Boondockerswelcome.com

[thrifty bill]

Got a chance to try this out a couple of weeks ago. It costs $30 to join, $15 if you offer a spot to boondock. Basic idea is to have a network of individuals providing free boon docking.

We were in the Tampa, FL area, it was a weekend night. Most campgrounds are full, KOA had a site for $112 for one night. No thanks!

We parked in someone's driveway. They provided water and 15AMP electrical. As you can see, we parked in their driveway.

From here, we headed to Cedar Key where we got a nice campsite in the county park there.


[/url]Boondockerswelcome by wrk101, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2eskjF6

[Steve Hammel]

Great idea. Not sure if id personally want someone camping in my driveway but for those who have the extra room it could help with some extra income.

[thrifty bill]

Originally Posted by Steve Hammel

Great idea. Not sure if id personally want someone camping in my driveway but for those who have the extra room it could help with some extra income.

No extra income, almost all are free. Some have a nominal charge for electricity.

[LyleB]

I don't believe that Boondockers Welcome is a money producer. I think the idea is that of just being a welcoming neighbor, and if you are a member, you can get a reciprocal welcome when you are traveling.

I've not joined Boondockers Welcome, but was a member of Warm Showers for a number of years. It is similar, intended for bicyclists. In the case of Warm Showers, you can offer just a place to pitch a tent, most often with kitchen/bath privileges and water/electric, or a spot on a couch or spare bedroom. You can set some guidelines such as length of stay, amount of notice required, pets welcome or not, etc. I had a GREAT experience with Warm Showers, met some fantastic folks who stayed with me, and I am NOT in a popular tourist area.

Also, Warm Showers allows you to write a review of guests, and allows the guests to write a review of hosts. This works to provide some feedback for others when making their decisions on staying or not and whether to host an individual or not. Adds some peace of mind. No idea if Boondockers Welcome provides the same service.

I'm glad I saw this, I will be joining as soon as I am home from my Snowbird trip to Florida next week.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Steve Hammel

Great idea. Not sure if id personally want someone camping in my driveway.....

I’m somewhat in the same place. I have constructed a campsite accessible from my driveway with water hookup, 30 amp electrical service, and a TV antenna feed. It would have a sewer connection except that the septic tank is on the far side of the house. And I could actually accommodate two trailers. The limiting factor is length (maximum of 21 feet???) as my driveway is somewhat tight. While I have offered/allowed its use to friends and other people I have gotten to know, I’m not sure I want to take calls from “total strangers” looking for a place to stay. Being in a quiet, rural area somewhat close to Tampa, I’m sure I would have no shortage of “guests” during the winter months as campsites are not always easy to find in Florida when frigid temperatures result in the annual snowbird migration. But at this point, I am hesitant to commit to Boondockers Welcome.

[gordon2]

Anyone considering hosting campers at their homes should be aware of their HOA rules, deed restrictions, etc. regarding people living in campers on the property. It is often not allowed and could subject one to fines.

[thrifty bill]

Originally Posted by CPW

I’m sure I would have no shortage of “guests” during the winter months as campsites are not always easy to find in Florida when frigid temperatures result in the annual snowbird migration.

Many only allow short visits. In the case of the one I stayed at, the limit was one night. So its not a replacement for snowbirds, its more of a passing through the area or waiting for your campsite to be available.

Yes, check with your local government first for any special rules. I too have a narrow driveway, with a tight turn, to get to the backyard. Once in the backyard, I have ample parking. Its getting back there that is the problem. I barely make it with my Escape 19. Don't think I could make it with a 21. I have toyed with putting in a second driveway, with better access. Putting it in would not be cheap, lots of dirt to move, retaining walls to be built and more.

[Gerry]

I checked it out this morning and I will probably join but as I may be going away this summer I will not become a host till next year. I live in a rural area and have sewer hook up and just a 15 amp service but I see the few I looked at they also only offer the 15 amps. So I would have to pay the full price to become a user of the service or I may ask if I intend to become a host after the summer when I am back in town, if there is a problem in getting the discount now.
Also I was looking at one "Host" site and to tell the truth, there would be no way anyone would book at that location, Site was small, and looked like it was built on a side hill, no amenities and all restrictions, so all it was, was a place to sleep IF you could get it level.
I have to wonder if this person just became a host to get the discounted entry price.

