Question about overnight parking

[MCTroy]

Originally Posted by Wilco

We have put the slides partway out when they would not interfere with other vehicles. I usually try to find a spot with the curb or lamp post on my right to allow that. Extending the living room slide a foot allows us to access the living/dining room/refrigerator of our trailer.

In your case park with the curb/lamp post on the left.

2x. Cabelas work out well for this.

[TitanMike]

I have been fortunate from time to time to encounter a vacant lot next to convenience store or gas station (usually in small, rural, areas) and when asking at the c-store/gas station if anyone would care if I parked overnight on the vacant lot was told that lots of people did it. BTW, before asking I usually see signs of trucks and other vehicles having been there with regular traffic patterns in the dirt.

I prefer places like this to a Walmart if I'm lucky enough to find one.

Just be aware of any posted "No Parking, No Overnight Parking, or No Trespassing signs" for obvious reasons.


Other places I like to stop are Casino's. They're all over the place and most welcome people with RV's, expecting them to come in and leave money behind.

[JohnD10]

We've never done the 'Walmart' thing yet...but plan to on our next trip, just to experience it!

[t.simpson]

We bought our new to us Flagstaff at a dealership in Montgomery, Alabama and towed it home to WNY last November. We stopped in Cabelas in Huntsville, Al on the first night, then Columbus, Ohio the second night. We ran the generator in the truck bed to run the furnace. As others have mentioned, we call prior to arriving to ask permission and find out where to park. A lot of Cabelas have potable water and dumping stations - so a hot shower and fresh empty tanks are a nice option. My advice is find your closest Cabelas and give over nighting a try before you trip, so you know what to expect - it will take the stress off so you can enjoy your trip.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by t.simpson

We bought our new to us Flagstaff at a dealership in Montgomery, Alabama and towed it home to WNY last November. We stopped in Cabelas in Huntsville, Al on the first night, then Columbus, Ohio the second night. We ran the generator in the truck bed to run the furnace. As others have mentioned, we call prior to arriving to ask permission and find out where to park. A lot of Cabelas have potable water and dumping stations - so a hot shower and fresh empty tanks are a nice option. My advice is find your closest Cabelas and give over nighting a try before you trip, so you know what to expect - it will take the stress off so you can enjoy your trip.

Yes, Cabelas could be a nice option for an overnight stop.

Unfortunately though the one near my house has a huge sign saying "No Overnight Parking".

I personally have no need to spend the night there but it sure would be nice for those passing through. In this case the parking is regulated by the indian tribe that owns the land the Cabelas is located on, along with an outlet Mall, Home Depot, and Walmart.

It's not that the local campgrounds have lobbied for the no parking rules, it's the homeless population that has abused the practice, often setting up camp for weeks on end.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Yes, Cabelas could be a nice option for an overnight stop.

Unfortunately though the one near my house has a huge sign saying "No Overnight Parking".

Even with signs, you can sometimes call and ask permission. Often times (in other areas), the signs are there so mgmt can be selective as who they give the boot to.

But, in your area- it's very likely enforced.

[timfromma]

Some places have laws forbidding overnight camping in parking lots.

[bedubya]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Some places have laws forbidding overnight camping in parking lots.

I fear we will be seeing more of that.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Even with signs, you can sometimes call and ask permission. Often times (in other areas), the signs are there so mgmt can be selective as who they give the boot to.

But, in your area- it's very likely enforced.

If the signs are a result of local ordinance getting permission from the store might not be of any value. The police officers patrolling at night will be knocking on doors and telling people to move or get cited. After all, the officers have to do something with their time after most people have gone to bed.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

If the signs are a result of local ordinance getting permission from the store might not be of any value. The police officers patrolling at night will be knocking on doors and telling people to move or get cited. After all, the officers have to do something with their time after most people have gone to bed.

Maybe the troopers would.. But more than likely not the locals, unless you are in a resort / tourist area where the local campgrounds dictate regulations..

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by doc73

Maybe the troopers would.. But more than likely not the locals, unless you are in a resort / tourist area where the local campgrounds dictate regulations..

I doubt there are many, if any, towns or tourist traps where the campgrounds dictate any regulations.

Hotels and restaurants...maybe...

Campgrounds...I highly doubt it.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I doubt there are many, if any, towns or tourist traps where the campgrounds dictate any regulations.

Hotels and restaurants...maybe...

Campgrounds...I highly doubt it.

Fair enough and true. Point being you're more than likely fine unless your in a resort town where they have political pressure to keep you from their lots. I always look for other campers and truck, have yet to be chased even from those rest stops where they say no overnight parking.

Anymore with the electronic log book requirements for trucks they are stopping all over... Can't chase them all from the Walmarts and rest areas.

[whjco]

Originally Posted by capt104

I have a quick question.
If we overnight in a parking lot and are using the 12v for the furnace should I disconnect the 7 pin power cord from the TV? Just had a brain f**t and was wondering if the furnace will drain the TV battery. ......... I'd hate to try to get underway in the morning and have a dead battery.
Happy motoring!

If you're using a factory setup on your tow vehicle, the tow vehicle should have an isolation relay that will disconnect the RV battery from the tow vehicle when it's not running.

[BarabooBob]

Anywhere within 10 miles of Wisconsin Dells is off limits to anyone parking overnight, including semi's, RV's, TT etc. This includes gas stations, WalMart, the two malls, on the city streets. There are no truck stops in the area. These rules are implemented and enforced by the police. The town boards of Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton are the puppets of the hotel/restaurant industry.
15 miles south in Baraboo, ask at WalMart and you are good to stay. Don't stop at Gander Outdoors (CW) because that municipality does not allow it. Check the signs.