People in the United States are really being squeezed from all directions. Massive housing shortages - some people adapt and try to make good of the situation and choose an RV instead, and now they're attacking that too. Something has to give eventually.
@@smirking8457 We are no longer citizens of the United States but Consumers of the US and if you aren't buying into what is being marketed to you, you no lo get matter.
The land of narcissistic and entitled aholes. It's a full blown police state. You can't even go for a walk at night without being harassed or worse. Americans are also the biggest snitches on this planet calling police on each other. Discrimination is huge and part of the self-righteous entitled narcissistic culture. . they'd rather suffer as long as their neighbors suffer more! Schadenfreude is widely spread. Your anti bullying and anti discrimination laws are a sad joke.
This. I moved into a cargo van voluntarily in 2021 and van lived for a year. More and more people did this from Covid and now housing costs. Criminals became much more prevalent, the elderly moving into vehicles ramped up big, and businesses were putting out NO OVERNIGHTING signs everywhere. I was even harassed and forced out of the parking lot of a huge mall in broad daylight because I was in a (new) cargo van. Receipts from shopping did not deter them. RV park costs force more people onto public lands, and no one is there to enforce the few existing rules. People are living there permanently. When they are forced to leave, they open up their black and grey tanks onto the spot - fouling it for anyone to use that site again. This is just another 'tent city'. People are digging holes and burying feces - with enough people, this becomes a public health issue. The cities and states will start forcing full-timers to prove they live in sticks/bricks. They will also crack down on van lifers who don't have black/grey tanks on BLM lands. Rangers are going to be armed federal police before long because more people are falling into poverty and have to choose between 3 things: food, medical care, and housing. Criminals will prey on the vulnerable at this level, and drugs are much easier to sell if you remain mobile. The government needs to address the core issues here, not just make it illegal to be homeless or 'Medicare gap poor'.
What people never understand is that the more laws you have, the less free you are. Unfortunately there are always lots of people clamoring for more laws.
As a lawyer, I agree. It's all such absolute nonsense. There is a whole industry built upon the production of new laws. What do you get? More freedom or less? Americans are too dumb.
We've had 2 instances when traveling in our rv. We have a 2011 40 ft class a bunkhouse motorhome we bought brand new, and it still looks as good as the day we drove it away from the dealer. We got denied staying overnight in an rv park because of the age of it. We went to a friends daughter's wedding and made reservations to stay in a rv park for three nights. Got denied because my wife has a trained Chihuahua service dog. We told them a service dog can't be denied entrance to any place. She said well, not going to happen here. Didn't bode well for the owners of the rv park when my wife reported them to the ADA. We left there and went to a restaurant for dinner wondering where we would stay, and we also had our 5 grand kids with us. We told the owner of the restaurant what had happened and if he knew where we could stay. He said I certainly do. I own some property a couple miles from here where you can stay, After you have dinner I'll carry you there and give you a key to the gate. Wonderful people and they brought their grands out for a visit with ours. Word got around to our many rv friends and guess who starts showing up at his restaurant to eat from all over the country. Carolyn is correct, things have started to go downhill on us the good respectful rver's.
I think that you are permitted to respond, "I don't answer questions." I am on S.S. so I cannot afford a real sticks and bricks home. I was able to purchase a park model home in a 9 month coop in the desert of California. I can live there in the park model for only 9 months out of each year therefore, I have a van that I live in for 3-4 months each year. I go to a cooler part of California. I never, ever leave garbage or "poop as you say" behind. Leave no trace is what I learned from Bob Wells's channel. I don't see why government is targeting homeless people in cars, RV's etc. Outlawing living in a vehicle is just cruel for those who cannot afford a home or apt. They are housing illegal immigrants, but not their own people who actually paid into the system! Thank you, Carolyn for the update.
@@WatersandWilderness see my comments I think there is an underlying housing issue ignored by both government and population! My job as a social worker was to find housing for people being discharged from a mental hospital! Slum landlords took advantage of these people and the housing was not appropriate or even safe! I think your solution is difficult, and having to face laws restricting where or for how long you can stay are cruel!
they target these people that live in cars because some of them find a quiet street and make a blue tarp tent 20' feet off the side of their van/car and use the rain gutter to dump raw sewage.
85 year old man with "home" in Michigan although traveling and enjoying new places every few days in my camper trailer and old pickup. I prefer to be alone tho I don't mind visiting with others from time to time. I see part time campers leaving a mess behind (trash) as they go back to their jobs and residence near by. Some "nomads" are just as bad. Personaly I carry extra trash bags, a shovel and rake to clean up places where I find places tike that. Makes me feel good to help my "neighbors" enjoy the place I leave behind. Born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon when It was so clean it squeeked and learned to swim in the river that ran beside the park. My whole family did clean up duty as part of our activity before leaving.each time we used the park. No one made any rule that we had to do that, It was just the right thing to do.I think that mind set is taught by parents to children. Both parents working full time, leaving raising children to day care and schools who have no investment in the children, results in what we see nationwide. Rules and laws can not fix personal responsibiliy. Doing the right thing when no one is looking is a personal thing. We all are and will pay the price for that neglect Ken
@@kennethwymer8986 WOW! You are making an important point! No one can make people take responsibility but we might help them learn it is to their benefit also! Maybe we could have a coupon for a small ice cream for kids getting a bag of trash picked up at a park, McDonalds and other fast foods could get involved! Just a sample idea, teach it in your community, have hero stickers for similar pickups!
@kennethwymer8986 You make a lot of good points. I'm a retired guy and I do the same kind of cleaning up for neighbors. Btw I moved to OR in 82 and loved its beauty. And also how much the people loved the land. I feel for the nomads and the homeless, but both had better find a way to live without making their waste a headache for homeowners and businesses. That's not a winnable fight.
@@kennethwymer8986 first of all I would not insult you. I treat people the way I want to be treated can I respect others people's land play was taught that a lot of people aren't doing that anymore. And it's sad 😭 because it gets worse all through.. the streets would like that. All through the country. And it starts in the home the way your parents teach you. I was I was taught do you treat people the way I want to be treated myself always treat people respect I open up the door for people that coming in. And more and more I find that people just think it's their privilege that I should open the door. I still open the door and leave the door open in for the next person. Percentage of people just walk through without saying anything. I'm still a better man that I can do it I try to be a better man everyday sometimes it's really hard all I can say is God bless America long live the Republican I'm going to push back on everything. This country was built on freedom in. We still got to fight to keep it free. Is freedom comes with a cost. God bless you all. Lived in a camper vans everything for probably the part of my life so I mean I'm not going to be 60 next year and I'm going to still continue it is my freedom that I have and I will continue to be free.
Tent camping in Florida has gotten insane as well. Limit of 7 days and 30 days total PER YEAR. Ridiculous! Got reported to fish and wildlife officer by a guy on a bike with 2 off leash pitbull dogs for staying a week. The offucer acted like he was gonna make some huge arrest, gave him my permit, good for the next 2 days, my local address (mail only but none of his business!) And he left disappointed. Bottom line, my state has become flat out hateful. Avoid it if possible.
I wonder who's going to work all the low end jobs that's most of Florida economy? Desantis is killing the good people of Florida. I guarantee the state wasnt built up by the snotty rich people.
@ChanelThomas248 USB rechargeable fan, wet towels dunked in ice water in the cooler, keep the tent in the shade, bug spray, campfire smoke, citronella candles and mostly just sucking it up😉👍
Just recently back in a house after being a full-time RVer for 20 years. I truly enjoyed the traveling lifestyle for the first 15 years; but the increased cost, restrictions, and personal safety concerns in recent years convinced me it was time (for me, at least) to get off the road. Kudos to you for doing your research and sharing what you've learned with others. Wishing you all the best!
The simple rule of pack in, pack out is often ignored by people that live in RVs on the city streets. The trash build up on the outside, lack of upkeep and smell are giving full timers a bad wrap. Folks that want to "live" in front of someone's home or take up perment public spaces are what is killing it for the rest of us. Just be respectful. Nomadic means movement. Those who want to do this in the populated areas, move your RV daily. And not just across the street. Dont "set up camp". Its not okay.
The bigger issue is people can't afford to stay anywhere, cost of renting an rv parking spot is at or above $1k/mo. Low cost tent camping is hitting $600/mo, and you can't stay too long, if you're up to that. It's common for RV parks to require that your RV is no more than a decade old and very good condition. It's an economic war against human decency and dignity waged by the classless imposed as top tier. This is how people will just disappear simply for not being able to pay rent or mortgage payments or fight against an action to take their home they already paid for.
Some aren't doing this by choice. If by necessity, they probably can't afford the fuel and all other expenses to not stay put for at least several days at a time and avoid long distances between.
It is wholly irresponsible to penalize people for living a nomadic lifestyle with movement as it suits themselves. The economy cannot support it. It must have that option as/at the floor.
@@arjones0819I live on a quiet street in the city. I don't mind someone who is quiet spending the night next to my house in a van, but I don't want anyone to move in there.
@@uncrunch398 being a slob IS a choice, this is what's ruining it for others. Parking in front of someone's home and expecting to live there tax free is not acceptable
I was surprised to see people broken down and literally living,not just staying overnight in their RV’s and cars,vans in the Walmart parking lots in Wyoming. I feel badly for these people. But it also ruins for the rest of the people who just need an overnight safe stop. Because now many Walmart’s and other various store are not allowing over night parking anymore. The whole homeless situation to me is absolutely heartbreaking for me.
@@valeriefrench9405 Walmart is a private business. It is not a free campground. When people treat it as such local ordinances change and Walmart develops a zero tolerance rule for ALL of us
@@Artsylady2030 For one, the safety factor. Those who "live" in parking lots in broken down RVs also bring crime. That makes it less safe for those who just want to hit up a parking lot for a night while traveling somewhere. Second, stores respond to those "living" in parking lots by changing their rules and ending free camping. Then those who respect the stores and their rules, and use them as stopping off points on the way to another destination, no longer have a free place to get a quick night's sleep. Those who don't respect the rules, and who leave trash behind, and who take advantage of short term free camping by living there in a trashed, broken RV ruin it for responsible campers.
@@Artsylady2030because some of them are messy and leave trash etc and so the laws start getting passed / police cracking down on ppl sleeping in their vehicle or RV
Many more homeless ppl due to corps buying houses, many houses...then ramping up rents, driving up housing prices in general...they've never done that b4, only exception that statement is they've been stealthy doing it by buying trailer parks for a decade.
Never admit to living in your camper. Always say you are on a vacation road trip in your camper or you are retired on a journey around the USA to see the sights and National Parks. It helps if you have some recreation toys like bikes or kayaks. My opinion is that the residential camping label is just to give Leo's the ability to deal with nomads that are staying too long and looking like homesteaders, or locals that haul their trailers up to the forest and leave them there all summer, like in WY and on many forests in Utah.
That’s what I’d do (when I was a nomad). Even as a nomad, the labels “camping,” “traveling,” “road trip”…. were still all true! I used to joke that it was just one long camping trip!
I have been watching videos on RV life, van life and tiny houses for about four years in preparation for possibly needing to live in something smaller and cheaper than my mobile home, lot rent prices being what they are these days and being on a fixed income. But I started hearing about the possible changes to come maybe just over a year ago and frankly I got scared of what could come to pass. Such as people living in vans, cars, RVs, could be forced to move into sticks and bricks or face being placed into "camps", if you know what I mean.😳 I can't imagine the hardships that so many people are already dealing with and this could really become a nightmare. All anyone can do is watch and pray and be as prepared as possible for whatever is to come. This was a very clear concise video and informative. Thank you!
Wanda, I’m 71 and last year decided to sell my mobile home before I would have to sink thousands into it. I was hearing & reading the same stuff then. But daughter & I decided to go for it anyway for as long as we can. I’ve been on the road four months now. And yes, a lot of towns have ordinances that Walmarts & others must abide by. Some states don’t even have Cracker Barrel’s! I’ve stayed at CBs, Walmart, truck stops, rest areas, BLM land, National Forests, pull-offs & the like. Have not gotten the knock yet. I’ve only paid for spots maybe three times. Once in an RV park for a week because I was sick. There were places we drove away from because they had been trashed. Broke my heart. I always pick up trash & try to leave a spot better than I found it. So it’s doable. Even now. Just be mindful, tidy & don’t overstay your welcome. Soon I’ll be posting videos of what I call the good, the bad & the ugly of vanlife. Rest assured, most of it is glorious but not every day has a beautiful sunset. Safe & happy travels!
@@scubaval08 thank you for sharing. I'm going to hold out as long as possible as I have major mobility issues that would make living in my mini van very difficult. But thank you for your encouragement. You stay safe, healthy and happy.
@@wandacraig8286 I have mobility issues too, Wanda. Got two injections just prior to getting in the van. I use step stools to get in & out. I had to pull myself up from the bed in the van by grabbing fixed beams. In four months I’ve lost 50 lbs & have more dexterity. Still use step stools. Is it a challenge? Absolutely. But it beats my mental & physical state sitting on my patootie waiting to die. I hope your decision is what’s best for you, but conquering fear, my friend, is downright exhilarating! 💜🤗🫶🏽
I've had my 93 22' Chevy cutaway for for 10yrs I like it but have only taken it out 6times when was a truck driver, I just retired maybe I won't miss my comfy sleep number bed at home usually I would always be within 3-4 hrs of my bed at home couldn't spend the night.Zzz🛌
@@scubaval08 i have a 38 yr ild daughter who is thinking of the Van life. She is in New England area. Is this something I should worry about her being alone and van camping? I do not know much about it.
This is a good heads up for those of us who were planning on selling our home & taking up the nomad life. Now it doesn't seem quite so attractive, fun, or adventurous. Sounds more like a major daily headache instead.
@@Morning.Coffee I bought a Thousand Trails membership and a Passport America membership. I stay in them sometimes and it can be highly cost effective. Depends on what you want to get out of your travels.
It’s never been a lifestyle for the masses unlike what a lot of TH-cam seem to imply. There have always been “headaches” involved. It’s something people with generally either really enjoy or really NOT enjoy. You could easily rent an RV for a few weeks out of the year and see the country that way (over several years)without selling your souls to the unknown. See how you like it. Godspeed and good luck
Glad you found out before selling your home. I was very interested in getting an RV until I found out about all the restrictions and limits on stays. Just not worth the effort and all the planning. Plus the repairs from driving a moving house just decided to stay away all together. It's even worse in CA.