[Rzrbrn]

What about liability issues incurred by the host and or the guest?

[Roger M. Sonora]

Having read their website I consider this to be a really bad idea. You will be inundated with freeloaders just for starters. It NEVER works out when people get something for free and in this case the only ones reaping any rewards are the Boondocking dot com people.
I dare you to discriminate as they advertise! See you in court!
My family having had the privilege of owning a Motel and a Hostel for many years and my having Full Time RVed for 9 years, I can without hesitation say you are opening yourself up to every walk of life and every trial and tribulation imaginable.
Don't disillusion yourself and think every boondocker out there is that spanking clean photo shown in their ads. Those are the minority.
However, if it's the variety spice of life you're missing and liabilities like you wouldn't believe, this may be for you.
Carefully read Boondockers web page. They take the money and dump the rest on you.
Hey just saying, in cases like this remember, NOTHINGS FREE and If it's too good to be true, well .... see you on Judge Judy!
IMHO of course. We all have one.

[Roger M. Sonora]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

What about liability issues incurred by the host and or the guest?

Them: Hope the Host has the proper insurance to cover when, for example, they "just bump" into your camper, their dog bites you or you trip over that missing paver they meant to replace 3 years ago etc.

You: The same applies to you. You'd better check with your insurer to see if you are covered in this "Free" activity.


Boondockers accepts no responsibility, period.
Read their disclaimers. Particularly Para. 3

[Rzrbrn]

Yep, I with you on this Roger.

[Doctor Harold]

I'm with Roger, this looks like it could be a can of worms, or worse: a can of bees!

You would need a lengthy contract specifying various modes of acceptable and non-acceptable conduct including behaviors such as the use of alcohol or recreational drugs. Bad mannered people will sign your agreement and then simply ignore it.

Another biggie would be any impact on your homeowners insurance. If someone planned to host one of these boondockers, they'd better go over their homeowners insurance policy with a magnifying glass and a fine-toothed comb.

We like to think people, especially RVers are reasonable people similar to us. Imagine a boondocker running his generator all night, or a couple arguing loudly all night and having it end in homicide? Very unlikely, sure, but impossible? No.

I can't imagine having to confront a non-paying, temporary resident, in my driveway about his, his family, or his pet's noxious behavior. A lot of people care about the impact they have on others, bad mannered people do not.

Hosting is a lot of risk for ZERO dollars.

As for being a boondocker with their system, I'd rather pay than risk a crappy experience with someone who is hosting just to save a measly $15.

Harold

[ZachO]

Been working well for people for years. It clearly comes down more to your life experience due to where you live...

Where I live people regularly go out of their way to help each other, and it's not looked at suspiciously. That's not to say you don't make points worth considering, but I'm sure glad I don't live in the same scary world as you. Sounds pretty stressful.

I've never used it but I've looked at host sites and read reviews. Similar to couch surfing and other services. Sure, you can get screwed, but it seems like most people don't have that experience, and yes, most are free.

Gerry that is absolutely true. A friend of mine is a host, because he had to be a host to join. He wrote the description to purposely discourage people from using his yard. "no connections, one night maximum, 17' or smaller trailers, possible trailer damage due to tight turn off a busy highway"...All true, but he admitted he was hoping to limit guests. He's a very good person and good friend. But not perfect, like the rest of us.

[Doctor Harold]

Originally Posted by ZachO

...but I'm sure glad I don't live in the same scary world as you. Sounds pretty stressful...

Perhaps some people do, but I do not live in any kind of fear of the world or of my fellow man, although I have experienced a couple of scary experiences with dangerous people. Being reasonably cautious is not the same as being fearful.

Having said that, I believe in evaluating risk and potential rewards. I enjoy meeting like-minded people, and although a person could go a lifetime using Boondockerswelcome.com and never have the slightest issue, I am not a particularly gregarious person, and the benefits of the Boondockerswelcome.com system versus the potential risk of one unpleasant experience aren't worth it for me.

It wasn't my aim to criticize or judge anyone who chooses to use Boondockerswelcome.com. Just go in with both eyes open. To each their own.

Harold

[Gerry]

It wasn't my aim to criticize or judge anyone who chooses to use Boondockerswelcome.com. Just go in with both eyes open. To each their own.

