Hey Guys, I'm reaching out because its very hard to find information about this online. I'm a first time rv'er and I'm planning to live in the New York City area over this winter. I've spoken to a couple of winterizing services and they seem to think that I would have to stay hooked-up to a campground for the entire time for comfort. However comfort is a luxury that I don't anticipate for the winter and wonder if you guys have any tips or ideas of how I could stay mobile, in the area of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.What I know so far:Liberty Harbor RV Camp has a dump station I can use for $10and possibly fill up on water and charge as wellI've checked at some marina's and state parks but the employes don't seem to know if I could use their facilities. Does anyone know if a marina has a dump station that is accessible for an RV?

bedstuyloveaffair wrote: However comfort is a luxury that I don't anticipate for the winter and wonder if you guys have any tips or ideas of how I could stay mobile, in the area of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. The only way I can think of to "stay mobile" in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan is by using the subway.Kidding aside, and assuming this is for real:Before committing to what sounds like some form of urban blacktopping, I advise you to first check the parking codes for the three boroughs you intend to inhabit.

Marinas usually do pump-outs, since boats are not in a position to dump.If you are not going to be hooked up, the RV will likely not be warm enough to use the plumbing facilities, so for that part of the year the dumping issue would be moot.You need to find someone who is already RV camping on the streets in NYC, learn what they do to get around the limitations of modern RV equipment. What we had in the 1960s could do fairly well without electricity, and travel trailers of this vintage are often placed in fields and woodlots in rural areas to be used as hunting camps.But if you get too modern, everything depends on maintaining an electrical supply, which might mean charging 4-8 hours a day to keep a furnace running overnight, or pumping water.

Would Long Island work? Battlerow Campground (Nassau County) has a dumpstation. I camped for 4 nights there last Fall and noted they have a few long termers there also.

Living in an RV in New York City during winter | Good Sam Community

52 Replies

westend
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
Could be dark and smokey...might not even send power off the pedestal? I would assume the charger is sensing a few things when hooked to an EV battery pack, things like voltage (72V is kind of common, IIRC), amount of amp hours in the pack, amount of resistance in the circuit. Lithium charging is dark science, to me but I know it's not close to strapping a 12V Delco charger on a SLA. Also, the pictures of these stations I see in the field look like a Parisian parking meter with about a dozen credit cards displayed. I'm going to guess that an EV charge in Manhattan isn't going to be inexpensive.

The cool thing about trying an RV charge in the City would be that you're almost incognito, double parked because your rig isn't going to fit the parking slot of a Nissan Leaf. You'd blend right in.:B
JaxDad
Explorer III
Oct 24, 2014
bedstuyloveaffair wrote:
The idea of using the e-car charging stations to charge the rv is really interesting. could you guys elaborate a little more on how that would work? It seems like I need to purchase and install a cable that is normally used for electric cars/hybrids.

I think you will find public access points for charging an EV will be a Level 2 port, I.e. 240 volts.

By running 240 (at half the amps of 120) the service provider can get double the outlets on a circuit and the vehicle charges in dramatically less time.

It certainly would be 'interesting' plugging an RV into an EV port, but likely only for a few seconds, then it would be dark and smokey.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2014
The idea of using the e-car charging stations to charge the rv is really interesting.
Oh well - ignorance is bliss. be sure to post some pictures your setup - for posterity's sake.
westend
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
bedstuyloveaffair wrote:
2012Coleman wrote:
I Googled Manhattan hostel and found some very interesting links including one for the Harlem YMCA The OP can research the rates himself, but these are typically way less expensive than an apartment and according to info at the link I provided, you get to use the Y's facilities including pool and computer room.

No way in HE double toothpicks would I even consider living in an RV in the north during the winter.

It's funnny how these types of questions pop up at this time of year - last year, it was about a guy wanting to convert a box truck into some kind of living quarters so he could park at the university parking lot - un-noticed.

