New to RVing August 19, 2017, 05:44:36 pm This is my first RV but I've been camping in tents. I will be getting the 2017 demo after the 2018 is built. My primary usage in the beginning will be to stay in it instead of hotels while working in Los Angeles. I live near Tehachapi, Ca. I will not be connected to utilities most of the time and will be either on the street or in a parking lot with co workers. Does anyone have any advice re the best use of the RV while dry camping, safety, water etc.?Thanks,Janet 1 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #1 – August 19, 2017, 11:09:42 pm Quote from: Janet - August 19, 2017, 05:44:36 pmThis is my first RV but I've been camping in tents. I will be getting the 2017 demo after the 2018 is built. My primary usage in the beginning will be to stay in it instead of hotels while working in Los Angeles. I live near Tehachapi, Ca. I will not be connected to utilities most of the time and will be either on the street or in a parking lot with co workers. Does anyone have any advice re the best use of the RV while dry camping, safety, water etc.?Thanks,JanetSolar power will be your friend while not hooked up. Be sure to get the extra solar panel if you can. I'll let the Angelinos discuss parking on the streets. I'd be surprised if there are many places you can still do that in SoCal.Chris
Re: New to RVing Reply #2 – August 20, 2017, 05:23:50 am If living in the LD most of the time in an urban area, where will you dump your black and gray tanks? Where will you fill your fresh water tank? Will you be able to park in level areas (to care for your refrigerator when operating), or have the time to level either on the street or in the parking lot? With respect to safety, there are two things that I picked up from some solo LDers: 1. Park in such a way that a quick get-a-way is possible "in case". Have the RV facing the exit, and position it so that there is minimal need to back up. 2. If your parking spot makes you feel uneasy, leave. Don't spend time in a place that makes your "gut" feel nervous. Congrats on the new rig, and wishing you safe, happy travels. 3 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #3 – August 20, 2017, 06:52:27 am For camping in the LA area, start thinking about what you're going to do to keep cool. You won't be able to run your AC if you don't have hookups unless you plan to keep your generator going, and that's not going to be very stealthy if you're camping on a public street. I'd get at least 1 12v fantastic fan (the standing desk-top kind) so you can point it right at you when it starts getting hot.
Re: New to RVing Reply #4 – August 20, 2017, 08:36:19 am Quote from: Janet - August 19, 2017, 05:44:36 pmThis is my first RV but I've been camping in tents. I will be getting the 2017 demo after the 2018 is built. My primary usage in the beginning will be to stay in it instead of hotels while working in Los Angeles. I live near Tehachapi, Ca. I will not be connected to utilities most of the time and will be either on the street or in a parking lot with co workers. Does anyone have any advice re the best use of the RV while dry camping, safety, water etc.?Thanks,JanetWow, another Tehachapian! Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new LD! What kind of work are you doing in LA?
Re: New to RVing Reply #5 – August 20, 2017, 09:23:09 am Janet,Living in an RV is a bit different then living in a home/apartment. In a home you have unlimited access to utilities. Living in a RV is all about utility management. For instance - water management - were/when to get it, should you filter it, and how to use it ie shower daily or weekly or not at all. When and were to dump the gray and black tanks. When to do a 'major' clean of said tanks. Power management is a topic that could cover pages and pages of tips and upgrades. Please read and understand the Amp and Wattage use. We all have different needs and desires but your batteries are your friends till they are not. Heating and cooling. The LA area as you know can get very hot. Keeping the hot air out is a major issue. The cab of the LD is not insulated. Covering the inside cab front and sides windows with a Reflectixis a must. Then hanging some sort of barrier between the cab and living area of the LD will go a very long way to keeping it the temp you like. May I suggest the The Lazy Daze Companionfor further reading. As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: New to RVing Reply #6 – August 20, 2017, 09:35:17 am Janet, I see several downsides to the feasibility of your plan; the first, as Chris suggested, is that overnight parking on L.A. streets is not permitted. Depending on exactly where you park overnight, you are very likely to be asked to move on. (Additionally, it is very difficult to park level on a street, and the rig needs to be level for comfort, but, more importantly, for the refrigerator to work properly.)http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-0793_ord_182741.pdfAs 'rm...' suggested, where to get water and dump your holding tanks is a major concern; there are few, if any dump stations in Los Angeles itself (at least as far as I know). You should check out the locations of dump stations and water fills; this site may help:Sanidumps: RV Dumps, Sani Station, Dump Points comprehensive directoryAs 'squeaky' suggested, not having power available will require that you run your generator or have sufficient solar and battery capability to run what you need to run; be advised that the AC and microwave cannot be run from the solar/battery (unless it's a 'VLA' of panels and batteries!). Locations to refill the propane tank also need to be checked out; the stove and the refrigerator are not heavy consumers of LPG, but running a furnace sucks propane