Unfriendly RV Locations

[ksg5000]

I can understand a city putting some restrictions on "camping" on the city streets -- how those laws are enforced indicate whether the city is using the law to enhance their treasury or help the city. A simple knock on the door telling an RVer that overnight camping is not allowed - and asking them to move on within a reasonable time frame is better than slapping them with a ticket. No doubt Van Horn is using this to get some extra money.

[RustyJC]

If you want to vent your frustration to someone who might be able to have a conversation with the Van Horn officials about the wisdom of their policy, there's a "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this webpage for TravelTex.com, the Texas Department of Tourism.

Rusty

[PalmSprings]

have you also noticed that 10 wheelers can park to sleep,but no one else can.
I was pulled off with 3 truckers and the chp told me I couldnt sleep here! They could
its all about lobbying.
Local officials get pressured by local business or whatever, to enact these laws or ordinances .
Just like all politicians get lobbied in one way or other

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by PalmSprings

have you also noticed that 10 wheelers can park to sleep,but no one else can.
I was pulled off with 3 truckers and the chp told me I couldnt sleep here!

OK, I'm confused. Why would the CHP be patrolling Van Horn, Texas enforcing no camping regulations?

Rusty

[kalynzoo]

It is interesting how we assume that the restrictions are prompted by greedy park owners, RV based companies, etc. Perhaps, just perhaps, the ordinances were prompted by less than desirable wanderers who set up camp in converted school buses, old trucks, etc, and created a discomfort among the residents. Then there are those who abuse their neighbors by dumping and otherwise damaging a neighborhood.
Tahoe and Reno encourages travelers, but severely restricts RV parking for environmental reasons. My community is trying to limit homeless migration (I'm not taking or expressing a side here) by limiting overnight parking in many areas.
Personally, when traveling up the coast of Oregon, and coming to a town with signs restricting parking to vehicles under 7 ft I drove on through to the next town. Sure there was parking on the outskirts for large vehicles, but I didn't want to walk that far or bother taking out the mobility scooter to stop for lunch. I don't think I missed anything, but I didn't purchase anything either.
JMHO
Happy Trails.

[wa8yxm]

I do have one two part suggestion:

IF in the past you have stopped in an "RV-Unfriendly" town for the night, staying at a campground, perhaps visiting a favorite restaurant or watering hole, perhaps shopping a favorite store, on your way through.

1: Change your route to avoid that town

2: Write a bunch of letters (And mail them) to the owner/manager of the businesses where you USED to spend money, And to the city council (Same letter to all) explaining why you won't be giving them any more business.

In short, hit those money grubbing fat politicos,.... Right where they live. (in the bank account)

I can not find a link to a FREE Mp3 download for it but there is a song that applies to this thread.

Title: Grain Train
Author: Leslie Fish

Recorded by: Several, Including Ms. Fish and Julia Ecklar

And that's what cities get from Trains.b

[PalmSprings]

You were joking right?

Where did I refer to Texas or camping in my post? The CHP (California Highway patrol) only patrols...well california.
Also...I dont consider an RV pulled off the road with other truckers as camping,unless we just plain slept through the entire truckers fireside chat /shindig.

Good Motto
before sailing you ship,make sure you gots no holes
-------------

Originally Posted by RustyJC

OK, I'm confused. Why would the CHP be patrolling Van Horn, Texas enforcing no camping regulations?

Rusty

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by PalmSprings

You were joking right?

Yeah, I suppose I was....

Rusty

[Elkhartjim]

Originally Posted by DelP

. When I awoke 2 hours later at 7am, there was a ticket taped to my windshield.

B. The term "camp" means to use a public area for living accommodation purposes for a period of time in excess of four (4) consecutive hours, for activities such as, but not limited to, the following:

Where's the beef? No law broken. Woke up in 2hours vs could have "camped" 4 hours.

Y'all need to be cautious about what you read on FMCA and certainly the propaganda published by the Affinity Group.

[dagray]

Not all no camping ordinances are because of the RV Parks. I work for a city that has a no camping ordinance. There are no RV Parks aroune the area. The reason is because of junk campers and homeless people sleeping, littering, building cardboard condos, etc. We have a Walmart and do not enforce it on Walmart property unless you set up your old ratty looking motorhome and stay for several days or weeks and dump your sewage on city streets.

Not everyone is like the people on this forum, that are responsible and follow the rules. Some cities may do it for other reasons, pressure from RV parks and citizens and use it to make money. I don't recall anyone here getting cited but if you are a bum and don't move on, it can happen.

[PalmSprings]

Turning lemons to lemonaide

i was on HWY one near Goleta (sp?) and got so sleepy without warning.
I pulled off on a large turnoff with a breakwall next to the ocean. Slept good and awoke to a $25 ticket. that was the lemon.
Well we stayed,had breakfast,stayed a while etc and moved on. That was the lemonaide.
Figured $25 was not unreasonable price for the ocean sounds and view campout.
it was the only way for me not to be fuming for days about being so stupid and missing the sign.

[Toole'n Along]

I am a former over the road truck operator. It will be interesting if the Van Horn city law is challenged in light of the federal law requireing specific rest time. The law as I understand applies to any and all vehicles that are parked for the purpose of sleeping and/or resting. The private property seems to include the truck stop properties. Just a thought!

[PalmSprings]

yes casinos,truck stops are good places.
My wife had never been RVing before. I parked alot near trucks running their engines all night. Now she likes the sound of diesels trucks when time to sleep in an RV. It lulls her to sleep...well me to. When i was a boy my parents used to take us all in a 63 GMC Carryall ( remember those? (The early suvs) & trailer and occasiuonally park among the Dsl trucks on our way wherever. Just passin the tradition on
Diesel engines runnin,rain hammering the RV Trailer,big storms and so on. Should make tapes of it all to sleep by..

[Nuge]

My letter to the city of Van Horn, TX:

I am a responsible member of a Motor Home Association and of several RV forums. I and most of my friends and associates will be avoiding your town and your whole area due to your RV unfriendly ordinance. I would think in this economic mess we're in most towns would welcome out of town business and the people who would normally spend money in your town. Apparently this isn't true in your town. Hope it's also true for your local campgrounds as well since we will be avoiding them as well. I hope this was your intent as word spreads fast on the internet.

D. J. McBride
Hammond, IN

Maybe I overplayed the "Association" thing, but ordinances like this could become a serious hindrance to my future as a full timer once retired!