: "I can live on my own" Where to go to find the land? You already own a lot of it. Public lands embrace such huge resources as BLM. The general rule is if you can get your RV to it, and get 100 yards off the highway, you can stay there. This is especially true in the West. The key always is to ensure that the surface will support your particular RV. Consider too the impact of rain. You want to make sure you can get out as well as get it... Other areas include snowpark parking, and fishing access sites. But be sure to park "out of the way", so you don't block others' access. When you're in a national park or recreation area, ask whether they have any "primitive camping" areas. When you travel, you'll meet other RVers -- many of whom are likely to have places you can park when you visit their home areas. Quartzsite is the quintessential example of public lands which are used for boondocking. At peak season it's the world's largest flea market, completely populated by RVs. It's 7 miles long by 2 miles wide. The main area has an annual entry permit; but beyond that designated area it's all free. As a courtesy, remember the folks already out there boondocking are there for peace and quiet too. So when you move into an area where RVs are already parked, be sure to "keep your distance". Don't ever park closer than 100 feet to any other parked rig. Always get it from an approved water source -- not Springs. Service stations and truck stops are good sources, but ALWAYS use your own hose. Don't use their hose -- you have no idea where their hose has been. If you're using a private campground, you've already paid for the hookups, so fill your tank while you're there. Never dump on the ground anywhere. It's illegal in almost every state. And it's certainly terrible manners as well. Many service stations out West have a disposal station for a fee. Flying J is particularly RV friendly. They'll have dump station and propane. Newer flying J's have fuel plazas just for RVs -- but regretably they're poorly designed and often too tight for big rigs -- so bigger rigs will want to fuel up with the trucks. Some chains are not RV friendly. Petro is one. Unfortunately some states are closing their dump stations. It's because RVers use bad manners. Always use a hose; and always hook up the hose to the dump station first, and then to your RV. Make sure you have adequate size wiring connecting the chassis battery to the house battery. Trailer manufacturers often undersize the wires. 6 guage wire is needed. Never tow with the refrigerator on gas. It will stay cold for several hours anyway. 3 way refrigerators don't work too well. The best solution is to get an inverter of at least 1500 watts, and run the refrigerator on that source while you're running down the road. A generator is another obvious source, but the noise is clearly a disturbance -- so buy a quiet one and use it with care for your neighbors. Solar panels is another option. It converts sunlight to DC current. You'll need at least 8 guage wiring from the panel(s) to the battery bank. But using an inverter and solar still requires careful energy conservation. Watch for stray electric loads, like TV's turned off are not really "off"; the microwave clock is still running; the DSS system draws the same whether it's "on" or "off" (about 30 watts). Use fluorescent lighting only. Replace regular lighting with florescent. Use Sun Ray fixtures -- they work best. As a rule of thumb, you'll need two batteries per person -- at least. If you add batteries, use 00 size cable and use the shortest possible cable length needed. Which type battery works best? How do you feel safe out there by yourself? First, don't advertise who you are "the Jones from Milwaukee". Someone will knock on your door in the middle of the night calling out your name -- trying to make you think it's someone you know. Park in the light, not in a dark, concealed area where you could be victimized out of sight. Watch where you walk. In the desert there are too many things that stick or bite. Wear boots in the desert and watch your step. Carry water, and always go with a companion (buddy system). Your RV is extremely safe from intruders. It's safer than your house or apartment. It has only one door. And it opens OUT. Thus you can't kick it in like the door on your house which opens in. Statistically your much more likely to be a victim in your house than in your RV. Moreover, there's little you have in there that someone can quickly take out and convert it to significant amounts of money. Robbers believe -- rightly or wrongly -- that all RVers carry guns. A personal issue is guns. There are considerations to be weighed. If you're carrying a gun that is unloaded, your asking for trouble. In almost every state you can use deadly force to protect yourself from imminent serious danger of being killed or maimed. Never shoot a warning shot. Never shoot just to injure. Only if you're comfortable with all that should you have a gun in the rig. Beyond guns, he does recommend full strength pepper spray, good up to about 20 feet. One brand has dye which will mark the attacker for a long time to come. It's not legal in all states. It's not legal in Canada for self defense against people; but it is legal for defense against bears! Please read our Safety & Caravans/RV page for more information. Some people found ourselves looking for a campground almost every night for the conveniences, safety, and TV hook up for the night. They use private, public, and membership campgrounds and about time to quit driving the are pouring over the directories to find a place to stop. Sometimes they will dry camp or boondock on public land, truck stop, rest area or parking lot. Others have a Satellite Dish and a cell phone with email capability, and this group is boondocking anywhere and everywhere. They don't like to disconnect their toad just to get parked at a site that might have soft ground, etc. This description fits many motorhomers today. It fits fewer travel trailer RVers. They are typical of many people that tour and don’t stay too long in any place. Picking a suitable place to dry camp has several aspects. Safety, convenience, location, permission possibilities and noise are important considerations. Safety is paramount in everybody's minds and people do some things to make sure they pick a safe place based on their experience. You can choose to travel with three electronic devices that provide additional safety: a Cell Phone, a good Alarm System, and the new MayDay System. The MayDay system is a GPS (Geo Positioning Satellite) based monitoring system that has a dedicated cell phone and can connect us to a real person monitoring our condition in the time it takes to make a call. It is activated if the alarm goes off, if we press the emergency button and when the coach batteries go down. Since they know exactly where you are they can immediately dispatch the proper service. The Alarm System sounds a siren and flashes lights if someone tries to break into the RV. It also allows people to sound the alarm from a key fob in the bedroom if they hear estrange noises outside. The siren and lights flashing will probably scare people with bad intent away from the RV. Not all rest stops are good places to park over night. If you are near a big city where the crime rate is high or in a State that has a bad reputation then do not pick Rest Stops. Similarly, don't pick a Truck Stop if the area has a bad reputation. Both of these types of area are shared with over the road truckers and call for special etiquette.