and battery power very quickly.You may want to read Bob Wells' website, 'Cheap RV Living', and watch his You Tube channel videos. At the least, I suggest that you do a lot more research on all aspects of this 'live in an RV on the street' idea before committing to this plan.Safety, both personal and for a shiny new rig, are definite concerns; the 'trust your gut and face an exit' offered by 'rm...' are good, basic advice, and there are several more, mainly involving use of common sense. Living in an RV on the street may appear to be a less expensive, free-spirited lifestyle, and although I'm all for 'adventure', I suggest that any 'charm' would diminish pretty fast when dealing with the day-to-day realities. As always, YMMV. 6 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #7 – August 20, 2017, 12:34:55 pm I'd like to add one (1) suggestion. The OP might want to consider renting a Class C RV and using it for a short time as she intends. There's nothing like a real-life experience to complement one's plans. Best of luck Janet in your developing RV adventure. 1 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #8 – August 20, 2017, 01:12:11 pm Janet,I cringe at the thought of parking my beautiful LD on any street. I have the luxury of storing my RB in my driveway and only put it on the street when I'm doing yard work and then it's a mad dash to get the work done and get the rig out of harms way. Just a quick look at all the RV homes parked on the city streets reveals one thing-they are sitting ducks waiting for the next driver who is half asleep or intoxicated.Take a look at some of those RV's and you'll notice a lot of damage done to storage bays and rear corners. They are huge targets. Either that or the owners are very poor drivers.All the advice so far has been spot on. Public RV parking is a sketchy concept and a sorrowful place to put your new Lazy Daze. Best of luck with your job and new LD. Perhaps you can find accommodations for your LD in a local RV park.Kent
Re: New to RVing Reply #9 – August 20, 2017, 01:21:50 pm Janet -As others have noted, trying to live in a sparkling new motorhome on the streets of Los Angeles could be a hair-raising experience. If your parking place will be in a flat, guarded, enclosed company parking lot, then it might work out with a bit of effort on your part to manage the systems and consumables. There are so many items to consider - not the least of which is the tilted angle your rig will be at if parked on a public street. This one item could be a deal breaker for you, and there are so many others that come immediately to mind.If you will be inside the rig 24/7, then there will be a presence there. But if you will be gone during the day or night for a work shift in a remote location, this leaves your home very vulnerable. Please heed what others have mentioned about safety - both yours and that of your very attractive home - on public streets. Virtual hugs, Judie 2 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #10 – August 20, 2017, 01:46:16 pm "...not the least of which is the tilted angle your rig will be at if parked on a public street."It is absolutely imperative that your rig should be 'level', for the sake of the fridge! Lengthy or frequent periods of time in an off-level condition not only can harm your fridge but will, over time, destroy it. Please heed this caution! 2 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #11 – August 20, 2017, 02:47:52 pm The OP did mention parking lot and I get the impression her co-workers are/will be staying in RVs too. In this is the case, it may address some of the safety, ordinance and levelness issues expressed.This will still leave the logistics of water, sewer and energy to figure out. I think the idea of renting a Class C, or perhaps buying an older used LD are prudent options.Matt 1 Likes
Re: New to RVing Reply #12 – August 20, 2017, 02:58:26 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - August 20, 2017, 01:46:16 pm"...not the least of which is the tilted angle your rig will be at if parked on a public street."It is absolutely imperative that your rig should be 'level', for the sake of the fridge! Lengthy or frequent periods of time in an off-level condition not only can harm your fridge but will, over time, destroy it. Please heed this caution! I know it is not a "Standard" option, but is there any chance of getting a DC compressor fridge? We have one in our truck camper and it works great! It works within 30 degrees of level Our bodies need more level than that. Probably want to add a solar panel if not connected to shore power.
Re: New to RVing Reply #13 – August 20, 2017, 03:46:46 pm Actually living in RVs on the street is legal in the city of la, but only in industrial zoned areas not residential. But generally people taking advantage of that new law do not live in newer Lazy Daze.
Re: New to RVing Reply #14 – August 20, 2017, 08:12:09 pm I'm a lifelong resident of Los Angeles and see RVs parked in many "hidden" places.Many of the rigs and occuplants are very sketchy, no way would I live any where nearby, especially in a nice RV . It will be a target.With the new RV parking law, parking is very limited, mostly to industrial zones.You need to find a legitimate place to park it or it will be broken into or harassed by the local cops or derelicts. There is growing resistance among LA residents to the RV homeless plague, expect even greater restrictions in the future. We have had them pop up in our neighborhood, only to be quickly reported to the police and then told to leave.It's not a good lifestyle choice and may not be any cheaper than cheap hotels, once all the costs are calculated. These are not cheap rigs to own.Larry
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