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Parking Lot Ethics

donrebyct
Explorer
Explorer
Hi All,

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I haven't found it.

What are do's and don'ts for over-nighting in parking lots (Walmart, super markets, etc.)? I'm thinking of my minivan with a tent on the back (Tail Veil) to hold the potty and maybe changing clothes.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Don
46 REPLIES 46

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
Um, the OP came back several days ago and thanked everyone and said he wasn't going to do it.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

Dtank
Explorer
Explorer
donrebyct wrote:
Hi All,

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I haven't found it.

What are do's and don'ts for over-nighting in parking lots (Walmart, super markets, etc.)? I'm thinking of my minivan with a tent on the back (Tail Veil) to hold the potty and maybe changing clothes.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Don


Suggestion: - Don't !!..:(

Sleep in your van, use the potty facilities *inside* Walmart.

How to ruin a "good thing":

The Walmart in Dalles OR - does not allow any overnight parking.
*If* you arrive just before closing time in an RV, usually the mgr
and another employee will come out and inform you of same.

Friendly chat with them (they had suggestions where it would be allowed) revealed they had to put a stop to overnighting (and ask the city for enforcement) - as they had folks sleeping in *tents* and even on the ground next to the owner's vehicles in the Wally parking lot.

Some took up extended stays..:R

.

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
Problem with truck stops is that they tend to not want to share their territory with RV-ers, so having areas to separate the CDLs from the non-commercial operators might help things.

The patrols are the expensive part. A place like this will need to have roving, armed security that would be actively looking for loiterers and bidding them adieu.

wbwood
Explorer
Explorer
paulcardoza wrote:
a.k.a Truck Stops......

mlts22 wrote:

My ideal might be to advance the concept of the rest stop. I wonder about doing the concept from scratch, pretty much a large parking lot with vending machines, 2-3 aisles for water and a dump station, maybe a pay shower or two. These would be located on otherwise empty stretches of interstate highways, and there would be a time limit for how long someone can stay. This way, it would perform the same function as a WM and keep dead tired drivers off the road... but wouldn't take business from the local CGs because of the short amount of time permitted, and if the rest stops are located a ways from towns/cities, so they can't be used as a "home base". Of course, police/security patrols are a must to enforce things.


Add a Denny's and it sounds like a Flying J...lol
Brian
2013 Thor Chateau 31L

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
California has rest stops like that. The problem is that because they are in rural areas, there isn't readily available "police/security patrols" and therefore, people take advantage of them. In addition, due to a few crazies over the years, the idea that one should stop at a rest stop in order to be safe has flipped and now it's recommended to stop off a side road somewhere in order to be safe.

There will always be those who take advantage of a situation. My thinking is that I can't change how others behave, but I can make sure MY behavior is appropriate. Maybe someone will see my behavior and catch on.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

paulcardoza
Explorer
Explorer
a.k.a Truck Stops......

mlts22 wrote:

My ideal might be to advance the concept of the rest stop. I wonder about doing the concept from scratch, pretty much a large parking lot with vending machines, 2-3 aisles for water and a dump station, maybe a pay shower or two. These would be located on otherwise empty stretches of interstate highways, and there would be a time limit for how long someone can stay. This way, it would perform the same function as a WM and keep dead tired drivers off the road... but wouldn't take business from the local CGs because of the short amount of time permitted, and if the rest stops are located a ways from towns/cities, so they can't be used as a "home base". Of course, police/security patrols are a must to enforce things.
Paul & Sandra
Plymouth, MA
2014 Heartland Cyclone 4100 King

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
I just wish this problem can be solved without more laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, orders, or other items. Every time some municipal area loses a WM because of people abusing the privilege, it hurts all of us.

Already, RV-ers are an easy target because they don't vote in that area, and finding an excuse to cite RV-ers is an easy thing to pass, as the people who do vote in that city/town/county find it an income source that doesn't affect them, or raise their taxes.

If WMs stop allowing overnighting across the board, it won't mean that CG owners will be full all the time. It will mean a cat and mouse game, with more fatalities on the highways due to driver fatigue. The DOT learned this with truckers after a lot of lives were lost.

My ideal might be to advance the concept of the rest stop. I wonder about doing the concept from scratch, pretty much a large parking lot with vending machines, 2-3 aisles for water and a dump station, maybe a pay shower or two. These would be located on otherwise empty stretches of interstate highways, and there would be a time limit for how long someone can stay. This way, it would perform the same function as a WM and keep dead tired drivers off the road... but wouldn't take business from the local CGs because of the short amount of time permitted, and if the rest stops are located a ways from towns/cities, so they can't be used as a "home base". Of course, police/security patrols are a must to enforce things.

