Slideouts @ WalMart Redux

[4X4Dodger]

While I was at the Wal Mart in Whitehorse, Yukon I was also reading the original post Slideouts @ Wal Mart.

So I got on top of my trailer and took some photos.

When I went to bed the night before there were 22 campers in this Wal Mart. Campers of every description from million dollar class A's to simple scruffy Van campers and everything in between.

As you can see from the pictures below a good share of the parking lot is taken with RV'ers.

So WHY is this the case when there are at least Four good and mostly empty RV Parks very close to the city?

My guess is this: While Whitehorse has it's attractions most people just stay a night and move on. (I was on my way to Skagway, AK) and they:

1. Dont want the hassle of checking in and out of a park and dealing with what is often a Curmudgeonly owner who harangues you endlessly with his woes or rules.

2. Want to keep their units hooked together (either TV and Trailer or MH and toad (and this is not always possible in an RV park)

3. They want the convenience of being near shopping to replenish and get fuel in the AM right there in the corner by the Wal Mart.

4. They want VALUE for their money. And it makes little sense to pay $35 to $45 Dollars to stay 9 or 10 hours especially when you dont want all the so called Amenities and dubious ambiance of an RV Park.

5. All of the above

When I see 4 empty RV parks in one town like Whitehorse and the Wal Mart parking lot FULL it certainly leads one to believe that RV park Owners are just not responding to the needs of their customers. I can't believe that the person in the Million Dollar MH and the rest of them were all just concerned about the cost (vs the value).

My guess is if RV park owners want to reduce this trend they need to give a hard look at what they do and how they do it and how they come across to the public (their customers).

But really what RV Park can give you faster WiFi than McDonalds and an entire shopping center at your doorstep?







Edited for spelling and clarity by author.

[creeper]

greenrvgreen wrote:
While I've never even seen a $100,000 RV at a Walmart (including the day I parked my TT there to shop), the Urban Legend of the million-dollar MH camping for free at Walmarts continues.

The $100k RV is easily found at Walmart, I've seen lots . Now the 1 million dollar RV? Hmm, I have seen some Prevost in the lots, are the a Million? Don't know. But they are a rarity.

[4X4Dodger]

greenrvgreen wrote:
I agree witht the direction of 4x4's thinking (dunno if he wants me doing that). While many or most RV park reviews will criticize the park as if it WERE a resort, it's just not realistic to expect that much from an RV park.

If you look at all the money spent on RV equipment (MH's, etc), it's clear that there is a lot of money in the industry. OTOH, that's pretty much where the money stops. While I've never even seen a $100,000 RV at a Walmart (including the day I parked my TT there to shop), the Urban Legend of the million-dollar MH camping for free at Walmarts continues. To me this says that most RVers will spend as much as they can on hardware and then economize on the very experiences they bought the stuff for in the first place (presumably).

I cant see why I would mind you agreeing with me. I welcome agreement and disagreement actually. And you make some interesting points.

But I firmly believe the WM, Casino, Cabelas parking for free is much much more about CONVENIENCE than it is about the money. Oh the money factors in for sure...but on a Value for dollar/time consideration.

Adding into this the fact that some RV parks are their own worst enemies when it comes to making what should be a simple easy process of check-in into a time consuming waste and their lack of understanding of basic customer service habits also weighs into the decision for many to forgo the pleasure of an RV park stay.

But the thing that amuses me and makes me shake my head in wonder is those that get so riled up over this issue and post very virulent screeds about those of us who use the WM option. It's almost like discussing Religion or Politics.

[greenrvgreen]

I agree witht the direction of 4x4's thinking (dunno if he wants me doing that). While many or most RV park reviews will criticize the park as if it WERE a resort, it's just not realistic to expect that much from an RV park.

If you look at all the money spent on RV equipment (MH's, etc), it's clear that there is a lot of money in the industry. OTOH, that's pretty much where the money stops. While I've never even seen a $100,000 RV at a Walmart (including the day I parked my TT there to shop), the Urban Legend of the million-dollar MH camping for free at Walmarts continues. To me this says that most RVers will spend as much as they can on hardware and then economize on the very experiences they bought the stuff for in the first place (presumably).

[Boon_Docker]

:R

[jake2250]

😛

[4X4Dodger]

Well I think it is clear that parking at Wal Mart (and other places like Cabelas) clearly serves a need and that RV parks will find it hard or impossible to meet that need.

But the whole paradigm of RV Park as "Resort" and the misuse of that word by so many in their descriptions and advertising maybe needs another look by the industry.

My guess the RV park of the future, at least near cities, will be all Automated pay and self parking, similar to public parking lots, not "Resorts" and offer a differing levels of service...elec only, with water or dry. High Speed WiFi will be there (as it should be everywhere by now).

this wont stop the Wal Marting by RV'rs...there is just too much convenience involved, but it will offer many more of a choice.

I think in the upcoming decade RV Parks will have to take a hard look at their business model and make some serious changes.

[oldbeek]

I stayed at a park on the outskirts of Whitehorse and it was very nice. As for million $ class A in wallmart. They are mostly very cheap. I do not like the rubber dust that gets tracked in when parking lot camping. Soldatna AK has 1100 city boondock spots. The Ralleys lot that has even a dump station gets so many campers that customers can hardly find a parking spot to shop.

