Walmart's Parking

[Kent and Sharon]

My only comment is the biggest group opposed to "Wal Mart" camping is the campground owners. Well, if the campground owners would recognize the economic condition we're in and not charge $30+ for an overnight spot that most of the time is so-so at best, then people wouldn't use Wal Mart. When the cost of an overnight stay at a campground approaches a motel stay, well enough said.

[Kent and Sharon]

By the way, a lot of this discussion has gotten a little rough. I'll quote a famous line " It's the economy stupid"

[georgetown350]

Originally Posted by Route 66

Some of these posts are getting personal, which is not permitted by iRV2's rules.

Lets get away from that.

Thanks!

Do you mean when some one calls you a freeloader or when some one tells you to mind your own business or both?

[Route 66]

Do you mean when some one calls you a freeloader or when some one tells you to mind your own business or both?

All of the above.

From our rules;

Do not engage in personal attacks. Challenge others' points of view and opinions, but do so respectfully and thoughtfully. Sarcasm, belligerence, insults, profanity, extreme anger, offensive comments about race, gender, sexual orientation,and national origin are not acceptable.

We take the "be nice" rule VERY seriously! We do not tolerate ANY rudeness. If we feel the guidelines are violated we may remove, edit or delete posts and if necessary restrict or remove account access.

[Tom N]

[WilleyB]

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

WELL, if you were doing pretty much all the same things there in your RV you would in a formal CG, I'd say it was camping...

The name doesn't change just because the asphalt does....

Well I certainly wouldn't disagree with that statement, but I don't see where it involves me. Camping in my opinion would be in a secluded area close to where I could do a little fishing or swimming (and not in a chlorinated pool). Also it would rarely if ever include asphalt other than getting to the area. We'd have our three meals there enjoy the sunsets and a little campfire. Guess most people here would call it boon docking.
Now in a parking lot, evening time I park, have a meal, a little chat with DW do a little shopping then sleep. After sleep and breakfast we're on the road again. I sure don't call that camping.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

BUT in my case, it's a image thing - when I see an old - or new RV - setup for an overnight or longer stay in an area clearly NOT designed or intended for that purpose, I feel it's tacky, makes RVers appear to be cheapskate freeloaders, and since *I* too am a RVer, I feel that reflects upon me as well - which by my personal view, MAKES it "my business" too!

Gary you are certainly entitled to your opinion (considered to be right or wrong as in others personal opinions) and you are entitled to express them as others are allowed to express theirs. However when you feel that the actions of others do reflect on your image, IMHO you should get help. Keep in mind a personal view is just that and does not give any right to interfere with another unless they are breaking a law.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

And I won' even get into the MANY reported abuses done by RVers on various parking lots that further damage non-RVing public opinions and viewpoints of our lifestyle....

Touche' and I won't get into all the reported transgressions in camp grounds that are reported here on the forums
Actually I've heard about a lot of abuses as told by the campground owners association, however there is no record of these supposed abuses which carry a hefty fine and require a Haz Mat crew for clean up. No problem debunking all those claims.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

I personally choose to pay ALL my own way in this RVing lifestyle I have chosen - and IF and WHEN my finances and/or unwillingness to plan my travels properly require me to start doing MY camping on a retail business parking lot, my rig will be up for sale!

Well now speaking only for myself, I can't see where anyone has paid my way, no free gas just free parking. My finances are holding their own and I do plan our trips carefully and like you with my own interests in mind. Future trips will be planned more carefully without the GPS in mind. We bought our little rig in the Fall of 2005. It was not purchased for camping, it has not been in a campground since we got it and there are no plans for it to be in a campground in the future.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

Human nature is a funny thing at times (yeah, mine too!) - but I'd bet that most, if not ALL of the dedicated "Walmart Campers" here have at one or more times sat around the campfire - or similar gathering - and when the discussion rolls around to politics and Socialism, will gripe loud and long about our "welfare state/nation" - and the high percentage of "freeloaders" taking advantage of the system.

Well yes human nature can be funny. I don't consider myself a Wal Mart camper (but to each his own) In regard to the type of campfire you describe, naw! that's not for me (see my previous comments this post)

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

BUT, after all, welfare, unemployment compensation, food stamps, housing supplements, medical care - and lots more. were PAID FOR, and EARNED by most benefiting from those "handouts". Those benefits were freely available, publicly offered, and there for the free taking by those choosing to take advantage of them.

You know much like the "free benefit" of parking overnight at Walmart...

SO, Walmart campers, think about that next time you feel like griping about our "welfare society" - you just might be on the same team...

"Welfare" takes MANY different forms...

Thanks to the 2 posters quoted above - I personally enjoy a spirited discussion, free of personal references and abuse. Opinions will, and DO vary - but consideration and courtesy doesn't!

CHEERS!
.

