Camping prices!!!

[groundhogy]

I am really getting sick of this.
I have to come to Maryland for family and I still have some chores to do in the area in summer.

I live aboard and dont have an income.

Who the hell can aford $30 freaking dollars a night?? Its a parking spot for $900 a month. I should just get an apartment.

Is there any other way?

I thought I had a brilliant idea and started contacting people selling land to see if they would temporarily rent me a spot and I find out they cant do it because the local governments have zoning laws that prevent land owners from doing this. Someone mentioned farms or agriculturral land might be ok, but Im not sure.

Are there any other options?

groundhogy

[Isuzusweet]

Find a local church near the area you wish to stay and offer to keep the parking lot and surrounding area free of litter and debris while you stay. You may have to move a couple of times to other churches during the summer. Don't over stay your welcome and don't outwardly display your residency there (no awning, chairs or BBQ). Make sure you have a letter or permission from the parish priest with his or her name and your identity as well.

The other option is to approach the Maryland police force themselves, to quietly off the record, politely ask if they had any suggestions where you could stay that would not attract police intervention. They may suggest an out of the way place that would not attract attention. Again, be respectful and well kempt when approaching the police as first impressions are key to gaining their assistance.

Cheers
Tony

[CRH]

Some people don't want to rent a spot like that because once you establish residency, you can quit paying and squat until they evict you.

[groundhogy]

wow. thankyou Izuzu for the only good idea so far...

[Len n Jeanne]

You might also inquire whether RV parks have a monthly rate. Many bring the price down for a longer stay.

[groundhogy]

900 is the monthly rate

[Lily&Me]

Where have you been keeping your Airstream?

Is it possible to work out something with the storage facility?

Driveway or back yards of family you are seeing?


Maggie

[Gearheart]

Boondockers welcome, WBCCI host parking, COE parks come to mind.

[Rich W]

Have you checked surrounding towns and counties for local campgrounds? I have stayed in a couple different ones for $9 to $19 a night when we traveled through Texas and Arkansas. Both were quite nice and on lakes.

These smaller, local municipalities usually have a campground for more reasonable rates. Most have a 2 week minimum but they allow you to go out a night and come back.

[paiceman]

If you have free time during the week approach a campground owner and see if they need some type of help, ie work camping. Most do use one or more people to help out either in the office or outside in exchange for either full campground site or partial.

We have one this year were I work 3 days on 3 off for six hours a day and we get a full hookup including cable on a river for no charge.

Bud

[powerwiz]

Originally Posted by groundhogy

I am really getting sick of this.
I have to come to Maryland for family and I still have some chores to do in the area in summer.

I live aboard and dont have an income.

Who the hell can aford $30 freaking dollars a night?? Its a parking spot for $900 a month. I should just get an apartment.

Is there any other way?

I thought I had a brilliant idea and started contacting people selling land to see if they would temporarily rent me a spot and I find out they cant do it because the local governments have zoning laws that prevent land owners from doing this. Someone mentioned farms or agriculturral land might be ok, but Im not sure.

Are there any other options?

groundhogy

If your able stay in WV or PA. Everyone I know that works in Northern Maryland wouldnt be caught dead living there.

[kb0zke]

We haven't been to the East Coast yet, but we rarely pay $30/night. We prefer COE parks (two week limit), State parks (limit varies). If we can't get those where we need them we try a Passport America park. We do have the Federal senior citizen pass (aka geezer pass), so our cost at COE parks is half the regular rate. We've paid as little as $7 for a night for electricity only.

Check out city and county parks. Some county fairgrounds and State fairgrounds have camping spots available when the fair isn't going on. You may need to drive some, but you can figure out how far you can go to save camping dollars, spending gas dollars, to come out ahead.

[AtomicNo13]

Dont ruin things for the missionaries!

[Sbb]

I just paid $30.00 a night CT State Park, no hookups, Because I was outif stAte. I thought that was high. Venue camp for work is best.

[Denis4x4]

I've maintained a small note book for 30+ years noting mileage, camping fees and general impressions of campgrounds we've used over the years. For instance, a CG in northern Arizona was $9.00 30 years ago and a recent stay was almost $50. In recent years, we've noted a number of campgrounds with permanent residents working in the area. Any campgrounds around Silicon valley requires advanced reservations and is very expensive due to the major ongoing construction projects. Last month we paid over $60 in Morgan Hill CA. Too, zoning has reduced the number of RV parks in some areas and the pricing is based on supply and demand. I'm amazed at the number of commercial vehicles doubling as tow vehicles that you see in campgrounds these days.

[kb0zke]

"I'm amazed at the number of commercial vehicles doubling as tow vehicles that you see in campgrounds these days." Are you referring to large trucks that started life as semis? If you look closely at them you will see that many are only single rear axle and are sporting signs that say "Not for commercial use" or something similar. The fifth wheel trailer parked behind them is a really heavy one. Those trucks are used because they can safely haul the 20-25,000 pound coach.

[Denis4x4]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

"I'm amazed at the number of commercial vehicles doubling as tow vehicles that you see in campgrounds these days." Are you referring to large trucks that started life as semis? If you look closely at them you will see that many are only single rear axle and are sporting signs that say "Not for commercial use" or something similar. The fifth wheel trailer parked behind them is a really heavy one. Those trucks are used because they can safely haul the 20-25,000 pound coach.

I'm referring to 3/4 and one ton pickups with ladder racks, tool boxes and signage offering plumbing, HVAC, electrical and other construction trade services.

[Lily&Me]

There is at least one member here, beetlebob, who is a master mechanic and recent graduate of an RV specific repair class.

He and his wife full time, and his truck with the tools of his trade is their tow vehicle.

He is working at the service station in Yellowstone this summer, so if you get thru there stop in and say hi.

A number of clever and resourceful full timers take their craft on the road with them, to finance their travel life.

Seems like a great idea to me.


Maggie

[kb0zke]

Okay, I hope to be one of those with an F250 with tools towing an Airstream. We're full-timers and I do work with Laborers For Christ, which involves being in one place for several weeks to a year, and we provide all of our own tools. That's why our Foretravel MH is for sale and I daily read the Classifieds (and dream).

At least a couple of the Laborers have the BIG trucks (with equally large 5'ers) and LOTS of tools. I met one of them last year - 8 large and 2 extra-large military surplus boxes full of tools. He has a Volvo towing a Mobile Suites. His wife follows in the car. Truck isn't at gross weight (yet) so he's looking for more tools.