Community Forums

Superslif · 06-07-2016, 10:30 PM

Usually it's sunset or later that we'll Wally-dock. For me it's more of a safety factor. There is that certain time you hit a brick wall while driving. Best to be safe and get some shut-eye. I have never had a problem falling asleep after driving 300-450 miles. I think when we were younger a 750 mile driving day was fine.

Mr_D · 06-07-2016, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

I guess some people dwell on semantics.

As a retired transportation engineer it's ALL in the details!

Mr_D · 06-07-2016, 10:42 PM

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Originally Posted by lonfu

boondocking is clearly not done is cities. Boondocking is not done by folks in 40 foot DP buses.

Actually it is! Look around at Quartzsite where we've spent a few weeks in our 40' Dutch Star.
Haven't done it yet with the present rig as the DW's health won't allow it.

lonfu · 06-09-2016, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif

Usually it's sunset or later that we'll Wally-dock. For me it's more of a safety factor. There is that certain time you hit a brick wall while driving. Best to be safe and get some shut-eye. I have never had a problem falling asleep after driving 300-450 miles. I think when we were younger a 750 mile driving day was fine.

When we were younger we had to make it home for job/family and such. Now, who cares. After spending 35 years driving mostly at night, I now love driving during the day so that I can see the scenery pass. I stop when I feel like it!!!! Young folks, eat your heart out!!!!

Pa Miller · 06-09-2016, 05:32 AM

A Walmart parking lot In Texas in the summertime .. no

defekticon · 06-09-2016, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonfu

So, don't put out your slides and you will be parking. Put them out and you are Glamdocking and could be ticketed. Seems like common sense to me!

No offense but some folks, myself included, can't get to certain things without the slides out. I think a much more reasonable criteria for parking vs. not parking, is putting your jacks down. I'd like to be able to get to the galley (so I can fill it up with all of those purchases I made at walmart) , and I can't do that with the slides in.

jwall62 · 06-09-2016, 08:46 PM

Wow, just wow. I didn't realize there were so many rules for stopping overnight.

Mr_D · 06-09-2016, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwall62

Wow, just wow. I didn't realize there were so many rules for stopping overnight.

This is what FMCA, Good Sam, Escapees and others go by and publish for their members to go by:

Quote:

Industry-sanctioned Code of Conduct
(RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)

1. Stay one night only!
2. Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
3. Obey posted regulations.
4. No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills.
5. Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt).
6. Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
7. Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
8. Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

nothermark · 06-10-2016, 01:17 AM

The slide issue is like awnings and lawn furniture. It's all about appearances.

I usually put ours out about 6 inches because it makes a big difference getting to the back. It is also why access to the rest of the coach with the slides in is a major issue with us when choosing a coach.

lonfu · 06-11-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defekticon

No offense but some folks, myself included, can't get to certain things without the slides out. I think a much more reasonable criteria for parking vs. not parking, is putting your jacks down. I'd like to be able to get to the galley (so I can fill it up with all of those purchases I made at walmart) , and I can't do that with the slides in.

No offense taken

Such serious discussion stuff should be only taken with popcorn

You should not put our your slides without putting your hydraulic jacks down first. Some coaches are do not have exactly balanced slides. It's not that your coach will tip over to one side, but more about keeping the frame level and as square as possible to prevent torqueing slide jambs. If you are going to buy a slide on your coach, then stay in RV parks.

I'm sorry you can reach the pancake mix in the morning and the coffee maker is hard to put water in

with the slide retracted. But, let's face it, when you put out your slide the slide cover (awning) extends to prevent direct rain penetration. So, you are putting your awnings out! To use a slide as designed, you must put down your jacks and put out your awning (slide cover) it is called overnight camping. Glamdocking, in you case!

Nothing wrong with it, but it seems to me if you can afford a 100k coach with slides then you can afford to stay at a RV Resort that has 50 amp service for you! And for Pete's sake, don't run your gen set all night

There are those of us who like to sleep with out the noise

Txice · 06-11-2016, 08:18 AM

Drove 18 wheelers b4 retired. I have no problem pulling into a truck stop and parking next to the big boys. Those Peterbilts sing me to sleep. DW has to crawl over me to sleep but I can remember when that use to be a good time

Breakfast is usually decent and although the fuel is higher it's there if you need it. If I'm really lucky I find a spot next to a reefer, double my noise pleasure. Walmart is fine, but any safe port in a storm is good. Texas has some mighty fine rest stops also. Stay safe and keep your big wheels rolling.

SpaceNorman · 06-12-2016, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJuggler

Yeah buddy, we don't like no pretenders 'round these parts

*newbie is making notes to expand his lexicon of "RV Speak"

Not only is the whole concept of hauling around a house behind you filled with a wide range of required knowledge, the vocabulary is staggering in it's extensiveness! I do hope someone is doing a proper study of this sub-culture, it's truly amazing!

While your jotting those notes down - be sure to mention that every term has at least a dozen synonyms ... and that there's an endless procession of "experts" who will argue to the death that their favorite term is the only one that's acceptable.

SpaceNorman · 06-12-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

We routinely put our slides out when we overnight at a Walmart....

We do too. Our Walmart stops are never more than overnight ... typically with an early/mid evening arrival (i.e., never earlier than 7-8 pm) and an early morning departure (usually no later than 7 am). We've yet to find ourselves in a Walmart lot that had more than just a couple of lonely RVs parked well away from the rest of the shoppers parking. Obviously, we'd reconsider opening a slide if it looked like it would cause any issues for anybody.

Our coach is 44' long ... so with the Jeep on the back we're close to 65' of combined vehicle length. This usually necessitates that we unhook the toad (so it's not sitting in the middle of the parking lot lane behind the coach. I simply pull the Jeep up on the "roadside" of the coach - and then extend the full wall slide. The Jeep "runs interference" for the extended wall slide - and we can get to the rear bathroom and bedroom dresser drawers without having to climb over the bed.

Our first couple of Walmart stops, we actually asked about putting out a slide at the Service Desk ... only to have the Walmart staffer we were speaking with look at us as though we were speaking a foreign language. Upon explanation, we got a resounding "do whatever works for you!" response. We sort of quit asking after that - and make a judgement call ourselves based how things look in the lot.

Although our roadside wall slide is likely to get extended - we don't put out awnings, grills, chairs, or anything else - and we're certain we're gone before business starts in earnest the next morning.