When overnight parking these suggestions will keep you out of trouble and your fellow RVers welcome.
A Boondocking guideline as it applies to overnight parking at Wal-Marts, church parking lots, roadside rest stops, or any other non-campground facility. Here is a list of things that we should do to show curtsey and appreciation to those who allow us as guests at their venues and communities.
1. Ask permission to park overnight. Notice I said overnight, if you need to stay longer move to a campground.
2. Be sure that the person you are getting permission from is someone that has the authority to give permission. Get that persons name and position.
3. Arrive late leave early. Nuff said.
4. Put your trash in proper receptacles or take it with you never leave it on the ground.
5. Only empty your holding tanks at a dump station. That storm drain is not a dump station.
6. Only park in the suggested areas. Ask where they would like for you to park and park there. If there are other RVers there stay close there is some safety in numbers.
7. If you put your awning out to get out of the sun put it up when you are done, don't' leave it out. Same goes for chairs use them and put them away.
8. Never put your slides out.
9. Don't put your stabilizers down without something under them it will damage the tarmac.
10. If you are close to the store or in a church or schoolyard be aware that your generator can be bothering someone else. Be considerate while running your generator.
11. Please if you are staying at a Wal-Mart or Flying-j or other commercial venue spend a couple of bucks there. I for one never miss the chance at the breakfast buffet at the Flying-J
12. If you are confronted by someone be courteous, keep your cool. If you have done the above call the authorities let them handle it you are in the right.
We need to look as much like we are just there to shop not spending the winter. There are those that want to ban all parking at these locations please don't give them fuel. Remember if it looks like your camping, you are!
One more thing if you see some one that is blatantly not following good judgment, don't confront them it probably won't do any good. Copy these suggestions on a 3X5 card or go to http://www.escapees.com/edocs/094-parking%20etiquette.pdf and print out their card and leave it on their windshield.
