Newbie needing overnight help

[frank4711]

We have a Love's that we like ... big spots back along fence with grass for the pups... we back in and have room to open slides if we get corner spot we run Predator 3500 .... also use rest area's with no issues ....

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by pmsherman

I haven't yet heard about an rv owner having a confrontation with a truck driver over a parking spot but it's only a matter of time until this happenns.


Phil

Depends on whether or not the RV owner takes into consideration the needs of the truckers in a truck stop lot.

If someone pulls in with their RV and proceed to park in a manner that blocks trucks from moving around, uses 2 or three spaces so they have room for their slides, etc, etc, etc.

When I pull into a truck stop parking lot I look for a spot that most trucks can't or wouldn't use.

[formerFR]

...this subject can have a lot of 'matter of fact' responses, right or wrong, or pro or con, as some will absolutely 'never' park anywhere like this overnight, and many of us others have done it many, many times, with no issues.

There is a certain set of 'RVrs' that are adamant that any parking lot, especially the aforementioned ones, which has a 'sign' posting anything about parking overnight 'must' mean that you cannot park there, overnight. Balony.
Now, I say that word because this subject has been discussed, in nausea, many, many, many times throughout this and most any other 'RV' related forum.

It's been determined many, many times and with calls to the 'corporation' you mention, that they are not opposed to any RVrs using their parking lots for a simple overnight stay situation. You are their customer, and they appreciate you. Simple.
Now, if you see signs that may make you think otherwise, they are there by the local jurisdiction, city, county, etc., and not by the store, itself. The local authorities also are not in the business of 'running off' overnight RV guests. They generally pass by and don't even pause or give it any concern whatsoever.

When you've done this several times, you begin to wonder what all the 'fuss' is about in the first place. Use your common sense, good judgement, and you'll be welcomed there.
Do you have a concern? Then move on to somewhere else, or a 'better' area of town, or a different city all together, but common sense in ANY situation rules. Park at the fringes of the lot, away from others, and not blocking or causing any concern, and no one will care or bother you or otherwise even notice you are there. Keep yourself quite, low key, and keep the interior lights off from prying eyes, and you'll just be a vacant vehicle sitting in the lot overnight. You'll NOT be alone, no, as there will be plenty of others doing the same.
Use the other big box stores, like the hardware chains, for sometimes an even better and quite outcome. Some big trucks for deliveries do come sometimes throughout the night, but if you park on the other opposite from the freight doors, you probably won't even notice. Park with your door by the curb, grass, or otherwise location where someone 'riding up on you' won't be right by your door - it seems to create a better overnight stay.

In all our years and many, many nights at Walmarts country-wide, including the big cities, and many, many more nights at Home Depot and Lowes and the like, we've NEVER had any one of those 'stores' ask us to leave, or give us any ioda of any concern that we were there. We've had more issues at RV parks and Campgrounds than we've ever had at a big box parking lot! Enjoy : )

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Depends on whether or not the RV owner takes into consideration the needs of the truckers in a truck stop lot.

If someone pulls in with their RV and proceed to park in a manner that blocks trucks from moving around, uses 2 or three spaces so they have room for their slides, etc, etc, etc.

When I pull into a truck stop parking lot I look for a spot that most trucks can't or wouldn't use.

yep ... always try to be a little early and take a back-in in the back corner out of the way always only one spot ... we are shorter so back way in and out of the way ...

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by quicky06

My opinion on this is that unless it was posted as public land you should not have been there.
.

You must not live out west. Most land is public. Public land is almost NEVER posted as such.

It is a private landowners responsibility to post their land.

The US Public Campgrounds App gives you thousands of opportunities. Many are free.

That said, for this thread try boondockerswelcome.com

Another good choice out here are County Fairgrounds, outside the Fair month. Reasonable, usually have electricity, and some with full hookups. Usually lots of spaces. The App above will help you find them and gives GPS coords.

