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01-28-2014, 01:04 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: robert
Trailer: parkliner
Michigan
Posts: 21
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free stays / Walmart camping
I'd be interested to hearing about your experiences stopping at rest areas, walmart parking lots, side streets, etc during your travels.
anybody have a regular stop they can count on, or conversely, any locations to steer clear of?
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01-28-2014, 01:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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01-28-2014, 01:38 PM
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#3
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Moderator
Trailer: 2009 19 ft Escape / 2009 Honda Pilot
Posts: 6,229
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As Carol points out, this has been discussed to death already. Using a Google site search will bring up the links Carol shared, and a whole lot more. Lots available across the web too.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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01-28-2014, 01:47 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbard
anybody have a regular stop they can count on, or conversely, any locations to steer clear of?
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I'm a dyed-in-the-wool boondocker and also a lifelong Memenber of the "I WON'T pay just to overnight" Club. But my experience is limited to Washington/Oregon with a little California sprinkled in....never been East of those states with the trailer, so can't help with your Michigan location.
But if you ever get out this way, I'd be happy to share my experience/spots!
__________________
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01-28-2014, 03:02 PM
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#5
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Member
Name: David & Sandy
Trailer: 2012 Escape 5.0
Texas
Posts: 43
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I will share this amusing story with you Robert;
One year at Thanksgiving I was towing my trailer as a clean restroom and rest stop lunchroom. It was getting really late when I had the bright idea of stopping for a few hours of sleep before driving on. We pulled into a small town Walmart parking up at the end of the lot, under some lights, and was parked sideways out of the way. After about 4 hours I started hearing cars parking outside close to us. This continued until finally I got up and got dressed to continue traveling. When I stepped out of the trailer the lot was nearly full and we were blocked in. I had forgotten that it was "black friday" the day after Thanksgiving and the early shoppers had rushed to Walmart for the bargains before sunrise. It took us over an hour to find and wait for the car owners to move so that we could get out and continue on our way.
__________________
David
"I haven't traveled everywhere...but it's surely on my bucket list."
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01-28-2014, 03:24 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Name: robert
Trailer: parkliner
Michigan
Posts: 21
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thanks Carol, I had no idea Walmart stays were so common and hospitable.
Nice story David, I can't imagine people were eager to get out of their coveted spot in line to move their car for you!
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01-28-2014, 05:35 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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Not all allow overnight. Here is a Atlas of the Walmart's:
Walmart Atlas | Walmart Atlas
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01-28-2014, 05:49 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Carl
Trailer: 2013 Lil Snoozy #161 (SOLD)/2010 Tacoma
NE Oklahoma
Posts: 2,358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Clinkenbeard
I will share this amusing story with you Robert;
One year at Thanksgiving I was towing my trailer as a clean restroom and rest stop lunchroom. It was getting really late when I had the bright idea of stopping for a few hours of sleep before driving on. We pulled into a small town Walmart parking up at the end of the lot, under some lights, and was parked sideways out of the way. After about 4 hours I started hearing cars parking outside close to us. This continued until finally I got up and got dressed to continue traveling. When I stepped out of the trailer the lot was nearly full and we were blocked in. I had forgotten that it was "black friday" the day after Thanksgiving and the early shoppers had rushed to Walmart for the bargains before sunrise. It took us over an hour to find and wait for the car owners to move so that we could get out and continue on our way.
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I thought that was funny.................well, a little anyway.
I was thinking ahead as usual and I thought you woke up
to a line waiting to use your bath room and to get a snack.
But that would only happen if you had a sign outside.
Brings up an idea for a bad trick to play on Walmart campers.....LOL
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01-28-2014, 06:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,415
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Did Walmart one time only, had my little friend under my pillow. Watch those You Tube videos "people of Walmart" and decide if you want to sleep there. Did a Flying J one night, other than the Jake Brake noise because it was on a hill it was OK, but left early because I was afraid of the camper that was real close next to me would take my mirror off when he swung out. Later took a nap in a rest area. We prefer to stop by late afternoon, and want electric hookup.
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01-28-2014, 07:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Wal Mart Overnight Stays (Not Camping)
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbard
I'd be interested to hearing about your experiences stopping at rest areas, walmart parking lots, side streets, etc during your travels.
anybody have a regular stop they can count on, or conversely, any locations to steer clear of?
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Here is about the best source of info on that topic. They also have a printable data base.
walmartrving@yahoogroups.com
BTW: In So Cal, about 90%+ of WalMarts are NOP (No Overnight Parking)
Having, in addition to local ordinances prohibiting said use, have already been over run in the past with freeloaders, beach bums, overstayers, unfortunate homeless and misc. peeps that you wouldn't want in front of your house either.
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01-28-2014, 08:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Miller
Here is about the best source of info on that topic. They also have a printable data base.
walmartrving@yahoogroups.com
BTW: In So Cal, about 90%+ of WalMarts are NOP (No Overnight Parking)
Having, in addition to local ordinances prohibiting said use, have already been over run in the past with freeloaders, beach bums, overstayers, unfortunate homeless and misc. peeps that you wouldn't want in front of your house either.