Hmmm! funny the City of Calgary said I was parking, even confirmed by the parking authority.
Anyway with regard to the Welfare, you're a bit off base there. True I'm in a different country and Welfare is a safety net that's available to all, even non residents. It has saved a lot of families and others who were down on their luck allowing them to rebound in the future with some pride and self worth left. True there are those who abuse it and they get away with it for awhile up until they have to pay it back.
Thankfully I never had to use it nor will I need it in the future, (I can pay my own way) but I know persons who got a second chance saved the family unit, the children were not deprived (that's the important thing) so I guess I wouldn't be welcome at those campground type campfires anyway

Cheers
Willey

[tnau]

Wow, someone needs to spend time around a campfire with no wifi.

I just stayed two nights at separate Walmarts about 500 miles apart. I spent more per night there than I did in the full hook up campground I was headed to and had to use my own power for coffee.

Hey, I also stayed in a lot adjacent to Sam's Town in Shreveport, LA, does that make me a free loader? (camper?) They didn't have a shower, but I got taken to the cleaners.

Terry

[WilleyB]

Wow, someone needs to spend time around a campfire with no wifi.

Huh! you talking bout me?

Got no wifi either Our little home away from home is pretty basic and each year we make it a little more convenient and other than gas, groceries, potable water and the occasional dump site we are self contained. We do get a few campfire nights when at our destinations. Since it's always folks we haven't seen in awhile there's no shortage of pleasant topics or recalling the good time of the past. Being tone deaf I don't bother with a HiFi either.
Just our thing in life and we're happy with what we're doing.

Cheers
Willey

[Abnmarine]

My wife and I drove down this past weekend from VA to SC and then back to trade in our Class C and pick up our Class A. We stopped on the way down in a Walmart lot for 4 hrs and then in a rest stop on the way back for 8 hrs. No issues either. We were needing to get home before noon on Sunday and this was just convenient.

[ruby2sday]

I love stopping at WalMart. It is interesting to see what kind of products are showcased. All are different and show the interests of that part of the country. As far as staying overnight, if Walmart doesn't care, I don't see what business it is of anyone else. If we are on the road, I'm not about to wind around on two lane roads to get to a "family destination" rv park with put-put golf, bounce platforms, swiming pool and the such, when all I want to do is sleep for a couple of hours. If that chaps someones hide, then so be it. I will find a wide spot in the road, truck stop or rest area before I will pay. When I get to my destination, then I pay whatever the going rate is for what I choose. I don't think that makes me a "freeloader" it makes me a smart shopper. I won't pay for something I don't want or need.

[WilleyB]

We stopped on the way down in a Walmart lot for 4 hrs and then in a rest stop on the way back for 8 hrs.

Now I find this very interesting, it opens another aspect to the Overnight and Camping controversy. "Resting"
At the WM and at the rest stop, in your honest opinion were you Camping or Resting or just parked?

Cheers
Willey

[depchief]

As I read the mountains of information in the preceeding pages I see the general feeling is 50/50 for Walmart parking.
I will stay at Walmart and Flying J, have done so on many ocasions.
I try to park at Walmart in a secluded place set so that I can extend the bedroom slide hopefully over a planted area. At Flying J it is take what is available. Generally no slide oportunities.
What really gets to me is the set up, at both, that have slides out, awnings open, grilles and chairs set up.
Recently we stopped for gas at a Flyinh J and figured we would have a snack. I pulled from the pumps and went to the RV parking area. What a mess, they parked in the Fire Lane and in the area designated as the drive thru section to exit the parking lot. Once commited with the Toad, I was not happy. I got out and banged on some doors and asked for them to move and came very close to calling the police to ticket the fire lane violations. Inconsideration of others is something I cannot understand. When parking think ahead, you are not the only ones using the areas.

[WilleyB]

ruby2sday, your post pretty well covers most of the feelings and thoughts of all parking lot overnighters.
Myself being an old codger, I do at least an 8 hour sleep. Even though the rig is small it does weigh in at over 5 tons and I don't want to be the cause of an accident or someone's death.

if Walmart doesn't care, I don't see what business it is of anyone else.

In most cases, I find that WM does care, they want you to stay and hope you will visit the store
In fact at a WM in Sault Ste. Marie Can. where there was a "no RV overnight parking sign" I asked anyway. The manager said the sign was erected because of the city by-law. The by-law also stated that the manager should notify the authorities if the by-law was being violated. The manager assured me that he or the store would never inform the authorities of a violation and it was OK to stay overnight.
A lot of these stupid property by-laws infringing on personal rights are unconstitutional and if pushed into court would be declared so. Yep! almost got to court but legal opinion was all that was necessary for the signs to come down.
We have overnighted under a lot (yes many) of those ridiculous signs, and I haven't been bothered; Towed or fined yet, and if I do it goes to court.

Don't have the time now, have to go shopping at our friend Wal Mart but will continue tonight, (If the thread isn't locked )
Cheers
Willey

[Ken-55]

Originally Posted by WilleyB

Now I find this very interesting, it opens another aspect to the Overnight and Camping controversy. "Resting"
At the WM and at the rest stop, in your honest opinion were you Camping or Resting or just parked?

Cheers
Willey

Twice this summer, headed home, less than 2 hours from the stick house I found myself getting drowsy. I pulled into a state rest area, climbed in back and took a half hour to hour catnap . . . then got back on the road, a safer, more alert driver.

Silly me, I didn't realize that I had been "camping"!