Hello everyone,Just picked up our new Winnebago Vista LX 30T. Have been reading topics in this forum for a few months. A lot of great information.We've planned a couple of short shakedown trips over the next few weeks and going to campgrounds with a second vehicle to sight-see.We also have a couple of longer trips planned (staying with friends, campgrounds, boondocking, et al) but we're not really sure how to handle these two scenarios while we're traveling between campgrounds.1) When staying at a business overnight, like Cracker Barrel, Walmart, Flying J, rest stops, we assume that we do not extend our slide-outs to keep under the radar and be courteous to other vehicles? We've heard that we should get the manager's permission before staying.2) Where do most people park their RV when they want to visit a place when driving between campgrounds and the RV is too big to drive to the location? We would use our tow vehicle to visit those places where a RV will not fit. If we can find legal street parking, then problem solved; however, in rural areas, street parking might not be available and we only have business parking lots or cut-outs along the side of the road or county/state parks.There might be other questions that we've not yet thought of. Any other words of wisdom and advice?Thanks,John (

When we stay at Cracker Barrel or Walmart we park out of the way. I do put slides out and run genny. Leave no trace behind is our moto.

jschmelzer wrote:Hello everyone,Just picked up our new Winnebago Vista LX 30T. Have been reading topics in this forum for a few months. A lot of great information.We've planned a couple of short shakedown trips over the next few weeks and going to campgrounds with a second vehicle to sight-see.We also have a couple of longer trips planned (staying with friends, campgrounds, boondocking, et al) but we're not really sure how to handle these two scenarios while we're traveling between campgrounds.1) When staying at a business overnight, like Cracker Barrel, Walmart, Flying J, rest stops, we assume that we do not extend our slide-outs to keep under the radar and be courteous to other vehicles? We've heard that we should get the manager's permission before staying.2) Where do most people park their RV when they want to visit a place when driving between campgrounds and the RV is too big to drive to the location? We would use our tow vehicle to visit those places where a RV will not fit. If we can find legal street parking, then problem solved; however, in rural areas, street parking might not be available and we only have business parking lots or cut-outs along the side of the road or county/state parks.There might be other questions that we've not yet thought of. Any other words of wisdom and advice?Thanks,John (A little contradiction in your question. You ask for only during the day parking and then ask about parking overnight at a business?1) Save your self a lot of headaches and avoid unsafe parking situations for your family by simply just finding a CG near by to spend the night. You just bought a new MH why on earth do you want to spend your nights with your family in a parking lot????Because of all the meth dealers now choosing Walmart to do their selling and making of drugs, 'many' Walmarts have banned overnight parking.2)Parking off to the side of a road is just too dangerous with a large RV. And I really doubt you will find a spot large enough for your MH to park on a street.When you want to sight-see during the DAY. Find a large grocery store parking lot and park way in the back of the lot.Needless to say you will get a ton of responses about parking at Walmart. And the old standby response if you can afford a MH you can affore to stay at a CG. :W

Businesses dont care about slide outs. So put them out as long as they don't impeded traffic.Not sure I understand the second question. We stay at a CG and make trips with the TV from there to visit attractions. It never occured to me to take the RV with me to them.

CB for over night theres plenty of room and put out the slides run the gen, for site seeing I,d stop at wall mart or other big lot. leave the rv and use the car. we ask but never been turned away. also you can do both at a church, parking lot ask before you stay. just being nice. even been invited to a supper diner .

If your talking about 800 mile days and just stoping overnight and leaving first thing then sure Walmart etc can fit the bill. Not my kind of travel to be sure , never again but I was there once and had to make the most of the time I had re sight seeing on the way we hardly ever leave the rig to do that .. Many places have RV parking for your visit and if not we get a RV park and spend the night before or after and add it as a stop on the way. I kinda always felt if you could stop and sight see you had time to spend the night in a paid park

