RVers Have Clout

June 10, 2009

I missed this story last week, “Council Backpedals on Overnight Parking.” A member of the Hobart, IN City Council had introduced a bill to stop trucks and RVs from parking overnight outside shopping centers along U.S. 30. After receiving hundreds of emails from residents and RVers protesting the move, the council  decided to postpone a final vote on the parking ban and send the proposed ordinance back for more study.

RV forums, e-news and newsletters get the word out to RVers who respond to proposed measures like this with threatsto bypass the city and affect businesses other than RV parks. Were RV parks behind this measure? It’s not clear. The article said they had received a dozen or so complaints. According to the article, Councilman Jerry Herzog said, “I don’t think the appearance of semis and RVs in a business district is acceptable.”

The Maine legislature withdrew similar legislation that would have  applied to the whole state after receiving a huge response. You can read more about it in RV Lifestyles Ezine May 14 issue.

RVers do have clout. We do need to use that clout to get the RVers who abuse this privilege to shape up. In the next issue of RV Lifestyles ezine, (out 6/10/09), our headline article is about a man who has lived in a Wal-Mart parking lot off and on for three years! (I’ll post the link Wednesday.) While someone in a motorhome can leave their RV in a parking lot for the day and explore, it’s a little more obvious with a 5th wheel or trailer.

This photo (below) was taken in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Helena, MT. Not only is the truck gone, but the slide is out. I wonder if this is a full-time RVer.

Several RV clubs are working to educate members about boondocking etiquette at Wal-Mart and other parking lots. Escapees RV Club has a letter that can be left with RVers who have chairs and awnings out, stay more than one night, or otherwise jeopardize the privilege. Go to this page and then download the Boondocking Etiquette Cards. Don’t confront someone. Leave the card under their windshield wiper or tape it to their RV door.

Undoubtedly people who own RVs but who only participate occasionally see RVs overnighting at Wal-Mart and think it would be a good idea. They don’t read RV magazines and forums to realize how they could adversely, and probably inadvertently, affect other RVers’ rights by their behavior.

Please add your comment below or email Jamie at calamityjaimie@gmail.com

reprinted with permission

Comments

	Tell a Friend
	Share

• Subscribe

  • Subscribe to RSS
  • Comments

• Recent Posts

  • National Park Service – No Fees Aug. 14 and 15
  • How Does the Bible Define “Justice”?
  • Life Is Sooo Daily!
  • One Tank Trip For North Dakota
  • Emergency Escape Window Recalls
  • Army Corps Waives Fees For Military
  • Green Alcohol, Duct Tape & WD-40
  • Yes God Loves Me – But
  • One Tank Trip For South BC
  • Pastor Warns of Scocialism & Departure From God

• Archives

  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008