Community Forums

fleamarketer · 10-08-2007, 01:37 PM

Rusty,
We can all be painted with the same brush only from a distance.It is truely up to each one of us to approach people to let them learn what we are about and disband the paint brush outlook.Not for nothing.

Retired and Happy · 10-08-2007, 03:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by doc:
Not trying to hijack the thread, but if any of you guys are in the NE Georgia area and need a place to overnite, we can supply water and 30 amp electric. Much safer and quieter than Wally World - and we don't expect you to shop with us.

Should have sewer dump in next spring along with water at the hookup site. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Re: Doc's invitation... Doc, you must have more water up there than we do here in the Atlanta area where they're talking about rationing.

Things have got to get better around here...waterwise.

Izzyblueye · 10-08-2007, 03:56 PM

I think while we all have good intentions of trying to foster proper etiquette of Rvers in free and convenient parking areas. We must remember the management and policing of those facilities is the sole discretion of the owner/management of those facilities. I personally have never stayed in a Wal-Mart facility overnight. I have though seen what you all have seen. It is Wal-Mart's call. They do not have a reputation for being pushed around.

Tom N · 10-08-2007, 05:55 PM

A photo op!

I didn't park here for the night. I moved over to where I took this photo.

-Tom

paz · 10-09-2007, 03:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Homer:
...We must remember the management and policing of those facilities is the sole discretion of the owner/management of those facilities...It is Wal-Mart's call. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Unfortunately, that's not always the case. If enough people complain to the town council (and many times it will be the local campground owners association that does the complaining), the town can pass an ordinance which overrides a manager's generous overnight policies and prohibits ALL overnight parking.

I'm with you - we have never stayed overnight at Wal-Mart. But it's nice to know the option is there in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Those who abuse the privilege can ruin things for others.

Tom N · 10-09-2007, 05:28 AM

For those that object to parking at Walmart I would like to ask where do you park when the campgrounds are closed for the season?

Here in PA the vast majority of campgrounds are closed for 5 - 6 months a year. Even going south for the winter requires a stopping over spot for at least one night.

-Tom

Frank P. Martin · 10-09-2007, 08:51 AM

Motels work, Tom.

I've never stayed at one with my TT but I did stay overnight at motels a couple of times with my pop-up when there was no campground nearby or I wanted to save time by not having to set up/breakdown.

We have a Spring Hill Suites near our home and I often see class A's parked in the lot.

Izzyblueye · 10-09-2007, 10:58 AM

Tom N: I have no aversion to using a Wal-Mart, just never have so far. With c/g prices going ever higher, I am giving it a lot more thought.
Being from the North West corner of Ohio, our c/gs all the way to East Kentucky or Knoxville Tn are also closed for the most part. I generally haul to Knoxville for my first stop. $36.00 for an overnight pull through. Then a good part of the time they are cold enough, we can't leave the water hooked up overnight. So Wal-Marts are looking better to me each season.

Paul Heuvelhorst · 10-09-2007, 01:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
For those that object to parking at Walmart I would like to ask where do you park when the campgrounds are closed for the season? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Tom,
I have no objection to travelers stopping overnight wherever it is legally permitted and they need to rest. It is much safer than having fatigued drivers on the highway. But, to answer your question, we plan each leg of our trip so we are off the road by 3-3:30 p.m. in a campground.

Now, I acknowledge that we are retired and can plan our trips at a more leisurely pace. I have no objection to staying at Wal-Mart, or any other place that permits overnight stops. So far we've never had to do that, but I would if I was tired and needed a rest and no campground was available.

I think the issue is with those who take advantage by spending more than 1 night, and/or setting up a space or more in a parking lot as though they were "camping."

RedneckExpress · 10-09-2007, 02:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Homer:
Tom N: I have no aversion to using a Wal-Mart, just never have so far. With c/g prices going ever higher, I am giving it a lot more thought.
Being from the North West corner of Ohio, our c/gs all the way to East Kentucky or Knoxville Tn are also closed for the most part. I generally haul to Knoxville for my first stop. $36.00 for an overnight pull through. Then a good part of the time they are cold enough, we can't leave the water hooked up overnight. So Wal-Marts are looking better to me each season. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have you tried experimenting with this wrap around cable heaters that they make for pipes in houses? It gives to reason that you might be able to keep the hose from freezing up if its being heated.

Izzyblueye · 10-09-2007, 03:06 PM

McKenzie: I have them onboard, but have never used them. If I were to be stranded in a cold area for a period of time, I probably would hook the cables up. However, for an overnighter it is just too much hassel. Good idea though.

Tom N · 10-09-2007, 06:38 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Frank P. Martin:
Motels work, Tom.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good answer Frank but I didn't buy a $162k motorhome to stay in a motel.

Actually, many nights I've paid for 2 campgrounds. I lease a lot near Indiana, PA by the year and lease one in FL for Nov-Apr (6 months). So if we pull out of one of those and go somewhere I could be paying for 2 or even 3 during the winter. But when you pay by the year or for 6 months the daily rate is far less than just staying one night. In 2006 I paid $3955.44 in campground fees, metered electric included. We spent more nights in the motorhome than at home.

I'm more a Cracker Barrel overnighter than a Walmarter. Go in for a decent dinner and have a nice breakfast in the AM before leaving.

I just returned from Myrtle Beach. It was cheaper to rent an ocean front condo for 5 nights than to drive the motorhome down. But not as comfortable or convenient driving down and back. Stayed in a Holiday Inn Express on the way home. Not a bad motel.

-Tom
2 1/2 more weeks in PA then on the road for 6 months. Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and will probably try and stay in some national park CGs, if they are still open.