Camping
at Wal-Mart The company policy is to allow Rv'ers overnight parking. It would be advisable to check in with the store manager when you arrive as a courtesy. However, if you ran into a store that refused you, you were to report this to Wal-Mart headquarters. A number of Wal-Marts will welcomed you with open arms. Management even alerts security to keep and eye on the rigs during a stay. A Wal-Mart or similar retail parking lot does not provide a "campsite." It is still a parking lot where, with the retailers approval, an RVer can get a few hours sleep. It also provides an opportunity to do some restocking and other shopping. Many Wal-Mart stores now have "No Overnight RV Parking" signs. Be sure to circle the lot and check ALL parking lot entrances. Some with signs: Arizona -- east Tucson and Casa Grande, and in Oregon in Newport. Camping at Flying J Truck Stops It is a well known fact that Flying J Truck Stops are RV-friendly. But if you use the truck stops to stay overnight, by all means fill your tank, get propane, eat a meal or buy something in the convenience store. Please don't abuse this good thing or it will be taken away from us. Their gas prices were always better than anyone else and they will even give you a discount card (not much, just one cent a gallon.) You can also filled up your LP tanks there. Most of them had a separate area for overnight RV parking, away from the semi trucks. Arriving late pretty much guarantees you won't be staying there. They fill up in front. When traveling cross country you can stop in truckstops. There is a book called Truckers Friend (buy it at most Truck Stops and at Camping World) and they list all truckstops that welcome RVs. Try to get in the back of the parking lot. If you need to run a generator who will notice? The only problem is having a cattle carrier pull in and park next door. Keep Low Profile and do business at establishment where you are parking. You can also use the Trucker's Friend to locate restaurants that have table phones and you can have dinner and get your e-mail at the same time. Works great." Some stores do let you stay overnight, but check before with each store. You can find a listing of stores and maps at the Camping World website http://www.campingworld.com. Most "Camping Worlds" allow free overnight parking. Camping World is a good overnight spot. Like Wal-Mart, they figure you'll buy something also. You can stay a night in most Cracker Barrel restaurants. As with Wal-Marts, you should ask first, but generally they don't turn you down if you arrive just before closing. Good breakfasts too!" Kmart, factory outlet stores & shopping centers Kmart allows over night parking. As a matter of fact, they were the first to provide the overnight camping opportunity. Kmart allows overnight parking. Ask the store manager if he minds if you spend the night. Most will tell you they will let their security staff know so they can keep an eye on your rig during the night. Try to park off the beaten path and never leave any trash. Ask the mall management if you can park in their lot. Chances are they'll say fine and even have the security guards watch out for you. Many of them have RV hookups at either free, or very cheap rates. Most all have nice restaurants and lounges along with other activities (music, dancing, etc.). These benefits are for Elks Club members only, however, once a member, you can use the facilities all over the country, and the Elks are a very civic-minded organization and contribute to many worthwhile activities. Most have increased their prices over the prices listed in the books or they ask for a donation. The campgrounds are a large money raiser for the lodges. Some of the members work very hard building and maintaining the camp spots. Flying J and Union 76 truck stops publish flyers that list what they offer RVers --propane, dump station, etc. and encourage them to spend the night. It is a place where you can get fuel. And if not fuel you can purchase a meal. More and more truck service centers realize that RVers mean money and offering the RVer the same service as the truckers increases their button line. Union 76 truck stops have a brochure of all the Truck Stops that welcome Rvers. They offer the RVer propane, dump station, etc. The same welcome mat is offered by Flying J and AmBest truck stops. When parking overnight in a truck stop with an RV, use the front parking lot where the cars are. It's quieter, safer, and more convenient. It's safer because you lesson the chance of a big truck backing into you in the middle of the night. There are a lot of new drivers out there in big rigs now that have a hard time parking when rested, and a terrible time parking in the middle of the night. | ||||||||||
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