I used to TRY to stay in free areas, a few days to two weeks as much as I can. But I always planed my routes so that every week or two to stay at an RV park that has laundry, will hold mail or deliveries, is close to a city with stores for food or whatever. This allows me to take a few wonderful long hot showers, do laundry, restock, get mail, Amazon deliveries, etc.
Amazon now has lockers set up around the country. Frequently in stores like 7-11. You can have your stuff sent to a locker that’s in route and you have like 5 days or a week - something like that - to pick it up.
My husband and I lived the rv life, then got a brick and stick and now are back to the rv life again! We like to push the limits. Saying you cant do something is a challenge to do it. We stealth homestead in our rv. Raise worms, quail in doors and veggies and fruit trees in containers outside. We live in a very cool rv park that greenlights our ideas as long as we include flowers in our veggie beds. This park wants full timers and is actually very cool. We are working on our 1990 40 foot motorhome. In a few years we plan to leave and travel more but are very happy here right now. Will definitely use a lot of your tips including adding a bike rack and a couple of bikes to increase the stealth.
I’m more of an explorer/traveler than a camper. I really like the towns that build a public campground. It’s usually low price, provides the basics and keeps the RVs out of store parking lots. It’s a win win. I wish more towns would explore this idea.
This is a very common model in small country towns in Australia. The camping grounds are usually cheap with simple but well maintained facilities. The local shire councils provide them because it brings in a small but important flow of tourist dollars into otherwise isolated towns suffering population loss which threatens the viability of crucial local businesses (the pub, grocery store, petrol station etc.)
I am not a camper, either. I do sleep in my camper and use my porta potty, but I don't make fires, set up lounge chairs, or hang laundry on a line. Yep, I don't camp; I never have. Star link, what in the hell is that?
@@drillsergeant5338star link is satellite internet-boondockers in particular use this to have internet and cell access in places where these aren’t available. It’s expensive to set up-equipment prices are around $600 (I think), and monthly fees are about $150…
I recently sold my sticks&bricks and, at 74, am putting those funds with my pension & SS and relocating/retiring to Thailand. The USA is becoming too restrictive and expensive. Headed for the Land of Smiles. Bringing along my cat. 👍✈️🌴🌅🏞️🌺
Yup, me too, sold it all, and moving to Malaysia. Maybe forever, really depends if idiot trump gets back in. USA used to be awesome ... sadly, a lot of idiots are throwing out trash, disregarding rules and making van/rv life much more difficult for the rest of us. Sigh. What happened to commonsense ???
Trash is very bad. I do not like trash. I have given up on trash. It is no longer a problem for me. I am now divorced. My divorce was very expensive ...the best money I ever spent. Sometimes you just got to take out the trash.
Down at the local park near us by the Columbia River, we were there yesterday to take the kids to the park. There are so many cars and vans where people are obviously living in their vehicles, and we noticed where there was just a normal trash can, someone came a dumped a LOT of garbage right on the ground near the trash can. Cities are not equipped for this kind of thing. I never went back to see if the garbage was still there today. We plan on traveling in our camper when my husband retires, but not all year. A month at a time, maybe. But staying home in the summer to have our gardens and can and freeze food for winter.
thank you for sharing the information, troubling as it is - better to know. and you're right about restrictions even on residential property privately owned. while in Oregon I had a mold issue in my home that needed to be addressed - during the remediation I simply stayed in my RV, on MY property - that was approx two third of an acre & 6' privacy fenced - neighbor complained & I was informed by a county inspector my 'limit' of RV use, on MY own property, was 2 weeks a year. in addition, there was NO HOA influencing the matter, only county zoning. I no longer own that home/property. I no longer live in Oregon.
At the back entrance to our subdivision in SC is a lot that somebody has rented out to two RVers. It's a damned mess. There's tarps and plywood and tents, and garbage, and it's disgraceful. That's why counties and cities make laws regarding RV living - because of trashy people like that.
@@cindypeterson7819The mess described is not acceptable for any reason. Rent control doesn't account for their lack of consideration for themselves and for others. Bejng poor or homeless does not necessarily mean being messy. Those people need to show some respect roward others...toward their neighbors...toward themselves.
@@dross24MA being poor and homeless accounts for a lot of things. They have no medical, no health insurance, no food that's decent to eat, no trash cans or trash service, the list goes on and on! Until you've walked in their shoes you have no idea! Being neat and tidy is the least of their worries! They are trying to survive!!!!!
I started living in my rv in 1980. Was on the road all over the U.S. for the next 15 years. The rule about the 10 year rv was in place nearly every where even back then , and they did make exceptions then if the rv had a well ke.pt. m appearance. It's a matter of not wanting to deal with the overall appearance of their park. The parks that did take pets usually had a pet section in their park because people would sometimes go away for the day and leave a barking dog for the others to hear all day. I am still an rv person , but sometimes we need to remember that the parks need these rules for their own and other rv ers protection.
I live minutes outside a national forest and we have a big problem here with people overstaying their welcome. I know of several camps that have been there all summer. Forest service apparently doesn't have the staff for enforcement. I am all about the nomad life, but these folks make it hard for society to be sympathetic. "Overstayers" are definitely making the rules tougher for all. And, they're taking up some of our favorite spots. 😉
I see the same thing here in Canada. I live (have my home base) in a rural, fairly remote area and have to drive an hour though the forest to get to town. Along the way, there are many free camping spots where I see families out camping for a week or so. But I also see people who take over one of these spots and stay all summer. One such 'camper' has moved into a forestry campsite and each time I go by there is more garbage piled around the site. I'm just waiting for them to move on when it gets colder and leave behind all their trash. It makes me angry because they are ruining it for others who might want to stay there. I would not choose to camp there seeing the state of their area. I'm sorry for the homeless, and I wish someone would come up with a solution, but it is a world wide problem that no one seems to have resolved. But it is wrecking not only our public land, but also neighbourhoods and downtown areas.
I'm seeing numerous individuals who are obviously living in their cars. There are few places they can park un-noticed. More and more states are not allowing over night stays in rest areas. Two and three hour stay limits are common and are enforced. No night parking at the beach or after parks close and no sleeping in your car. It's getting tough to be a nomad and find a place for interim parking.
@@jeanieirwin4747 I'm getting ready to travel thru several states to visit one of my adult children. I will be car camping along the way, leaving the RV behind
A lot of people have brought some of these laws and regulations onto themselves with their littering and bad behavior. Many folks play loud music, fail to control their animals or clean up behind them. Some of the older vehicles are rusted out, peeling paint etc. these luxury RV parks don’t want to appear ghetto.
@@joyceevans7734 it's all or nothing game everywhere. There is no middle ground. Like smoking no smoking. Pets no pets. Why not tax pay a little more let's say for older RV but create them an separate area. Garbage can by payment be collected. Pets also a corner designated area.
@@Travelinplaces these are private properties. All you can do is complain, withhold your business, or try to get a boycott going. obviously they have enough business without the older RVs.
Hey, land lubbers. One thing to try is a small cabin on a pontoon boat. I did the salt water boat thing for awhile but then discovered that there are an absolute ton of quiet, hidden spots all over America's water ways. I prefer to navigate the Ohio/Mississippi/Missouri river basins and really enjoy going up little feeder streams where no one can see you at all! Plus, people who live along rivers tend to be great, helpful folks.
I have a off grid cabin in the middle of a national forest I was so blessed to find it we only have long weekend rv guests mostly on holidays they are never a problem here in extream north Georgia it’s mostly during black bear season but they clean up 95 percent of the time but some don’t care you’re gonna have those type of people in every national parks or forests
As soon as you admit that you are living in your camper, the establishment is going to do everything legal in their power to close you down. The reason being is they can not extract government tax and a large proportion of private tax (some call it surplus) from your wallet. What you need to do is to lobby for more RV rights e.g. rights to sewer connection, right to safe parking, access to safe water connection. Tax can then be extracted but at least the RV citizen is not perceived being a second rate citizen.
@@leonseymore263 we already have the rights to water, Sewage, elect. Parking is available now. But you must pay for it. It's a trailer park or Campground. People who live in houses have to pay for what they have and use. Why should others support the camping lifestyle? I do not think it should be criminalized though. Prices should be reasonable and affordable. Many have abused and trashed areas and caused problems. And I don't blame locals for not wanting that in their towns.
Carolyn, unfortunately, there is a confluence of some troublesome trends at present: 1) Vagrants, citizens and drug addicted people who do not “leave no trace” in public spaces, both rural and urban, 2) Shortage of low and middle priced h😮ousing, 3) High interest rates and other barriers to home ownership, 4)Huge appreciation of open spaces as a value to human life No trends last forever and if public behavior changed in courtesy and conscience, this trend might resolve sooner. All users of public spaces should clean up after themselves and their pets, leave natural and built features unmolested and, I would suggest that each person loving the freedom of nomadic living or even just a picnic in the woods, or the occasional fishing or boating trip, should clean up spaces they find soiled by irresponsible users since someone will have to clean or fix whatever is left damaged, budgets are short. Areas will be closed due to user negligence. Not fair, but who said life was fair? If you love freedom, you have to take responsibility. I know many nomads do habitually clean camp spaces and many bend over backwards to keep neighborhoods tidy and welcoming even though a curb parking space is a temporary bedroom. But, to win the right to continue nomadic lifestyles, the damage that some are doing must be attenuated.`
I'm disabled and have hard enough time taking care of myself but I do. I won't kill myself cleaning up after other people. There's hardly any funds available because these shady politicians just don't care about you it national and state parks. They'd rather have golf courses 😕
@@michellepasc7564corps have been r4ping the housing market that's why more homeless, ofc ceRtain politicians use the homeless as political pawns...like in FL. No mention of the housing cRisis & its cause theRe... I wondeR why?
When I was living in my RV, I ran into that 10 year role. Especially when it came time for me to spend time in Southern Oregon while I was waiting for an apartment to open up. I learned the hard way the first time I rolled in and was rejected. Just because my rig was a 1989.. The thing is, it was a holiday rambler 34 feet long . it was an excellent condition and you certainly couldn’t tell her age by looking at her😉. But this particular park that turned me away, wanted me to bring my registration in along with my insurance to verify the age of my RV. I ended up driving down the roadways to a truckstop and spending the night. But just like you said if I called ahead and told them that I have an older RV, but would be happy to send copies of my registration insurance and I even had a maintenance record along with pictures. I wasn’t turned away after that. As you know, I don’t live too far from Grants Pass . The unhoused population issue here in Southern Oregon and for that matter up in Portland as well so far out of hand. There is no easy solution for it. All I can say is, where are they supposed to go? Thanks for the video Carolyn . Safe travels. 💙✌🏼
As far as answering questions from a IE ranger you can tell the ranger you are exercising your right to remain silent and not answer any questions without legal representation, your constitutional right apply everywhere in the USA! I know this works because I have done it. Be polite but firm and remain calm at all times, the ranger will move on.
CoRps have been buying up to 30% of the houses & jacking up rent / mortgages. Even building new houses to fleece ppl. They've been doing it to trailer parks for a decade, trapping ppl there. FYI eveRyone, This has nothing to do with Biden! Dems are now starting to curtail this ongoing disaster...we DONT need another housing cRisis like 2009!
More and more campgrounds will be saying NO DOGS because so many people think the rules don't apply to them! It is so disappointing that people can't follow rules.
Another reason they don't allow dogs is because their insurance rates for dogs on their properties has skyrocketed. Many people feel that rules don't apply to them and they do not leash their pets. There have been many attacks by dogs at campgrounds.
I don't care how "free" you think you are if you have an animal on public property it's responsibility begins and ends with YOU. Be adult. Be courteous.
Great presentation. Thanks for the info, without the typical doom and gloom. I ended up buying property in th UP of Michigan as a home base. Not useful info to everyone I know, but an option. I keep a copy of my deed on me and photos along with the VRBO listing. A shame people cannot find private land cheap and with no restrictions. But there are some areas in the southwest, and Michigan has been good to us.
They can't stop people from having somewhere to live, if you can't afford a house or an apartment near forced to live in your car or RV that's just the way it is, no one has the right to tell you that you can't, especially if you're an American citizen
I completely agree. The Constitution guarantees us the right to life. If you are alive, (hell, even if you're dead) you have to BE somewhere. Since we can't afford housing and we usually can't be on private land, that only leaves public land. Therefore, it is constitutionally illegal to ban us from public land. Much to their chagrin, we are still part of the public, the WE THE PEOPLE part.
@@cliffpearce9043 I guess you havent heard about agenda 2030?? Or the WHOs new treaty they are trying to pass in the USA?? We will have 0 rights.. Constitution will be gone.. Its biblical as well.. Revelation 18.
Very useful information, Carolyn. I'm seeing red too - I live in Southern California and am watching Governor Newsome enforcing the cleanup of homeless encampments while the city of Los Angeles has just been court ordered to return millions of dollars they were awarded to build low cost housing because they never got the job done. I am very concerned about our empathy for those who have fallen through the cracks. People have to live somewhere. Until our government (federal, state, and local) allocates the funding for mental health and social services in conjunction with housing assistance, these problems will continue.
@@pjzeiden9210 - You should thank another Governor of California, Republican Ronald Reagan, for the closures of mental health centers, Union smashing, ‘Right-To-Work’ states, and attacks on the working poor.
I live in a area where national forest is only 7 miles out of town and came across people who lived in the same spot for 6 months or more trashed the spot and set trees on fire. That is probably how they got caught so when they say no residential camping, could be wrong but I think they mean no moving in.
8 year full timer here… It is my opinion that the 10 year rule is absolutely necessary. We’ve been in several parks (we don’t like rv parks either) for months at a time where other full timers are completely out of control. Stuff stacked up everywhere and the rig hasn’t been washed in years. We know plenty of “poor” folks who full time and still manage to keep their older rig nicely maintained and washed. A good full timer will maintain a site that looks like they’re camping overnight. You’re right…. many people before us ruined it.
I owned an Rv park and my reasons for not allowing them is that they're fire hazard an are left for the RV park owners to trash and disposing of them is expensive.