[Steve08]

Originally Posted by Wolf Pup Roger

First of all let me say I enjoy reading the questions and the great answers that happen here in this forum. We are new to RV'ing travel but are looking forward to visiting lots of national parks. My question is How Safe is staying overnight in a parking lot like Walmart or Cracker Barrel? I know they offer their parking lots for an overnight but after talking with friends who have been RV'ing for years I was told not to park there. To many people walking by and it's very hard to sleep and can be unsafe. I know your thoughts will help with our decision of Walmart lot or KOA? Thanks for all your helpful insights.

we try in stay at cracker barrel but we call ahead. Walmart is noisy but we have stayed at some walmarts that were ok and if you can find a Cabela's or Bass pro s are good too. But cracker barrel has been the best so far. We usually eat dinner there or breakfast. Good luck.

[jeffnick]

We've been from SC to Alaska twice staying in Walmart lots the vast majority of overnights...never a concern of any kind.
Walmarts on the West coast rarely allow overnight parking - because they'd be swamped by folks taking up housekeeping there.

https://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/20...-2017.html?m=1

We use this app.
https://www.rvparky.com/mobile-app

[jkoenig24]

I started RVing in 2010 and, became a Full Time RVer in 2018. Over the years, I've easily stayed 100+ nights in "non-campground / RV park" locations (usually because I'm en route from point A to point B. The first four years, in a 2010 Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer (a GREAT way to "test the waters" without spending a fortune to see if you REALLy like RVing). I then "graduated to a TRUE Super-C motorhome. I've NEVER had an issue at ANY Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Cabelas, Denny's, truck stops, highway rest areas etc. I am a solo RVer and, a retired LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) so, as long as I get firearms training each year, I'm legal to carry a firearm in all 50 states (there are some restrictions I must comply with). At worst, some places are noisy but generally, I'm fine for the 6~9 hours I need to rest. As already stated, listen to your inner voice. If it is telling you that something is wrong, you should probably listen to it (I'm presuming that you're NOT a "nervous nellie" type that is rarely comfortable). If you haven't purchased the AllStays Camp & RV app, it's $10 well spent. It now is iOS ONLY (there used to be an Android version but, the author stopped updating the Android version years ago). There IS a Deluxe version of AllStay for ~ $40. That runs in any browser so, you could use the deluxe version on an Android device via a browser or on a computer. AllStays has a WEALTH of information on RV parks, canmpgrounds, Walmarts, and many, many other places RVer's find of interest.

NOTE: this is simply PARKING, NOT CAMPING! Do NOT extend slides, lower stabilizers, set up the bar-b-q etc, etc, etc. You've simply stopping in a safe place to get the rest you need before continuing to your actual destination. You will see people who are abusing the hospitality of the property owner (Walmart, Cracker Barrel etc). This blatant disregard and mis-use is why "hosts" change their policies and stop allowing this overnight courtesy. There are jurisdictions that pass laws barring overnight parking. AllStays typically has these restricted places listed. When in doubt, it's always a good idea to speak with a manager and request permission to park overnight. Take note of the name of the manager who told you it's OK to overnight. Often, they'll request you park in a particular area of their parking lot.

NOTE 2: re Cracker Barrel; CB's RV parking lanes are 40' long. If your overall length is more than 40', do NOT park in a CB RV lane! There's NOT a lot of room where CBs have RVs park. You should NOT block the area in front of or in back of your rig. Now that my overall length is 64', if available, I'll park along the extreme rear of the parking lot taking up multiple car stalls (I typically arrive ~ 9PM, have dinner and, will have breakfast at 6:00AM and be gone before their AM crowd arrives. If I can NOT park this way, I move on). It ain't rocket science! The main thing is to drive safely! Stop driving BEFORE you're completely exhausted; even if that is a "less than ideal" location.

[CurtPutnam]

Around here, it is sufficiently unsafe that Walmart camping is not allowed. At least, not by law-abiding citizens. The homeless get away with it regularly. They trash the place enough that you would not want to be there anyway.

[Nancyc7]

We have stayed at lots of places like this. I could hardly sleep the first couple times.

Cracker Barrel seems to slope their lots more than others and we don’t like their food.