Harold[/QUOTE]

I think keeping both eyes open is a great idea, if pulling into a Hosts site, things just don't feel right, just leave! No cost to you.
Not like some Reserve sites where it will cost more to cancel a reservation then it originally cost for the site.
I've joined as a host and am hopping to have nothing but good experience and I think if you use the system as directed, weather hosting or using the service by scanning the people, you can choose where and who you want to stay with, Read the reviews of other campers who used the Boondocking camp-site and the hosts bio, your planning to stay will give you a good idea of what to expect.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

Many only allow short visits. In the case of the one I stayed at, the limit was one night. So its not a replacement for snowbirds, its more of a passing through the area or waiting for your campsite to be available.

Yes, agree. But what I was saying is that even if restricted to one night, given availability of winter accommodations in Florida, I would be inundated with “guests.” So my setup is more for the “moochdocking” type. I use that term affectionately. These are people who are close friends or people I have met and spent time with at rallies. I only once offered to host a stranger and that was when the husband of a woman had a serious medical condition requiring hospitalization and the gentleman was not expected to survive. They could not find open campsites and had to leave the ones they were in. My offer was a result off a posting on this forum requesting assistance in locating a place to stay by a relative traveling with her (there were two camping units involved and I have the space to handle that). Anyway, if I got a request from someone who frequently posts on this or the Escape forum or someone whom I have met, even in passing, I would likely accommodate them. For example, I have never met Gerry. I have read many of his posts and I know he hosts a rally in NH. I likely would accommodate him if he couldn’t find a place to camp (sorry for using you as an example, Gerry). But I’m not going to accommodate any Joe Blow of whom I know nothing about their character. As stated by others here, liability is a huge issue.

[ZachO]

I get it. Some of the posts were pretty strongly worded is all. But I can't discount life experience. I think most people in densely populated states are rightfully more cautious.

When I was traveling I met a guy in Bend who regularly allows couch surfers, and takes advantage of it himself when he travels. When he camps, he says hi to his neighbors, makes friends all over and therefore has places to stay all over the world with friends he's made. He approached me when I pulled into town, and let me park my camper in his driveway. He lived right downtown, with a backyard on the Deschutes river. We ended up hanging out for two weeks, and I had a great location to explore Bend from.

Then take me...when I camp, I get as far away from people as possible. Not that I'm suspicious, it's just that I'm getting out there to get away. And no, I wouldn't invite a stranger to sleep on my couch. But like Carl, it doesn't take much of an "introduction" for me to open up. I've met up with people who contacted me through this site, who were traveling through MT and wanted to check out the Bigfoot.

So I get it, but I'm not going to stress about every little "what if". Boondockers Welcome is a great idea and a great resource for those willing to use it.

[Jann Todd]

[QUOTE=thrifty bill;731231]Got a chance to try this out a couple of weeks ago. It costs $30 to join, $15 if you offer a spot to boondock. Basic idea is to have a network of individuals providing free boon docking.

We were in the Tampa, FL area, it was a weekend night. Most campgrounds are full, KOA had a site for $112 for one night. No thanks!

We parked in someone's driveway. They provided water and 15AMP electrical. As you can see, we parked in their driveway.

From here, we headed to Cedar Key where we got a nice campsite in the county park there.


[/url]Boondockerswelcome by wrk101, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2eskjF6[/QUOTES
Sounds like a nice idea full of garbage. Not everyone is as nice as you most likely. If someone shows up in a trashy unit and then won't leave you are in trouble. If they get hurt or say they got hurt you are open for a lawsuit. Drug and alcohol use is rampant in this country and you could end up with one of the abusers on your property. I think $15 for a campsite in a county park, fairgrounds or use Passport America's 1/2 price sites is a much better option. I let my friends stay on my property but not strangers.

[Gerry]

Trouble campers can be anywhere.
A few years my nephew and his 12 year old son was having a "dad and son" camping weekend in a State Park, in a tent.
A big motor home pulled into site next to them on the first night and drinking and swearing was rampant but when the fellow went into the motor home to watch porn on a huge TV,,, with the shades and windows open,,,, that was it!
My nephew packed his tent and child up and was out of there.

With Boondockers ou can go and see a small bio on who will be using your site and I plan to have a "Liability Waiver" that every guest will sign before they even back into the spot.