Several places I've lived in So Cal allow people to live in RVs on people's property. It helps the homeowner with a small amount of rent, provides affordable homes for folks with low income jobs and so on. I see them in backyards, in driveways and even front yards. Some folks have fixed up old trailers to rent to short term visitors too. I've thought about getting one for a guest room. These are important topics and each person must do their homework - Thank you for the constant reminders to be mindful of how to treat a space too. Trash, garbage, poo, all of it is important that we balance rules with availability. Personally, I'd rather have people living in their vehicle than on the sidewalk and in the alley.
I live in CA and I see it too but mostly they don't make it so noticeable that they live in it. The code enforcement sometimes call on people from nosey neighbors.
Very good information! I am coming up on my last year in Germany to retirement. Nomad all the way, 5th wheel bought and setup for boondocking. I think my calling will be to assist the forest service by cleaning up after the folks that don’t quite get it. Maybe in some way that will show that responsible people are always welcome to any area. One person can make changes I feel, others will naturally follow suit. Will see you on the road hopefully one day in 2026!
I agree, great info. I have a suggestion: If this works for you, try what I do... I have a good friend that made a lease for me to rent a "space" in her home. My mail goes to this address & this rental agreement establishes my residency. I do visit and stay with her occasionally, so technically I am NOT full time. And I actually pay her yearly for her trouble of collecting my mail, sorting it, throwing out junk mail and opening anything that looks important. It's cheaper than a mail service & if I need proof of residency- I have an actual one page simple lease signed and dated (with a month to month clause after the 1st year). Of course I went paperless with everything possible so the important things come via email. Anyway, works great and allows me to honestly say that I am not full time because I have a rental.
I'm doing similar with my older sister, but never thought about doing a written lease. That's definitely an excellent idea. I'll be calling my sister this afternoon! Thanks for the info!!
Yes were having similar issues here in Australia for freedom camping, people leaving rubbish, toilet paper every where and they’re now closing heaps of them in different areas, like you Carolyn i like to go out to places where people don’t go, leave nothing but your tyre marks, plus I pick up rubbish from other people many times if there’s bins. Cheers Judy
Maybe part of the answer is for more areas to develop camping areas like Quartzsite AZ has done so there is a place for "residential campers" to go. Thousands of people stay in Quartzsite long term, they are welcome in the town, and the merchants prosper because of these people.
I live out on the edge of town against the national forest. Once in a while a "temporary" resident moves in on the dirt road near here. There always an aggressive dog on the loose so forget about walking... and of course plenty of litter when they leave. I have a camper van and i do travel and stay where i can away from people. My van is completely powered by solar and makes no noise. I always do a walk around and pick up trash that people have left and leave the area better than i found it... too many have abused the privilege.
As someone who is thinking about being a nomad this is very interesting and informative. I try to watch as many of these kinds of videos, because they are so interesting and the people are generally so cool. There are a lot of irresponsible people who end up ruining it for everyone else. The things that get me are rules that do not allow people to live in an RV on one's on property.
Regulate the RVers but don’t regulate the Air B&Bs (some places have started but not enough) and corporations from buying single family housing. And then complain about the house less population. Genius
Single-family housing should only be allowed to sell to single-family residents. The big corporation hogs are buying up all the houses and doubling the price of rents making it impossible for working people to have a place to live. Do you people want this B.S. or are you going to say something and do something to stop them from this?
I even noticed a big difference between my first year up and down the Oregon Coast in 2017 and my second year in 2018. At least 80% of the spots I parked overnight or camped at in 2017 had “no overnight parking” signs in 2018! I’m thankful though that I made that first trip before things changed making it more challenging. ‘Twas a trip of a lifetime. As the saying goes, the one constant in life is change.
I live in a lake area in OK and the main town in my county just passed a law this last summer (2024) about no camping on public owned land. They were referring to the city parks and the overpasses in town. They are having trouble with druggies that are homeless and they think that fining them and arresting them will help solve the problem. But it hasn't.
People that just do not respect the land or other people are the cause of loss of camping areas. And, there are a lot of TH-camrs that push living the dream cheap and free that are contributing to the problem. I really appreciate you providing sensible information to the Rvers on the road as well as people considering the RV life full time. I personally am a week a month camper with 2 dogs and love it. But, I also love the home where I raised my family and love my time there. I get excited planning and getting ready for my camping trips. I enjoy my time camping and I also get excited when it is time to go home to my sticks and bricks. Life is good and I am thankful to have the option to live it my way.
Love your channel. About 10 years ago while I was traveling the South West, I was not allowed to make a reservation in a small RV park for one night. This was only a stop because I didn't want to drive 10 hours in one day to get to where I was going to stay for a few days. I was pulling a 1968 vintage trailer completely restored by me. I finally used my "little girl, Oh poor me, what am I to do?" line and was finally able to stay the night. When I got there, I gave the owners a tour and they were amazed that an old piece of junk could be so beautiful.
True story… they don’t even have to be drunk… All the beautiful local swimming holes have become “ off limits” to the public over the last decade. People leaving broken glass, dirty diapers and every other kind of disgusting and dangerous waste in the forest- usually only a couple minute walk from their vehicles. Often it’s people vacationing from out of town; one wonders if they treat their local environment with such distain. Sometimes it’s just teenagers, but more often it’s supposed “adults”- who toss their trash out the window while driving. How people got this selfish is beyond my ability to comprehend.
When I was a child, camping in wilderness areas was seen as normal and encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle. Traveling around in my mid 20's I was amazed at the number of signs in remote locations saying "No Camping". It's just one of many examples of things getting less free and people being corralled into situations where they have to pay just to exist.
My hubs & I are both 53, we went full time during covid. As did many. We had no way to keep making our $1200. morgage payments. Covid took my boss's life, so all of a sudden I had no job either. My boss was my husband's Uncle and he was a doctor. My husband's health wasn't the best either, for him to continue working as a paramedic so he retired early and didn't get approved for disability for over 2 years! We literally were living on his very small retirement. We wanted to get out of Missouri and the cold. We'd already had our toy hauler so we put what we couldn't sell or give away in storage and set off to Arizona. WORST STATE FOR RVr's! Every park was 55 plus only. We also had our Thousand Trails membership too, so NONE of their parks/resorts were for anyone under 55 years old. One park realized our age, and terminated our arrival so we had to scramble to pay full price out of pocket to a small trailer park while our truck was getting repairs. We had fully planned on using our TT membership and use our limited funds to fix truck. It's been a disaster all these years. We've had to stay at family members houses mostly so far.
Rv parks are not attractive either. They do a sardine can thing. I think the parks just want shiny new RVs to make their place look "high class.". Even if that were reasonable which it isn't, most RV's hold their ages well and just picking a year is dumb. FEW people are going to buy new RV's every 10 years just to get into a favorite park. They're going to find themselves aging themselves out as the RV's get older from the COVID boom. Having a 10 year or less RV also implies the person is still making money to be able to pay for a newer RV.
I come down on both sides of this issue because I do weekend camping and it really upsets me that people from out of state book multiple camping sites and then pick the one they "really" want so that no sites show available but end up empty. I also agree that one or two people have left garbage and heaven knows what else to ruin a place for others. However, simply outlawing something does nothing to fix the problem for a good number of unhoused people who have been pushed out of the bricks and sticks market. And, the thought of a "show me your papers" society scares me to no end when some people like me even on a limited basis, like to roam. As you said, time will tell how this shakes out.
The supreme Court decision was correct. It simply removed a temporary ban that had been placed on cities preventing them from removing homeless camps, which resulted in a massive uptick of homeless encampments causing a lot of problems.. It is NOT cruel and unusual to say that people can't sleep in public parks which are meant for everyone. It's not discriminatory to have everyone follow the same rules.
Just plain cruel. If a city doesn't like them in the parks bus them outside where is plenty of space. Build 20 foot container with ac small shower and sink. It's a minimum for a human. Than who wants to climb out of that fine let them buy mansions.
If there's nowhere for them to sleep, then yes, that is cruel and unusual punishment. There's a disturbing lack of basic empathy for our fellow man in these modern times.
@@KineticSymphonyempathy goes both ways. I don't want my kids to step in and see drug paraphernalia everywhere. We will vote against it. That's how life works
I was approached by 2 park rangers in a NF in CO and asked if I lived in my skoolie...stupid me said yes. He replied "I figured. Most people are living in these things" while gesturing at my bus. He then said "you do know it's illegal to residentialy live in an RV (on public lands)?". 😠 So yeah, they're warning people now but next summer, you'd better have a legit home address to prove you aren't living in your vehicle. Welcome to America.
Residential camping and squatting on Federal Land is illegal. The only exception is the LTVA areas in California and Arizona where one can purchase either a Short or Long-Term Permit. The 14-day stay limits are for recreational campers. A residential camper is houseless as opposed to a recreational camper who is not. A Real-ID complaint Driver's License is your friend.
If you have a current driver s license then you should have an address on it….when I changed my registration to a new state I had to prove I had an address…I needed a utility bill and either a rental agreement or a bank mortgage statement.
I'm home owner without RV but I understand so much what you explain. This video is so important! Thank you very much for every RV owner for this great video. God bless you.
Carolyn is preaching to the choir when she says to follow the laws. lol. It's generally not her viewers who are getting the attention of the park services.
is there a way to have a conversation with you on the phone some time at your convenience. i have questions and feel you would not b. s. the reality of my situation . my on line reply email does not reflect me
Grants Pass is my homebase. I come back in spring thru summer . As of Sept 1st our public parks don't have a single tent. The county has provided city owned property in 5 locations, fenced in with Porta potties, water, trash that are serviced 2x per day. Problem is only a few tents out of several hundred are camped in them. (Many were supposedly transported to these allocated camps) Nobody seems to know where they all went....crazy right?
Here in South Alabama you can live in your rv on private property in the country. Also the land, taxes, and the cost of living here is cheaper than other places.
Hi Carolyn, Thanks for the subjects video! It is sad to see so many restrictions happening. It’s even worse to see areas where the land is disrespected and desecrated 🤷🏼♀️ It is hard to understand why people leave garbage and poop around. If they could only realize what they are doing is destroying everyone’s freedom. Enjoy your freedom with Sadie✌️🐾
I have been a long time watcher of your channel and been ful timing 4 years now. I seldom found a spot that I didn’t have to clean up. 4 years of cleaning up after my fellow campers. I finally bought land in Virginia. I consider Virginia to be rver friendly. I went to the permit office and found a friendly welcome! I am allowed to live on my land for 6 months at a time HOWEVER if I drive off the property and turn around and come back, the 6 months starts over! And I can build anything up to 256 sq ft without a permit. They are also “off grid” friendly. I prefer the Appalachian mountains over the giant gravel pit of the southwest. I have old growth forest, springs, caves and I can see 3 states from the top of my mountain. I want to allow others to come camp with me. But I’m afraid of having to clean up my own land and having issues with folks like you mentioned. Any advice/ideas?
You may want to try hipcamp. You could have a 2 or 3-day maximum stay, if you don't like your guests, you don't have to have them back. If you do like them you could tell them they were welcome to stay longer. You may eventually find some people you really love that you might want to have longer term. Sort of like a trial period. We have a very small camper and we have decided that when it is time for us to hit the road to do some traveling that we will primarily stay in Hipcamps. We are nice respectful senior citizens. We don't want to stay in fancy mega campgrounds with swimming pools and screaming kids. Nor do we want to stay in no man's land "campgrounds" where there is no registration or accountability. We aim to stay safe and be respectful of our hosts. We are looking for some land a little further north and I am going to seriously consider Virginia, it sounds just like you said very welcoming.
Look at “Boondockers Welcome”. They are in business with Harvest Host. You can limit the length of stay and I think they have some guidance that might help you understand the practical and legal issues.
I remember passing through a southern town that had used their public park to provide spots with electric and water hook up for travelers! The revenue helped them with city and park upkeep cost and it allowed for more tourism to local businesses! Just wish I could remember where cause I've been to so many places!
It's also sad because too many people are losing sticks and bricks homes they are stuck in to hurricanes and other storms and wildfires. Number One reason I wanted to be a fulltimer living in an RV on my own land was to live in a home I could easily drive away when the threat of a storm looms, but I chickened out and still live in a regular home, and insurance in Florida is terrible. I live in fear because I can't just drive my home away in a mandatory evacuation, just had one with Debby, and I did not leave because I am too bloody old and tired to keep doing this. So I downed some Advil PM (boy that stuff really works) and cried myself to sleep until the wind stopped blowing and just had some fallen branches. But with an RV every time there is a threat, just jump in, don't have to pack anything, go stay in a rest area or something, not worry about miserable hotels (especially ones that don't take German Shepherds), go stay in a rest area or something until the threat is over and come back and not worry about much damage to your property. Easy peasy. But noooo.....
I have seen this a lot in the past two years. More "no overnight camping" in public places signs. I got "the knock" one day at a store parking lot and was told I could not stay there. The police tried to direct me to a hotel. I asked if I could stay in their parking lot overnight and he said no, but I could rent a room. I said no thanks and I drove down the road.
what is funny I thought public meant everyone and should be allowed to use it as ou need as long as you are respectful to others. I use a bike trail and there is one trail head where a guy is in his car sitting there everytime i go by him I think he is living in his car,I have no problem he bothers no one and keeps a low profile.
@@tonybalz2726 I pulled into a small shopping center adjacent to a Walmart in Colorado Springs *in the middle of the day* and literally 30 seconds later a security guard pulls up to me, tells me I'm on private property and not welcome there. Skoolies are not welcome in CO period.
One is ok two are ok maybe a few more but that is the problem! Ten are not ok! That housing is so expensive that it is literally not affordable even to people with more than one job! Towns with jobs are even more expensive to live in! A solution is hard to figure out!
The state doesn't like citizens they can't control and more importantly TAX. Full/part timing or being a nomad is a danger to the state as it indicates you are a FREE citizen. Freedom is anathema to the state.
Yes, even here in AZ all of a sudden they are talking of bringing back RV ordinances even if you have your own property in unincorporated areas. They are trying hard to enforce certain rules lately.
