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01-04-2015, 04:48 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Winder, GA.
Posts: 86
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Etiquette
I'm soon to be new to camping (waiting for the call that the camper is off the line), and I'm curious about the etiquette of overnight or "WalMart" camping.
If we're stopping overnight in a rest area or store that allows it, are we still allowed to put out the slides? Do we still put down the stab. jacks? Is using the generator considered rude?
I don't want to offend people, or possibly get a ticket, I just want someplace to sleep overnight to get on the road the first thing in the morning.
Thanks.
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01-04-2015, 05:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: vancouver,wa
Posts: 122
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we did just that on our way home with our new unit didn't have any problems however I don't know about the generator
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Ron & Jan and black dog(Bella)
2011 Ram 3500 crew cab 4x4, 6sp manual,342's 8ft.bed
2014 CC Silverback 29ik
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01-04-2015, 05:35 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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I would stay hooked up and leave stab jacks up. Only put out slides necessary to function in the trailer for the night.
__________________
2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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01-04-2015, 05:43 PM
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#4
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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We prefer our slides out to comfortably function so we look for a spot where they won't intrude on whatever is around us.
For generators, I'd say this is a case by case basis. Is anyone around that would be offended/annoyed by the noise? If so, go without if you can.
For stab jacks, it depends again- be *very* mindful that hot blacktop is very easy to damage by small concentrated points of pressure. I've heard stories on the Walmart RVing Yahoo Group about leveling systems poking $2,000 holes in the blacktop at Walmart's expense. (I know stab jacks are different than leveling systems by A LOT, but still...)
The Walmart RVing group has a "code of etiquette" document that they put together with some other groups. Basically, try to keep as many appearances of "parking" instead of "camping" as possible.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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01-04-2015, 05:43 PM
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#5
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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MOST IMPORTANTLY! Always ask first. Even if there are others parked before you, ask first either via phone or by going inside.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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01-04-2015, 05:54 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Winder, GA.
Posts: 86
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Thanks all.
Yeah, I've spent a lot of years on motorcycles (the camper is a toy hauler) and seen too many times where the inconsiderate abused a privilege that resulted in the revocation of that privilege for all. I don't want to be "that" person. This is the definitive case of it's better to ask permission than to beg forgiveness.
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01-04-2015, 06:21 PM
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#7
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Etiquette
Here's the best resource for etiquette and a list of which Walmarts that do/do not allow overnight parking:
http://halberstadt.macmate.me/Walmart/
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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01-05-2015, 01:41 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Posts: 30
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There's also an app Allstays Camp & RV that lists all sorts of things including Walmart locations, phone numbers etc. which also allows reviews/comments. Excellent resource. BTW I believe this practice is called Boondocking.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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01-05-2015, 02:16 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Winder, GA.
Posts: 86
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In reality we're probably more concerned with rest areas, but I would hope that the "rules" would be similar.
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01-06-2015, 07:05 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lexington, NC
Posts: 2,621
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JackAndJane
In reality we're probably more concerned with rest areas, but I would hope that the "rules" would be similar.
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State rules will vary. NC allows no overnight parking. Some of the others do. Can't imagine that a rest area would be nearly as safe as a Wal-Mart. Be careful.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Apex 249 RBS
2010 Silverado LT 5.3 V8
The world is a great book, of which those who never stir from home
read only a page. - St. Augustine
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01-06-2015, 07:16 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Chalk River
Posts: 162
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This is a great site i came across. It also has a state by state list of walmarts that prohibit overnight stays.
http://www.walmartatlas.com/rv-parking-at-walmart/
Ontario, Canada
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7
2015 Rockwood Ultralite 2905ss
__________________
Ontario, Canada
2015 Rockwood Ultralite 2905ss
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L
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01-06-2015, 08:12 AM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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My thoughts are.....The less intrusive you are, the better. Park out of the way, no awnings out, picnic tables or bbqs set up, and don't look like you're moving in for a while. It should look like you stopped to shop. Draws less attention.
