Boondocking Article

[woodhog]

This was a very interesting article regarding boondocking, our TC's are made for boondocking with a few modifications and our 4x4 capability.

TC Boondockers

[Shunpiker1]

If RVing is no longer a more affordable option than traveling by car, the entire industry will suffer. The ability to save money by boondocking on the way to our destination (which is most likely a campground or RV resort) benifits the entire RV industry - from manufacturer, to dealer, and campground owner. The money saved will likely be spent at our destination (we may even stay a few extra days).

We spend a lot of money to buy, register, insure, and maintain a self-contained RV that gives us the option to boondock. Now we find out it's illegal almost everywhere? We may as well sell it, travel by car, stay at motels and eat in restaurants. They could use our business too.

These four, unique, web sites are one way to fight back. Each is well worth the annual low-cost membership:
https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/
http://harvesthosts.com/
http://rvgolfclub.com/
http://overnightrvparking.com/

[Shunpiker1]

sorry - deleted as it was posted twice

[garyhaupt]

trailertraveler wrote:

garyhaupt wrote:

...And I didn't say you supported anything...you did when you wrote your note, quoting RV campground owners and not quoting anyone else. If you are now saying you don't, just say so...

So why did you personnalize the issue with the snyde comments about bottled water, etc....?Because I stated what some campground owners have said, does not mean I agree with them. You read that into my post. I was only pointing out their side of the issue. My last statement was that I boondock where it is legal to do so, so I obviously do not always stay in campgrounds and appreciate the ability to camp for free.

Gary Haupt

[sky_free]

The other day someone parked/camped overnight in our neighborhood in a 40-foot diesel pusher with a minivan toad. They were out of the way, clean, and quiet, so who cares? Sure beats the drug dealers, homeless people, and partying kids throwing trash all over the place.

[Reddog1]

beemerphile1 wrote:

trailertraveler wrote:
...if stealth camping was legal stealth would not be required....I boondock frequently and don't have to stealth camp because the places I go are not paved parking lots in cities and dispersed camping is completely legal.

Common misunderstanding of stealth camping. I have never understood how it gets translated as a crime? Stealth means inconspicuous and not drawing attention to oneself!

I stealth camp also but have NEVER KNOWINGLY done it illegally!

This is my position also.

I wonder, if one were to Stealth camp illegally, what harm is done? What would be the penalty? My first thought is if it is stealth, then there is no harm nor penalty.

Other than being told to move, has anyone personally (not know someone whose cousin ...) ever been arrested, towed or shot at for illegal stealth camping?

Wayne

[beemerphile1]

trailertraveler wrote:
...if stealth camping was legal stealth would not be required....I boondock frequently and don't have to stealth camp because the places I go are not paved parking lots in cities and dispersed camping is completely legal.

Common misunderstanding of stealth camping. I have never understood how it gets translated as a crime? Stealth means inconspicuous and not drawing attention to oneself!

I stealth camp also but have NEVER KNOWINGLY done it illegally!

[trailertraveler]

garyhaupt wrote:

...And I didn't say you supported anything...you did when you wrote your note, quoting RV campground owners and not quoting anyone else. If you are now saying you don't, just say so...

So why did you personnalize the issue with the snyde comments about bottled water, etc....?Because I stated what some campground owners have said, does not mean I agree with them. You read that into my post. I was only pointing out their side of the issue. My last statement was that I boondock where it is legal to do so, so I obviously do not always stay in campgrounds and appreciate the ability to camp for free.

[garyhaupt]

"I remember all the hoops you jumped through to volunteer at a U.S. National Park so know you have at least some respect for the laws of the U.S. Or was that only because it was to your benefit to do so, because you could loose your privilege to enter the U.S. if caught without the proper visa?"

Boy, sure doesn't take much for you to get personal with your attacks, does it.

Let me absolutely clear..the hoops I jumped thru were to 100% be on the right side of the US Border laws, whether Immigration, IRS or any other agency. I did not want to loose my cross border privileges.

And I didn't say you supported anything...you did when you wrote your note, quoting RV campground owners and not quoting anyone else. If you are now saying you don't, just say so.



Gary Haupt

[trailertraveler]

garyhaupt wrote:
"I think one also needs to recognize that Roadtrek has a large constituency in the "Stealth Camping Community" which really are not boondockers as they aren't camping in the boondocks; but on public streets, parking lots and vacant lots sometimes where it is not really legal to do so. They object to just about any attempt by communities to control inhabitating an RV (which is not parking) on the streets or private property. In my discussions with campground owners, their biggest complaint about blacktop boondockers is that the companies that encourage it do not have to go through all the regulatory requirements that they do to open their property to overnight guests."

I guess you drink only bottled water? I mean...you have to support those people too, right? They have to pay all that money out, to bottle the water and so on.