Definitely there are very few reasons to camp in private RV parks, in general. I do find some that are smaller and are very nice and they don't care what vehicle you're in. One just outside of Montgomery, AL was amazing. An island with a big herd of goats and the movie set for Big Fish. Super pretty camp ground, super nice and quiet. I also think it's always up to the town, city, business as to how they enforce this stuff. They just like to have the authority to do so when needed. If we travel respectfully, keep our areas clean and better than we left them, and don't disturb the business or the area, we'll be OK. VERY much agree, RV'ers need to be spreading out to other less popular spots. Hopefully, as our economy continues to improve and we get a very aware and people oriented/dedicated administration, homelessness, housing shortages, and addiction issues will get some much needed help. We really need to bring back public group housing like we used to have for mental health issues, addiction. That was all wiped off the map in 1980s throwing 1000s of people onto the streets with no where else to go. Boy, I'm from Denver and I very much understand and approve of the law to say that cities can kick people out of certain areas. For years our entire Civic Center/ State Capital park areas were overrun with a really messy and quite disruptive group of people. Same issues as those who leave their garbage and poop in camping parks only it's now in the city. It's not weird to be upset by that. It's what's needed to keep the city areas useable. Yes, we have a homeless problem. AND that cannot be solved by using our public parks and areas at the expense of housed citizens. Sadly, huge levels of addiction and theft has added a very difficult element to population of people living on the streets. It's not our father's homeless population. It's a very complicate problem that mostly doesn't get covered well by media. It's not clear cut how to solve these issues.
@@LilyGazou A whole bunch of experts have been telling us for months that our economy is doing extraordinarily well. It's not just one person and it's not based on one simple element. I take my lead from leading economist and what others in the know also think. Inflation is one part, not the whole picture.
@@marydawkins4190I’m glad your economists are doing well-all the people I know are suffering and see no end in sight. (I’m wondering how we will eat with the rising costs at the grocery store-people in this country are hungry and getting hungrier! Perhaps you are wealthy, as most people I know are living paycheck-to-paycheck! We are one major event from being homeless!
@@themustangmama You're missing the point. Just like the economy, a car has a lot of moving parts. It can still be a dynamite car that's reliable, affordable, and running great, even if it needs some work done. Food prices are miserably high. Yes, it's harder to keep putting food on the table. That doesn't mean the economy, as the larger machine, isn't doing really really well. And government has little to no control over that fact that grocery companies, oil companies, etc, are price gouging. But, at least the Biden administration has been and continues to succeed in Turing our economy around after 40 years of failing supply side economics.
Not everyone can survive on the road folks. It is not easy. And if you can not do with out power and the comforts of town idk if its for you. And its a lot of work. If you can't pack it in and pack it out then please stop destroying our lands.
@@Vangela1 No. There is solar power that works absolutely fabulously. When I explore I have power. And seriously a lot of folks could do a couple days or more without it. We can absolutely live without it in a lot of cases.
@@movingforwardfco1587 it really isn't that difficult. If you can carry whatever in, you can carry what ever out. There are free garbage cans all over the place. Stores, gas stations, fast food places. Simply take a grocery bag, when it's full, throw it out
So, if I own a home across the street from a public park, and it has become over run with tents, trash etc, and can no longer let my children play in that park, that my taxes go to the upkeep, I am inhumane if I complain? Yeah no.
Corporate interests are quickly snapping up small independent RV parks and creating a lot of standard rules. Of course, they are immediately raising lot rents and pressuring older vehicles and trailers out! My rent went up 3 times last year and I also pay a maintenance fee to pay my rent each month. Greed run amok!
Hi, will just speak on the ( no residential camping) I have lived full time in my Van over 5 yrs. I know exactly where this is and why the new signage was put up. In this area, people bring RVs their boats and a myriad of other toys in the spring. They will park all of their goodies on the best spots on the water and then leave. This is taking up all the prime camp spots that they are only using a few weekends out of each season. Which screws the rest of us out of enjoying this Forest land. I have written letters about this problem to the FS. No reply. This signs do not pertain to us Caroline because after the 16 days ? We move the five miles that is required. Like you, I am a responsible land user and abide by the rules. They don't even bother to enforce this and it's very upsetting to me. You touched a nerve 😆 So , don't fret, these rules do not apply to law-abiding land users. It only pertains to those who feel entitled 🙏 Stay safe
Greetings from a fellow rv owner, something I'm not seeing in any rver videos is that this is a symptom of a much larger problem. Living in an rv is increasingly no longer a preference of lifestyle. Due to rapidly climbing rent and mortgages due to out of control property taxes. This is sweeping people out of homes and Apts. There's a growing number of elderly no longer in homes because of taxes. I think one would be shocked and angry if they were to look into this issue.
We've "full timed" since 1994. Upon retirement we purchased a lot in a "RV Friendly" subdivision in the AZ Southwest. Our Summers are spent in the mountains of Montana at a family members property.
Id say to RVers, for the past few decades, communities all over the country have increasingly started to make it harder if not impossible for people to live full time on boats. Many marinas that used to allow live-aboards no longer allow people to do so or they have greatly reduced the number of live-aboards. With marinas, that is partly because the places they are located have changed the rules and/or, the insurance companies have instituted rules to restrict or prohibit live-aboards. Another factor in this trend, many marinas that allowed live-aboards have disappeared due to private or city developmekt of parks, places for musical venues or sports stadiums. Remote places that used to have true houseboats, they have been outlawed and many places have even done away with temporary boat anchorage areas so even transient boaters have to pay for docking st expensive short stay transient slips.
I've seen way too many rv shanty clusters out on national forest land. They stay untill their vehicles are unlivable then move on leaving all trash, waste, and vehicles behind. This is what they are trying to prevent. I've helped clean up several of these sights and always report them when I find I one.
Great video Carolyn. You have a valid concern because we have a nationwide homeless issue. We live in Oregon and have tons of homeless people who live in RVs, cars, vans, buses, and trucks, who most often are on drugs and these people never leave their spots! The RVs are pretty much trashed, with plastic garbage bags outside, and have dogs tied up outside to protect anyone who comes around i.e police! I can see how the laws are making/will continue to make it very tough for good people that are not “homeless” who travel. But the homeless who have tents on the city sidewalks, and live in broken down cars, busted out windows in an RV or van and parked in residential neighborhoods, are going to make it tough for legitimate travelers like you. As you may know, the situation is way out of control here in Portland, Oregon. It’s absolutely awful here! These crazy and drug induced people are ruining it for everyone else who waited to travel when they retired or who have chosen to travel and live in their RV, trailer or Sprinter van. On another topic. What do RVers do when it comes time to vote? How do you vote when you’re not in your residential state?
Thank you for the advice. I just bought an older bus and have been looking forward to traveling. With the new laws, I was wondering how they would affect my plans. You’ve given me much to ponder.
My county in Colorado: Two weeks of camping on your own land, must apply for a permit. You can live in an RV on your land while you build a house. It comes down to human waste pollution. They ban tiny homes because of waste issues.
My personal opinion is that the 10 year rule (besides targeting poor people), has more to to with looks. People with money don't want to camp next to crappy looking rvs. As for not camping in public lands, it is cruel when the cities prevent companies from building affordable housing because they want the money from the high end housing few can afford. Some companies want to but the city makes them jump thru so many hoops that they finally give up. The thing about the residential camping probably stems from people who are living on forest land not following the rules, trashing it up and causing problems. It seems to me you can get around that by using a family members address. I would get land in a really rural area since they have less restrictions. Good informative video!
The picture at 3:32 which is supposed to be an RV park looks more like an RV storage facility. Vehicles parked VERY close together, no picnic tables, no cars or people around.
Part of it is fairness and maintaining the ability of many different people to get a space.Depending on the fees charged it may be subsidized housing and if it fills up with FTers that just keeping moving between sites all year it could severely limit how many other people have an opportunity to use those camp sites..
America land of the free yeah right it used to be but is becoming quite different nowadays and you must conform to what people with money think you should be sometimes I wonder if America will become really constrained and you'll have no freedom to move around if you want
As with so many things in this country people are their most worst enemies, the destruction of our parks in this country is staggering and sad, not only that van life has become an untouchable for most people because they've literally priced right out of the bar kit, anyway we'll see what happens, human beings tend to take a good thing and turn it into a disaster
Great work, Caroline!! Here's what I think about folks who are trashy: Get 'em in the pockets!! If they were fined for trashing the area, it would stop or at least give them something to remember. How about being reported to the drivers bureau (getting a ding on one's drivers license) for LITTERING. They should get reported for littering, call the rangers, police etc and give license plate info. Everywhere I go, I see signs on highways, "$500.00 fine for littering." Etc. That would be a start. The best way to get anyone's attention is money. I'm old and live on less than $1K a month. But I love this planet and always do what I can to keep it beautiful! And myself. (sure do wish I could say I was beautiful tho. haha) I also know it's not just homeless folks, or poor folks, or rich folks or ... on and on. It's a (one) person, multiplied. So if the 'one's' were made to pay somehow, or dinged in someway, perhaps... just perhaps, it could make a difference.
Very Well done. All aspects of American life, rights freedoms are being scrutinized,sanitized.Since so many cultures are coming together,so many more things are being monitored.Im really old so I have seen things truly evolve or devolve.You give sound advice have a plan,know your area, don't violate any laws enjoy nature. also act as a soldier,keep moving in enemy territory.If your hair on arms stands up you feel creeped out by someone or something Get out.There are places ( Indoor and out) I don't visit, even though at one time they were a great refuge for me.Sometimes the safest spot is in your head,till you can break free and find a new stay on the road or off.Best of luck and 🛟 safety always...gee remember when the worst thing we had to worry about was a flat tire ? Onward Road Nomad ! Legions before you have traveled in carts and wagons.One day they'll be Nomadic Space travels, looking for stealth spots away from meteors, solar storms and "pirates" ( never mind aliens) 🐾🐾❤️🌲
I catch all KINDS of crap about my SERVICE DOG. Invariably once they see how amazingly well behaved and truly wonderful he is. the comment is ALWAYS, WOW! What a fantastic dog that is!
I live in New Zealand. We have very strict rules regarding freedom camping. Vehicles must be certified and registered to Freedom Camping level and can only stay in designated spots, for various levels of days. Some areas have no freedom camping and you cannot free camp at beaches or forests etc. Every part of NZ is highly policed and the various fines are huge! We do however have a group known as the New Zealand Motor Home and Caravan Association that as a member you get to stay in their gated parks for a very minimal nightly rate. It works well and their club rules are strictly enforced. If people cant be responsible citizens I guess this is how its sorted.
A few years ago we stopped at a USFS campground out west, IIRC somewhere near the Beartooth hiway. Just the 2 of us and 2 dogs. The host told us we could not stay there because we had 2 campers. Our camping was done in our 16ft travel trailer that was TOWED by our Transit van. The female host said since we COULD stay in the van (even though it was not set up as a camper) it would count as a camper and 2 campers wasn't allowed. After much arguing the host's husband finally talked some sense into her and we were allowed to stay.
💖💖💖 Love, Love, Love this💖💖💖 Thank you, Carolyn. Truly concerned and thorough. Huge plus, huge help. You make the difficult seem simple. I am now a subscriber to your channel 💖👍💖 Thank you‼️
This is the first time I’ve heard of the residential camping ban in national forests. Seems like once the word is out this will be impossible to enforce.
People in the United States are really being squeezed from all directions. Massive housing shortages - some people adapt and try to make good of the situation and choose an RV instead, and now they're attacking that too. Something has to give eventually.
We the people are in serious trouble, indeed. And this is just one aspect of it.
@@smirking8457 We are no longer citizens of the United States but Consumers of the US and if you aren't buying into what is being marketed to you, you no lo get matter.
The land of narcissistic and entitled aholes. It's a full blown police state. You can't even go for a walk at night without being harassed or worse. Americans are also the biggest snitches on this planet calling police on each other.
Discrimination is huge and part of the self-righteous entitled narcissistic culture. . they'd rather suffer as long as their neighbors suffer more! Schadenfreude is widely spread.
Your anti bullying and anti discrimination laws are a sad joke.
Here in the UK too!
This. I moved into a cargo van voluntarily in 2021 and van lived for a year. More and more people did this from Covid and now housing costs. Criminals became much more prevalent, the elderly moving into vehicles ramped up big, and businesses were putting out NO OVERNIGHTING signs everywhere. I was even harassed and forced out of the parking lot of a huge mall in broad daylight because I was in a (new) cargo van. Receipts from shopping did not deter them.
RV park costs force more people onto public lands, and no one is there to enforce the few existing rules. People are living there permanently. When they are forced to leave, they open up their black and grey tanks onto the spot - fouling it for anyone to use that site again. This is just another 'tent city'. People are digging holes and burying feces - with enough people, this becomes a public health issue. The cities and states will start forcing full-timers to prove they live in sticks/bricks. They will also crack down on van lifers who don't have black/grey tanks on BLM lands.
Rangers are going to be armed federal police before long because more people are falling into poverty and have to choose between 3 things: food, medical care, and housing. Criminals will prey on the vulnerable at this level, and drugs are much easier to sell if you remain mobile. The government needs to address the core issues here, not just make it illegal to be homeless or 'Medicare gap poor'.
What people never understand is that the more laws you have, the less free you are. Unfortunately there are always lots of people clamoring for more laws.
As a lawyer, I agree. It's all such absolute nonsense. There is a whole industry built upon the production of new laws. What do you get? More freedom or less? Americans are too dumb.
100%
@@CarolynsRVLife More people need to understand the ultimate consequences of numerous laws.
So true
That is because they want to manipulate the US to the way they want it and will advantage them.
We've had 2 instances when traveling in our rv. We have a 2011 40 ft class a bunkhouse motorhome we bought brand new, and it still looks as good as the day we drove it away from the dealer. We got denied staying overnight in an rv park because of the age of it. We went to a friends daughter's wedding and made reservations to stay in a rv park for three nights. Got denied because my wife has a trained Chihuahua service dog. We told them a service dog can't be denied entrance to any place. She said well, not going to happen here. Didn't bode well for the owners of the rv park when my wife reported them to the ADA. We left there and went to a restaurant for dinner wondering where we would stay, and we also had our 5 grand kids with us. We told the owner of the restaurant what had happened and if he knew where we could stay. He said I certainly do. I own some property a couple miles from here where you can stay, After you have dinner I'll carry you there and give you a key to the gate. Wonderful people and they brought their grands out for a visit with ours. Word got around to our many rv friends and guess who starts showing up at his restaurant to eat from all over the country. Carolyn is correct, things have started to go downhill on us the good respectful rver's.
Glad your wife reported that RV park. Shame on them!
Awesome turn around!
