Community Forums

chrisgolden · 06-27-2015, 07:58 AM

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

laj · 06-27-2015, 08:05 AM

i wouldn't hesitate on any of them.
but that's just me.

traveler of california · 06-27-2015, 10:28 AM

We've used all of them, but find that rest stops have some "characters" we'd rather avoid and we do. Hospitals with large lots can be OK in a pinch.

mel s · 06-27-2015, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laj

i wouldn't hesitate on any of them.
but that's just me.

And me!

SpaceNorman · 06-27-2015, 10:51 AM

We've done the Walmart thing a couple of times ... and without any issues. In each case, it's been in relatively small towns. We've always arrived very late and left very early a few hours later. Other than getting past the idea that we're parked in a Walmart parking lot - we didn't see or hear anything that set off my "spidey senses". Our experiences in this regard have all been good so far. We appreciate the fact that there was a cheap "overnight" available to us.

I suspect that overnighting in an area that was significantly more busy (larger city, bigger "retail" zone, etc.) - would likely have made me more nervous ..or gawd forbid, the likelihood of an actual problem.

jacwjames · 06-27-2015, 11:27 AM

We've done all of the above.

Although not as abundant we've stayed at Cabelas across all the USA, they have designated areas and usually RV Dump and water available.

Also, most casino's allow parking.

Hit_the_Rhod · 06-27-2015, 11:58 AM

Camping worlds, Cracker Barrels work too!

Steve Ownby · 06-27-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisgolden

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

Hey Chris,

We have stayed in all off the above many times. As mentioned by others, Cabala is also good and Casinos maybe best of all. Many have dry camping for free and some have full hookups at a generally very good rate.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

twogypsies · 06-27-2015, 05:49 PM

We, too, liked the casinos for overnighting and a decent meal.

Cracker Barrels were definitely ruled out for a big rig. Much too crowded.

We've used all the rest, including Cabela's.

palehorse89 · 06-27-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We, too, liked the casinos for overnighting and a decent meal.

Cracker Barrels were definitely ruled out for a big rig. Much too crowded.

We've used all the rest, including Cabela's.

Remember, they all have a marked traffic lane that goes around the restaurant, semi's use this lane to go out back and deliver goods..........I have driven though some that did not have RV parking, so around the building and left. A lot of them have RV parking out back. I am thinking they list if they have RV parking on their website........

Big Oil Guy · 06-27-2015, 07:21 PM

I've been to a couple of Cracker Barrel's where even to drive around them to look at potential parking is just too tight. No way to get even a medium sized rig around through the parking lot. Thankfully, I wasn't in the MH either time, but couldn't have made it through with the MH towing. As with all places you pull into, just make sure there is a way out before you start turning that steering wheel to enter!

George Schweikle · 07-02-2015, 06:33 AM

Don't drive along depending on staying at the next cracker barrel, since the RV spaces are usually filled by cars and pick-ups

. We never stay overnight, but have had many breakfasts

, and pull into long car spaces at the outer edge of the parking lot since our rig & car trailer are too long - even if a RV space is open.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Oil Guy

I've been to a couple of Cracker Barrel's where even to drive around them to look at potential parking is just too tight. No way to get even a medium sized rig around through the parking lot. Thankfully, I wasn't in the MH either time, but couldn't have made it through with the MH towing. As with all places you pull into, just make sure there is a way out before you start turning that steering wheel to enter!

JFXG · 07-02-2015, 10:18 AM

We've stayed at several WM, Sams, Home Depot. No problems. Bear in mind though, that while very convenient, depending on the time of year they may not be "free". If it's 95* and you need a/c, running your gen for 10 hours could cost you as much as a CG with far better scenery.

Fulltiming since '12
2002 DSDP 40, FL, Cat 3126

baraff · 07-02-2015, 07:16 PM

We've stayed at Cracker Barrel several times; always our first choice for the first night out. We've never had a problem, but then we don't use their RV lanes; too short, too narrow, and usually filled with cars. We drive around near the back of the restaurant and park along a curb away from other cars. Never been a problem. Eat a decent dinner for not a lot of bucks, and feel pretty safe. The clientele generally just wants to have dinner and go home. Lot is deserted by 10:00p. Sometimes you hear some noise from the night cleaning crew or garbage trucks, but never lasts long.