I think it is a misuse of the privilege of parking a RV in a Wal-Mart parking lot by putting out a awning and sitting under it in a lawn chair and the "bonehead" I saw was taking three parking spaces. Since then, that Wal-Mart has remodeled and you can't get a RV into the parking lot. Think they may be telling us something?
The last time I used a Wal-Mart to park in, Greenville, SC I went in and ask the manager and he said yes and he told me where to park and it was the farthest away from the store you could get! No problem, it was a nice walk in the morning to shop before going, and I even pushed a few carts back. Thanks Sam Walton, where ever you are!
John&Joey wrote: For me, I would never feel safe at a truck stop, and would use them only as a last resort. Most Wal-marts have camera's and they are at the most 50 miles apart on the expressways (don't know about the west) so in less then an hour you can be off the road if you have too. The book "The Next Exit" will tell you where they are, and what is around them.
Casino's is our first pick, followed by Wal-mart, then it goes down hill real fast after that for us. The other overnight stops are either too noisy, or not secure enough for me. What looks good in the day time, sometimes can look a lot different at night when it's close to an expressway.
J&J...
A little info for you---
Flying J RV parking is very safe. It is well lighted and everything is recorded on security cameras. They are open 24/7 and there is usually a law enforcement presence there. The cops are either inside eating or sitting in their patrol car doing paperwork. Sometimes they just do a drive thru checking out the nice rigs. The bad guys hate the sight of a marked police car. All in all, there isn't much of a safer place to be.
In the past, I have stayed at many Wal-Marts and Flying Js. Both are very noisy and lately I feel less secure. Now I would rather overnight in a nice campground and enjoy a peacefull evening and a quiet night so I wake up refreshed and ready to drive another 400 or 500 miles.
No problem for me at either the Walmart or the Flying J. Both are busy, most have security and cameras, and they both actively court us. Ditto with Cracker Barrel. But I use all of them as a place to rest, not as a destination. Adding a built-in generator to my fiver last year makes pulling over for a meal and a bit of shut-eye an easier task than before the generator went in.
I always return the favor by purchasing a meal or fuel or some other travel related items, everyone wins.
Richard L. Ray
SSgt USAF (Retired) Life Member DAV
W4RLR 146.52 mhz
2005 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab
1995 Jayco Eagle 277RBSS fifth-wheel
"Never ask a man what kind of computer he drives. If it's a Mac, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him?" Tom Clancy
We love over nighting at WalMart while enroute. I've loaded up my GPS with the super WalMart poi's from the POI Factory, it includes phone numbers, we call ahead and get clearance/permission and instructions as to where they prefer us to park.
Stock up on any supplies, maybe eat from the deli, works great (for us) when we just need a place to sleep.
AlGreg wrote: In the past, I have stayed at many Wal-Marts and Flying Js. Both are very noisy and lately I feel less secure. Now I would rather overnight in a nice campground and enjoy a peacefull evening and a quiet night so I wake up refreshed and ready to drive another 400 or 500 miles.
Since this is the Snowbird forum one would have to assume that Snowbirds have the luxury of leaving their home up north, own an RV, and have the money to put gas in it to travel south, and have the money to pay for long term CG/RV resort fee while there to enjoy the weather.
So that all said......seems to me if you have planned to be a Snowbird you also would have budgeted the money to stay in CG's for the trip down and back.
Sleeping in public parking lots is just unconscionable to me. IMHO, JMHO if you can't afford to stay in a CG while traveling, perhaps you can't afford to RV.
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
Sleeping in public parking lots is just unconscionable to me. IMHO, JMHO if you can't afford to stay in a CG while traveling, perhaps you can't afford to RV.
It isn't about the money for us. It is about the convenience. It is great that we all have the freedom to choose what works for each of us.
Dave & Kathy
2007 Monaco Knight 40PDQ towing 2003 Odyssey
Fulltime since October 2007
Before you give someone a piece of your mind, make sure you can get by with what will be left.
yes we are lucky we do have the money,but we are looking for a place to sleep not camp,maybe that makes me cheap?we just looking for somewhere to get four or five hrs.of sleep
rockhillmanor wrote: Before this turns into another WM thread.
Since this is the Snowbird forum one would have to assume that Snowbirds have the luxury of leaving their home up north, own an RV, and have the money to put gas in it to travel south, and have the money to pay for long term CG/RV resort fee while there to enjoy the weather.
So that all said......seems to me if you have planned to be a Snowbird you also would have budgeted the money to stay in CG's for the trip down and back.
Sleeping in public parking lots is just unconscionable to me. IMHO, JMHO if you can't afford to stay in a CG while traveling, perhaps you can't afford to RV.
It isn't about the money for us. It is about the convenience. It is great that we all have the freedom to choose what works for each of us.
X2
flying J's,many Walmarts, rest areas etc... are located next to the Interstates, do not charge for amenities that are usually not available in winter (pools, water, sewer hookups) plus there is no time wasted in unhitching/hitching so that truck and trailer fit into an overpriced small lot.
DH, 1946
DW, 1949
Daughter #1 Miniature shnauzer (deceased Sept 2010)
Daughter #2 Cockapoo (deceased May 2011)
2007 Ford F250 Super Duty, FX4 XLT, 6.0 L Diesel,Crew,,Timbren SES kit, Toyo AT tires, ScangaugeII
2008 Denali 5th wheel model 31SB-M5,
Honda 2000I
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