@@tinaperez9756 Who do you report to?
What service does your dog provide for you?
@@lsrain they give reassurance, and keep you calm. And some know when you are about to have a seizure and or heart attacks. They are wonderful. , 😊
I think that you are permitted to respond, "I don't answer questions." I am on S.S. so I cannot afford a real sticks and bricks home. I was able to purchase a park model home in a 9 month coop in the desert of California. I can live there in the park model for only 9 months out of each year therefore, I have a van that I live in for 3-4 months each year. I go to a cooler part of California. I never, ever leave garbage or "poop as you say" behind. Leave no trace is what I learned from Bob Wells's channel. I don't see why government is targeting homeless people in cars, RV's etc. Outlawing living in a vehicle is just cruel for those who cannot afford a home or apt. They are housing illegal immigrants, but not their own people who actually paid into the system! Thank you, Carolyn for the update.
@@WatersandWilderness see my comments I think there is an underlying housing issue ignored by both government and population! My job as a social worker was to find housing for people being discharged from a mental hospital! Slum landlords took advantage of these people and the housing was not appropriate or even safe! I think your solution is difficult, and having to face laws restricting where or for how long you can stay are cruel!
I leave behind a penny in an obvious location.
After washing pick nick table place it on the table is the best place…
they target these people that live in cars because some of them find a quiet street and make a blue tarp tent 20' feet off the side of their van/car and use the rain gutter to dump raw sewage.
They don't want solutions to homelessness. They want their facades and corruption.
@@anthonyiocca5683What is a "pick nick" table, and what does a penny have to do with anything?
85 year old man with "home" in Michigan although traveling and enjoying new places every few days in my camper trailer and old pickup. I prefer to be alone tho I don't mind visiting with others from time to time. I see part time campers leaving a mess behind (trash) as they go back to their jobs and residence near by. Some "nomads" are just as bad. Personaly I carry extra trash bags, a shovel and rake to clean up places where I find places tike that. Makes me feel good to help my "neighbors" enjoy the place I leave behind. Born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon when It was so clean it squeeked and learned to swim in the river that ran beside the park. My whole family did clean up duty as part of our activity before leaving.each time we used the park. No one made any rule that we had to do that, It was just the right thing to do.I think that mind set is taught by parents to children. Both parents working full time, leaving raising children to day care and schools who have no investment in the children, results in what we see nationwide. Rules and laws can not fix personal responsibiliy. Doing the right thing when no one is looking is a personal thing. We all are and will pay the price for that neglect
Ken
@@kennethwymer8986 WOW! You are making an important point! No one can make people take responsibility but we might help them learn it is to their benefit also! Maybe we could have a coupon for a small ice cream for kids getting a bag of trash picked up at a park, McDonalds and other fast foods could get involved! Just a sample idea, teach it in your community, have hero stickers for similar pickups!
Thank you and I'm sorry for those pigs that like to call themselves nomads because they really are not authentic
@kennethwymer8986 You make a lot of good points. I'm a retired guy and I do the same kind of cleaning up for neighbors. Btw I moved to OR in 82 and loved its beauty. And also how much the people loved the land. I feel for the nomads and the homeless, but both had better find a way to live without making their waste a headache for homeowners and businesses. That's not a winnable fight.
@@kennethwymer8986 first of all I would not insult you. I treat people the way I want to be treated can I respect others people's land play was taught that a lot of people aren't doing that anymore. And it's sad 😭 because it gets worse all through.. the streets would like that. All through the country. And it starts in the home the way your parents teach you. I was I was taught do you treat people the way I want to be treated myself always treat people respect I open up the door for people that coming in. And more and more I find that people just think it's their privilege that I should open the door. I still open the door and leave the door open in for the next person. Percentage of people just walk through without saying anything. I'm still a better man that I can do it I try to be a better man everyday sometimes it's really hard all I can say is God bless America long live the Republican I'm going to push back on everything. This country was built on freedom in. We still got to fight to keep it free. Is freedom comes with a cost. God bless you all. Lived in a camper vans everything for probably the part of my life so I mean I'm not going to be 60 next year and I'm going to still continue it is my freedom that I have and I will continue to be free.
Tent camping in Florida has gotten insane as well. Limit of 7 days and 30 days total PER YEAR. Ridiculous! Got reported to fish and wildlife officer by a guy on a bike with 2 off leash pitbull dogs for staying a week. The offucer acted like he was gonna make some huge arrest, gave him my permit, good for the next 2 days, my local address (mail only but none of his business!) And he left disappointed. Bottom line, my state has become flat out hateful. Avoid it if possible.
I wonder who's going to work all the low end jobs that's most of Florida economy? Desantis is killing the good people of Florida. I guarantee the state wasnt built up by the snotty rich people.
To be fair, Florida enforcers basically hate anyone that isn't a retiree playing pickleball.
I live in South Florida. How do you stand the heat in a tent? What about mosquitoes?
@ChanelThomas248 USB rechargeable fan, wet towels dunked in ice water in the cooler, keep the tent in the shade, bug spray, campfire smoke, citronella candles and mostly just sucking it up😉👍
The US is a very hateful place
Just recently back in a house after being a full-time RVer for 20 years. I truly enjoyed the traveling lifestyle for the first 15 years; but the increased cost, restrictions, and personal safety concerns in recent years convinced me it was time (for me, at least) to get off the road. Kudos to you for doing your research and sharing what you've learned with others. Wishing you all the best!
The simple rule of pack in, pack out is often ignored by people that live in RVs on the city streets. The trash build up on the outside, lack of upkeep and smell are giving full timers a bad wrap. Folks that want to "live" in front of someone's home or take up perment public spaces are what is killing it for the rest of us. Just be respectful. Nomadic means movement. Those who want to do this in the populated areas, move your RV daily. And not just across the street. Dont "set up camp". Its not okay.
The bigger issue is people can't afford to stay anywhere, cost of renting an rv parking spot is at or above $1k/mo. Low cost tent camping is hitting $600/mo, and you can't stay too long, if you're up to that. It's common for RV parks to require that your RV is no more than a decade old and very good condition. It's an economic war against human decency and dignity waged by the classless imposed as top tier. This is how people will just disappear simply for not being able to pay rent or mortgage payments or fight against an action to take their home they already paid for.
Some aren't doing this by choice. If by necessity, they probably can't afford the fuel and all other expenses to not stay put for at least several days at a time and avoid long distances between.
It is wholly irresponsible to penalize people for living a nomadic lifestyle with movement as it suits themselves. The economy cannot support it. It must have that option as/at the floor.
@@arjones0819I live on a quiet street in the city. I don't mind someone who is quiet spending the night next to my house in a van, but I don't want anyone to move in there.
@@uncrunch398 being a slob IS a choice, this is what's ruining it for others. Parking in front of someone's home and expecting to live there tax free is not acceptable
I was surprised to see people broken down and literally living,not just staying overnight in their RV’s and cars,vans in the Walmart parking lots in Wyoming. I feel badly for these people. But it also ruins for the rest of the people who just need an overnight safe stop. Because now many Walmart’s and other various store are not allowing over night parking anymore. The whole homeless situation to me is absolutely heartbreaking for me.
@@valeriefrench9405 Walmart is a private business. It is not a free campground. When people treat it as such local ordinances change and Walmart develops a zero tolerance rule for ALL of us
how is it ruining things for YOU if someone is sleeping in walmart parking lot.....????? how does that affect YOU?????
@@Artsylady2030 For one, the safety factor. Those who "live" in parking lots in broken down RVs also bring crime. That makes it less safe for those who just want to hit up a parking lot for a night while traveling somewhere.
Second, stores respond to those "living" in parking lots by changing their rules and ending free camping. Then those who respect the stores and their rules, and use them as stopping off points on the way to another destination, no longer have a free place to get a quick night's sleep.
Those who don't respect the rules, and who leave trash behind, and who take advantage of short term free camping by living there in a trashed, broken RV ruin it for responsible campers.
@@Artsylady2030because some of them are messy and leave trash etc and so the laws start getting passed / police cracking down on ppl sleeping in their vehicle or RV
Many more homeless ppl due to corps buying houses, many houses...then ramping up rents, driving up housing prices in general...they've never done that b4, only exception that statement is they've been stealthy doing it by buying trailer parks for a decade.
Never admit to living in your camper. Always say you are on a vacation road trip in your camper or you are retired on a journey around the USA to see the sights and National Parks. It helps if you have some recreation toys like bikes or kayaks.
My opinion is that the residential camping label is just to give Leo's the ability to deal with nomads that are staying too long and looking like homesteaders, or locals that haul their trailers up to the forest and leave them there all summer, like in WY and on many forests in Utah.
@@untetherednomad6393 agree
That’s what I’d do (when I was a nomad). Even as a nomad, the labels “camping,” “traveling,” “road trip”…. were still all true! I used to joke that it was just one long camping trip!
I never tell people I live like this. I always say that I am just road tripping around and seeing the beauty that God gave us to see.
I have been watching videos on RV life, van life and tiny houses for about four years in preparation for possibly needing to live in something smaller and cheaper than my mobile home, lot rent prices being what they are these days and being on a fixed income. But I started hearing about the possible changes to come maybe just over a year ago and frankly I got scared of what could come to pass. Such as people living in vans, cars, RVs, could be forced to move into sticks and bricks or face being placed into "camps", if you know what I mean.😳 I can't imagine the hardships that so many people are already dealing with and this could really become a nightmare. All anyone can do is watch and pray and be as prepared as possible for whatever is to come. This was a very clear concise video and informative. Thank you!
Wanda, I’m 71 and last year decided to sell my mobile home before I would have to sink thousands into it. I was hearing & reading the same stuff then. But daughter & I decided to go for it anyway for as long as we can.
I’ve been on the road four months now. And yes, a lot of towns have ordinances that Walmarts & others must abide by. Some states don’t even have Cracker Barrel’s!
I’ve stayed at CBs, Walmart, truck stops, rest areas, BLM land, National Forests, pull-offs & the like. Have not gotten the knock yet. I’ve only paid for spots maybe three times. Once in an RV park for a week because I was sick.
There were places we drove away from because they had been trashed. Broke my heart. I always pick up trash & try to leave a spot better than I found it.
So it’s doable. Even now. Just be mindful, tidy & don’t overstay your welcome. Soon I’ll be posting videos of what I call the good, the bad & the ugly of vanlife. Rest assured, most of it is glorious but not every day has a beautiful sunset. Safe & happy travels!
@@scubaval08 thank you for sharing. I'm going to hold out as long as possible as I have major mobility issues that would make living in my mini van very difficult. But thank you for your encouragement. You stay safe, healthy and happy.
@@wandacraig8286 I have mobility issues too, Wanda. Got two injections just prior to getting in the van. I use step stools to get in & out. I had to pull myself up from the bed in the van by grabbing fixed beams.
In four months I’ve lost 50 lbs & have more dexterity. Still use step stools. Is it a challenge? Absolutely. But it beats my mental & physical state sitting on my patootie waiting to die. I hope your decision is what’s best for you, but conquering fear, my friend, is downright exhilarating! 💜🤗🫶🏽
I've had my 93 22' Chevy cutaway for for 10yrs I like it but have only taken it out 6times when was a truck driver, I just retired maybe I won't miss my comfy sleep number bed at home usually I would always be within 3-4 hrs of my bed at home couldn't spend the night.Zzz🛌
@@scubaval08 i have a 38 yr ild daughter who is thinking of the Van life. She is in New England area. Is this something I should worry about her being alone and van camping? I do not know much about it.
This is a good heads up for those of us who were planning on selling our home & taking up the nomad life.
Now it doesn't seem quite so attractive, fun, or adventurous. Sounds more like a major daily headache instead.
@@Morning.Coffee I bought a Thousand Trails membership and a Passport America membership. I stay in them sometimes and it can be highly cost effective. Depends on what you want to get out of your travels.
It’s never been a lifestyle for the masses unlike what a lot of TH-cam seem to imply. There have always been “headaches” involved. It’s something people with generally either really enjoy or really NOT enjoy. You could easily rent an RV for a few weeks out of the year and see the country that way (over several years)without selling your souls to the unknown. See how you like it.
Godspeed and good luck
Glad you found out before selling your home. I was very interested in getting an RV until I found out about all the restrictions and limits on stays. Just not worth the effort and all the planning. Plus the repairs from driving a moving house just decided to stay away all together. It's even worse in CA.
I used to TRY to stay in free areas, a few days to two weeks as much as I can. But I always planed my routes so that every week or two to stay at an RV park that has laundry, will hold mail or deliveries, is close to a city with stores for food or whatever. This allows me to take a few wonderful long hot showers, do laundry, restock, get mail, Amazon deliveries, etc.
Amazon now has lockers set up around the country. Frequently in stores like 7-11. You can have your stuff sent to a locker that’s in route and you have like 5 days or a week - something like that - to pick it up.
My husband and I lived the rv life, then got a brick and stick and now are back to the rv life again! We like to push the limits. Saying you cant do something is a challenge to do it. We stealth homestead in our rv. Raise worms, quail in doors and veggies and fruit trees in containers outside. We live in a very cool rv park that greenlights our ideas as long as we include flowers in our veggie beds. This park wants full timers and is actually very cool. We are working on our 1990 40 foot motorhome. In a few years we plan to leave and travel more but are very happy here right now. Will definitely use a lot of your tips including adding a bike rack and a couple of bikes to increase the stealth.
How does adding a bike rack and a couple of bike increase your stealthyness?
@@julien2912
You are now a "recreational RVer" not a "Residential" one
Too much nonsense and low quality thinking
Shop around. Some quality Ebikes out there and only getting better
I’m more of an explorer/traveler than a camper. I really like the towns that build a public campground. It’s usually low price, provides the basics and keeps the RVs out of store parking lots. It’s a win win. I wish more towns would explore this idea.
This is a very common model in small country towns in Australia. The camping grounds are usually cheap with simple but well maintained facilities. The local shire councils provide them because it brings in a small but important flow of tourist dollars into otherwise isolated towns suffering population loss which threatens the viability of crucial local businesses (the pub, grocery store, petrol station etc.)
I am not a camper, either. I do sleep in my camper and use my porta potty, but I don't make fires, set up lounge chairs, or hang laundry on a line. Yep, I don't camp; I never have. Star link, what in the hell is that?