I can't see any outcome other than being found imitating a popsicle. Good luck OP - if your still around reading these replies.

still reading! thanks for the suggestions and concerns. The idea of using the e-car charging stations to charge the rv is really interesting. could you guys elaborate a little more on how that would work? It seems like I need to purchase and install a cable that is normally used for electric cars/hybrids.
Forget about the E-car charging, you won't be doing it with an RV. Nearly all charging stations are in garages, it is a sophisticated charger that interfaces with automotive lithium cells, and your RV is not compliant with the charging profile. It's not just a matter of changing the cord. BTW, these chargers actually want some money to hook up, go figure.

Do you now own an RV or is this all speculation on how to save some money?
CKNSLS
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
Plus one obgraham. It's a lousy idea on many levels....
obgraham
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
I suspect OP is a young person who hasn't quite thought through what he is planning.
bedstuyloveaffa
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
2012Coleman wrote:
I Googled Manhattan hostel and found some very interesting links including one for the Harlem YMCA The OP can research the rates himself, but these are typically way less expensive than an apartment and according to info at the link I provided, you get to use the Y's facilities including pool and computer room.

No way in HE double toothpicks would I even consider living in an RV in the north during the winter.

It's funnny how these types of questions pop up at this time of year - last year, it was about a guy wanting to convert a box truck into some kind of living quarters so he could park at the university parking lot - un-noticed.

I can't see any outcome other than being found imitating a popsicle. Good luck OP - if your still around reading these replies.

still reading! thanks for the suggestions and concerns. The idea of using the e-car charging stations to charge the rv is really interesting. could you guys elaborate a little more on how that would work? It seems like I need to purchase and install a cable that is normally used for electric cars/hybrids.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014
westend wrote:
Yeah, foolish Forum tics...

I didn't know the rent stabilization was still in effect. I just went by what I was told by my Daughter and the homeless gal. My take on the housing situation in NYC is that it's too expensive to build affordable housing and there is a lot of rental that already exists. Another thing is that the surrounding area has some affordable housing and there is a good transportation system.

The Daughter is now in Park Slope so there is plenty to see around there. I did see the Prisoner's Monument but only in passing. That would be a good one to take the Grandkids to see since we have ancestors connected to the War.

There was a time when it was thought NYS (Yes, my bad. It's not just NYC the laws affects)would go the way of Massachusetts and it worked a lot of people up. I will say our housing costs only seem to go up. I still retain a childhood memory of my mother wondering if the landlord thought we were Rockefellers when the rent was raised to 70 bucks a month:D. Flash forward and she's now grumbling about the monthly fee of approx. $825.00 at her condo which is about 1 mile away from the 70 dollar apartment. Apparently the song remains the same, LOL.

Park Slope is a fantastic neighborhood to bring children up! Very progressive atmosphere with lots of child friendly activities, great schools, food coops and such.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2014
I Googled Manhattan hostel and found some very interesting links including one for the Harlem YMCA The OP can research the rates himself, but these are typically way less expensive than an apartment and according to info at the link I provided, you get to use the Y's facilities including pool and computer room.

No way in HE double toothpicks would I even consider living in an RV in the north during the winter.

It's funnny how these types of questions pop up at this time of year - last year, it was about a guy wanting to convert a box truck into some kind of living quarters so he could park at the university parking lot - un-noticed.

I can't see any outcome other than being found imitating a popsicle. Good luck OP - if your still around reading these replies.
westend
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Yeah, foolish Forum tics...

I didn't know the rent stabilization was still in effect. I just went by what I was told by my Daughter and the homeless gal. My take on the housing situation in NYC is that it's too expensive to build affordable housing and there is a lot of rental that already exists. Another thing is that the surrounding area has some affordable housing and there is a good transportation system.

The Daughter is now in Park Slope so there is plenty to see around there. I did see the Prisoner's Monument but only in passing. That would be a good one to take the Grandkids to see since we have ancestors connected to the War.