New to Rv - questions about RV parking outside of campground

bleeder_guy
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
We put reflective tape on the sides of our slides. When they are out you can see the tape. This way others know we are wider than our main body.
Groover
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2017
I prefer Cracker Barrel over Wal-Mart, they tend to be further off the road and quieter. On the other hand, Wal-Mart probably has better security. I have occasionaly used truck stops also and felt quite safe there. As for why, generally it is just for time savings when I have a long ways to go and can't find a campground near where I am when I get tired. Plus, if I wake up in the middle of the night ready to roll I don't bother anyone by leaving during quiet hours. I always try to leave the host clean and spend some money there.
cross21114
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
I saw a thread, not sure where, about a guy who had his slide out and it got hit by a car. He did not say where he was parked but I would imagine it was in a non-rv lot. Maybe if he did not have the slides out, he would not have suffered serious damage by an unlicensed, uninsured driver.

Think in that circumstance, leaving slides in is probably prudent.
Mondooker
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
My 10 cents is this,

If I'm traveling a long distance and I'm on the road three or four nights. A Walmart kind of stop for the night works great for me and mine. I don't put slides out, but if you want to great! But I NEVER unhitch the toad and go somewhere. And I do call ahead for permission, I do buy something if possible and I do say hi to the manager!

Why in the world would you want to go to a park and spend $30 to $100 bucks just to spend the night? It's not a matter of having the money to spend, it's matter of spending your money wisely!

Oh and as for security, don't be an idiot and park overnight in the south side of Chicago. Plan your stops in a smaller city and if not possible then a park may be necessary.

Maybe that wasn't worth 10 cents but there you go...
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2017
Multiple options for short day time stops, just got to think a bit beyond the norm. Big box store parking is hit and miss plus a lot of traffic but keep it in mind as a low priority option. Does the town have a sports arena, convention center or a Casino.? Fraternal organizations such as the VFW or Shriners. Church parking lots are another source. RV sales or car lots.

The trick is you need to plan ahead and start making phone calls. Maybe the city visitor, tourist, or parks & recreation office might be a good start.

Good luck.
ThomBoles
Explorer
Aug 21, 2017
Don't forget to check for a Cabela's. We have overnighted in a couple so far. They usually have a dedicated RV lot that you can use. We didn't run our generator but only stopped to sleep and moved the next morning. They are also a good place to drop the camper to go touring.
1320Fastback
Explorer
Aug 21, 2017
I only stay at CB if no RV park is available. Every CB ive been to has designated RV parking signs.
gbopp
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your Vista.

And, a tow vehicle is what you use to pull a TT or 5er.
The vehicle you pull behind the Vista is called a Toad (towed). :)

Enjoy your travels.
jorbill2or
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
Re your trip from Sacramento to Eugene ......Redding has a casino but I don't believe they allow overnight the one in Corning is great .. We stopped there often I know it's a little soon to stop ..... also if you drive a little longer to canyonville in Oregon the casino there 7 feathers has a 5star $$$$ RV park and overnight pull through parking area ( free) beside the casino. I have also used the Walmart in weed ca . The trip between Sacramento and Eugene struck me as more like 8 hours but it's been awhile and my trip was always Portland to SF
Something to add to your overnight stop options are casinos , most allow overnight
jschmelzer
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
Thank you all for the suggestions and feedback - I think I understand our options. New to multi-destination RVing. Sorry about the confusion caused in my questions.

Let me explain our situation given I was too vague in my questions. For our first long trip, we have two problems to solve.

1) We are planning on taking I5 from Sacramento to Eugene. We did not want to drive 10+ hours straight, so we wanted to take 2 days to get there. We are having a very hard time finding reasonable CGs off I5 near Redding, CA that have space available during the dates planned. That is why we're considering boon docking just to rest and get some sleep overnight.

2) On the trip down south from Southern Washington to Northern California, we're taking the Hwy1 (PCH) route. Along the route, we wanted to visit a few beaches, parks and wineries along PCH. From our research, our RV is too big for some of these attractions and the attractions are 1-3 hours from the CGs we've chosen. We did not want to spend hours driving round-trip just to visit a beach or park that we passed with our RV earlier that day.

We too believe we should simplify and not over-think; but we're new and we want to avoid making costly mistakes.

Again, thank you for the feedback.

John