But each place has its own expectations so you may want to ask mgmt. Good that you asked here.
__________________
2018 Forester 3011 DS
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01-06-2015, 01:35 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Winder, GA.
Posts: 86
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So I'm seeing as I try to look at the rest area policies. I'm not ruling anything out yet but I want to try to be prepared.
Roger that on the safety. We'll have layered security with multiple cell phones backed by multiple pit bulls backed by multiple firearms and a cat with a surly disposition.
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01-06-2015, 02:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 294
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We've used WMs about 1/2 a dozen times without issue. If we're the first RV there then we'll ask to be sure it's ok although I usually just ask a staff member that's handy. If there's others already there we'll usually forgo asking just grab an out of the way spot with the others. I don't see a problem in using the jacks or slides to keep things comfortable on the inside but stop at using anything on the outside like awnings, mats, chairs, BBQ or geni. We'll usually eat in or out if there's something within walking distance. If we don't have anything then we grab something at WM. Lastly we always clean-up after Fido.
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Nights camped
2007 Shamrock F19 hybrid - 2010 (22 nights), 2011 (24 nights), 2012 (11 nights)
2013 Surveyor Select 235RKS - 2012 (6 nights), 2013 (32 nights), 2014 (26 nights), 2015 (37 nights), 2016 (14 nights)
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01-06-2015, 03:08 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 78
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From my experience, rest areas, which are built for this purpose, are completely different from using private property for something other than the intended purpose.
It's unfortunate, but due to trash, pet, noise, drug & alcohol, homeless, and other problems, Walmart is becoming more unfriendly to overnight campers.
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01-06-2015, 06:15 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woozy
It's unfortunate, but due to trash, pet, noise, drug & alcohol, homeless, and other problems, Walmart is becoming more unfriendly to overnight campers.
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These are things we've experienced in rest areas but never at a Walmart.
__________________
2018 Forester 3011 DS
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01-06-2015, 06:46 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,031
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My question is why "camp" at WM or truck stops? The local restaurant has a problem with people who drive MH and stop for a meal. They go to the washroom and take all the toilet paper. Come on people if you can afford to purchase a MH or high end trailer don't skimp on camping fees.
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Terry and Janet
2008 3001W Windjammer
2007 Ford F150
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01-06-2015, 06:50 PM
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#18
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caper
My question is why "camp" at WM or truck stops? The local restaurant has a problem with people who drive MH and stop for a meal. They go to the washroom and take all the toilet paper. Come on people if you can afford to purchase a MH or high end trailer don't skimp on camping fees.
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X2 on using campgrounds instead of truck stops, rest areas and Walmart parking lots.
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01-06-2015, 07:05 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caper
My question is why "camp" at WM or truck stops? The local restaurant has a problem with people who drive MH and stop for a meal. They go to the washroom and take all the toilet paper. Come on people if you can afford to purchase a MH or high end trailer don't skimp on camping fees.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
X2 on using campgrounds instead of truck stops, rest areas and Walmart parking lots.
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Wow, those are the kind of replies you would expect over at RV.net
Kinda makes you wonder....
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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01-06-2015, 07:17 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Chalk River
Posts: 162
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Etiquette
Quote:
Originally Posted by caper
My question is why "camp" at WM or truck stops? The local restaurant has a problem with people who drive MH and stop for a meal. They go to the washroom and take all the toilet paper. Come on people if you can afford to purchase a MH or high end trailer don't skimp on camping fees.
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My family is planning a trip to Disney world this year. We will be driving from Canada. What the plan is, is to just drive until I need to stop. Find the closest Wally World put the kids in bed and rest for the night. Early rise and on the road again. So we can get down there sooner than later. Problem being, we can't tell where we will be when the time come to pull over. So it's hard to reserve a campsite. That's why a Walmart is very convenient for us. And I bring my own toilet paper.
Ontario, Canada
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7
2015 Rockwood Ultralite 2905ss
__________________
Ontario, Canada
2015 Rockwood Ultralite 2905ss
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L
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