Many states – but not all – have reciprocal agreements for certain on-the-road RV costs.
In my home state of Washington, RV dump stations receive funds through RV licensing taxes to cover costs for construction and maintenance. They are free and open to all RV owners regardless of the state where they have a license. Its a reciprocal agreement between Washington and other states and comes in really handy for RVers who frequently boondock or have long intervals between destinations.
Additionally, many states in the U.S. have reciprocal agreements with each other. For example, I pay licensing fees on my ATV. The license allows me to ride on trails in my home state built using the fees. It also allows me to ride on trails in other states, given the two states have a reciprocal agreement.
As an avid boondocker, knowing locations of dump stations is important. There are many at rest stops or truck stops and there are many online directories. My go-to site includes a map of dump stations featuring color-coded symbols designating free or pay places to dump. It also has an address and coordinates. Needless to say, free places to dump are at the top of my list.
Dump Stations in Idaho
During a recent trip through Idaho, I had located what was listed as a free dump station in Challis. The dump was at the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center. However upon arriving, dumping was free only to Idaho State residents who paid licensing fees via their “RV Sticker” to support construction of the dump station. Those from other states have to pay $5.
While paying the five bucks was no big deal, what really bugged me was that Idaho isn’t reciprocating with other states like Washington, which welcomes everyone at their dump stations.
Lack of reciprocity, just another adventure in RVing!
I would love to hear your opinion and/or experiences with dump station reciprocity.
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
Maybe state owned dump stations are common out west but I have almost never seen any in the eastern US.
Some rest areas used to have them but due to abuse they closed them.
A local Love’s ruck stop put one in virtually no one can use- first you’d need a 30-40 ft hose and then the entry port is about 2 ft above ground so that won’t work too well.
Contacted Love’s corporate and basically got a reply that they aren’t going to fix it because no one is using it…..well DUH!
I’m a Washington resident of 40 years and an RV camper for over 15 years and I’m not understanding what you talking about… there’s always been a fee to dump ( at least at state parks) without any exception for state of residence. Everybody pays. Dump fee is included with your camping fee,regardless of your state of residence, and camping fees are really going up. If I desire to dump my trailer but not camp, then I must pay a $5 fee. It’s been that way for as long as I recall. Sometimes I use my trailer as a guest house and will then need to dump it at a nearby state park, so I’m familiar with the process and the fee involved. We also have a county park that has closed its dump sign and posted a sign referring campers to the state park for their dump needs… at a $5 fee.
Our license tab fees are all itemized and there’s nothing on the registration about a fee that would cover dumping.
If you travel I-90 or I-5 you have been missing out on the “free” dump stations compliments of your tax dollars via WSDOT (Washington Department of Transportation). For a complete listing and more information, click here.