@@drillsergeant5338star link is satellite internet-boondockers in particular use this to have internet and cell access in places where these aren’t available. It’s expensive to set up-equipment prices are around $600 (I think), and monthly fees are about $150…
@@drillsergeant5338Satellite internet
@@drillsergeant5338Satellite internet
I recently sold my sticks&bricks and, at 74, am putting those funds with my pension & SS and relocating/retiring to Thailand.
The USA is becoming too restrictive and expensive.
Headed for the Land of Smiles. Bringing along my cat.
👍✈️🌴🌅🏞️🌺
I don't blame you. Enjoy!
Yup, me too, sold it all, and moving to Malaysia. Maybe forever, really depends if idiot trump gets back in. USA used to be awesome ... sadly, a lot of idiots are throwing out trash, disregarding rules and making van/rv life much more difficult for the rest of us. Sigh. What happened to commonsense ???
You are a brave lady Ann
Congratulations. I’ll be right behind you in a few years. Already been there and checked it out. Much cheaper and friendlier people.
Blessings!
Trash is a huge problem
Trash is very bad. I do not like trash. I have given up on trash. It is no longer a problem for me. I am now divorced. My divorce was very expensive ...the best money I ever spent. Sometimes you just got to take out the trash.
Down at the local park near us by the Columbia River, we were there yesterday to take the kids to the park. There are so many cars and vans where people are obviously living in their vehicles, and we noticed where there was just a normal trash can, someone came a dumped a LOT of garbage right on the ground near the trash can. Cities are not equipped for this kind of thing. I never went back to see if the garbage was still there today. We plan on traveling in our camper when my husband retires, but not all year. A month at a time, maybe. But staying home in the summer to have our gardens and can and freeze food for winter.
90% of the trash i pick around here is beer bottles and cans.
So to get rid of trash, dont outlaw RV's outlaw budweiser.
@@nottiification yes I am a beer drinker and I throw all my trash where it belongs in the trash.
@@JuliaRus460 You're the only one.
thank you for sharing the information, troubling as it is - better to know. and you're right about restrictions even on residential property privately owned. while in Oregon I had a mold issue in my home that needed to be addressed - during the remediation I simply stayed in my RV, on MY property - that was approx two third of an acre & 6' privacy fenced - neighbor complained & I was informed by a county inspector my 'limit' of RV use, on MY own property, was 2 weeks a year. in addition, there was NO HOA influencing the matter, only county zoning.
I no longer own that home/property. I no longer live in Oregon.
@@tamainge1429 Unbelievable and hope you’re happier now.
@@IreneUrista yes I am. thank you!
At the back entrance to our subdivision in SC is a lot that somebody has rented out to two RVers. It's a damned mess. There's tarps and plywood and tents, and garbage, and it's disgraceful. That's why counties and cities make laws regarding RV living - because of trashy people like that.
Then rent should be more affordable so people can live in a proper environment
@@cindypeterson7819The mess described is not acceptable for any reason. Rent control doesn't account for their lack of consideration for themselves and for others. Bejng poor or homeless does not necessarily mean being messy. Those people need to show some respect roward others...toward their neighbors...toward themselves.
@@dross24MA many homeless persons are disabled and without medical support. Please check yourself friend.
@@dross24MA being poor and homeless accounts for a lot of things. They have no medical, no health insurance, no food that's decent to eat, no trash cans or trash service, the list goes on and on! Until you've walked in their shoes you have no idea! Being neat and tidy is the least of their worries! They are trying to survive!!!!!
@@cherylhughes2988 maybe you should help them instead of belittle them!
I started living in my rv in 1980. Was on the road all over the U.S. for the next 15 years. The rule about the 10 year rv was in place nearly every
where even back then , and they did make exceptions then if the rv had a well ke.pt. m appearance. It's a matter of not wanting to deal with the overall appearance of their park. The parks that did take pets usually had a pet section in their park because people would sometimes go away for the day and leave a barking dog for the others to hear all day. I am still an rv person , but sometimes we need to remember that the parks need these rules for their own and other rv ers protection.
I live minutes outside a national forest and we have a big problem here with people overstaying their welcome. I know of several camps that have been there all summer. Forest service apparently doesn't have the staff for enforcement. I am all about the nomad life, but these folks make it hard for society to be sympathetic. "Overstayers" are definitely making the rules tougher for all. And, they're taking up some of our favorite spots. 😉
They are not nomadic folks. Those are more like squatting folks.
@@arjones0819 I would agree, but average citizens don't know the difference, therefore these folks ruin it for everyone.
I see the same thing here in Canada. I live (have my home base) in a rural, fairly remote area and have to drive an hour though the forest to get to town. Along the way, there are many free camping spots where I see families out camping for a week or so. But I also see people who take over one of these spots and stay all summer. One such 'camper' has moved into a forestry campsite and each time I go by there is more garbage piled around the site. I'm just waiting for them to move on when it gets colder and leave behind all their trash. It makes me angry because they are ruining it for others who might want to stay there. I would not choose to camp there seeing the state of their area. I'm sorry for the homeless, and I wish someone would come up with a solution, but it is a world wide problem that no one seems to have resolved. But it is wrecking not only our public land, but also neighbourhoods and downtown areas.
I'm seeing numerous individuals who are obviously living in their cars. There are few places they can park un-noticed. More and more states are not allowing over night stays in rest areas. Two and three hour stay limits are common and are enforced. No night parking at the beach or after parks close and no sleeping in your car. It's getting tough to be a nomad and find a place for interim parking.
@@jeanieirwin4747 I'm getting ready to travel thru several states to visit one of my adult children. I will be car camping along the way, leaving the RV behind
A lot of people have brought some of these laws and regulations onto themselves with their littering and bad behavior. Many folks play loud music, fail to control their animals or clean up behind them. Some of the older vehicles are rusted out, peeling paint etc. these luxury RV parks don’t want to appear ghetto.
@@joyceevans7734 it's all or nothing game everywhere. There is no middle ground. Like smoking no smoking. Pets no pets. Why not tax pay a little more let's say for older RV but create them an separate area. Garbage can by payment be collected. Pets also a corner designated area.
@@Travelinplaces sounds good 👍🏽
@@Travelinplaces these are private properties. All you can do is complain, withhold your business, or try to get a boycott going.
obviously they have enough business without the older RVs.
Hey, land lubbers. One thing to try is a small cabin on a pontoon boat. I did the salt water boat thing for awhile but then discovered that there are an absolute ton of quiet, hidden spots all over America's water ways. I prefer to navigate the Ohio/Mississippi/Missouri river basins and really enjoy going up little feeder streams where no one can see you at all! Plus, people who live along rivers tend to be great, helpful folks.
@@johnmcnulty4425 that’s cool! 😎
lots of scary river rats in those areas...just sayin
They are restricting boat living as well
I have a off grid cabin in the middle of a national forest I was so blessed to find it we only have long weekend rv guests mostly on holidays they are never a problem here in extream north Georgia it’s mostly during black bear season but they clean up 95 percent of the time but some don’t care you’re gonna have those type of people in every national parks or forests
As soon as you admit that you are living in your camper, the establishment is going to do everything legal in their power to close you down. The reason being is they can not extract government tax and a large proportion of private tax (some call it surplus) from your wallet. What you need to do is to lobby for more RV rights e.g. rights to sewer connection, right to safe parking, access to safe water connection. Tax can then be extracted but at least the RV citizen is not perceived being a second rate citizen.
@@leonseymore263 we already have the rights to water, Sewage, elect. Parking is available now. But you must pay for it. It's a trailer park or Campground. People who live in houses have to pay for what they have and use. Why should others support the camping lifestyle? I do not think it should be criminalized though. Prices should be reasonable and affordable. Many have abused and trashed areas and caused problems. And I don't blame locals for not wanting that in their towns.
Carolyn, unfortunately, there is a confluence of some troublesome trends at present: 1) Vagrants, citizens and drug addicted people who do not “leave no trace” in public spaces, both rural and urban, 2) Shortage of low and middle priced h😮ousing, 3) High interest rates and other barriers to home ownership, 4)Huge appreciation of open spaces as a value to human life No trends last forever and if public behavior changed in courtesy and conscience, this trend might resolve sooner. All users of public spaces should clean up after themselves and their pets, leave natural and built features unmolested and, I would suggest that each person loving the freedom of nomadic living or even just a picnic in the woods, or the occasional fishing or boating trip, should clean up spaces they find soiled by irresponsible users since someone will have to clean or fix whatever is left damaged, budgets are short. Areas will be closed due to user negligence. Not fair, but who said life was fair? If you love freedom, you have to take responsibility. I know many nomads do habitually clean camp spaces and many bend over backwards to keep neighborhoods tidy and welcoming even though a curb parking space is a temporary bedroom. But, to win the right to continue nomadic lifestyles, the damage that some are doing must be attenuated.`
@@cabbking good people are punished for bad people's actions
I'm disabled and have hard enough time taking care of myself but I do. I won't kill myself cleaning up after other people. There's hardly any funds available because these shady politicians just don't care about you it national and state parks. They'd rather have golf courses 😕
@@michellepasc7564corps have been r4ping the housing market that's why more homeless, ofc ceRtain politicians use the homeless as political pawns...like in FL. No mention of the housing cRisis & its cause theRe... I wondeR why?
When I was living in my RV, I ran into that 10 year role. Especially when it came time for me to spend time in Southern Oregon while I was waiting for an apartment to open up. I learned the hard way the first time I rolled in and was rejected. Just because my rig was a 1989..
The thing is, it was a holiday rambler 34 feet long . it was an excellent condition and you certainly couldn’t tell her age by looking at her😉. But this particular park that turned me away, wanted me to bring my registration in along with my insurance to verify the age of my RV. I ended up driving down the roadways to a truckstop and spending the night.
But just like you said if I called ahead and told them that I have an older RV, but would be happy to send copies of my registration insurance and I even had a maintenance record along with pictures. I wasn’t turned away after that.
As you know, I don’t live too far from Grants Pass . The unhoused population issue here in Southern Oregon and for that matter up in Portland as well so far out of hand. There is no easy solution for it. All I can say is, where are they supposed to go?
Thanks for the video Carolyn . Safe travels. 💙✌🏼
Thanks for sharing your experience Carol!
A criminal setting fire in several places that cost over 1200 households on the hwy99 corridor certainly didn't help!
As far as answering questions from a IE ranger you can tell the ranger you are exercising your right to remain silent and not answer any questions without legal representation, your constitutional right apply everywhere in the USA! I know this works because I have done it. Be polite but firm and remain calm at all times, the ranger will move on.
CoRps have been buying up to 30% of the houses & jacking up rent / mortgages. Even building new houses to fleece ppl. They've been doing it to trailer parks for a decade, trapping ppl there. FYI eveRyone, This has nothing to do with Biden! Dems are now starting to curtail this ongoing disaster...we DONT need another housing cRisis like 2009!
More and more campgrounds will be saying NO DOGS because so many people think the rules don't apply to them! It is so disappointing that people can't follow rules.
Another reason they don't allow dogs is because their insurance rates for dogs on their properties has skyrocketed. Many people feel that rules don't apply to them and they do not leash their pets. There have been many attacks by dogs at campgrounds.
Beaches as well.
Funny that all of the perfect, law abiding citizens are always on social media, commenting.
Then that areas community should start enforcing the rules
I don't care how "free" you think you are if you have an animal on public property it's responsibility begins and ends with YOU. Be adult. Be courteous.
Great presentation. Thanks for the info, without the typical doom and gloom. I ended up buying property in th UP of Michigan as a home base. Not useful info to everyone I know, but an option. I keep a copy of my deed on me and photos along with the VRBO listing. A shame people cannot find private land cheap and with no restrictions. But there are some areas in the southwest, and Michigan has been good to us.
They can't stop people from having somewhere to live, if you can't afford a house or an apartment near forced to live in your car or RV that's just the way it is, no one has the right to tell you that you can't, especially if you're an American citizen
I completely agree. The Constitution guarantees us the right to life. If you are alive, (hell, even if you're dead) you have to BE somewhere. Since we can't afford housing and we usually can't be on private land, that only leaves public land. Therefore, it is constitutionally illegal to ban us from public land. Much to their chagrin, we are still part of the public, the WE THE PEOPLE part.
@@cliffpearce9043 I guess you havent heard about agenda 2030?? Or the WHOs new treaty they are trying to pass in the USA?? We will have 0 rights.. Constitution will be gone.. Its biblical as well.. Revelation 18.
Unfortunately, what they "can't" do is often done, with no consequences.
Very useful information, Carolyn. I'm seeing red too - I live in Southern California and am watching Governor Newsome enforcing the cleanup of homeless encampments while the city of Los Angeles has just been court ordered to return millions of dollars they were awarded to build low cost housing because they never got the job done. I am very concerned about our empathy for those who have fallen through the cracks. People have to live somewhere. Until our government (federal, state, and local) allocates the funding for mental health and social services in conjunction with housing assistance, these problems will continue.
@@pjzeiden9210 - You should thank another Governor of California, Republican Ronald Reagan, for the closures of mental health centers, Union smashing, ‘Right-To-Work’ states, and attacks on the working poor.
That 10 year rule sounds discriminatory against poor people. Maybe they can only afford an older RV.
I live in a area where national forest is only 7 miles out of town and came across people who lived in the same spot for 6 months or more trashed the spot and set trees on fire. That is probably how they got caught so when they say no residential camping, could be wrong but I think they mean no moving in.
@@pywackit11 maybe if the homeless funds in each state paid for bathrooms and trash pickup people wouldn't trash places
not always the homeless, but the rich entitled morons
8 year full timer here… It is my opinion that the 10 year rule is absolutely necessary. We’ve been in several parks (we don’t like rv parks either) for months at a time where other full timers are completely out of control. Stuff stacked up everywhere and the rig hasn’t been washed in years. We know plenty of “poor” folks who full time and still manage to keep their older rig nicely maintained and washed. A good full timer will maintain a site that looks like they’re camping overnight. You’re right…. many people before us ruined it.
I owned an Rv park and my reasons for not allowing them is that they're fire hazard an are left for the RV park owners to trash and disposing of them is expensive.
I heard that was the genesis of the 10-year rule. If the RV is newer, someone is less likely to abandon it in an RV park when the unit has an issue.
Fire to a travel trailer in a private park with wife who died, husband in critical car burn center. Yeah, there's a reason for rules and regs.
