Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > iRV2.com COMMUNITY FORUMS > iRV2.com General Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-25-2015, 12:06 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 713
Favorite overnight - Rest stop, truck stop, Walmart or ...?

We often travel longer distances and need to over night along the way. When we first started, we would find a campground, arrive kind of late, hook up, etc. and fall asleep. Over time (our second trip maybe?) we realized that it was costing us a lot of money and time to sleep in our own trailer for a few hours. We started staying at rest stops and truck stops instead. This has worked out great and we're pretty happy with it. Now that we're traveling further in the Class A, it's even better.

My question - what is your favorite overnight spot while traveling to your ultimate destination? I've been pretty fond of truck stops because of the availability of everything we need (gas and food) while being fairly anonymous. We've never been hassled, although truckers often ask about our dogs. We can run the generator if needed without worrying about our neighbors, and they are conveniently located.

I've stayed at one Sam's Club and a few rest stops. The Sam's Club was fine but they aren't always very convenient. Rest stops are OK also but often are in the middle of nowhere (which can be good) and don't have much for conveniences. Not all Wal-Marts and rest stops allow overnight parking either, so you have to check to make sure it's allowed.

Just curious what everyone else prefers and why?
__________________
Tim, Tara and Canyon - 'TnT' (& C now...)
2015 Thor Outlaw 37LS w/FJ Cruiser Toad
Columbia 400, 1967 Corvette, KTM 350 EXC-f, TTR 125 LE, XR50 for toys
MonkeyClaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 03-25-2015, 12:42 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
halfwright's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 601
I belong to several fraternal organizations--VFW--Moose--Eagles--American Legion. My favorite is the parking lot at a Moose lodge. You can have a cold beer, something to eat and find out what to see in the local area. I have never met an unfriendly Moose. Some lodges and VFW posts have 30 amp hookups and a faucet. Some have regular RV parks There is an online PDF file listing lodges with RV parking.
__________________
Jim and Darlene Wright
plus Ryder,Poodle and
garbage disposal cross
halfwright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 12:47 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
Casinos, truck stops, rest areas, Walmarts. These are my order of preference. Many of the small truck stops are great, just don't take up a truck spot.

Try and avoid the 24 hour Walmarts, The wife and I have come to the conclusion that the only people who frequent the 24 hour stores are people looking for the Auto Service center to have their muffler replaced.
Waiter21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 12:50 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
lanerd's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Home in warm Sou Calif for the winter.
Posts: 1,401
Quote:
Originally Posted by halfwright View Post
I belong to several fraternal organizations--VFW--Moose--Eagles--American Legion. My favorite is the parking lot at a Moose lodge. You can have a cold beer, something to eat and find out what to see in the local area. I have never met an unfriendly Moose. Some lodges and VFW posts have 30 amp hookups and a faucet. Some have regular RV parks There is an online PDF file listing lodges with RV parking.
We use the Elk's Lodge rv parking. Like the Moose, everything is there for you and in most cases full hookups to boot. Walk in side and get a hot meal, cold beer for minimal charge....and great conversations.

I don't think I will ever stop overnight at any non-rv facility.

Ron
__________________
Ron, Sandie and Lilly
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH 400 ISL | 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2
Roadmaster All Terrain | US Gear Unified Brake System | Pressure Pro
lanerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 01:49 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
rodz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 778
Cracker Barrel. Plenty of RV parking in back. Open at 6:00 for breakfast and back on the road.
__________________
2009 Ventana 3933
rodz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 02:13 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Don and Dale's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
some good info on this post. Keeping it for followup.
__________________
"In the game of life, I have no need for tickets on the 50-yard line, I brought my shoes, I came to play." Unknown
Don and Dale (2015 Tiffin 32 SA with 5ST, CHF, Safe-T-Plus and EEZRV TPMS) RVM106
Don and Dale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 02:49 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
ChallengerRN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,080
What would the yearly charge be to join the Elks or the Moose. And then do they charge a nightly fee to park there ? Thanks. Russell
ChallengerRN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 03:27 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
lanerd's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Home in warm Sou Calif for the winter.
Posts: 1,401
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChallengerRN View Post
What would the yearly charge be to join the Elks or the Moose. And then do they charge a nightly fee to park there ? Thanks. Russell
Well, first off, you don't join the Elk's just for the privilege of using their rv parks....there's a whole bunch more reasons.

