cops stopping you

WyoTraveler wrote:
I don't violate the law. Everything in my RV is legal. I'd invite the officer in an offer him a beer. JMHO they are looking for bad guys not fulltime RVers. As a retired LEO I never had time to hassle good people. Crooks kept me busy.

Exactly. I don't full time but spend a large portion of 9 months of the year on the road. Any LEO is free to inspect any of my caravan anytime the want. Never been hassled by LEO, they have much better things to do than waste time with me.

X2 .... former LEO - if I ever ask to search a vehicle, it's not just because I'm curious. I'm suspicious of something. If its drugs, I can have a Dog run around your vehicle without a warrant. If he hits, I don't' need a warrant. Bottom line, if you have nothing to hide, why would you even ask this question? Not all police are Nazi extremists wanting to trample all over your rights - just go along with it and be thankful they're on YOUR side.

I think that chances of a cop asking if you live in your RV are pretty slim. As far as a search I think that they would need a warrant unless you give them permission.

We've been fulltiming for over twenty years. We often spend the night in Walmart,other big box stores and casinos. We boondock on public land. Occasionally we spend the night on the street when we're visiting people. We've never been questioned. If your RV is ratty, if you park in the same spots for weeks or if somebody complains you may get questioned. I know that the national forest in Arizona around Flagstaff has started cracking down on people who overstay their 14 day boondocking limit but that's the only instance of a problem that I've heard about.

lucasland wrote:
from what i've heard some places its illegal to live in your vehicle, regardless of what it is. some cops can be jerks about it too. I heard one cop recently state he keeps an eye out for some rv's cause full timing is popular for parolees and others on probation, so he likes to take an extra close look when he can

18 years full time, never had contact with PO, illegal only if you try to "live" in places where the local laws prohibit it. We have gone thru Border Inforcement check points and they just wave us thru.

Jim

I don't violate the law. Everything in my RV is legal. I'd invite the officer in an offer him a beer. JMHO they are looking for bad guys not fulltime RVers. As a retired LEO I never had time to hassle good people. Crooks kept me busy.

Anyone seeking legal advise on an internet forum will usually get the best, worst advise you can imagine.

There are two legal ideas that are sorta, kinda accurate. It you are on the road the RV is considered a vehicle, if you are parked at a campground it's a domicile.

Squatters have been questioned since pioneers caravanned west 200 years ago. If you're living in an RV, do it in a campground / RV park and your chances of being questioned will be lower than your chances of hitting powerball

from what i've heard some places its illegal to live in your vehicle, regardless of what it is. some cops can be jerks about it too. I heard one cop recently state he keeps an eye out for some rv's cause full timing is popular for parolees and others on probation, so he likes to take an extra close look when he can

lucasland wrote:
as your full timing it, if a cop stops you and asks "do you live in your RV?". what is your response. also what do you do if they ask you if they can search your RV?

#1 why would they ask that question?
#2 Do you have a warrant?

Jim

I don't know. I have never been stopped in my motorhome but plan to go fulltime by the end of this year. Eager to hear what others have to say.