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.

[Boon_Docker]

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.

[4X4Dodger]

v10superduty wrote:
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?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Say what you want about the million dollar MH owners and the rest BUT my opinion is that it all come down to the deal... "free parking"

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

I think you are misrepresenting my point a bit. I firmly believe that this is a VALUE decision not simply a Price or Free issue. I think it's widely accepted that decisions like these are based on multiple factors not just one.

And frankly I am amazed at how some feel it necessary to jump to the defense of the poor downtrodden businessman known as the RV Park Owner. I think just as any business should be able to do they can fend for themselves and move with the times. Many have yet to install WiFi that is much better than Dial-up. That just isnt going to hack it in the future...or even now.

And I am willing to bet that some of the Wal Mart decisions are partially based on the fact that FAST WiFi is readily available.

Further this discussion almost never takes place or gets as emotional when it comes to parking in Casino Lots for Free or Cabelas. It seems to be a Wal Mart-Centric issue.

[Walaby]

I can't say I will never park in a WalMart, but honestly, I'd rather plan my trip such that I can stop about 3 or 4 in the afternoon, sit outside, relax, maybe grill some chicken, or hamburgers... hang out in the quiet evening, and then head out again in the AM, but, then that's just me and my preference. 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

[4X4Dodger]

jake2250 wrote:
I particularly like the two that feel its ok to park against the grain! One is taking up eight to ten spots, the other one (class C) is right out in front taking up four or five spots! HA!! And thats just from your photo's! And the rest of us Rv's shouldn't be ashamed of your selfish all about You attitude! Heck why not find the lower part of the parking lot with a drain and drain your Grey tanks?
I guess spending a whole day in an rv park as you plan your tip and support local business is out of the question?


It OK in the Yukon,, So lets just take that right into middle America!!

First This wal mart had a sign indicating where the RV's should park and most were within those parameters.

Second my rig was at the curb I took the photos from the roof.

Third: There is absolutely NO requirement for me to "Support" any business that does not meet my needs.

Fourth and MOST important. Please keep your posts polite and to the point. Your responses on the other thread got it closed. So please respect the discussion...

Finally. Watching out for one's own best interests is not selfish it is smart and you do the same thing. My bet is that your self interests are somehow tied to your virulent responses to this issue. Perhaps you are an RV Park Owner?

So please lets keep this discussion Civil.
Thanks.

[jake2250]

I particularly like the two that feel its ok to park against the grain! One is taking up eight to ten spots, the other one (class C) is right out in front taking up four or five spots! HA!! And thats just from your photo's! And the rest of us Rv's shouldn't be ashamed of your selfish all about You attitude! Heck why not find the lower part of the parking lot with a drain and drain your Grey tanks?
I guess spending a whole day in an rv park as you plan your tip and support local business is out of the question?


It OK in the Yukon,, So lets just take that right into middle America!!

[bukhrn]

As mgirardo said, I've never seen that many RV's of any kind at a WalMat at one time,
Ours is #5, with an emphasis on #4, we don't spend 9-10 hours, our norm is stop to sleep 4-6 hours then shop before leaving, so $35-45 is a really ridiculous expense.

[greenrvgreen]

I think that Walmart parking lots really DO fill a need that commercial and/or public CGs do not. Looking at those pics, I see that the RVs are spaced out further from each other than they would be at a commercial RV park, and at many state/NFS/NPS CGs also. So in that sense, these people are "stretching out" a bit from the typical CG experience.

Of course, when truly boondocking (at least in the west) much greater separation is possible--and typical. But then you run into the following problem: most people want to be around other people. Camping in the boondocks you might go for weeks without having a conversation with another human. I think many of the typical RVers these days would have trouble going a few hours without chatting with their neighbors--and/or arguing with them.

Camping has changed dramatically in the last decades and many people view large crowds in tight spaces as part of the camping experience. They like being close to other people, they just want a little more space now and then. I agree that part of it is the close proximity of shopping and ammenities.

I think it's unfair to demand that RV parks try to chas this trend. Just the expense of decent wifi would go a long way, but it's a huge expense and most parks can't afford it, or they would have installed it already.

So a certain type of camper is going to camp at Walmart because they like it. I've certainly opined at length about that, but I think the real question is, will Walmart (and similar) follow the trend of casinos and start offering formal overnight spots with hookups? Casinos offer this free if you gamble and Walmart could do this also if you bought X amount of stuff there.

[v10superduty]

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?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Say what you want about the million dollar MH owners and the rest BUT my opinion is that it all come down to the deal... "free parking"

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

[mgirardo]

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