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03-25-2015, 12:06 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 713
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Favorite overnight - Rest stop, truck stop, Walmart or ...?
We often travel longer distances and need to over night along the way. When we first started, we would find a campground, arrive kind of late, hook up, etc. and fall asleep. Over time (our second trip maybe?) we realized that it was costing us a lot of money and time to sleep in our own trailer for a few hours. We started staying at rest stops and truck stops instead. This has worked out great and we're pretty happy with it. Now that we're traveling further in the Class A, it's even better.
My question - what is your favorite overnight spot while traveling to your ultimate destination? I've been pretty fond of truck stops because of the availability of everything we need (gas and food) while being fairly anonymous. We've never been hassled, although truckers often ask about our dogs. We can run the generator if needed without worrying about our neighbors, and they are conveniently located.
I've stayed at one Sam's Club and a few rest stops. The Sam's Club was fine but they aren't always very convenient. Rest stops are OK also but often are in the middle of nowhere (which can be good) and don't have much for conveniences. Not all Wal-Marts and rest stops allow overnight parking either, so you have to check to make sure it's allowed.
Just curious what everyone else prefers and why?
__________________
Tim, Tara and Canyon - 'TnT' (& C now...)
2015 Thor Outlaw 37LS w/FJ Cruiser Toad
Columbia 400, 1967 Corvette, KTM 350 EXC-f, TTR 125 LE, XR50 for toys
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03-25-2015, 12:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 601
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I belong to several fraternal organizations--VFW--Moose--Eagles--American Legion. My favorite is the parking lot at a Moose lodge. You can have a cold beer, something to eat and find out what to see in the local area. I have never met an unfriendly Moose. Some lodges and VFW posts have 30 amp hookups and a faucet. Some have regular RV parks There is an online PDF file listing lodges with RV parking.
__________________
Jim and Darlene Wright
plus Ryder,Poodle and
garbage disposal cross
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03-25-2015, 12:47 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
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Casinos, truck stops, rest areas, Walmarts. These are my order of preference. Many of the small truck stops are great, just don't take up a truck spot.
Try and avoid the 24 hour Walmarts, The wife and I have come to the conclusion that the only people who frequent the 24 hour stores are people looking for the Auto Service center to have their muffler replaced.
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03-25-2015, 12:50 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Home in warm Sou Calif for the winter.
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by halfwright
I belong to several fraternal organizations--VFW--Moose--Eagles--American Legion. My favorite is the parking lot at a Moose lodge. You can have a cold beer, something to eat and find out what to see in the local area. I have never met an unfriendly Moose. Some lodges and VFW posts have 30 amp hookups and a faucet. Some have regular RV parks There is an online PDF file listing lodges with RV parking.
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We use the Elk's Lodge rv parking. Like the Moose, everything is there for you and in most cases full hookups to boot. Walk in side and get a hot meal, cold beer for minimal charge....and great conversations.
I don't think I will ever stop overnight at any non-rv facility.
Ron
__________________
Ron, Sandie and Lilly
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH 400 ISL | 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2
Roadmaster All Terrain | US Gear Unified Brake System | Pressure Pro
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03-25-2015, 01:49 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 778
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Cracker Barrel. Plenty of RV parking in back. Open at 6:00 for breakfast and back on the road.
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2009 Ventana 3933
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03-25-2015, 02:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
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some good info on this post. Keeping it for followup.
__________________
"In the game of life, I have no need for tickets on the 50-yard line, I brought my shoes, I came to play." Unknown
Don and Dale (2015 Tiffin 32 SA with 5ST, CHF, Safe-T-Plus and EEZRV TPMS) RVM106
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03-25-2015, 02:49 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,080
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What would the yearly charge be to join the Elks or the Moose. And then do they charge a nightly fee to park there ? Thanks. Russell
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03-25-2015, 03:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Home in warm Sou Calif for the winter.
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChallengerRN
What would the yearly charge be to join the Elks or the Moose. And then do they charge a nightly fee to park there ? Thanks. Russell
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Well, first off, you don't join the Elk's just for the privilege of using their rv parks....there's a whole bunch more reasons.
But to answer your question, our annual dues for the club is $95 and the annual dues for the rv club associated with the Elks is $15. Typically, a nightly rv spot will be around $10 or so.
Ron
__________________
Ron, Sandie and Lilly
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH 400 ISL | 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2
Roadmaster All Terrain | US Gear Unified Brake System | Pressure Pro
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03-25-2015, 03:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salida, Colorado
Posts: 656
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We drove from Colorado to Georgia last spring, then from Georgia to Texas, before returning to Colorado. We spent every night along the way at a Walmart, and even found many to have security patrolling the parking lots. We always go in and ask a manager, and have always been treated like a valued customer. Maybe it is due to the fact we always spend money on something!
As an important side note, we needed to take shelter due to a tornado in Dumas, TX. Luckily, we had just arrived at the new Walmart there, and we were hustled into the "safe area" in back along with many others. The roof sustained some damage, and several houses behind the store were destroyed. I know there are newer rest areas in Texas that advertise tornado shelters, so just be aware of the weather and have a plan.
Bruce
__________________
Bruce & Judy, living the dream in Salida, CO!
2005 Nat'l Dolphin W22 Chassis, 2004 Jeep Liberty
"Let's Roll 'em, Let's Roll 'em!"
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03-25-2015, 03:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,149
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We use Walmarts. Why?
1. They are everywhere, so there is always one convenient located.
2. Usually we need something and so can do our shopping without making an extra stop.
3. Tried a truck stop and found it too noisy.
__________________
Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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03-25-2015, 04:08 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 6,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Waiter21
Casinos, truck stops, rest areas, Walmarts. These are my order of preference. Many of the small truck stops are great, just don't take up a truck spot.
Try and avoid the 24 hour Walmarts, The wife and I have come to the conclusion that the only people who frequent the 24 hour stores are people looking for the Auto Service center to have their muffler replaced.
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I use these same venues:
In no particular order of preference as it depends on our needs..
1. Truck stops
2. Walmarts, but we prefer 24 hour stores for the lot security.
3. Casinos
4. Cabalas
5. Just started Harvest Hosts. Still an unknown.
6. Rest stops.
There are a few "one of"spots that you just have to find. There is a big lot at the north end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that's a great over night stop.
Steve Ownby
Full time since '07
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
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03-25-2015, 04:12 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: western NC mountains!
Posts: 4,106
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what about Malls? they have plenty of parking, especially after hours-
try to talk with security and let um know youre there to shop(in the morning)
We also use home dept, lowes, etc since they are also usually easy to find and dont seem to mind you parking since they close at 9 or 10 anyway-
also another thought - downtown city off streets after business hours, and
large corporate building parking lots after hours
we've done it all and only once have had someone stop and ask - and he was the security for the lot - he did'nt care - he actually enjoyed the chance to stop and ask us how we RV - just curious, as most people are.
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03-25-2015, 04:14 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Central Vermont
Posts: 1,485
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So far, we've only stayed at a couple of Walmarts and can't complain. We have a cross country trip planned this summer and may get to try other options.
__________________
2015 F350 XLT PSD CCSB SRW, Andersen Ultimate hitch
'12 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde Pinbox
1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps
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03-25-2015, 04:25 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 325
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