Where To Stop For Quick Overnight?

[Jack Klompus]

Originally Posted by NHRA225

Probably put your slide outs too !

I am honestly not sure what you are trying to say.

Did you know that there are various Pilot/Flying J types that ACTIVELY rent to RVers the overnight sports described by the person to which you replied?

Whether to put a slide out in these cases would seem to be an obvious thing that a thoughtful, considerate RVer could easily navigate.

For reference:

[JeffAZ]

Originally Posted by Mike-NM

I pull into the nearest Courthouse parking lot or park on the street right in front of it if there is a curb. Not once have I ever been questioned.

This is a new one for me. I have spent many nights while enroute at Walmarts, Sams Club, truck stops, Rez casinos, Cabellas, small town parks. Please expand on your Courthouse experiences. How many times? Only small towns? Only certain states? It seems to me that this location could not help but to attract the attention of curious county sheriffs and deputies.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by JeffAZ

It seems to me that this location could not help but to attract the attention of curious county sheriffs and deputies.

I've done the smaller-town courthouse thing, too, and it works well if that town has no general no-overnight-parking rule. You can check that on the internet, usually. Most don't.

Cops tend to be rule-oriented people. If you park somewhere that's not impeding traffic, and not violating a parking sign, they usually don't bother you. In one small town, the sheriff stopped by and pointed out to me that the other end of the city-services-building lot was more level.


(ETA: But, yeah, I would want to be sure my tabs were good, that I had my insurance card, etc.)

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

We have stayed at truck stops, and I can tell you the reserved spots go unused for the most part. Everybody wants the free parking spots. If you don’t pay for them they sit there empty.

I see nothing wrong with paying for a $20 spot that would sit empty if I didn’t use it.

I have tried staying at a truck stop it was so noisy I got up and started driving again.

[JeffAZ]

Originally Posted by JeffAZ

This is a new one for me. I have spent many nights while enroute at Walmarts, Sams Club, truck stops, Rez casinos, Cabellas, small town parks. Please expand on your Courthouse experiences. How many times? Only small towns? Only certain states? It seems to me that this location could not help but to attract the attention of curious county sheriffs and deputies.

Still hoping MikeNM will reply and expand on his courthouse experiences

[Marine359]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

I have tried staying at a truck stop it was so noisy I got up and started driving again.

Hospitals are quiet, and I’ve never been approached by security or police. Cemeteries are quiet too, but most are gated, and might get the heebie jeebies

[LifeSalt]

Originally Posted by Marine359

Cemeteries are quiet too, but most are gated, and might get the heebie jeebies

I bet! 😂

[LETMGROW]

I'm going to completely derail this conversation.
How many members on this forum have room enough to allow a couple fellow RV'rs to park overnight? No hook ups or dump stations but a yard where someone could park safely overnight.
We have a few campgrounds locally but they are generally filled to capacity unless you have reservations. I have a large backyard which is hard ground and I could easily park a couple large units here. Overnight, maybe a second day, not extended stays. No charge but I might not refuse it if someone wanted to throw a couple bucks to help with the tax bill on 200 acres of land.
Not saying I'm going to do this but I'm throwing out a feeler in hopes other landowner RV'rs might join in and offer their thoughts.
Seasons would be limited due to weather conditions. For EX: Memorial day to Labor Day.

[Biljol]

Letemgrow

Sign up for Boondockers welcome that’s what it’s all about.

[Msmoto]

I have a driveway which can accommodate any size RV up to about 50,000 lbs GVW, a 50 amp connection, water and dump station. This is in addition to where I park my RV. Availability is limited to when I am home and to someone with whom I have a relationship or can at least check out. Folks pulling a towed, would have to disconnect as I do not have a turn around.

Strangely enough in ten years it has been used only a couple times. Could be I am out on the road so often that it just has not worked out.

[BruceDeville]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

I'm going to completely derail this conversation.
How many members on this forum have room enough to allow a couple fellow RV'rs to park overnight? No hook ups or dump stations but a yard where someone could park safely overnight.
We have a few campgrounds locally but they are generally filled to capacity unless you have reservations. I have a large backyard which is hard ground and I could easily park a couple large units here. Overnight, maybe a second day, not extended stays. No charge but I might not refuse it if someone wanted to throw a couple bucks to help with the tax bill on 200 acres of land.
Not saying I'm going to do this but I'm throwing out a feeler in hopes other landowner RV'rs might join in and offer their thoughts.
Seasons would be limited due to weather conditions. For EX: Memorial day to Labor Day.

RV Guest?
I think it would be a great idea. Personally I have about an acre of land and room for maybe one more RV. To allow personal flexibility on where I park my RV, I have four 50 amp receptacles available.

The downside is I am retired and frequently take off on short notice, isn't that what retirement is about, no time clock to punch. So promising someone a spot would be impracticable for me.

In the right situation however I think it would be a workable deal as long as some jerk doesn't come along making "demands" for his free spot.

[SteveJ.]

Originally Posted by JeffAZ

This is a new one for me. I have spent many nights while enroute at Walmarts, Sams Club, truck stops, Rez casinos, Cabellas, small town parks. Please expand on your Courthouse experiences. How many times? Only small towns? Only certain states? It seems to me that this location could not help but to attract the attention of curious county sheriffs and deputies.

When in doubt we have contacted local LEO about overnight parking. They are most appreciative for the heads up on our intentions and also keep a protective eye on us, at least according to what we're told.

[UTTransplant]

Originally Posted by BruceDeville

RV Guest?
I think it would be a great idea. Personally I have about an acre of land and room for maybe one more RV. To allow personal flexibility on where I park my RV, I have four 50 amp receptacles available.

The downside is I am retired and frequently take off on short notice, isn't that what retirement is about, no time clock to punch. So promising someone a spot would be impracticable for me.

In the right situation however I think it would be a workable deal as long as some jerk doesn't come along making "demands" for his free spot.

You really should check out hosting through Boondockers Welcome. You can set the time limit for a stopover request to 1-2 days before they arrive so you can still take off when you want. If anyone hassles you for extras, let BW know, and they will be removed from the list. You can charge people a nominal amount for electricity if you provide it ($5-$10). You also specify the duration of stay you are willing to accept. Most are for just one night.

Another option that might work for others on the thread is Hipcamp. It is basically an AirBnB for campsites, but that needs longer term availability.

[cbr46]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

I have a large backyard which is hard ground and I could easily park a couple large units here. Overnight, maybe a second day, not extended stays.

I'd be pulling in about midnight or later. Don't think you'd want that.

Which is why Harvest Host, Boondockers Welcome, etc. don't work for me either. Heck, even the rest areas are packed by 10 pm so they're out. Many truck stops, too. Plus backing a short trailer behind a long RV into a 12x60 canyon with trucks on both sides is a special skill. I can't see the trailer unless it's crooked, and the camera is useless in the dark.

Cemetary . . . . kinda likin that one!

I've often thought about the local softball complex. Lots of room, quiet, dark, but safety could be an issue. Maybe in an affluent area but if you do it enough times eventually you're gonna have a problem.

Best,
- bob