I need to chime in once more. I may be guilty of reading something into your question that's not intended but I do get tired of the self righteous attitude of many RV'ers about the use of WM for overnight stays. In particular, the comments about those rich folks that happen to have diesel pushers. There they sit paying nothing, depriving the poor campgrounds of their just due. Yea, I have a diesel pusher with diesel genset that idels along at about a pint an hour under light load. What I think you and others overlook is convenience. WM is in metro areas and often in close proximity to the interstate. The campground is 20+ miles off the road. Avoiding the round trip drive saves a couple of hours and 5 or 6 gallons of fuel. Does this mean I can run the generator some and come out ahead? Give me a break and stop looking down that long nose. When was the last time you tried it?
MCP, IEEE, CCP, BJCP
Traveling, Working, and Judging
Not sure where you got the idea I was looking down my nose at you. Are you confusing my posting with someone else? Serena answered my question very well and I don't think she felt I was guilty of what you said.
In any case, enjoy yourself out there in however fashion you decide to use your RV. Maybe I will see you in a WM one of these days. Look for the Lead Dog sign on my gas powered motor home. Can't afford a diesel, but love this one.
BTW, where is Thesbian, CA???
You sound suspiciously like a friend of mine who loves to chink my chain. If your not him, then disregard this comment.
I think the moderator is about to delete this thread, so once again thanks to all that responded to my question.
Happy Camping
* This post was
edited 05/22/08 07:45pm by leaddog *
Read the whole message. Nothing said negative about staying a week in WM with no problem. Stay there as long as you like. Many do and that isn't what I was asking about.
This isn't a WM thread. There are tons of them out there already. More about what is the cost associated with staying at WM or somewhere like that and moving quite often, versus staying in a campground.
Then why do you only want to know about people who camp at WM (or similar places)? How does staying at WM differ from staying at a truck stop? Or BLM land? Or Quartzsite?
The short hops definitely didn't get it done before I replaced the batteries recently. Since then, I'm absolutely amazed at just how fast they recharge from driving just a short way. Because I can't drive for long stretches most days, I may very well go only 10 or 20 miles before pulling off for a rest, at which point I will eat, answer emails, or whatever for 1 to 3 hours before moving on. So it works out that I'm charging, discharging lightly, recharging, and repeating. That's probably an extremely efficient way to use them, and I hardly run the generator at all unless I'm going to hang somewhere more than a few hours.
If you like the idea of flea hopping around, you could always just give it a trial run and see if it still appeals. You don't have to go far. You might even be surprised at how your own hometown or places nearby look to you from a different vantage point, or how the whole atmosphere can change just a few miles up the road. I'll admit I find new places a little nerve-wracking until I've located one or two good places to park and get oriented a little. But after I've done that, I can just chill and take my time.
Corky52 wrote: Serena,
I've theorized about what you do, just never taken the time to do it, sounds like it would be great fun.
Do you find the short hops are enough to bring the batteries back up to full charge or did you have to go to a hi amp alternator?
I have to agree the "freeloading" word is a bit much.
ditto 2oldman. I've looked back on your previous posts. It's obvious you understand basic arithmetic. So, why don't you do some calculations and share them with the group rather than asking backhanded inflammatory questions. Before you try to defend yourself, why don't we just drop it.
Larry: I think you have received the info you sought about propane, gensets etc. I just want to add it is not considered good practice to use either Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel in the way you described. If you stay over at either place, arrive late and be gone just after daylight. Bill
I asked about those sites since so many people stay there. I know about BLM lands in the west, but there isn't any BLM land available on the east coast and Quartzsite is 2600 miles from where I live. Plus, you have to pay at both of those places if I an not incorrect. At least I paid when I camped at Quartzsite a few years ago. FlyingJ, Lowes, Home Depot, WM, CB, Target, Loves, TA, etc all are in the same category as far as I am concerned. I just didn't feel the need to go into all the detail listing each place.
All I wanted to know was what was the cost associated with staying at these type of places since most require you to move on after a night. Not always, but most of the time. If you are constantly moving and spending months on the road, what costs do you incur. Why is it people focus in on WM all the time?
Traveling and stopping at the above for the night is an accepted practice and I don't have a problem with it.
Bill720
Yes I got the answer I was looking for from many people and I thank them for that. I don't care how people choose to stay at these places, just wondering what their the overall costs associated with that were.
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