[creeper]

mgirardo wrote:

creeper wrote:
Come up to Savannah's Walmart close to 95 during the snowbird shift and you'll see far more then this.

If you are talking about the Walmart in Pooler, GA, we've been there a few times. It's only about an hour from home, but we use it to get a jump on traveling the next day. This is the one I was talking about that we've seen the most RVs at, but we've never been at the beginning or end of Snowbird season.

Ironically, there are plenty of No Overnight Parking signs at that Walmart. The last time we stayed there the Security guard came over to us to tell us it was now okay to spend the night, but the signs are still there.

-Michael

Nope not pooler, Walmart in Savannah. Between Savannah and Richmond Hill. Although Pooler also fills up during the big snow bird transition twice a year.

[colliehauler]

Are local Wallyworld is on 135 and catches a lot of winter Texas's. We have a new Wallyworld with a huge parking lot with a overflow lot. It's not uncommon to see 8 to 12 RV's a night in Fall and Spring. It's a quick overnight and you will have a different group the next night. Just about everyone has their slides out. I don't recall anyone abusing the privilege. A lot of truckers use to use the lot as well but since they put in a new Loves truck stop with a large parking lot they use it now.

I'm a lite sleeper and the quite of a campground is worth a few bucks. If it was late at night I would not hesitate to catch a nap at Wallyworld.

[mgirardo]

creeper wrote:
Come up to Savannah's Walmart close to 95 during the snowbird shift and you'll see far more then this.

If you are talking about the Walmart in Pooler, GA, we've been there a few times. It's only about an hour from home, but we use it to get a jump on traveling the next day. This is the one I was talking about that we've seen the most RVs at, but we've never been at the beginning or end of Snowbird season.

Ironically, there are plenty of No Overnight Parking signs at that Walmart. The last time we stayed there the Security guard came over to us to tell us it was now okay to spend the night, but the signs are still there.

-Michael

[4X4Dodger]

Walaby wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:

Walaby wrote:
Clearly based on this picture, it's still daylight, so they are probably there for 10-12 hours.. maybe more. Certainly probably not just 4-5.

I don't like going to Walmart WITHOUT my trailer...

Mike

This time of year there is over 18 hours of daylight at Whitehorse YT in a 24 hour period.

Ok.. so, good point.. But, still, I would rather plan a trip to stop at a decent campground, and relax. I just don't think I could relax at a Walmart.

But, not saying I won't do it in the future, because I might have to. But would prefer not.

Mike

I took the photo at 6AM.

And to the point of going to a Campground to relax...There are times when I am in the process of getting from point a to Point b that for me it's just more relaxing NOT to have to be in an RV Park and set up and then take down the trailer the next Morning. Or to deal with an irritable or Curmudgeonly Park Owner/worker.

Many RV Parks are not the idyllic, relaxing and "fun" places they are advertised as. In so many you are very close to the rigs next to you, Kids are running around shrieking, you can hear your neighbor doing things that should not be heard...No, RV Parks often dont live up to their Ad Hype. Or the myth of the bucolic "camping" spot they love to portray.

In the few times (5 or so)I have stayed at a Wal Mart I have never been woken in the night, it's been quiet, people seem to spread out from each other and I have never felt uncomfortable about my security.

[creeper]

mgirardo wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:
When I went to bed the night before there were 22 campers in this Wal Mart.

Wow, that's a lot of RVs in one parking lot. In the Wal Marts we have stopped at, I think 5 or 6 is about the most we've ever seen at one time.

-Michael

Come up to Savannah's Walmart close to 95 during the snowbird shift and you'll see far more then this.

Gallup, NM can easily have 40+ Rvs, been there done that, been part of the herd.

[creeper]

v10superduty wrote:


From what you suggest that most RVers want; it seems to me the only way an RV park owner could attract those folks is to buy an empty lot, (preferably next to Walmart) pave it, offer free overnight parking.
He will make a fortune..
:S

There was a campground owner in Roanoke Rapids that attempted to get the town to stop the Walmart parking. He failed as the town was bombarded by angry RV owners, I sent a letter.

After he lost he offered no hook up overnight parking for $15. At that point we started to use this campground.

I spoke to him about it and told him for $15 for the night was worth it for the quiet.

The sad part was the amount of Rvers who would come into his park after hours then leave around 5am without paying. This seems to be a real issue with RVers trying to beat campgrounds out of money.

He has since raised his prices to $30 for a now hook up spot. We'll be back to Walmart for a few hours of sleep on our way up north.

[Boon_Docker]

I hear ya. I have never stayed at a Walmart, truck stop or the likes of and don't really plan on doing that.

[Walaby]

Boon Docker wrote:

Walaby wrote:
Clearly based on this picture, it's still daylight, so they are probably there for 10-12 hours.. maybe more. Certainly probably not just 4-5.

I don't like going to Walmart WITHOUT my trailer...

Mike

This time of year there is over 18 hours of daylight at Whitehorse YT in a 24 hour period.

Ok.. so, good point.. But, still, I would rather plan a trip to stop at a decent campground, and relax. I just don't think I could relax at a Walmart.

But, not saying I won't do it in the future, because I might have to. But would prefer not.

Mike