Several places I've lived in So Cal allow people to live in RVs on people's property. It helps the homeowner with a small amount of rent, provides affordable homes for folks with low income jobs and so on. I see them in backyards, in driveways and even front yards. Some folks have fixed up old trailers to rent to short term visitors too. I've thought about getting one for a guest room. These are important topics and each person must do their homework - Thank you for the constant reminders to be mindful of how to treat a space too. Trash, garbage, poo, all of it is important that we balance rules with availability. Personally, I'd rather have people living in their vehicle than on the sidewalk and in the alley.
I live in CA and I see it too but mostly they don't make it so noticeable that they live in it. The code enforcement sometimes call on people from nosey neighbors.
@@Elana-m6m What a cruddy thing to do, eh? It just seems MEAN.
@@thizizliz yes it's mean. It's horrible to sleep outside with no shelter.
Very good information! I am coming up on my last year in Germany to retirement. Nomad all the way, 5th wheel bought and setup for boondocking. I think my calling will be to assist the forest service by cleaning up after the folks that don’t quite get it. Maybe in some way that will show that responsible people are always welcome to any area. One person can make changes I feel, others will naturally follow suit. Will see you on the road hopefully one day in 2026!
I agree, great info.
I have a suggestion: If this works for you, try what I do... I have a good friend that made a lease for me to rent a "space" in her home. My mail goes to this address & this rental agreement establishes my residency. I do visit and stay with her occasionally, so technically I am NOT full time. And I actually pay her yearly for her trouble of collecting my mail, sorting it, throwing out junk mail and opening anything that looks important. It's cheaper than a mail service & if I need proof of residency- I have an actual one page simple lease signed and dated (with a month to month clause after the 1st year).
Of course I went paperless with everything possible so the important things come via email.
Anyway, works great and allows me to honestly say that I am not full time because I have a rental.
I'm doing similar with my older sister, but never thought about doing a written lease.
That's definitely an excellent idea. I'll be calling my sister this afternoon! Thanks for the info!!
GENIOUS
Yes were having similar issues here in Australia for freedom camping, people leaving rubbish, toilet paper every where and they’re now closing heaps of them in different areas, like you Carolyn i like to go out to places where people don’t go, leave nothing but your tyre marks, plus I pick up rubbish from other people many times if there’s bins. Cheers Judy
My dream is to rent a camper in Australia and touring around the country….i May have waited too long.
Maybe part of the answer is for more areas to develop camping areas like Quartzsite AZ has done so there is a place for "residential campers" to go. Thousands of people stay in Quartzsite long term, they are welcome in the town, and the merchants prosper because of these people.
Have you seen that BLM wants to raise the rate for staying in Quartzsite from $180 to $600 for the 7 months pass for long term area?
I live out on the edge of town against the national forest. Once in a while a "temporary" resident moves in on the dirt road near here. There always an aggressive dog on the loose so forget about walking... and of course plenty of litter when they leave. I have a camper van and i do travel and stay where i can away from people. My van is completely powered by solar and makes no noise. I always do a walk around and pick up trash that people have left and leave the area better than i found it... too many have abused the privilege.
Living is not a privilege, what a weird way to frame it.
But your description is unfortunate, some people don't have any sense.
@KineticSymphony it is definitely a privilege here in the usa
As someone who is thinking about being a nomad this is very interesting and informative. I try to watch as many of these kinds of videos, because they are so interesting and the people are generally so cool. There are a lot of irresponsible people who end up ruining it for everyone else. The things that get me are rules that do not allow people to live in an RV on one's on property.
Regulate the RVers but don’t regulate the Air B&Bs (some places have started but not enough) and corporations from buying single family housing. And then complain about the house less population. Genius
That’s the plan…..😏
Single-family housing should only be allowed to sell to single-family residents. The big corporation hogs are buying up all the houses and doubling the price of rents making it impossible for working people to have a place to live. Do you people want this B.S. or are you going to say something and do something to stop them from this?
Spot on!
They pay taxes
I even noticed a big difference between my first year up and down the Oregon Coast in 2017 and my second year in 2018. At least 80% of the spots I parked overnight or camped at in 2017 had “no overnight parking” signs in 2018! I’m thankful though that I made that first trip before things changed making it more challenging. ‘Twas a trip of a lifetime. As the saying goes, the one constant in life is change.
People ruin everything😮💨
You mean the people in government.
I live in a lake area in OK and the main town in my county just passed a law this last summer (2024) about no camping on public owned land. They were referring to the city parks and the overpasses in town. They are having trouble with druggies that are homeless and they think that fining them and arresting them will help solve the problem. But it hasn't.
People that just do not respect the land or other people are the cause of loss of camping areas. And, there are a lot of TH-camrs that push living the dream cheap and free that are contributing to the problem. I really appreciate you providing sensible information to the Rvers on the road as well as people considering the RV life full time. I personally am a week a month camper with 2 dogs and love it. But, I also love the home where I raised my family and love my time there. I get excited planning and getting ready for my camping trips. I enjoy my time camping and I also get excited when it is time to go home to my sticks and bricks. Life is good and I am thankful to have the option to live it my way.
Love your channel. About 10 years ago while I was traveling the South West, I was not allowed to make a reservation in a small RV park for one night. This was only a stop because I didn't want to drive 10 hours in one day to get to where I was going to stay for a few days. I was pulling a 1968 vintage trailer completely restored by me. I finally used my "little girl, Oh poor me, what am I to do?" line and was finally able to stay the night. When I got there, I gave the owners a tour and they were amazed that an old piece of junk could be so beautiful.
No matter where you go in life, no matter what you do... some drunk asshole got there before you and ruined it for everybody.
@@nottiification now that’s 😆
They provide a public service. Without them. They would have to find another excuse. Useful idiots. Like our politicians backed by the 10%
Not really, they don't help, but it's the thugs in government that actually ruin it for everyone.
True story… they don’t even have to be drunk… All the beautiful local swimming holes have become “ off limits” to the public over the last decade. People leaving broken glass, dirty diapers and every other kind of disgusting and dangerous waste in the forest- usually only a couple minute walk from their vehicles. Often it’s people vacationing from out of town; one wonders if they treat their local environment with such distain. Sometimes it’s just teenagers, but more often it’s supposed “adults”- who toss their trash out the window while driving. How people got this selfish is beyond my ability to comprehend.
When I was a child, camping in wilderness areas was seen as normal and encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle. Traveling around in my mid 20's I was amazed at the number of signs in remote locations saying "No Camping". It's just one of many examples of things getting less free and people being corralled into situations where they have to pay just to exist.
My hubs & I are both 53, we went full time during covid. As did many. We had no way to keep making our $1200. morgage payments. Covid took my boss's life, so all of a sudden I had no job either. My boss was my husband's Uncle and he was a doctor. My husband's health wasn't the best either, for him to continue working as a paramedic so he retired early and didn't get approved for disability for over 2 years! We literally were living on his very small retirement. We wanted to get out of Missouri and the cold. We'd already had our toy hauler so we put what we couldn't sell or give away in storage and set off to Arizona. WORST STATE FOR RVr's! Every park was 55 plus only. We also had our Thousand Trails membership too, so NONE of their parks/resorts were for anyone under 55 years old. One park realized our age, and terminated our arrival so we had to scramble to pay full price out of pocket to a small trailer park while our truck was getting repairs. We had fully planned on using our TT membership and use our limited funds to fix truck. It's been a disaster all these years. We've had to stay at family members houses mostly so far.
Rv parks are not attractive either. They do a sardine can thing. I think the parks just want shiny new RVs to make their place look "high class.". Even if that were reasonable which it isn't, most RV's hold their ages well and just picking a year is dumb. FEW people are going to buy new RV's every 10 years just to get into a favorite park. They're going to find themselves aging themselves out as the RV's get older from the COVID boom. Having a 10 year or less RV also implies the person is still making money to be able to pay for a newer RV.
I come down on both sides of this issue because I do weekend camping and it really upsets me that people from out of state book multiple camping sites and then pick the one they "really" want so that no sites show available but end up empty. I also agree that one or two people have left garbage and heaven knows what else to ruin a place for others. However, simply outlawing something does nothing to fix the problem for a good number of unhoused people who have been pushed out of the bricks and sticks market. And, the thought of a "show me your papers" society scares me to no end when some people like me even on a limited basis, like to roam. As you said, time will tell how this shakes out.
The supreme Court decision was correct. It simply removed a temporary ban that had been placed on cities preventing them from removing homeless camps, which resulted in a massive uptick of homeless encampments causing a lot of problems.. It is NOT cruel and unusual to say that people can't sleep in public parks which are meant for everyone. It's not discriminatory to have everyone follow the same rules.
l beg to differ, Cruel and Unusual is not made more just by applying those rules to everyone.
At what point does anyone become "above the law"? Asking for a friend.@@zerozerop-xv4yb
Just plain cruel. If a city doesn't like them in the parks bus them outside where is plenty of space. Build 20 foot container with ac small shower and sink. It's a minimum for a human. Than who wants to climb out of that fine let them buy mansions.
If there's nowhere for them to sleep, then yes, that is cruel and unusual punishment.
There's a disturbing lack of basic empathy for our fellow man in these modern times.
@@KineticSymphonyempathy goes both ways. I don't want my kids to step in and see drug paraphernalia everywhere. We will vote against it. That's how life works
Our government system doing their best to break "the people".
I was approached by 2 park rangers in a NF in CO and asked if I lived in my skoolie...stupid me said yes. He replied "I figured. Most people are living in these things" while gesturing at my bus. He then said "you do know it's illegal to residentialy live in an RV (on public lands)?". 😠
So yeah, they're warning people now but next summer, you'd better have a legit home address to prove you aren't living in your vehicle. Welcome to America.
Well that's bull. He was wrong, it's not illegal to live in an RV... but yes, a really good lesson to be in our toes!
@@CarolynsRVLife I should have added - live in your RV "on public lands".
Best accurate comment here, describing an actual visit by Leo's using the new "residential camping" label against ft nomads.
Residential camping and squatting on Federal Land is illegal. The only exception is the LTVA areas in California and Arizona where one can purchase either a Short or Long-Term Permit. The 14-day stay limits are for recreational campers. A residential camper is houseless as opposed to a recreational camper who is not. A Real-ID complaint Driver's License is your friend.
If you have a current driver s license then you should have an address on it….when I changed my registration to a new state I had to prove I had an address…I needed a utility bill and either a rental agreement or a bank mortgage statement.
I'm home owner without RV but I understand so much what you explain. This video is so important! Thank you very much for every RV owner for this great video. God bless you.
Carolyn is preaching to the choir when she says to follow the laws. lol. It's generally not her viewers who are getting the attention of the park services.
is there a way to have a conversation with you on the phone some time at your convenience. i have questions and feel you would not b. s. the reality of my situation . my on line reply email does not reflect me
Grants Pass is my homebase. I come back in spring thru summer . As of Sept 1st our public parks don't have a single tent. The county has provided city owned property in 5 locations, fenced in with Porta potties, water, trash that are serviced 2x per day. Problem is only a few tents out of several hundred are camped in them. (Many were supposedly transported to these allocated camps) Nobody seems to know where they all went....crazy right?
@@55webinasomebody’s selling them…
We have parked our RV at a lake leveled it at removed the tires, so now our RV is a weekend cabin.
Here in South Alabama you can live in your rv on private property in the country. Also the land, taxes, and the cost of living here is cheaper than other places.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for the subjects video!
It is sad to see so many restrictions happening.
It’s even worse to see areas where the land is disrespected and desecrated 🤷🏼♀️
It is hard to understand why people leave garbage and poop around.
If they could only realize what they are doing is destroying everyone’s freedom.
Enjoy your freedom with Sadie✌️🐾
I just saw where RV sales are being forbidden in z6 states.
I have been a long time watcher of your channel and been ful timing 4 years now. I seldom found a spot that I didn’t have to clean up. 4 years of cleaning up after my fellow campers. I finally bought land in Virginia. I consider Virginia to be rver friendly. I went to the permit office and found a friendly welcome! I am allowed to live on my land for 6 months at a time HOWEVER if I drive off the property and turn around and come back, the 6 months starts over! And I can build anything up to 256 sq ft without a permit. They are also “off grid” friendly. I prefer the Appalachian mountains over the giant gravel pit of the southwest. I have old growth forest, springs, caves and I can see 3 states from the top of my mountain. I want to allow others to come camp with me. But I’m afraid of having to clean up my own land and having issues with folks like you mentioned. Any advice/ideas?
don't Do it. You'll never get rid of them
You may want to try hipcamp. You could have a 2 or 3-day maximum stay, if you don't like your guests, you don't have to have them back. If you do like them you could tell them they were welcome to stay longer. You may eventually find some people you really love that you might want to have longer term. Sort of like a trial period. We have a very small camper and we have decided that when it is time for us to hit the road to do some traveling that we will primarily stay in Hipcamps. We are nice respectful senior citizens. We don't want to stay in fancy mega campgrounds with swimming pools and screaming kids. Nor do we want to stay in no man's land "campgrounds" where there is no registration or accountability. We aim to stay safe and be respectful of our hosts.
We are looking for some land a little further north and I am going to seriously consider Virginia, it sounds just like you said very welcoming.
Look at “Boondockers Welcome”. They are in business with Harvest Host. You can limit the length of stay and I think they have some guidance that might help you understand the practical and legal issues.
I remember passing through a southern town that had used their public park to provide spots with electric and water hook up for travelers! The revenue helped them with city and park upkeep cost and it allowed for more tourism to local businesses!
Just wish I could remember where cause I've been to so many places!
It's also sad because too many people are losing sticks and bricks homes they are stuck in to hurricanes and other storms and wildfires. Number One reason I wanted to be a fulltimer living in an RV on my own land was to live in a home I could easily drive away when the threat of a storm looms, but I chickened out and still live in a regular home, and insurance in Florida is terrible. I live in fear because I can't just drive my home away in a mandatory evacuation, just had one with Debby, and I did not leave because I am too bloody old and tired to keep doing this. So I downed some Advil PM (boy that stuff really works) and cried myself to sleep until the wind stopped blowing and just had some fallen branches. But with an RV every time there is a threat, just jump in, don't have to pack anything, go stay in a rest area or something, not worry about miserable hotels (especially ones that don't take German Shepherds), go stay in a rest area or something until the threat is over and come back and not worry about much damage to your property. Easy peasy. But noooo.....
