Forum Discussion
- GolfcartExplorerIf im taking the free option, I find a reasonable looking/well lit truck stop and pull in a spot at the end of the row or way out back and try to not be in anyones way. If its hot ill fire up the generator too, after a few feet away you cant hear it over the running rigs nearby
I dont mind it at all, but my wife prefers quick nighters at paid campgrounds. - RinconVTRExplorerThe app and website RVparky has helped me more than a handful of times I want a quick overnight. Planned ahead, or on demand.
- wanderingbobExplorer IIYes , it is for the convenience and not having to go thru the same lecture every nite from campground employees telling us how , where to park , do not do this , do not do that . When will they realize all I want is to plug in and be left alone when I pull in at 7:30 .
- austinjennaExplorer
I am wondering if rest areas and Walmarts will really save us that much money over a CG where we would have at least electric hook up.
For a lot of us its not about saving the money, its about the convenience that these places offer when going to our final destination. They are generally located on the highway or just off of an exit ramp where we can get some sleep and then get back on the road the next day. - malexanderExplorerI've spent the night in all of them, rest areas, WM, FJ, etc.
Never had a problem in any of them.
We go to Oshkosh every year. I start the generator just before we leave the driveway at home. It's 975 miles from OKC to Oshkosh. We usually stop for the night just past St. Louis on I-55. I leave the generator running till we get to Oshkosh the next day. I shut if off after I get parked & plugged in. The genny has run about 24 hrs by now. Burn a lot of fuel?......I dunno, when the needle gets to 3/8 tank, I fill up. - Chuck_thehammerExplorer
Jayco-noslide wrote:
My only concern with cracker barrel is that aren't open 24 hrs. so no security?
the last 3 I stayed overnight... did have a marked security car every hour or 2.. from 11pm to 5am.
WV, NC, Ga. - Jayco-noslideExplorerMy only concern with cracker barrel is that aren't open 24 hrs. so no security?
- 04fxstsExplorerI am wondering if rest areas and Walmarts will really save us that much money over a CG where we would have at least electric hook up. My DW is one that just has to have air conditioning in hot weather so if there is no electric as we would have in a CG we have to run the generator. Our MH has a 4000K Onan and from what I have heard this will use at least 1/2 gallon of gas per hour. So a ten hour stay would be at least five gallons of gas and say $12 at today's local gas prices.
I am not talking about an "RV" park but state or county parks which we prefer any way and in our area these can be had for $20-30. and some give a senior discount. One nice county park ends up at $17 a day with the senior discount. I am thinking about this for our next hot weather trip, and if gas prices go up it could get to be the cheaper option. Jim. - koda55ExplorerWe have spent many nights in Walmart parking lots.
(1) I always go in and ask for permission.
(2) I always ask where they would like me to park.
(3)I ask if it is ok to put a couple slides out. They have told me that's fine. We always need to do some shopping so it is a way of saying thank you.
(4) We bought some of the orange long floats that the kids play with in the pool. We put them on our slides.
(5)We never put levelers down. If need be, we shut the refrigerator off if we need to put levelers down. The temp is still cold in the morning when we get up.
(6)We never put our awning, chairs or get our grill out.
(7) We either get something in Walmart or go to a restaurant close by to eat.
(8)We never disconnect the car.
(9) We also stay at Flyingj and have had no problems sleeping.
Yes we can afford to stay in campgrounds but to just get a couple of hours sleep does not make sense to spend 35 or more dollars for a campground spot. - mowermechExplorerI have slept in Interstate Rest Areas in Washington, Montana, California, Nevada, Utah, and Tennessee.
The noise from refrigeration units on the long haulers can be problematic, but other than that, no problems.
No drug dealers, no "ladies of the evening", nobody banging on the door, none of the worries of the doom and gloom naysayers.
I have also stayed at Flying J parking areas. No problems.
Yes, a few years ago, here in Montana, there was an isolated incident of an elderly couple being killed at a rest area. Since then, I have heard of other such incidents in other states, for a total of perhaps 6 killings in the entire West over the last 10 years or so. That just doesn't seem very dangerous! It would appear to be much more dangerous to go hiking in Glacier or Yellowstone!
About RV Newbies
4,026 PostsLatest Activity: Jun 15, 2017