One of my favorite things is staying in the RV at friends’ homes. Driveway, curbside, acreage – anywhere I can fit is just fine with me.

Some would call it Boondocking. That term generally means camping with no amenities (water, electricity, and sewer hookups), borrowed from the word “Boondocks,”

but it isn’t roughing it when I camp with friends! There is usually access to water and 110 volt power (regular house current), which keeps the batteries charged, running most everything except the biggies like the microwave and air conditioner. I especially like visiting in spring or fall, when I don’t need the generator to maintain coach temperatures. (With 110V power I use propane to heat water and run the ‘fridge.)

It’s even easier when hosts have 30 or 50 Amp power (Thanks, Jason & Cindy in Mississippi, and Susan & Gary on Fox Island, Washington!). Some have even upgraded their electrical boxes since I hit the road. (Thanks, Trudy and Izzy!)

On extremely fortunate occasions, friends have full hook ups, including sewer connections, at their houses.

When Rick and Christian built their new house last year, they put in full hookups at the shop/garage. I feel so special!

No, “Boondocking” is a woefully inadequate descriptor. “Moochdocking” is much more accurate!

More Than Money

Sure, it’s less expensive to camp in a driveway, but the main reason I enjoy Moochdocking is being in close proximity to my loved ones, but not underfoot; I’m right outside for impromptu get togethers and last minute plans, but the physical separation (hopefully!) keeps me from wearing out my welcome. It’s good for the animals too, especially when friends would prefer to have no animals in their houses, or have their own menageries that do not mingle.

My recent visit with Bonnie in Tennessee is a great example of why I enjoy Moochdocking.

She lives in the country, and there are no RV parks or campgrounds nearby. I was able to stay in her driveway, and we packed a lot into my three-night visit because of it. I could also have a few cocktails at her house, and not have to worry about driving back home.

The Legalities

Beware of living in your RV in planned communities with RV parking. Those lots are great if you intend to stay in a home during your visit, but most HOAs state that no one may occupy an RV while parked on the premises. I got some friends in trouble in Palm Springs when I was in the motorhome in the RV parking lot of their gated community. Someone complained.

Most cities and more than a few towns have ordinances that either prohibit, or limit, living in an RV, even when it’s parked on private property. This is especially true if the RV is parked on the street. As a general rule of thumb, think 72 hours max. I have found the best way to avoid problems is to alert and get permission from neighbors beforehand, and not to overstay your welcome. Speaking of overstaying …

Friends And Fish

We have Benjamin Franklin‘s Poor Richard’s Almanack to thank for the truism, “Visitors and fish stink after three days.“ But when you are not a houseguest, how long of an RV stay is too long? There is a movie with Dame Maggie Smith, “The Lady in the Van,” which is the true story of Miss Shepherd, a woman who ‘temporarily’ parked her broken-down van in writer Alan Bennett’s London driveway, then lived there for 15 years.

That might be too long.

In most cases I stay for a week or less. In some instances I have stayed as long as two weeks (Thanks, Kaiglers!), which is usually the maximum without a sewer connection because of the need to dump gray and black water tanks.

When it comes to Washington and my closest and dearest friends, I have lingered for much longer periods. I have spent months with my Port Orchard Peeps. During The Summer of Seattle, when I turned 50, I was at Kay’s place off and on for the entire summer.

Get Specific

I have sadly had to turn down Moochdocking invitations due to size restrictions. If I am nearby I will drive the route in the car first. Otherwise I get very specific with the host, giving height, width, and weight and inquiring about low hanging trees, power lines, sloped driveways, and narrow roads and lanes. Photos, Google Earth, and Street View help immensely. Most people don’t really comprehend just how big these rigs are, especially if they don’t have any first-hand experience with them, and they are not used to looking up for hazards. Do your homework to avoid getting caught in a tough situation!

More Moochdocking In 2020

I am really looking forward to some more Moochdocking scheduled for 2020 – at Dawn’s in Long Island in May, and in June at Kate’s in Narragansett, Rhode Island.