Yes, this would take money to do, but it would be a fair compromise in pulling over to get shut-eye somewhere safe.

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
Cloud Dancer wrote:
Do any of you personally know a forum member who actually camps at a Walmart? I don't.
IMO some of us overnight at a Walmart occasionally. For me, it's very convenient do it. Etiquette,.....what etiquette? I just follow Walmart's rules. I'm a member of Escapees and FMCA, but I still just follow Walmart's rules.


Over the years on this forum there have been numerous posts of people who 'plan' their RV'ing staying/camping strictly at Walmart's.:R

So yes very sadly there ARE many RV'ers who do this and think it is appropriate. And even sadder ask what the rules are as IF it was a CG.

And those people are the reason so many Walmarts are now prohibiting over night parking for those that used their offer responsively such as in an emergency or for just a mid day rest stop.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

shakyjay
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have never had a problem with folks stopping for the night at a WalMart. As a matter of fact when I traveled alone in my van I would stop, not necessarily at WalMart, and catch a few hours of sleep. Whenever I did so i did it as far out of the way and as inconspicuously as possible. However I am recently coming to the conclusion that city ordinances banning it do have some merit. I pass by a local WalMart fairly regularly and have noticed that more and more I am seeing the same rundown campers for days on end not overnighting but closer to camping. I notice that they will be be gone for a week or two and then return again. I have seen folks with slides out taking up needed parking spaces. See some putting out chairs and using barbeques. The litter in that part of the lot is terrible. At times the parking lot starts looking more like a campground for the homeless. Granted I also see some really nice rigs with folks following the unwritten rules. Unfortunately more and more the ones using it as a campground more and more are taking over. So yes I am becoming more and more in favor of ordinances which prohibit any overnight use. Haven't reached that point of pushing for it myself but getting there. Should someone else in the area want to push the issue I most likely would not oppose it.
2007 Rockwood 8315SS
2004 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax Diesel
1999 Dodge 1500 5.9L Gas

TOMMY47
Explorer
Explorer
Overnighting is not camping.

Pogoil
Explorer
Explorer
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Wadcutter wrote:
4-5 years ago I talked to a guy in a Class C who said he had been out about 6 weeks and had only spent 2 nights in a campground. He was spending every night in Walmart parking lots. I asked him where he resupplied water and he said a lot of the larger gas stations/truck stops had water. I asked him where he dumped sewer. He said at night he would run his sewer hose in a ditch, empty his gray and black tanks then leave before daylight.
Remember this when Walmarting - If you don't support the local campgrounds then don't expect them to be there the next time you're thru the area and need a campground. If enough people Walmart the campground owners might not still be in business. You're driving a $100,000+ rig and set up. Cough up the $30 to support our hobby.


I agree with you, we have never and will never use a walmart to camp at.


X3

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
Wadcutter wrote:
4-5 years ago I talked to a guy in a Class C who said he had been out about 6 weeks and had only spent 2 nights in a campground. He was spending every night in Walmart parking lots. I asked him where he resupplied water and he said a lot of the larger gas stations/truck stops had water. I asked him where he dumped sewer. He said at night he would run his sewer hose in a ditch, empty his gray and black tanks then leave before daylight.
Remember this when Walmarting - If you don't support the local campgrounds then don't expect them to be there the next time you're thru the area and need a campground. If enough people Walmart the campground owners might not still be in business. You're driving a $100,000+ rig and set up. Cough up the $30 to support our hobby.


I'm reminded about SXSW (a music festival) here in Austin where some of the worst things I've seen regarding RV-ing are done. Full black tank and nearby storm drain? Free dump station if nobody sees it. Need water or electricity? An extension cord and hose to a nearby house is done. Street too crowded? Driveways are fair game until the popo arrives, and even then, it just means moving a block away and calling another house a CG.

As for me, if I'm passing through and just need to stop to rest, I'll Wallydock it for 3-6 hours. If I am going to be going to do things in the area, I'll hunt for a CG since it provides better security, and FHU doesn't hurt, especially in daytime in the Texas summer where A/C is a must.

Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Do any of you personally know a forum member who actually camps at a Walmart? I don't.
IMO some of us overnight at a Walmart occasionally. For me, it's very convenient do it. Etiquette,.....what etiquette? I just follow Walmart's rules. I'm a member of Escapees and FMCA, but I still just follow Walmart's rules.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat

TOMMY47
Explorer
Explorer
I've, done Walmart overnighting and casino parking lot overnighting. Feel much safer at casinos. Where allowed, usually several RVs and security comes by regularly.
Casinocamper.com will tell you all you need to know.