using Walmart over night.

[GHOST1750]

I know this is opening a can of worms but......I have been RVing since 2001 and can count on one hand the times I have stayed at Walmart. One time I stayed because I saw a Prevost there. I thought if it was good enough for him it's be OK for me.

If you do use Walmart do you call ahead or talk to the manager or employee? We are headed back to the Midwest in a few days and was interested in ideas.

[RinconVTR]

Once or twice each long trip we do a Walmart and or other commercial store like Cabala's or the like.

I use RV parky...and trust that when I see the "zzz" icon that I'm good to go. Never had a problem.

We do always put our jacks down otherwise I'd overload the TV with tongue weight.

[jarata1]

Mondooker wrote:
Here are the industry code of standard and are posted on this Walmart Website...
Walmart

Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct
(RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)

Stay one night only!
Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
Obey posted regulations.
No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills outside your RV.
Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt). Please "NO JACKS"
Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

I guess you can't put down your jacks and put out your awnings like some people here do

[Mondooker]

No argument with your post. Does it mean you don't agree with the " Good Neighbor Policy?

[Busskipper]

Mondooker wrote:
Here are the industry code of standard and are posted on this Walmart Website...
Walmart

Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct
(RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)

Stay one night only!
Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
Obey posted regulations.
No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills outside your RV.
Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt). Please "NO JACKS"
Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

BUT - this is not Wal*Mart corporate's Website - http://www.walmartlocator.com/overnight-parking-etiquette/

http://corporate.walmart.com/frequently-asked-questions

This is what is posted on the Corporate Website - under Q's and Answer's,

[COLOR=]How can I contact Walmart about a store experience or product question?How can I locate a Walmart store/store hours?Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?

[COLOR=]While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store parking lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.

Real simple - RV'er are good customers - are permitted. - Please contact management

So for me at least I appreciate the Hospitality - and I call. Always. Pretty Simple, not a lot of rules or do's and don't just call get permission and park where you are asked.

Been Doing it for 20 years with no issues - just call ahead and ask.

Just the Truth,

[lanerd]

It's called smooch camping.

[Chum_lee]

Search/join the walmartrving mailing list. It's populated by those RVers who travel the world stopping at Walmarts where ever possible. They have a list of all Walmarts in the US that allow overnight parking and those that do not, updated frequently.

If you join the list, be prepared to hear/discuss every possible aspect of staying overnight (not camping) at Walmart.

Chum lee

[Mondooker]

Here are the industry code of standard and are posted on this Walmart Website...
Walmart

Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct
(RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)

Stay one night only!
Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
Obey posted regulations.
No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills outside your RV.
Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt). Please "NO JACKS"
Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

[dr3x]

When traveling A to B we use Walmart and Loves if a wally world we have an app on kindle shows location parking or not and phone no and before we arrive we call and ask and also find out if they have a preferred area. Then when we get there we pull in and park as most are level no jacks no slides gen if needed and always look around area for signs of concern if none good nite. Loves we always purchase fuel first then go park in the most remote parking area and good nite. I have spoken to alot of the truckers and never once have they stated it bothered them. I even asked because most of us are shorter than a big rig where they liked us in the front of the space middle or back and they said didn't matter but in a pull thru middle would be better for them to pull in and out with space to turn. In a back in they said in the back as that gave them room up front to wiggle and turn. Is a truck stop save yes mess with one trucker and 10 or 15 others are right there. Just my 2 cents

[RLS7201]

For your GPS POI Factory has a Point of Interest for Walmart that also notes if no parking. Then you can punch go and get routed to you Wally World destination.

Richard

[ncrowley]

Here is a list of Walmart's that do not allow overnight parking:

http://www.walmartlocator.com/no-park-walmarts/

See if there is a Walmart where you want to stop and then check this list to make sure you can park there overnight.

[korbe]

Both cross country truckers and RV's use our local Walmart parking lot. Sometimes when I go shopping at 7am Sunday morning it's a bit crowded where I prefer to park (near the back door at the garden center).

I see the use increasing over the years and at some point the welcomed parking will interfere with business and it will come to a halt IMHO.

[Matt_Colie]

mowermech wrote:
I wonder, why is it always Walmart? Why not try other places which have huge parking lots?
I have overnighted in truck stops, "travel plazas", church parking lots, freeway rest areas, fishing access sites, and occasionally even in campgrounds/RV parks.
But never a Walmart...

Mowermech,

Walmarts are typically convenient to the major roads and as we are travelers and not so much campers, that works for us.

We much prefer Cabela's. Many Cabela's have both a dump and potable available. Unfortunately, the city of Hammond has shut off our favorite. (This is fine with me because DW loves to shop in the store.) There is also a Walmart next door so we don't stop at either any more.

Some, but not all Cracker Barrels have long spaces available (that are often filled with 4-wheels).

Truck stops tend to be noisy, but if you can get away from the trucks, that or a highway plaza will do.

Other than that, is it sort of level and quiet? Good for us.

Matt

[moisheh]

mowermech: If one wants to overnite at a Truck stop and there are RV spots that is fine, But if it is a busy TS near a major city or highway intersection that is a bad practice. The spaces are there for Truckers who are earning a living. They operate under Federal Hours of Service. If a trucker arrives and there are no spots due to RV's hogging the lot you are causing serious problems. You are in a RECREATIONAL vehicle not a work truck. Not fair!

Moisheh

[Two_Jayhawks]

I always called ahead of time. When we did use a WM is was because we were maximizing driving and arriving after a very long day to find it is not allowed is not an option for me.

[mowermech]

I wonder, why is it always Walmart? Why not try other places which have huge parking lots?
I have overnighted in truck stops, "travel plazas", church parking lots, freeway rest areas, fishing access sites, and occasionally even in campgrounds/RV parks.
But never a Walmart...