Sleeping Overnight at Flying J's

[berreez]

We are getting ready to make our way from MO to Fort Jackson, SC. Going to stop one night at an RV park but planning on two other nights at Flying J’s just to sleep.
I want to run my generator while we sleep. So I bought an additional CO monitor and Gen-turi exhaust system. I know to leave a window or vent open to supply fresh air.
I know truckers run their engines while they sleep so why can’t we?
So any tips?

[StarkNaked]

Reflex439 wrote:
I use overnight parking wherever allowed when I'm traveling. I use campgrounds when I camp. Traveling and camping are two different things.

Best comment so far! There is a big difference between these two things.

[mr__ed]

Don't forget about Wallydocking at a Walmart store. They are usually amenable to letting RVers stay overnight. Call ahead first, if possible, since a very few stores don't allow parking of RV's overnight, thanks to abuse by some RVers.
I've found that even those WM's that state they don't allow overnight parking, will often let you stay if you talk to the manager. Let them know you plan to shop there.

Apologies to those posters who already mentioned Walmart. I didn't read all of the posts at first.

[BCSnob]

Ones attitude on sleeping in parking lots (flying j, Walmart, cabellas, etc) vs staying at campgrounds is frequently dependent upon how many hrs you need to drive each day to get from point a to b. If you only need to drive 5-6hrs each day you want someplace nice to spend your nondriving time. If you need to put in 10 or more hrs driving you just want to find a place to stop and sleep without the time and effort needed for a campground.

[BigRabbitMan]

KialaItaly wrote:
Do you know number of rules (law) that not allowed overnight parking out of campsite? (federal law, not state law)
Thank you

There are none. Are you coming to the USA?

[KialaItaly]

Do you know number of rules (law) that not allowed overnight parking out of campsite? (federal law, not state law)
Thank you

[jake2250]

I gotta say,when I was driving over the road thirty five years ago, Trucks would idle at night to keep the A/C going or the heater going.
As of the last ten years here in CA, you just don't see or hear that as much.
Allot of large trucking firms do not allow excessive idling. It wastes fuel and creates pollution.
You will notice that the big truck stops,Flying J,T/A, Loves,etc have window units that you rent. They provide radio/satellite music,110v power,A/c and heat, some provide internet and cable or satellite TV.
These were just coming on line before I retired and I have used them a few times, Once in Arizona and a couple of times in Southern CA, Matter of fact, If I submitted a receipt to the company,I would get reimbursed for it.

Also,, for the Refers (Refrigerated Trailers) These places had designated parking areas away from general population to keep noise down.
The four large truck plaza's I would stop at in the Los Angeles area also had designated RV areas, away from the refers and closer to the store, some even provided rental 110v/30amp service and I know of one plaza that you could rent cable TV/Internet and they had a clean nice dump station! Plus the store was huge and had allot of amenities. Showers,movies,bowling,arcade, and the one in AZ had a children's play area..
So pick your truck stop wisely,, they have found out that America is traveling and have reached out to every travel mode!! Its a huge money maker!!

[DallasSteve]

I found a solution I like to keep out the light when I'm asleep, but it will set you back almost $3:

Hi-tech light eliminator

[NYCgrrl]

In planning our continental tour the occasional stop at Flying J's, WM, etc. are anticipated. No biggie from my POV if we'll get to our ultimate destination faster and by pass the areas that don't interest us. Still don't know our overall length (haven't picked out our TV yet) but it'll certainly be less than 30'.

[Reflex439]

When I first read this, it didn’t seem confrontational at all, just people offering their different experiences. When I saw the post about this topic becoming confrontational, I re-read the posts to see if I missed it.

Depending on how I read this, starting with the assumption it was friendly, or the assumption being confrontational, I can see it works both ways. That’s one of the issues with the written word vs face to face conversations. We miss all the nuances that set the tone 😞

[austinjenna]

As usual, threads on this topic turn confrontational! Why can't everyone simply accept that some people will have no trouble catching a few ZZZ's at the truck stop, while others won't sleep a wink?

^^Best reply

[tomman58]

Atlee wrote:
Nothing wrong with it, if you want to waste money.

Why pay for a night at a campground when all you need is a few hours sleep.

When I'm at my destination, I use campgrounds. When in route and need a few hours sleep, I stop at what every place will let me stay.

I pull in, get something to eat, sleep, and back on the road by 6 am.

Dick_B wrote:
Some highway rest areas allow overnighting or possibly Weigh Stations. What's wrong with staying at a campground?

Personally, We always find a campground. Normally not far off the interstate or at a casino park. Then again we are retired and really don't need to get to a vacation destination. We go from state to state and have places in those states we really do not want to be, so we press on. After many trips across the US we have been there done that and have our favorite sites of little money and great areas.

[paulcardoza]

As usual, threads on this topic turn confrontational! Why can't everyone simply accept that some people will have no trouble catching a few ZZZ's at the truck stop, while others won't sleep a wink?

What's the big deal that brings out the tough guys?

[Atlee]

Nothing wrong with it, if you want to waste money.

Why pay for a night at a campground when all you need is a few hours sleep.

When I'm at my destination, I use campgrounds. When in route and need a few hours sleep, I stop at what every place will let me stay.

I pull in, get something to eat, sleep, and back on the road by 6 am.

Dick_B wrote:
Some highway rest areas allow overnighting or possibly Weigh Stations. What's wrong with staying at a campground?

[MudChucker]

Oddly enough, the sound of semi truck tires on a hot road as they Doppler shift passed the RV and the sound of a Jake brake in the distance combined with the low roar of a heavy hauler pulling a grade are like a lullaby for me. I love overnighting in an off highway pull out... Often right next to the no over night camping sign which always seem to mark the best spot to park and rest.