Have you done it?We're new TT owners this past spring. We've camped from state campgrounds with electricity to boondocking out in the middle of nowhere up in the mountains. (We're in Montana.) Loving it!For an upcoming trip, we might want/need to do a few overnighting stays... at rest stops off the highway. (NOT Walmart.) Have you guys had good experiences with this? How was it? (privacy, noise, convenience, safety, etc.) Also, since it was just overnighting, I'm guessing you kept your TT hooked up to your vehicle. How was it walking around and being in your TT?

I take a Ranch Exit or a side road before a rest area. By doing this I'm always by myself and it results in a much more quiet night. No reason to unhook, just get it level enough to sleep and go to sleep. With the whole family I will drop the stabilizers to take the bounce out of the trailer, but still attached to the truck.

Done it lots of times. Never any problem. I usually try to get near the end of the line to avoid all the truck activity. We've also spent many nights in Wal-Mart lots with no issues at all.

Yes you can.Some area's are safer than others.Do not open your slides.You may have a lot of truck engines running by you.Some rest area's are posted. NO Over night parking.

You cannot do overnight in rest areas in Ohio except on the toll road.Why not a Walmart if close and allowed? Just wondering?

We use Walmarts whenever we're on a long trip. Works out great and much quieter than the few times we've overnighted in a truck rest area.

Overnighting at a rest area | Good Sam Community

49 Replies

Crazy_Ray
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
We've used Lowes,HD,Sams, and never had a problem.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
RavensFan24 wrote:
We use Walmarts whenever we're on a long trip. Works out great and much quieter than the few times we've overnighted in a truck rest area.
What he said.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
We have done it in CA OR WA with no problems. I do carry a gun but never needed it.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
In a rest area I try to find a parking spot where we are away from the truck parking spots to reduce the noise and diesel fumes. It's not always possible to find this kind of spot.

My first choice is to find an inexpensive campground near the highway to stop for the night. Next would be a large truck stop with a separate area for RVs. Rest Stop is the last resort.

We have stayed (with permission) in a large grocery store parking lot, church parking lot, gas station (leave before they open), down a side road, large pull off area along with a few semi's...etc.
RavensFan24
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
We use Walmarts whenever we're on a long trip. Works out great and much quieter than the few times we've overnighted in a truck rest area.
darsben
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2015
You cannot do overnight in rest areas in Ohio except on the toll road.

Why not a Walmart if close and allowed? Just wondering?
rvten
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
Yes you can.
Some area's are safer than others.
Do not open your slides.
You may have a lot of truck engines running by you.
Some rest area's are posted. NO Over night parking.
hohenwald48
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
Done it lots of times. Never any problem. I usually try to get near the end of the line to avoid all the truck activity. We've also spent many nights in Wal-Mart lots with no issues at all.
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
I take a Ranch Exit or a side road before a rest area. By doing this I'm always by myself and it results in a much more quiet night.

No reason to unhook, just get it level enough to sleep and go to sleep. With the whole family I will drop the stabilizers to take the bounce out of the trailer, but still attached to the truck.

Forum Discussion

Overnighting at a rest area

49 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Rest area overnight stops.

No Overnight Parking at Interstate Rest Areas

Interstate rest area stops

Overnight stops and Rest Areas

Overnight Stays at I-95 Rest Areas