A couple of weeks ago, we pulled into a truck stop for dinner. We pulled closed the cab shades so the dog would not spend his time barking at 'intruders'. When we returned after dinner, we found a Nasty-gram stuck to the door that stated that overnight parking was not allowed and our RV was subject to being towed. I would not be surprised if the RV was towed while we were at dinner, because this part of the world is littered with contracted towing companies that will impound vehicles if you violate posted parking rules or if you are late by even a minute for paid parking. On one occasion in another city, I got back to my car with just a minute to spare on prepaid parking. While waiting for the rest of my party, I saw a tow truck hitch up to a car just seconds after the top of the hour. It looked like that car was chosen because it was parked in a spot that made the process quick and easy. I don't doubt that the tow truck made a return call soon after.
The Walmart just down the block from my house usually has a handful of trucks either taking a break or stopping for a longer stretch when they run out of hours. This is the way it started out when Sam Walton was still around. The majority of the 'overnight' campers are essentially homeless people that are one step up from living in a cardboard box. It is that bad. To avoid problems, they will move to another Walmart in their rotation.
Other than using any private business parking for a rest stop, extended stays are 'Low Rent'. I share this opinion with lots of people. Personally I have spent more on RVs and the associated expenses over the years than on houses. If I can afford to do that, then at least I can plan to stay at a place intended for RVs. Again, an opinion. Now, I do not discount that despite a flight plan, things don't work out and you have to make an emergency landing. And, I suppose that means a Walmart Parking lot. But, including Walmart in your travel plans is again, "Low Rent." During blizzard conditions in central Pennsylvania, we had to get off the road and spent the night in a shopping center lot out of the way, moving once to allow for plowing during the night. Other times, it is rest stops that have posted hours or truck stops. Maybe the homocide that occurred at the nearby Walmart is yet another reason that even during broad daylight I look over my shoulder when I go there.
If you look close enough you can find places that are free or inexpensive. As an example, in California it was getting late and we just could not go on. My wife found a county park that had a number of spaces with no hookups. Very nice and just a few bucks and seniors get a discount as well. To save even more money, there is a parking lot used for day use, boat trailers and transient campers. There is a dump station and clean water for registered campers. The campground is patrolled by the county sheriff at night. These sort of places are not that hard to find even at 10 PM if you just look. It sure beats Walmart all to heck. In my book, if Walmart is where you just have to be, then that's the way it is. I just won't put it in my itinerary.
I just happened to see this when I did a search for the subject of overnights in parking lots. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? It sound like a good idea. I could provide water, 30 Amp electric and a dog run at my house, but I think if I suggested that to my wife, that would start something.
https://www.boondockerswelcome.com
Steve