I love Advil PM too.
I have seen this a lot in the past two years. More "no overnight camping" in public places signs. I got "the knock" one day at a store parking lot and was told I could not stay there. The police tried to direct me to a hotel. I asked if I could stay in their parking lot overnight and he said no, but I could rent a room. I said no thanks and I drove down the road.
what is funny I thought public meant everyone and should be allowed to use it as ou need as long as you are respectful to others. I use a bike trail and there is one trail head where a guy is in his car sitting there everytime i go by him I think he is living in his car,I have no problem he bothers no one and keeps a low profile.
@@tonybalz2726 I pulled into a small shopping center adjacent to a Walmart in Colorado Springs *in the middle of the day* and literally 30 seconds later a security guard pulls up to me, tells me I'm on private property and not welcome there. Skoolies are not welcome in CO period.
One is ok two are ok maybe a few more but that is the problem! Ten are not ok! That housing is so expensive that it is literally not affordable even to people with more than one job! Towns with jobs are even more expensive to live in! A solution is hard to figure out!
It's so strange, when you think about it. Most part of the USA was populated by covered wagons, the precursor of RVs.
Some people make it bad for others
Yeah, like the corporate banksters who throw families into the street.
The state doesn't like citizens they can't control and more importantly TAX. Full/part timing or being a nomad is a danger to the state as it indicates you are a FREE citizen. Freedom is anathema to the state.
One of your better, most informative video. Thank You
Yes, even here in AZ all of a sudden they are talking of bringing back RV ordinances even if you have your own property in unincorporated areas. They are trying hard to enforce certain rules lately.
Definitely there are very few reasons to camp in private RV parks, in general. I do find some that are smaller and are very nice and they don't care what vehicle you're in. One just outside of Montgomery, AL was amazing. An island with a big herd of goats and the movie set for Big Fish. Super pretty camp ground, super nice and quiet. I also think it's always up to the town, city, business as to how they enforce this stuff. They just like to have the authority to do so when needed. If we travel respectfully, keep our areas clean and better than we left them, and don't disturb the business or the area, we'll be OK. VERY much agree, RV'ers need to be spreading out to other less popular spots. Hopefully, as our economy continues to improve and we get a very aware and people oriented/dedicated administration, homelessness, housing shortages, and addiction issues will get some much needed help. We really need to bring back public group housing like we used to have for mental health issues, addiction. That was all wiped off the map in 1980s throwing 1000s of people onto the streets with no where else to go.
Boy, I'm from Denver and I very much understand and approve of the law to say that cities can kick people out of certain areas. For years our entire Civic Center/ State Capital park areas were overrun with a really messy and quite disruptive group of people. Same issues as those who leave their garbage and poop in camping parks only it's now in the city. It's not weird to be upset by that. It's what's needed to keep the city areas useable. Yes, we have a homeless problem. AND that cannot be solved by using our public parks and areas at the expense of housed citizens. Sadly, huge levels of addiction and theft has added a very difficult element to population of people living on the streets. It's not our father's homeless population. It's a very complicate problem that mostly doesn't get covered well by media. It's not clear cut how to solve these issues.
I’m glad to hear that at least one person thinks the economy is improving.
@@LilyGazou A whole bunch of experts have been telling us for months that our economy is doing extraordinarily well. It's not just one person and it's not based on one simple element. I take my lead from leading economist and what others in the know also think. Inflation is one part, not the whole picture.
@@marydawkins4190I’m glad your economists are doing well-all the people I know are suffering and see no end in sight. (I’m wondering how we will eat with the rising costs at the grocery store-people in this country are hungry and getting hungrier!
Perhaps you are wealthy, as most people I know are living paycheck-to-paycheck! We are one major event from being homeless!
@@themustangmama You're missing the point. Just like the economy, a car has a lot of moving parts. It can still be a dynamite car that's reliable, affordable, and running great, even if it needs some work done. Food prices are miserably high. Yes, it's harder to keep putting food on the table. That doesn't mean the economy, as the larger machine, isn't doing really really well. And government has little to no control over that fact that grocery companies, oil companies, etc, are price gouging. But, at least the Biden administration has been and continues to succeed in Turing our economy around after 40 years of failing supply side economics.
No, it's not gonna discourage me. I have no choice economically; it just means you have to outsmart them with stealthiness.
Not everyone can survive on the road folks. It is not easy. And if you can not do with out power and the comforts of town idk if its for you. And its a lot of work. If you can't pack it in and pack it out then please stop destroying our lands.
You don’t have to go without power lol.
@@Vangela1 No. There is solar power that works absolutely fabulously.
When I explore I have power. And seriously a lot of folks could do a couple days or more without it. We can absolutely live without it in a lot of cases.
@@movingforwardfco1587 excellently said. It isn't all grins and giggles, that's for sure. Have to plan everything ahead.
Well I would find a landfill to dump my garbage into.
@@movingforwardfco1587 it really isn't that difficult. If you can carry whatever in, you can carry what ever out. There are free garbage cans all over the place. Stores, gas stations, fast food places. Simply take a grocery bag, when it's full, throw it out
So, if I own a home across the street from a public park, and it has become over run with tents, trash etc, and can no longer let my children play in that park, that my taxes go to the upkeep, I am inhumane if I complain? Yeah no.
Why would you let the park go to waste, when you could something about it so that it won't keep happening
Corporate interests are quickly snapping up small independent RV parks and creating a lot of standard rules. Of course, they are immediately raising lot rents and pressuring older vehicles and trailers out! My rent went up 3 times last year and I also pay a maintenance fee to pay my rent each month. Greed run amok!
Hi, will just speak on the ( no residential camping) I have lived full time in my Van over 5 yrs. I know exactly where this is and why the new signage was put up. In this area, people bring RVs their boats and a myriad of other toys in the spring. They will park all of their goodies on the best spots on the water and then leave. This is taking up all the prime camp spots that they are only using a few weekends out of each season. Which screws the rest of us out of enjoying this Forest land. I have written letters about this problem to the FS. No reply. This signs do not pertain to us Caroline because after the 16 days ? We move the five miles that is required. Like you, I am a responsible land user and abide by the rules. They don't even bother to enforce this and it's very upsetting to me. You touched a nerve 😆 So , don't fret, these rules do not apply to law-abiding land users. It only pertains to those who feel entitled 🙏 Stay safe
Greetings from a fellow rv owner, something I'm not seeing in any rver videos is that this is a symptom of a much larger problem. Living in an rv is increasingly no longer a preference of lifestyle. Due to rapidly climbing rent and mortgages due to out of control property taxes. This is sweeping people out of homes and Apts. There's a growing number of elderly no longer in homes because of taxes. I think one would be shocked and angry if they were to look into this issue.
We've "full timed" since 1994.
Upon retirement we purchased a lot in a "RV Friendly" subdivision in the AZ Southwest. Our Summers are spent in the mountains of Montana at a family members property.
Id say to RVers, for the past few decades, communities all over the country have increasingly started to make it harder if not impossible for people to live full time on boats. Many marinas that used to allow live-aboards no longer allow people to do so or they have greatly reduced the number of live-aboards. With marinas, that is partly because the places they are located have changed the rules and/or, the insurance companies have instituted rules to restrict or prohibit live-aboards. Another factor in this trend, many marinas that allowed live-aboards have disappeared due to private or city developmekt of parks, places for musical venues or sports stadiums. Remote places that used to have true houseboats, they have been outlawed and many places have even done away with temporary boat anchorage areas so even transient boaters have to pay for docking st expensive short stay transient slips.
I've seen way too many rv shanty clusters out on national forest land. They stay untill their vehicles are unlivable then move on leaving all trash, waste, and vehicles behind. This is what they are trying to prevent. I've helped clean up several of these sights and always report them when I find I one.
Great video Carolyn. You have a valid concern because we have a nationwide homeless issue. We live in Oregon and have tons of homeless people who live in RVs, cars, vans, buses, and trucks, who most often are on drugs and these people never leave their spots! The RVs are pretty much trashed, with plastic garbage bags outside, and have dogs tied up outside to protect anyone who comes around i.e police! I can see how the laws are making/will continue to make it very tough for good people that are not “homeless” who travel. But the homeless who have tents on the city sidewalks, and live in broken down cars, busted out windows in an RV or van and parked in residential neighborhoods, are going to make it tough for legitimate travelers like you. As you may know, the situation is way out of control here in Portland, Oregon. It’s absolutely awful here! These crazy and drug induced people are ruining it for everyone else who waited to travel when they retired or who have chosen to travel and live in their RV, trailer or Sprinter van.
On another topic. What do RVers do when it comes time to vote? How do you vote when you’re not in your residential state?
I agree! I’m afraid to camp anywhere alone!
Thank you for the advice. I just bought an older bus and have been looking forward to traveling. With the new laws, I was wondering how they would affect my plans. You’ve given me much to ponder.
Someone should open up an rv park that the rig needs to be at least 10yrs old...haha....no new ones.😊
Well 😮where the hell are people going to go then? Jeeze this world is nuts 😢
My county in Colorado: Two weeks of camping on your own land, must apply for a permit. You can live in an RV on your land while you build a house. It comes down to human waste pollution. They ban tiny homes because of waste issues.
Just "build a house" very slowly...
My personal opinion is that the 10 year rule (besides targeting poor people), has more to to with looks. People with money don't want to camp next to crappy looking rvs. As for not camping in public lands, it is cruel when the cities prevent companies from building affordable housing because they want the money from the high end housing few can afford. Some companies want to but the city makes them jump thru so many hoops that they finally give up. The thing about the residential camping probably stems from people who are living on forest land not following the rules, trashing it up and causing problems. It seems to me you can get around that by using a family members address. I would get land in a really rural area since they have less restrictions. Good informative video!
The picture at 3:32 which is supposed to be an RV park looks more like an RV storage facility. Vehicles parked VERY close together, no picnic tables, no cars or people around.
I concur; looks more like a parking lot rather than a recreational park
Thank you so much for this update - I was not aware of the residential camping laws for national forests.
WA state parks just changed its rules at state park campgrounds. 10 day limit in a month. But only 90 days in one year total in WA state parks. 😮
Part of it is fairness and maintaining the ability of many different people to get a space.Depending on the fees charged it may be subsidized housing and if it fills up with FTers that just keeping moving between sites all year it could severely limit how many other people have an opportunity to use those camp sites..
America land of the free yeah right it used to be but is becoming quite different nowadays and you must conform to what people with money think you should be sometimes I wonder if America will become really constrained and you'll have no freedom to move around if you want
Thank you for staying up-to-date and informing us on this. And every point you made it spot on
As with so many things in this country people are their most worst enemies, the destruction of our parks in this country is staggering and sad, not only that van life has become an untouchable for most people because they've literally priced right out of the bar kit, anyway we'll see what happens, human beings tend to take a good thing and turn it into a disaster
Great work, Caroline!! Here's what I think about folks who are trashy: Get 'em in the pockets!! If they were fined for trashing the area, it would stop or at least give them something to remember. How about being reported to the drivers bureau (getting a ding on one's drivers license) for LITTERING. They should get reported for littering, call the rangers, police etc and give license plate info. Everywhere I go, I see signs on highways, "$500.00 fine for littering." Etc. That would be a start. The best way to get anyone's attention is money. I'm old and live on less than $1K a month. But I love this planet and always do what I can to keep it beautiful! And myself. (sure do wish I could say I was beautiful tho. haha) I also know it's not just homeless folks, or poor folks, or rich folks or ... on and on. It's a (one) person, multiplied. So if the 'one's' were made to pay somehow, or dinged in someway, perhaps... just perhaps, it could make a difference.
Very Well done. All aspects of American life, rights freedoms are being scrutinized,sanitized.Since so many cultures are coming together,so many more things are being monitored.Im really old so I have seen things truly evolve or devolve.You give sound advice have a plan,know your area, don't violate any laws enjoy nature. also act as a soldier,keep moving in enemy territory.If your hair on arms stands up you feel creeped out by someone or something Get out.There are places ( Indoor and out) I don't visit, even though at one time they were a great refuge for me.Sometimes the safest spot is in your head,till you can break free and find a new stay on the road or off.Best of luck and 🛟 safety always...gee remember when the worst thing we had to worry about was a flat tire ?
Onward Road Nomad !
Legions before you have traveled in carts and wagons.One day they'll be Nomadic Space travels, looking for stealth spots away from meteors, solar storms and "pirates" ( never mind aliens) 🐾🐾❤️🌲
I catch all KINDS of crap about my SERVICE DOG. Invariably once they see how amazingly well behaved and truly wonderful he is. the comment is ALWAYS,
WOW! What a fantastic dog that is!
I live in New Zealand. We have very strict rules regarding freedom camping. Vehicles must be certified and registered to Freedom Camping level and can only stay in designated spots, for various levels of days. Some areas have no freedom camping and you cannot free camp at beaches or forests etc. Every part of NZ is highly policed and the various fines are huge! We do however have a group known as the New Zealand Motor Home and Caravan Association that as a member you get to stay in their gated parks for a very minimal nightly rate. It works well and their club rules are strictly enforced. If people cant be responsible citizens I guess this is how its sorted.
If this happens in the US there's going to be a problem. Our constitution protects us but unless people stand up to it , nothing will work.
A few years ago we stopped at a USFS campground out west, IIRC somewhere near the Beartooth hiway. Just the 2 of us and 2 dogs. The host told us we could not stay there because we had 2 campers. Our camping was done in our 16ft travel trailer that was TOWED by our Transit van. The female host said since we COULD stay in the van (even though it was not set up as a camper) it would count as a camper and 2 campers wasn't allowed. After much arguing the host's husband finally talked some sense into her and we were allowed to stay.
The host was dead wrong. If a van is not set up as a camper it is not a camper, but a tow vehicle.
Always a source of great info. Thanks Carolyn. Much food for thought
💖💖💖 Love, Love, Love this💖💖💖 Thank you, Carolyn. Truly concerned and thorough. Huge plus, huge help. You make the difficult seem simple. I am now a subscriber to your channel 💖👍💖 Thank you‼️
This is the first time I’ve heard of the residential camping ban in national forests. Seems like once the word is out this will be impossible to enforce.
It's real, I've been warned already.