Staying at Walmarts and such

[mericksonjr]

I am taking a trip this November to see my son graduate from Air Force Basic training in San Antonio. We are traveling from Wyoming. We have a campground reserved in San Antonio for when we arrive but are planning on just driving as far as we can and staying overnight somewhere with out paying fees. We want to do this both on the way there and back. Do all Walmarts allow you to camp overnight? Any safety precautions recommended? Are there other companies that allow the same kind of thing Walmart does? I am looking on suggestions of places since we are going to drive as far as we can and we dont know where we will be when we get tired. Any help is appreciated.

[Finally]

A trucker shared a free app with us today that is very helpful. It is Truckers Path.

[John___Angela]

I guess my only addition would be to check out casinos as well. Our order of preference would be casinos, Walmarts or Home Depots or Canadian Tires in Canada, then travel centres like Travel America, flying J etc. There are a few others as well but security starts to go down hill at rest stops etc. I think Casinos are probably the best for security with Walmarts, Home Depots and Canadian tires not far behind. Rest stops and camp grounds are down around the bottom for security. Camp grounds are of course the least convenient. They are generally well suited for camping but don't serve well for overnight parking although some people use them for that. To each his own. We have traveled with folks who have to stay in campgrounds at night as they have never figured out how to use their without full hookups. Frankly it is a major pane but we go with the flow when we are in a group. To each his own.

I have had a few problems with security over the years, all in campgrounds, never in Casinos or Walmarts. Lots of light and cameras in Casinos and Walmarts, not so much in campgrounds.

[CT_WANDERER]

We are not all that bad. Some of the old timers forget the new members have not figured everything out yet. Don't give up on us. There are some great people here that will give you great information. Gary

[mericksonjr]

twins89 wrote:
I know this has been on multiple threads but the OP asked. Dear OP, yes many Walmarts will let you stay overnight. You need to ask the manager and maintain proper decorum. Only put out the slides you need to get to bathroom or fridge. Leave it as you found it - no trash. We have used Lowes, Home Depot, Cracker Barrel and Walmart. we always spend $$ in the store or restaurant. If they say no, move on there will be something down the road. Rest areas are also a nice find if on an interstate. Perhaps search the web prior to leaving for what is along your route. Don't miss the Alamo and river walk while in San Antonio.

Thanks for being understanding, Kinda sad that some people get irritated answering simple questions. I thought that was what Forums were for. I guess there are some on here that think it is just like Facebook. Just a place to belittle people who are new. Again I appreciate you answering my original question. The rest can just piss off.

[twins89]

I know this has been on multiple threads but the OP asked. Dear OP, yes many Walmarts will let you stay overnight. You need to ask the manager and maintain proper decorum. Only put out the slides you need to get to bathroom or fridge. Leave it as you found it - no trash. We have used Lowes, Home Depot, Cracker Barrel and Walmart. we always spend $$ in the store or restaurant. If they say no, move on there will be something down the road. Rest areas are also a nice find if on an interstate. Perhaps search the web prior to leaving for what is along your route. Don't miss the Alamo and river walk while in San Antonio.

[mericksonjr]

darsben wrote:

mericksonjr wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Why not stay at a campground? Most have a late arrival registration process, are usually safe, have hookups, and it helps the local economy.

Camp grounds are an option I just dont know how far we will get. And this trip is already costing enough so we were just thinking we would save where we can if we can. Safety is number one priority thats why I am asking opinions. I am new to the MH thing and still learning the secrets 🙂

Okay now learn the secret of the search function on this forum.
In the box labelled search: type the words Walmart Parking
11 pages of info will come up.
Read each thread a little to see if it answers your question.

Thanks for the information maybe I will try that.

[bfast54]

Oh my god you want to camp at Walmart ??????

Don't you know that the world will end ,all campgrounds will close down ,and you will die?????????.........:E:E

Having said this......Last night I was on my way to a $26.00 Michigan State Park Campground,where All I would get for my Money is Electricity...and A HUGE STORM ROLLED IN.. as I was getting ready to pass a """""Gasp..Wal-Mart"""""""

I pulled in, Ate at BOB EVANS RESTRAUNT...And then went to sleep....where I slept Peacefully,while in Campgrounds....trees were Blowing over..

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....all is well with the world it seems.:W

[dave17352]

We stay at wally world now and then. I sometimes do as you suggest drive as far as I can stand it. That being said I usually regret it when we do that. Whether it is wally world or not, I like to get planted before dark. Its just a whole lot easier. You can end up in some spooky places late at night and end up not really finding a place to stay where you feel comfortable. I would estimate how far you are going to get and find some locations that you know you can stay at. Takes a LOT of stress out of the trip. JMHO

[rgatijnet1]

I like my macerator and being able to use a garden hose to drain the tanks. All I have to do is put my thumb over the end of the hose and I can change the output from a stream to a spray and use it to water the grass and plants when I stay at Walmart.

[Effy]

Executive wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Doesn't proper etiquette require you to park way in the back if you want to dump your tanks while you're there....:h:h......:W......Dennis

I always try to dump my tanks on their landscaping. :B

I was thinking of installing one of those electronic valves on my coach...then I could dump while going down the turnpike.....especially if someone decided to tailgate the rig......:B...Dennis

Rv'ing James Bond. Love it.

[Executive45]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Doesn't proper etiquette require you to park way in the back if you want to dump your tanks while you're there....:h:h......:W......Dennis

I always try to dump my tanks on their landscaping. :B

I was thinking of installing one of those electronic valves on my coach...then I could dump while going down the turnpike.....especially if someone decided to tailgate the rig......:B...Dennis

[azrving]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Doesn't proper etiquette require you to park way in the back if you want to dump your tanks while you're there....:h:h......:W......Dennis

I always try to dump my tanks on their landscaping. :B

I ALWAYS smoosh the toilet paper and larger chunks into the grass before leaving. It's just the right thing to do. 🙂

[TexasShadow]

At ElPaso, we stay at the Flying J at exit 1 on I 10. Or 1 mile south there is the
TX visitor center. Walmart is not handy in elpaso. And going south there
Arent any walmarts convenient to you... Unless u hit Ft Stockton right. That one is
Good. There is a good rest stop 8 miles west of Sonora.

[rvis2005]

When traveling from a to b it is very practical to stop at a Walmart and rest until am. Usually we spend hundreds of dollars inside when we do. Win- Win. Like with anything, if you abuse it you're wrong. My opinion. Tommy

[rgatijnet1]

Executive wrote:
Doesn't proper etiquette require you to park way in the back if you want to dump your tanks while you're there....:h:h......:W......Dennis

I always try to dump my tanks on their landscaping. :B