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We have often stayed at Walmart (seldom costs less than $25 )
Although we have seen a few "Walmart people", we have never been subjected to your list of undesirables!
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01-28-2014, 09:00 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,707
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HA! I have an Aunt that beats you all. My wonderful-Aunt is a multi-millionaire and could afford to pay site fees wherever she decided to land. But traveling became a past-time for her. And cheap was IN! She knew where she was going, and gray hair and wrinkles helped. But, she always scoped out the town. Decided 24 hour convenience stores and radiator shops were her best bet for FREE overnight stops.
She was always traveling from Point A to Point B for the birth of her first grandchild and only needed to stop and sleep for a few hours. Always talked to the clerk behind the counter (of a 24 hour store)... please... where can I park for a few hours of rest (never put out lawn chairs or BBQs) and moved along about the same time as the sun came up. Same for the "radiator shop" there's one in every town. Who's going to make a person move along when there's a mechanical problem.
My Aunt has/had it down to a science
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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01-28-2014, 09:21 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 4500
Posts: 2,050
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I have great luck with Indian Casinos. They are pretty much everywhere nowadays and many have free hookups.
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01-28-2014, 09:39 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Hammel
I have great luck with Indian Casinos. They are pretty much everywhere nowadays and many have free hookups.
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The ones in these parts usually charge a fee of under $15 but they give you a coupon for the $20 to play the slots and coupon for a free coffee and a snack for the morning. One of the casino's actually has a full RV park with great ocean views and a dump station.
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01-29-2014, 09:02 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: Oliver
Posts: 713
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The very first night we ever spent in a trailer was at a (not 24 hour) Wal-Mart in Lonoke, AR. We had no trouble whatsoever. We still laugh about how strange it was to take a shower the next morning in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Many more nights since then all over the country. Never a problem.
__________________
Steve and Tali - Dogs: Rocky and our beloved Reacher, Storm, Maggie and Lucy (waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
2008 Outlaw Oliver Legacy Elite & 2014 Outlaw Oliver Legacy Elite II
2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD Diesel 4x4
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01-29-2014, 09:58 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd
We have often stayed at Walmart (seldom costs less than $25 )
Although we have seen a few "Walmart people", we have never been subjected to your list of undesirables!
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And seldom have I, .... BUT... as those areas that are attractive to the less fortunate and/or whatevers, are also high ranking on the NOP listings and we don't get to overnight there anyway.
In the past I have seen literal shanty towns appear on WalMart parking lots. The WM on Imperial Highway in Brea, CA allowed overnighting until they had to deal with campers trying to set up housekeeping for a week at a time. When a class "A" caught fire one night, because they had no ins, the owners proceeded to dismantle the hulk in the middle of the parking lot for salvage, that location also went NOP.
WalMart corporate policy allows for "Overnight Parking" of RV's, subject to the managers discretion and local ordinances. In many cases it has been the abusers of this policy that leads to that opportunity being lost forever.
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01-29-2014, 10:45 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Miller
And seldom have I, .... BUT... as those areas that are attractive to the less fortunate and/or whatevers, are also high ranking on the NOP listings and we don't get to overnight there anyway.
In the past I have seen literal shanty towns appear on WalMart parking lots. The WM on Imperial Highway in Brea, CA allowed overnighting until they had to deal with campers trying to set up housekeeping for a week at a time. When a class "A" caught fire one night, because they had no ins, the owners proceeded to dismantle the hulk in the middle of the parking lot for salvage, that location also went NOP.
WalMart corporate policy allows for "Overnight Parking" of RV's, subject to the managers discretion and local ordinances. In many cases it has been the abusers of this policy that leads to that opportunity being lost forever.
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Fortunately 99%+ Walmarts are clean and hospitable places with lot cameras and friendly patrols. We feel at least as comfortable stopping for the night as we do stopping to shop, or staying at rest areas, or state parks, campgrounds, etc....
Besides, they have Delis,and doughnuts, and Redbox and quiet little islands wth grass and a tree!
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01-29-2014, 11:28 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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My reply concerned why so many Wal Marts in SoCal don't allow overnight parking, and was not intended to refer to conditions or hospitality at WalMarts.
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01-29-2014, 12:44 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd
Fortunately 99%+ Walmarts are clean and hospitable places with lot cameras and friendly patrols. We feel at least as comfortable stopping for the night as we do stopping to shop, or staying at rest areas, or state parks, campgrounds, etc....
Besides, they have Delis,and doughnuts, and Redbox and quiet little islands wth grass and a tree!
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My experience too, Floyd!
And I'd like to add that no trip with my Grandkids is deemed a success unless/until we spend at least one night at "Camp Walmart". I well remember one night I spent at a Walmart less than thirty miles form my own house just because the kids reminded me on the way home from a week's camping that we hadn't "camped" at Walmart yet!
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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01-29-2014, 12:50 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Carl
Trailer: 2013 Lil Snoozy #161 (SOLD)/2010 Tacoma
NE Oklahoma
Posts: 2,358
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Now that's special Francesca.
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