We talk to the manager if possible. We do put our slide out over a grassy area, no feet down, don’t unhook. We have just stopped in a mall parking lot a couple times.

iOverlander is a great app with lots of info. It’s become my favorite.

[kk5fe]

I didn’t see this addressed. I’m not sure about Cracker Barrel but I know for a fact that some Walmart’s are no longer allowing people to stay over night.
If it’s open when you get to one, I’d ask the manager first. Otherwise your likely to get a late night knock on the door from the police. I’ve heard it’s becoming a liability for them.
The one by my house is one and has a “no overnight parking” sign when you drive in.

[flyflotrtim]

Stopping for a few quick hours of sleep, Walmart types are normally fine. A relaxing stay awaking fresh in the am - nope. Stopping around dinner time and want to relax, find a RV park. KOAs are fine but many Mom and Pop places away from major metro areas are less expensive. Want that hot shower, want to cook a meal, put the slide out, choose the RV park.

[dbledan]

Originally Posted by kk5fe

I didn’t see this addressed. I’m not sure about Cracker Barrel but I know for a fact that some Walmart’s are no longer allowing people to stay over night.
If it’s open when you get to one, I’d ask the manager first. Otherwise your likely to get a late night knock on the door from the police. I’ve heard it’s becoming a liability for them.
The one by my house is one and has a “no overnight parking” sign when you drive in.

You are right some don't because the cities don't allow it. Drove into one with the signs posted (every one I have ever been to has signs) and "lot cops". The security guard came over in his truck and lead us to a quiet parking spot like we were in a private campground showing us exactly where to park for the night. Signs don't mean much. Enforcement does so ask. I am in late and out early and never had a problem and never been asked to move on. I always buy something every time I go in and ask if there are no other campers or trucks in the lot.

For the OP find 24hour Walmarts. They are a bit more noisy but you can use the bathroom. Just park far away from the open door. If you don't like those hardware or other big box stores work as well.

[frankhaas]

Originally Posted by Wolf Pup Roger

First of all let me say I enjoy reading the questions and the great answers that happen here in this forum. We are new to RV'ing travel but are looking forward to visiting lots of national parks. My question is How Safe is staying overnight in a parking lot like Walmart or Cracker Barrel? I know they offer their parking lots for an overnight but after talking with friends who have been RV'ing for years I was told not to park there. To many people walking by and it's very hard to sleep and can be unsafe. I know your thoughts will help with our decision of Walmart lot or KOA? Thanks for all your helpful insights.

We have been traveling for 26 years all over the country and Canada. When I get tired I pull over somewhere. Never had a problem. I never stopped at Walmart or any popular spot except for truck stops and rest areas. Even the side of the road in a large pull off. You get used to the noise, I just sleep..

Frank & Karen
2019 Forest River Sunseeker, 2500 tsf motorhome

[Papadave]

When stopping at Walmart’s I usually go in the store to get a sense of the local vibe. One had trash in the street and chewing gum on the ground and oil puddles in each parking spot. No one smiled. The cart jockey confirmed my suspicions when he said not to park after dark. Window smashers worked the later hours. Other stores were well managed and tidy with pleasant customers. Some have private patrols which are good but indicate a problem. Sometimes it’s just kids with drift cars or nowhere else to be at two in the morning. Mostly it’s been great. Many nice overnight stays with handy provisions including re watering via their ro water machines my water jugs and a funnel. Better than many campsites for a stop and go. Casinos and truck stops are my least favorites for the same reasons; down at the heel desperados and lot lizards.

[rsdata]

The one by my house is one and has a “no overnight parking” sign when you drive in.

NEVER a good idea to park where you see "NO PARKING" signs

[Whispering Pines]

We got the guide “The Next Exit”. This is a must have when traveling. About $14.00 on Amazon. Worth every penny.

[U.S.ArmyVeteran]

In our short 2 + years of RVing, we have tried most overnight stops. No real problems except for noise.
We always try to park out of the way as much as possible and think of our fellow travelers. Trucks or otherwise. Do they all reciprocate? No, unfortunately.



Security is always an issue. We let Stella handle the first line of warning🙄
HAVE FUN and stay safe.