Tazymae
Kentucky
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Joined: 09/01/2011
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I guess it's a no brainer when asking this question about boondocking at a Walmart or a rest area. I guess nobody actually sets up thier pop up while there. I think this would be a real downside to a pop up.
Has anyone had this experience or is this just not done.
Please excuse my ignorance, I have been a tenter for 30 years and jjust now can afford to get into something off the ground.
Thank you all,
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Check out this thread: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25777522.cfm
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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Tazymae wrote:I guess it's a no brainer when asking this question about boondocking at a Walmart or a rest area. I guess nobody actually sets up thier pop up while there. I think this would be a real downside to a pop up.
Has anyone had this experience or is this just not done.
Please excuse my ignorance, I have been a tenter for 30 years and jjust now can afford to get into something off the ground.
Thank you all,
That is the advantage of an Aliner. 30 seconds to set up. I stayed overnight at a Walmart along the interstate one time on my way back from a deer hunting trip in mine.
ERS
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RoyB
King George, VA
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Joined: 04/13/2008
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I have seen one in my travels in the south usually along US82 from ALA to TEXAS.
I have also seen the big guys with their awning and slide out over the grass area and folks sitting there watching the interstate go by haha...
The guys with the HYBRID TRAILERs dont have to worry about it. They can sleep on the couch inside and not drop down their folding beds. I cant get sindie my POPUP with it closed up...
We camped one night in the truck in a BASS PRO SHOP parking lot north of Montgomery ALA and with their outdoor decor with several parking spaces surrounded with tall bushes and all I almost let out our POPUP. It was better there than some camp site we have been too... One place I have seen 30A pedestals along the grass side of the RV parking areas. Sure glad Mr Sam Walton from ARK was an avid RV guy haha...
We always go inside and let them them know we are sleeping in the parking lot... Sometimes the town ordinance doesnt allow it..
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me
Roy and Carolyn
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beemerphile1
I'm 57, I'm not a
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First some clarification. I overnight in parking lots but I only boondock in the boonies. I don't think there is any problem boondocking under canvas. I have never seen anyone overnighting under canvas in a rest area but I have definitely seen it done in truck stops and parking lots on more than one occasion.
Overnighting on the road and the quick set up was a definite consideration when we chose our Aliner.
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2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900/1998 Ford E150 4.6L = 8MPG
2009 Aliner Sport/2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L = 22MPG
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ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
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Joined: 05/02/2005
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I've seen one pop up at a rest area along I-90 several years ago. Have no idea how anyone could possible rest with all the noise....I'd feel weird setting up a pop up for overnighting. A suppose it's all about apperances but most overnighters pull in without any setup other than a slide out and can quickly get moving again with out having to packup.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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If not being able to "camp" in a parking lot is a "down side" to you I'm not sure camping is what you're looking for 
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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rehoppe
Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else
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Joined: 01/30/2009
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You are right about the setup time on the PUPs. The offset is the amount of interior room, of course.
The Aliners, Chateaus, Hybrids etc., are better as far as setup time. Give a little, get a little I guess.
My favorite so far, has been two PUP Truck campers I've had. Quick up and down, but again space is limited.
As I don't go to Wally World at all, I've not been concerned about their 'camping' amenities.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
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mefly2
MT
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Our Alpine Chalet was a snap to set up ... offering hard-sided protection but relying on just four swivel latches to hold the sidewalls to the hinged roof panels ...
>>> mefly2 <<<
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Giftsbuyus
Southeast
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Being we don't believe in boon docking unless it is a have too. If it is multiple days of travel. I would suggest just looking for a mom and pop CG. Do a over nite say get up early and move on. That is what we do, even when we tent camped. We didn't use a hotels/motels for stop overs we found a CG about where we wanted to stop.
I received this wisdom from another camper awhile back ago. And, it makes sense. The more we as campers boon dock the less that goes back into the CG's and the prices continue to rise. And, up keep declines etc.. Also, if we do not look to useing them as much as possible, it is possible that they may start closing them.
Also, keep in mind that Wal-mart's and rest areas are not safe as you would think. A lot of the Wal-mart's say they have cameras. But,I have heard, at some stores,that the cameras are not even on most of the time.
* This post was
edited 02/27/12 03:38pm by Giftsbuyus *
We have been tent camping since about 2003 started RVing 2011..There's a lot I wanna say but Religious post are not allowed.
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