Shop only at stores with US made goods and make sure that they pay the proper wages? I mean..you wouldn't ever shop at a discount store or nothing like that, right?

Once you begin defending one business group you have to defend all..and you have to be able to stand up and declare that you are 100%, paying thru the nose.


I love stealth camping. I get to meet lots of people I wouldn't otherwise. I get to save $1,000 a month. I usually get to sleep in a quiet place, not jammed up next to another RV. Where mom and dad or the kids might be scrapping. And, oddly enough, I never have to listen to a generator banging away.



Gary Haupt

Where did I say I supported anything or defended any one business. I made statements based on my observations, personal conversations and speculation of Roadtrek's motivation. However, if stealth camping was legal stealth would not be required.

I remember all the hoops you jumped through to volunteer at a U.S. National Park so know you have at least some respect for the laws of the U.S. Or was that only because it was to your benefit to do so, because you could loose your privilege to enter the U.S. if caught without the proper visa? Many communities in the U.S. have a number of land use(zoning) and public health regulations. Inhabiting an RV is not parking as many proponents of stealth camping and Wallydocking assert.

By the way, I boondock frequently and don't have to stealth camp because the places I go are not paved parking lots in cities and dispersed camping is completely legal.

[garyhaupt]

pnichols wrote:
But Gary ... what you have is far from a Class B!

If I had your rig, I'd be boondocking in the real boonies - as far from any blacktop as possible. Of course it's best to camp in the real boonies with other great like-minded folks as often as possible.

I know, I am truly lucky to have the truck I do. And I do get to those remote locations, often. Heck, where I live, once you turn off the pavement...you are remote. I really do need to learn how to fly fish.


Gary Haupt

[pnichols]

But Gary ... what you have is far from a Class B!

If I had your rig, I'd be boondocking in the real boonies - as far from any blacktop as possible. Of course it's best to camp in the real boonies with other great like-minded folks as often as possible.

I checked out the Roadtrek models at their website. They're nice fancy units and come at high bucks. However, they do have one model I would consider if I wanted to over-spend per cubic foot. I'd have to order it with much larger diameter tires to get more ground clearance, though. 😉

[garyhaupt]

"I think one also needs to recognize that Roadtrek has a large constituency in the "Stealth Camping Community" which really are not boondockers as they aren't camping in the boondocks; but on public streets, parking lots and vacant lots sometimes where it is not really legal to do so. They object to just about any attempt by communities to control inhabitating an RV (which is not parking) on the streets or private property. In my discussions with campground owners, their biggest complaint about blacktop boondockers is that the companies that encourage it do not have to go through all the regulatory requirements that they do to open their property to overnight guests."

I guess you drink only bottled water? I mean...you have to support those people too, right? They have to pay all that money out, to bottle the water and so on.

Shop only at stores with US made goods and make sure that they pay the proper wages? I mean..you wouldn't ever shop at a discount store or nothing like that, right?

Once you begin defending one business group you have to defend all..and you have to be able to stand up and declare that you are 100%, paying thru the nose.


I love stealth camping. I get to meet lots of people I wouldn't otherwise. I get to save $1,000 a month. I usually get to sleep in a quiet place, not jammed up next to another RV. Where mom and dad or the kids might be scrapping. And, oddly enough, I never have to listen to a generator banging away.



Gary Haupt

[trailertraveler]

I think one also needs to recognize that Roadtrek has a large constituency in the "Stealth Camping Community" which really are not boondockers as they aren't camping in the boondocks; but on public streets, parking lots and vacant lots sometimes where it is not really legal to do so. They object to just about any attempt by communities to control inhabitating an RV (which is not parking) on the streets or private property. In my discussions with campground owners, their biggest complaint about blacktop boondockers is that the companies that encourage it do not have to go through all the regulatory requirements that they do to open their property to overnight guests.

[Redsky]

The RV industry as a whole was hurt badly by the collapse of the US economy thanks to the banksters and our corrupt Congress. Most RV manufacturers closed their doors and thousands lost their jobs. Not surprising that the RV parks are having financial problems as they have fixed costs regardless of the number of guests.

We stay at a RV park or public campground to take advantage of hot showers as our holding tanks have limited capacity. We boondock at what are categorized as primitive campgrounds where the requirement is that the camper be self-contained which means RV only and no tent camping is allowed.

The idea of spending a night in the parking lot of some store like a poor unfortunate homeless person is not the least appealing and it is never the only option regardless of where we travel. I cannot begin to fathom the attraction.

I have stayed at roadside rest areas, on forest service side roads, out in the desert, and even once in a cemetery (quietest night I ever spent anywhere). Lots of options that are more enjoyable and safer in every sense.

The owner of Roadtrek is making a great deal of fuss about very little and seems overly full of himself.