Cracker Barrel Overnight Parking

[Sbarker105]

I have heard about being able to stay overnight in some Cracker Barrels and Walmarts, etc. and wanted to know if it is ok to open at least one side of slides? We have a large class A motorhome and can't really access our bedroom very well without a slide out. What is the protocol for this and is it ok? Thanks in advance!

[twogypsies]

We found at WalMart if you park on the outside perimeter with the slide overhanging the empty space it's just fine. However, parking in the middle of the parking lot could be dangerous for people walking who aren't used to a slide being there or cars driving next to it. Also, parking in the middle there's a possibility of runaway carts hitting your RV.

We haven't had good luck at Cracker Barrels. Their parking spaces are for customers and usually there's no way to park on the outside perimeter. Their lots aren't always large enough for RVs to take up the space.

[SomeDay]

We do this type of O/N's a lot on our journeys to our destinations. If we are able to park on the perimeter and slide is over a gravelled or grassed area we put out partially if not fully. If we feel the slide would be exposed to being potentially hit by another vehicle or someone walking into it, then we keep it in.

Just use your discretion at each and every spot. Remember you can also check on Google Earth as to what the state of play is before you arrive at many places regarding O/N parking opportunities assuming business and city ordinance says OK to do so.

[Gigattime]

Many will say no, but I agree with the responses so far....if you are on the perimeter, not an issue. Also, if you come in later in the evening and leave earlier in the morning (ex. 8:00 or 9:00) hasn't been an issue for us. Use your discretion and you'll be fine IMHO.

Safe travels.

[2cyber71]

I don’t do Crackle Barrel or Walmarts
I might stay overnight in a Flying J, Loves, or Iowa 80 Truck stop.
But that’s it.

[BYoshida]

Don't do slides unless you are in a campground.
It's giving rvers that like to just pull over for a few hours sleep a bad name. You need a different RV if you want to travel that way.

[mricet1005]

Most Cracker Barrel parking lights are too small/ tight for big rigs. When I had my 41ft DP I only found 1 that I fit in. Now I have a 25 ft Class C and stay in them more frequently. I don’t put out my slide since my rig is fully usable with slide retracted. If you must open the slide park on outside edge so slide hangs over the grass.

[momdoc]

We have only done it a couple of times and use the perimeter so we can open one side.

[Nwcid]

Do what you need to do to operate and live in your RV.

With that said, be mindful/respectful of others property. I know slides are an often debated subject. The best way I can put it is in this context, are you impacting the business in any negative way? Are you parked diagonally, across 20 parking spaces in the front row with all of your slides out? Not ok, don't be "that guy". Are you parked in a manner to have minimal impact or no impact on the business and have your slides out? No problem at all.

Like most things in life there is no absolutely ok/not ok. Most of these things are situational.

Just wait until you ask about running your generator...... Apparently I am the rudest person every when I run my generator overnight boondocking because of all the other people that are disturbed by it. Somehow it does not mater that there is no one within miles that would even hear, it is "always" rude......

[les.warden]

What I’ve been doing since we’ve had this 40’ DP rig (2017). PS slides come out about half the distance as the DS slides. Have only boondocked overnight at WallyWorlds. I always find a place on the perimeter furthest away from the people. Park with the PS towards the curb. Once situated and out of the way, I (now waiting for the [emoji33]) drop the jacks, and extend the 2 PS slides. The generator AGS is enabled and it will kick on, usually right before bedtime. The charge will last all night no no generator in the nighttime. We usually do overnight campgrounds, but this periodic parking lot docking since 2017 has worked for us, and hopefully, has been least intrusive to anyone else.

[caninecop]

Originally Posted by mricet1005

Most Cracker Barrel parking lights are too small/ tight for big rigs. When I had my 41ft DP I only found 1 that I fit in. Now I have a 25 ft Class C and stay in them more frequently. I don’t put out my slide since my rig is fully usable with slide retracted. If you must open the slide park on outside edge so slide hangs over the grass.

I agree that the parking spaces at Cracker Barrel are too small, we have not found any on our trips that we can fit in towing the jeep.

[john4455]

We have never used Walmart or Cracker Barrel yet we are heading to Yellowstone and thinking of Cracker Barrel on the way out and back for two times. My wife suggested we call ahead to confirm an individual store allows it. Do we need to call ahead?

Thanks, John

[Nwcid]

Originally Posted by john4455

We have never used Walmart or Cracker Barrel yet we are heading to Yellowstone and thinking of Cracker Barrel on the way out and back for two times. My wife suggested we call ahead to confirm an individual store allows it. Do we need to call ahead?

Thanks, John

You do not need to call ahead, but unless you are sure they have RV parking I would find out. You might be able to look online.

Also they are first come first serve so I would have a back up plan. I have only been to a few CB and those ones only had a couple of spaces. These spaces were just long painted parking areas in the normal parking lot.

Also make sure you can get in and out of their parking lot. Are you sure their spaces are long enough for you? Looking at a satellite map really helps. The closest one to us might accommodate 45' total length and has 3 spots. I can not get in or out of their spots and even if I could they are too short. We park on the street when we eat there, have never overnighted there.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by les.warden

I (now waiting for the [emoji33]) drop the jacks, .....

You guessed right.... no jacks on hot blacktop. Have you ever seen the damage they can cause?