But to answer your question, our annual dues for the club is $95 and the annual dues for the rv club associated with the Elks is $15. Typically, a nightly rv spot will be around $10 or so.

Ron
__________________
Ron, Sandie and Lilly
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH 400 ISL | 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2
Roadmaster All Terrain | US Gear Unified Brake System | Pressure Pro
lanerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 03:27 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Firebug5's Avatar
 
National RV Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salida, Colorado
Posts: 656
We drove from Colorado to Georgia last spring, then from Georgia to Texas, before returning to Colorado. We spent every night along the way at a Walmart, and even found many to have security patrolling the parking lots. We always go in and ask a manager, and have always been treated like a valued customer. Maybe it is due to the fact we always spend money on something!

As an important side note, we needed to take shelter due to a tornado in Dumas, TX. Luckily, we had just arrived at the new Walmart there, and we were hustled into the "safe area" in back along with many others. The roof sustained some damage, and several houses behind the store were destroyed. I know there are newer rest areas in Texas that advertise tornado shelters, so just be aware of the weather and have a plan.

Bruce
__________________
Bruce & Judy, living the dream in Salida, CO!
2005 Nat'l Dolphin W22 Chassis, 2004 Jeep Liberty
"Let's Roll 'em, Let's Roll 'em!"
Firebug5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 03:39 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
MRUSA14's Avatar
 
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,094
We use Walmarts. Why?

1. They are everywhere, so there is always one convenient located.
2. Usually we need something and so can do our shopping without making an extra stop.
3. Tried a truck stop and found it too noisy.
__________________
Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
MRUSA14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 04:08 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Steve Ownby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 6,587
Quote:
Originally Posted by Waiter21 View Post
Casinos, truck stops, rest areas, Walmarts. These are my order of preference. Many of the small truck stops are great, just don't take up a truck spot.

Try and avoid the 24 hour Walmarts, The wife and I have come to the conclusion that the only people who frequent the 24 hour stores are people looking for the Auto Service center to have their muffler replaced.

I use these same venues:
In no particular order of preference as it depends on our needs..
1. Truck stops
2. Walmarts, but we prefer 24 hour stores for the lot security.
3. Casinos
4. Cabalas
5. Just started Harvest Hosts. Still an unknown.
6. Rest stops.

There are a few "one of"spots that you just have to find. There is a big lot at the north end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that's a great over night stop.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
Steve Ownby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 04:12 PM   #12
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: western NC mountains!
Posts: 4,106
what about Malls? they have plenty of parking, especially after hours-
try to talk with security and let um know youre there to shop(in the morning)
We also use home dept, lowes, etc since they are also usually easy to find and dont seem to mind you parking since they close at 9 or 10 anyway-
also another thought - downtown city off streets after business hours, and
large corporate building parking lots after hours

we've done it all and only once have had someone stop and ask - and he was the security for the lot - he did'nt care - he actually enjoyed the chance to stop and ask us how we RV - just curious, as most people are.
MisterT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 04:14 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Central Vermont
Posts: 1,485
So far, we've only stayed at a couple of Walmarts and can't complain. We have a cross country trip planned this summer and may get to try other options.
__________________
2015 F350 XLT PSD CCSB SRW, Andersen Ultimate hitch
'12 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde Pinbox
1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps
SkiSmuggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2015, 04:25 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
bearaboo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 325
Great website for info:

http://www.overnightrvparking.com
bearaboo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rest Area or Truck Stop along 84 in NY or CT M2D Navigation, Routes & Roads 5 01-04-2015 06:25 PM
Rest Stop Beggars Larry & Rita iRV2.com General Discussion 117 10-14-2013 03:41 PM
Walmart overnight Alan24601 Just Conversation 9 08-21-2013 09:30 PM
Slides Out in Rest Area or Walmart? Rich-n-Linda Class A Motorhome Discussions 65 07-27-2013 10:00 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.