Some of the tips are from our courtesy contract and some are just tips we have heard from fellow hosts and guests that make the stay even more special.
This is our most important tip. It seems obvious but as guests, we may get busy planning our trip, packing up the RV, etc. Just be sure to leave a note in the message with the host, a physical note or verbally tell the host "Thank you" for allowing you to stay at their property.
Please fully complete your guest profile. This is the one opportunity a host has to get to know you before they accept your stay at their home. It is important that it is complete and represents you.
Be sure to always confirm your stay. You can do this by going to your User Dashboard, selecting the message with the host, and selecting the green "Confirm Completed." You will know it goes through when you are taken to the host reference page. This is a very important step as it gives the host the credit they deserve for your stay.
Each host makes their own rules and they can change quite a bit from place to place. So, make sure that you refresh your memory on the rules before you arrive at your host location.
On that same note, be sure to review our
Courtesy Contract often. It's best to periodically review it to ensure you are familiar with it in order to be the best possible guest.
Each host lists the services that are offered at their location such as electric or water. If their profile does not mention they offer a service, please do not ask them for it. There may be a reason it is not available and after all, we are boondocking.
Always leave your host site the way you found it or better. Our hosts graciously offer their homes as a place to park, let's always be sure to pick up trash and pet mess before leaving.
Hosts graciously offer their homes as a safe place for you to park. It makes them feel more comfortable if you spend some time talking to them, especially when you first arrive. Not all hosts want or have the time to talk for long, so just read your host.
Those are just some of the many tips we have for being a great guest. Stay tuned for host tips!
I have only stayed 3 places but I try to give the host a little gift,. I love scissors of different types and try to have gift PKG of them on hand or a bottle of hand soap from Bath and Body works. Just something small to say thanks.
Janice
That is very nice of you Janice. I am sure your hosts appreciate it.
My wife and I are musicians so as a gift to our hosts we will play a few tunes of traditional Appalachian music on our guitar and fiddle, if they want. If there are times when we don’t really feel like playing music we give them a CD compilation of old time Appalachian music that we recorded a year ago as a thank you gift.
Such a unique gift! I’m sure your hosts appreciate it. 🙂
Appalachian music? Please come and stay at my place! You weren’t, by chance, out in Organ Pipe National Monument campground in February of 2018?
It’s possible that i had stoped there On my way to Bisbee and over to Quartsite and so on. Is your recollection of my Roadtrek class B with the VA license plate FdlGrl or was it someone playing music? I am heading to Florida in late February early March and will try to contact you for a overnight stay at your host location.
I was in an Arctic Fox camper parked just in front of some folks with a dark class B who played guitar and banjo. I used to walk my Springer Spaniels by and enjoyed the music.
Speaking as a host, I really appreciate my guests gratitude. Receiving a genuine thank you is all I need or expect. It helps me know what I’ve done has made a difference and that is so very fulfilling.
So please, don’t feel like you have to leave money in the mailbox or at the electric outlet. I offer water, a dump station and electricity because I want you to have these extras, not because I need the money. I bet there’s a number of other hosts who feel the same way.
Safe journeys and say well,
Your caring hosts
We have signed up for BW and hope to start our trip in a few weeks. Your message as a host makes me so excited to use BW! We love nice people, nature, and our USA! I hope our paths will cross yours someday. Thank you!