Parking Lot Ethics

I can't believe anyone would set up a tent like that anywhere other than a campground or boondocking.

I had to look up what a Tail Viel is, found it here.

I don't do parking lot, over nighting, but this much I do know, when doing an overnight in parking lots, the goal is to be as unnoticed as possible. Slides in campers stay in, lawn chairs and BBQ's stay put up, awnings are not extracted, you don't unhitch, and jacks are never down.

To set up the Tail Veil would probably draw a lot of attention. I suppose it would be at the call of the store you are using if they would let you do that, or ask you to move on, or just ignore you.

I would think your personal security would be a concern. I know RV's are not the most "bullet proof" vehicles on the road, but they do have a door that can be locked. If the tail gate of your van or SUV is open, and you are sleeping in the back ... I ... well ... I wouldn't be sleeping at all! You're much safer in a campground.

Best you can do, if personal security is not a factor to you, is to call the store, or when you arrive, go inside and talk to the manager and see what that say.

Personally, over my life time, I've seen hundreds of RV's overnighting at WallMart. But I've never seen anyone in a tent.

There are Yahoo groups specifically tailored for "Wallydocking" that you might want to take a look at. In short: Generally only 1 night stays, no awnings or camp furniture, don't unhook trailers or toads, keep slides in unless absolutely necessary. Everyone's opinions differ but I would simply camp in the van and not use the tent while in the parking lot.

You don't really "camp" in a Walmart parking lot. You kinda "stop for the night". Don't pull out the awning, don't extend the slides, don't dump the grey water. Pull in the back of the parking lot, go inside to verify with the manager that it's ok, buy something from the RV section and go back to the rig and go to sleep.

Not so much ethics as etiquette. The major concern should be to not ruin this unique privilege for future RVers.

Check this video on RV Travel

clicky

I had to google to see what a Tail Vail was.


I think that I would skip the Tail Vail and plan of just sleeping in the Van. I have seen this and even just fold the seat back and sleep a bit. Go inside to wash your face and change if you must.

rv2go wrote:

I would do as the others suggest and just sleep in the minivan. You put your clothes in this overnight and you might find them missing in the morning (a parking lot has a lot more potential for passerby than a campground); put your potty in this and the folks parked next to you might take offense.

There are very few Walmarts quiet enough for the Tail Vail. That's just too much temptation for the knuckleheads that like to mess with people overnighting in the parking lot. Without being able to stake it down, it will be flapping in the wind. We do extend our bedroom slide when we are at Walmart. It's curbside, so it doesn't interfere with anything.

We've slept in the back of our Astro Minivan at a Flying J once when the kids were very little. I didn't get much sleep, way too uncomfortable for me, but everyone else seemed to do okay. I felt pretty safe in the minivan with everything locked up. I would not feel safe with the hatch wide open.

-Michael

If you definitely, positively, must deploy the tent, park the van in such a manner that the tent is the least visible from the street, rear end of the van against a wall or in the back, be mindful that a very big delivery trailer might have to maneuver to get to the unloading dock in the middle of the night.

Best to ask the manager's for permission and where do the delivery's take place.

navegator

Personally, I'd use the van just for sleeping at Walmart and other similar places. Noise, security concerns, and the appearance is not what you should project. I'd deploy the Tail Vail elswhere, doing what you need at that time. Inexpensive public campgrounds come to mind. You also may be able to use the tent in some day use areas where it is clear you're not spending the night.

I wouldn't use one in a Wal Mart lot for many reasons (safety, lack of audacity to name a few) and I wouldn't imagine most managers will let you. I would however like to be a fly on the wall when you ask said manager if you can deploy your Tail Veil in the parking lot. That would require you to say that it is basically a tent. Shortly after I suspect you would get your answer.

I do like those contraptions though. Always wantded one when we used to tent camp. That hooked up to say a 1970 VW Van would be sweet!

Good luck!