Most Wal-Marts will allow an RVer to stay overnight in their parking lots. When you are on a long trip and can't find any rest stops or campgrounds along your route, Wal-Mart starts looking pretty good. The important thing to remember when doing this is to do it the right way. So watch this short video, take some notes and then go ahead -- pull over and stay a night. The price is right: Absolutely free!
I understand everyones concern about staying overnight at Walmart the right way etc.....but you can say/preach in everyway possible and your not going to control everyone and its their right to do whatever they please even though it doesnt fit under the so-called Walmart rules that people keep making.
ReplyDelete"its their right to do whatever they please"
DeleteUnless you own a controlling interest in Wal-Mart, you are a guest on Wal-Mart's private property, so don't bore me with your concept of rights.
Get a grip Anonymous, just some tips for those who are new to RVing, just do the right thing. You read way too much into the comment.
DeleteI'd also include to park away from the trucks, unless you want to hear them come and go all night long or their reefer's start and stop all night long.
ReplyDeleteYuppies on vacation preaching to the choir.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah.....we ALL go in and find the manager to ask if we can stay the night...sure.
Telling the Class A's to not put their slides out??
Aren't they just the cutest thangs!!
We've stopped in Walmart parking lots across America. We are usually in a hurry to get where we're going, and thus drive a bit longer than we probably should. Knowing that there is a Walmart ahead is a comforting thought. It's wall lit and there are cameras. So it's all good. We've also stayed in the Cracker Barrel parking lots, which are also lit and have security cameras. One more place that you can pull in for an overnight is, Camping World.
ReplyDeleteHappy Traveling.
A couple of other great places to keep on your free overnight camping list: Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops.
ReplyDeleteWe pick up a roasted chicken as I am too lazy to fix something for supper.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Walmarts are great place to stop when just passing thru an area. As long as you're comfortable with the area. We have pulled into a Walmart and 1/2 hour later pulled right back out because we were not comfortable with the area.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we have a class A and we HAVE to put our slide out to get out bed to come down. Our bed folds up and does not unfold unless the slide is out. So yes, we are considerate and don't "camp". But we do need to open our slides. So please don't hate everyone that puts their slide out. We are not being inconsiderate, we are just trying to sleep in our bed.
Other than that, great video. And yes, we always ask the manager and we always end up buying something.
One more thing about parking next to trucks. I was thinking it was a good idea, that way I was out of the way. NOPE turns out the trucks I was parked next to were waiting to be UNLOADed that that they did starting some time around 4 AM.
ReplyDelete"Tim WittingAugust 5, 2012 10:19 AM
ReplyDeleteYuppies on vacation preaching to the choir.
Oh yeah.....we ALL go in and find the manager to ask if we can stay the night...sure.
Telling the Class A's to not put their slides out??
Aren't they just the cutest thang"
It is a courtesy and takes just a moment to ask permission to stay overnight. I also agree to park at the outer edge of the parking lot.
The ONLY time we put a slide out (our bedroom, as it is impossible to reach the closets without doing so) is if we are parked at an edge that has a grassy allowance. That way we cannot interfere with anyone parking or driving or walking by.
A little good manners goes a long way.
And, by the way, we have a Class A with more than one slide.
I have stayed at several Walmarts and always ask the manager two things: 1. Is it ok? and 2. Where? I am consistently told to park away from the normal flow of traffic. As I am 45' Class A, I can park across the parking spaces, can extend my slides again, as long as they are not blocking or hindering the flow of traffic. As far as dropping the jacks, what is the problem?
ReplyDeleteBTW, Walmart is the third on my list of preferred one night stops. Rest areas first, Flying J's second and finally, Walmart. Same philosophy applies to all three - not to block the flow of traffic or, in the case of rest areas and Flying J's, not to encroach on the parking spaces on either side of me. I try to park alongside the edge of the parking area or at least where I can extend the drivers side slides without blocking traffic.
A final comment: Walmart is rv friendly and does not have rules about spending time there.
Ignorant, inconsiderate RVers are the reason some Walmarts no longer welcome RVers. It only takes a few incidents of sewage dumping, holes in asphalt pavement during hot weather from leveling jacks, or trash dumping to have Walmart or a city ordinance say "No overnight parking".
DeleteThese RVers are often the same ones who, in RV parks, don't pick up after their pets, run generators during quiet hours, and seem to feel that rules don't apply to them.