I've been reading a lot about where you can and can't park overnight. Tons of info out there about that. But what about when you're on the road and want to stop to see a small attraction before getting on the road again?We used to do that all the time when road tripping through the US with a car. We'd plan our day so that we'd be driving for 3 hours, stopping at some town to stroll around or maybe see a small museum, then drive for another two hours and do the same and finally drive for an additional couple of hours to our final destination for the night.Now, with a car, you can park just about anywhere. Sure, sometimes we'd have to find a parking lot (paid) or metered parking in a big city. Other times, in small towns, it's often a matter of just pulling by the side of the road and park behind another vehicle standing there (as long as there are no signs telling you not to). Parking in a residential street was never an issue if we wanted to see people.Looking at videos of some of those large RV's people drive around in makes me wonder. What do you do when you just want to stop for 1-2 hours and leave your rig while sightseeing? Do you always look for a Walmart/Costco etc? I don't recall seeing too many RV's or commercial trucks in the parking lots of shopping center. Pretty sure you can't just park in a residential street, right? Or do you just plan ahead so that you move the big RV only from one campground to another and then do your sightseeing around with the tow vehicle or toad?

I just park wherever I fit and won't be particularly in the way. It's probably easier for me than some because I have a 32' motorhome with nothing in tow, so it's easier to fit in (and maneuver into) places than some other rigs--but it still needs more than a single car parking space, to be sure. Generally, museums and stores and such are fine with you parking in their lots for the purpose of patronizing their establishments. That's why they have parking lots, after all. Some even have special areas reserved for RVs and busses. A few parking lots are laid out such that it's hard or impossible to fit an RV anywhere (and parking garages are almost always problematic), but most of the time I haven't had difficulty finding someplace reasonable to park.Laws about parking on residential streets vary somewhat more, but I haven't generally had troubles with parking there if it's otherwise reasonable. Stopping to visit friends for a few hours and parking in front of their house shouldn't be a problem in practice in general if parking is otherwise permitted. Landscapers or movers or other similar professionals and tradesmen do the same with their trucks and trailers when needed to serve customers.Large cities are an exception, where the parking often just isn't available and taking public transportation is usually much easier and simpler.

(Almost 60 feet long here)... Park anywhere we can fit. Usually, even in small towns, the "attraction" will have some kind of adequate parking. If not, just pull on the side of the street in front of someone's house. As long as there is no "No Parking" signs, park it anywhere you fit. We strive for parking lots first at the attraction we are wanting to visit (even a Mom and Pop restaurant in a small down-town, we've been able to turn the corner and park in a lot, if not on the street close to the establishment).When all else fails, there are church parking lots too. As long as you are actually "Parked" and not "camping", we've never been hasted for parking anywhere. We've had some home owners stare at us cross-eyed sometimes, but if the attractions is near them, they usually just give a wave. They know we won't be there long. Now granted, it may not be that way everywhere, but here again ... we're talking smaller-out-of-the-way "country towns" (as we call them in Indiana), where folks are just not so up-tight. But here again, every location is different.1) Look for established parking first. 2) Search for established parking at the attraction you want to visit.3) Search for established parking on the street4) Search for a parking lot that is large enough for your rig, like a church, hospital, elks club, or something like that.5) Go over a block or two and just park on the street where parking is permitted, but don't block anyone's driveway. If you see local residents, let them know you'll be be back shortly. 99% of the time, the will wish you well and are kind of grateful you are spending money in their little "burg."

I used to live on a side street where it seemed to attract RV's to park in front of my house. For some reason, an unusually large number of them used to get flat tires.

troubledwaters wrote:I used to live on a side street where it seemed to attract RV's to park in front of my house. For some reason, an unusually large number of them used to get flat tires.Like I said, 99 percent!

We would look for store lots, public parking or wherever we could comfortably fit without being obtrusive. We never parked in a residential area-we just considered it rude and unfair. If we couldn't find a spot near we'd either pass or go a little further out, unhitch the toad and go back, assuming we had time.

Short stops along the way - allowed where? | Good Sam Community

garmp
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2018
That is one of the reasons we bought our 22' B+. Generally don't have a parking problem. Except with the possibility of downtown in a larger cities.
Farmboy666
Explorer
Aug 08, 2018
troubledwaters wrote:
I used to live on a side street where it seemed to attract RV's to park in front of my house. For some reason, an unusually large number of them used to get flat tires.

Apparently you can post saying you flattened tires but when I call it a d-ck move that post gets deleted. Moderator- at least post that you deleted it so we all know we are not aloud to call somebody out for being a (fill in the blank)
AnneM
Explorer
Aug 15, 2018
Just coming back to say thank you!
I take it that the bottom line is as always, to be sensible and considerate. Yes, we have traveled extensively in the US, so I'm familiar with what towns and cities look like. I think my main concern was with parking in a residential area in suburbia. A place where you would be ok parking a sedan but clearly, a huge rig would stand out. I have seen many RV's in people's driveways in such areas - but rarely parked on the street.
So, my take from this discussion is -
1. If you can, avoid residential streets and park in parking lots.
2. If you must park on a street - make sure there are no signs saying you can't. It's best to ask a local if you see one and let them know you'll be moving soon.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2018
IsraeliMom wrote:

So, my take from this discussion is -
1. If you can, avoid residential streets and park in parking lots.
2. If you must park on a street - make sure there are no signs saying you can't. It's best to ask a local if you see one and let them know you'll be moving soon.

I'll add one more: be prepared to walk a bit :-)

We did a LOT of sightseeing trips in our 28' Class C, usually without a toad. As others have said, if you look around, you'll find that unused corner of a church lot/a closed business/an open business with a big lot (always ask, though!). Fire departments and police stations are often good places, provided you ask where they would like you to park.

Happy travels!
ppine
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2018
Depends on where you live. I live in Nevada which is 87% owned by the US Government. I know it is hard to imagine but we just pull over anywhere out of a town.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Aug 15, 2018
troubledwaters wrote:
I used to live on a side street where it seemed to attract RV's to park in front of my house. For some reason, an unusually large number of them used to get flat tires.

I never thought of BRINGING crime and vandalism to one's own neighbourhood as a great way to make the place you live a BETTER place....

Of course in this age of HD dash cams that don't stop recording when the car is parked and a few folks arrested and facing charges and big fines / restitution orders would likely solve the problem fairly quickly.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Aug 16, 2018
DutchmenSport wrote:
troubledwaters wrote:
I used to live on a side street where it seemed to attract RV's to park in front of my house. For some reason, an unusually large number of them used to get flat tires.

Like I said, 99 percent!

If the RVs are parking illegally, call the police. Otherwise you belong in jail... scumbag!
lily123456
Explorer
Aug 18, 2018
Parking RVs in the center of the US is really a question.

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