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Old 07-02-2015, 07:28 PM   #15
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Not to pick an argument with those who like to stay in such places, but when I traveled for business I never once slept in a airport. Now that I only travel for my pleasure I don't sleep in parking lots. In our typical ~350 mile day, our MH burns ~$150 of fuel (at today's prices); I figure that I can afford the $30-40 to spend the night at an RV park or other campground.

It's usually not that difficult to find one within a couple of miles of the interstate. We usually try to stop driving no later than 4pm. If we stayed in a parking lot at that hour there would be no place to walk around or to sit and enjoy the evening.

Most likely those who like to stay in parking lots drive a lot longer day than we do and then pull in for the night. I guess that can make sense if you have a limited time for vacation, even though we never did that even when we both worked and did have limited vacation time.

Those who like to overnight at Walmart and elsewhere should continue to do so, but I wanted to make sure the OP realizes that is only one segment of RVers who do that.
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Old 07-02-2015, 07:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Not to pick an argument with those who like to stay in such places, but when I traveled for business I never once slept in a airport. Now that I only travel for my pleasure I don't sleep in parking lots. In our typical ~350 mile day, our MH burns ~$150 of fuel (at today's prices); I figure that I can afford the $30-40 to spend the night at an RV park or other campground.

It's usually not that difficult to find one within a couple of miles of the interstate. We usually try to stop driving no later than 4pm. If we stayed in a parking lot at that hour there would be no place to walk around or to sit and enjoy the evening.

Most likely those who like to stay in parking lots drive a lot longer day than we do and then pull in for the night. I guess that can make sense if you have a limited time for vacation, even though we never did that even when we both worked and did have limited vacation time.

Those who like to overnight at Walmart and elsewhere should continue to do so, but I wanted to make sure the OP realizes that is only one segment of RVers who do that.
We do the same.

Since we travel with our 4 legged kids we stop early so they can get some exercise. Usually a CG will have pet walking areas and some even have enclosed off leash areas for them to play.

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Old 07-02-2015, 10:07 PM   #17
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Other places to stay include clubs you maybe a member of like the Elks Lodge, Eagles, etc. There are a lot of churches that will let you stay in their parking lot overnight as long as it isn't a Saturday night. Need the parking lot for Sunday service.
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Old 07-02-2015, 10:25 PM   #18
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We do it quite often as we travel long and hard and don't need the amenities that a park offers. We have the $$ to stay pretty much anywhere we want plus we paid many 1,000's of $$ to have a self contained rig that doesn't need to hook up every night. (And yet some will say we're "cheap" for not paying to sleep somewhere every night) As of yet, I'm not totally retired (again) so don't have a lot of time to get where we're going. We'll usually Wallydock for two nights and then the third we'll find a park if we haven't reached our destination.
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Old 07-03-2015, 03:27 AM   #19
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When on the road we prefer Walmart lots as they're well lit, have security cameras plus some have security guards themselves. There are always other RVers and people about all night long. They're almost all close to the Interstates. We also like that we can go in and get a fresh Rotisserie chicken with potato salad and Cole slaw for dinner. You can't get anything in a CG for dinner and who wants to cook after being on the road all day? I know we don't. We paid for these self-contained rigs so why pay a CG $25 and up to rest a few hours and sleep?

Truck Stops are second choice - Rest Areas last.

Most Cracker Barrel stores have cramped lots.
Most Camping Worlds have locked gates at night

One night in on the road we spent in a Hosp lot. Another in the lot of a closed for the night diner. Another in a wide spot, a pull-off of some kind alongside the road (NM). That's the freedom of having an RV.
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Old 07-03-2015, 08:17 AM   #20
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Hi Everyone !

As A " NEWBEE "..... We were wondering, Where are Fairly safe places to stop overnight, while traveling ??? I see RV'S at the following spots.

Walmart
Sam's
Truck Stops
Some TIMES... Rest Areas.

THANK YOU !!!
Chris Anderson

Chris, we try to always use Wal-Mart or Sams when possible. I don't trust the truck stops and rest areas!
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Old 07-03-2015, 09:21 AM   #21
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We've done all but campgrounds, for overnight rest.
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Old 07-03-2015, 02:21 PM   #22
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Overnight stops

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Chris, we try to always use Wal-Mart or Sams when possible. I don't trust the truck stops and rest areas!
Agree wholeheartedly on the rest areas, but we like to overnight at truck stops, especially the Flying Js that have a Denny's restaurant. Few people like to bother truckers--they tend to be rather well self-protected--so we find it a pretty quiet place to spend the night. Also, because the truckers are coming and going all hours of the night, it seems not many miscreants want to hang out to try to do mischief. Too easy to be spotted and dealt with.
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Old 07-04-2015, 10:45 AM   #23
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We have stayed at Wal-Marts well over 100 times without any problems. It is what it is. Not really camping, but just over nighting, It isn't about saving a lot of money. It (to me) is about easy in easy out. We do it when going from point A to point B, usually don't even unhook the toad. Go in and shop, Follow all of the rules. Frequently we can walk to a dinner spot, paid for by the savings. We save about an hour over a campground. We once had to drive back from Northern Maine to Central Florida for a medical emergency for a family member and Wal-Mart was a real winner. As far as safety, we have not had a problem. I keep a weapon in the coach for protection, but never had to take it out.
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Old 07-06-2015, 07:04 PM   #24
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Anyone ever have truck drivers get mad when you park in a truck spot in truckstop or rest area?
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Old 07-06-2015, 07:42 PM   #25
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Anyone ever have truck drivers get mad when you park in a truck spot in truckstop or rest area?
Most truck stops and rest areas have signs that say "trucks and rv's" this way, so this truck driver does not get mad when he sees an rv in one of those spots. Most of the time I get jealous.
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Old 07-06-2015, 08:00 PM   #26
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I prefer truck stops over other places, with Sam's Club next highest on the list. I've never done a Wal-Mart or other big store (Cabellas, Home Depot, etc.). Never had issues at rest stops either. The only time I or my wife has ever been hassled was at a 'travel plaza' on a reservation. Someone was asking for some money for gas money but my wife told them no. They got a look at our dogs and headed out.

I don't know why a trucker would be upset by an RV driver taking up a spot. I've heard people say they were worried but I've only had good interactions with truckers. They mostly want to say hi to the dogs. No issues with the travel trailer or the motor home + toad.
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Old 07-06-2015, 08:06 PM   #27
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Safety and Security for Overnight stopping

Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisgolden View Post
Hi Everyone !



As A " NEWBEE "..... We were wondering, Where are Fairly safe places to stop overnight, while traveling ??? I see RV'S at the following spots.



Walmart

Sam's

Truck Stops

Some TIMES... Rest Areas.



THANK YOU !!!

Chris Anderson

Yes, I have stayed at those.

I have spent many nights at a Flying J for free, get breakfast, get gas (RV lanes make it nice), get propane, use the dump station, park for lunch, they are usually an easy ingress and egress, if you get their card in combination with a Good Sam's membership, you get 6 cents off at the pump.


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Old 07-06-2015, 08:11 PM   #28
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At a few rest areas and Wal*Marts they have pull through handicapped sites. At one rest area the HC spot was the only one left and a trucker had to keep going so I took it as I'm legally allowed to. Yes, the DW and I both have HC permits. Me due to long standing MS and her due to what we now know is liver cancer.

Some truckers do seem to have the attitude that they pay more road/fuel taxes so the rest areas "belong" to them. So, we leave the rest areas to them whenever possible.
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