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diandtom · 10-04-2007, 05:53 PM

We are in NH at the Noreasters rally and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items.We saw a rather new truck and 5er set up for the night in style.He had the slides out,generator out,and orange safety cones around the perimeter.We couldn't see the other side but it wouldn't have surprised us if he had the grill and outside chairs out also.

diandtom · 10-04-2007, 05:53 PM

We are in NH at the Noreasters rally and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items.We saw a rather new truck and 5er set up for the night in style.He had the slides out,generator out,and orange safety cones around the perimeter.We couldn't see the other side but it wouldn't have surprised us if he had the grill and outside chairs out also.

paz · 10-05-2007, 02:38 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if they were there for a week.

It's no wonder communities pass laws that prohibit overnight parking.

RedneckExpress · 10-05-2007, 02:45 AM

Well, the most interesting overnighter I saw a walmart was when I was leaving our one here local at about 4am and the folks had gotten up to take their horses out one at a time and walk them around the parking lot before reloading them back on their trailer.

Zimectrin · 10-05-2007, 05:05 AM

We keep a couple of copies of the FMCA letter in our logbook to leave at just such a place. It is very well written and should offend no one.

nhgeezer · 10-05-2007, 06:43 AM

Our local wal-Mart here in Claremont NH had to evict a family a few years ago that set up camp on a perminent basis.

Brad & Lucy
1990 Foretravel Detroit spinning an Allison
Kity kat: Earl
Whitey Ford the Explorer riding the car trailer
ASE master technician
SAE

Riverdog · 10-05-2007, 11:25 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Zimectrin:
We keep a couple of copies of the FMCA letter in our logbook to leave at just such a place. It is very well written and should offend no one. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What's the FMCA letter?

rebelsbeach · 10-05-2007, 11:59 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Riverdog:
What's the FMCA letter? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Published in May '07 FMCA Magazine...

Dear Fellow RVers,
Some of the most respected RV consumer clubs have joined together to support
your right to park on private businesses' parking lots overnight under the
following code of conduct:
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.
If your plans include touring the area, staying for more than one night, or necessitate
conduct not within the code, please relocate to a local campground.
It's the right thing to do!
Most of the complaints lodged regarding RV parking on business parking lots have
to do with aesthetics and perceived abuse of the privilege. There are a variety of
competing interests that were balanced to arrive at this industry-sanctioned code of
conduct. As you can see, the Code of Conduct is nothing more than an RVers' "Good
Neighbor" policy.
Not following the code has serious consequences and is detrimental to the rights of
all RVers. Already, some municipalities have passed ordinances to prohibit parking on
private business property overnight.
Please do not take offense to this letter; it is only provided as a reminder that RVers
must be perceived as good neighbors, or there will be more pressure to institute state,
county, and local ordinances to prohibit parking on private business property.
We wish you safe and happy travels,
RVeRS' Good Neighhbor Policy
overnight parking etiquette

Route 66 · 10-05-2007, 12:06 PM

The Escapees originated a Good Neighbor Overnight Parking letter to be shared with those abusing overnight parking, and as a good policy for members to abide by.

The FMCA and other groups have adopted it.

Escapees Letter

FMCA Letter

RedneckExpress · 10-05-2007, 09:56 PM

LOL, this just reminded me of something I saw over at the mission st. Walmart super center here in salem. Someone had dropped off an old airstream trailer (or airstream knockoff no name badge was still visible on the unit) and left a for sale sign on it.

Roam America · 10-06-2007, 05:32 AM

At a local Wal*Mart in NJ I saw a family in a pop-up fully deployed. Awning out. Mat out. Lawn chairs out and B-B-Q grill setup. They got ther Friday evening and left Sunday afternoon.

Zimectrin · 10-07-2007, 05:38 AM

Here is a link to the letter in PDF format.

http://www.fmca.com/motorhomerights/parking/etiquette_l...parkingetiquette.pdf

The text is as rebelsbeach posted above, but this shows the logos and graphics. Very well done, it is worth a look see.

While very much aware that some will ignore this reminder, there are also some that will respond to the invitation in a positive way. In any event, we have never had a bad experience, have had some thank-yous, and some guilt relief that we did what we could...

PS: In order not to single anyone out, a fellow RV'er told me to leave a copy at each RV.

DonavonP · 10-07-2007, 06:05 AM

There are very few overnighters at the Walmart in Hutchinson, MN. Once the RV'r sees how crabby the "Greeters" are, they don't even approach the manager for permission.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 10-07-2007, 06:37 AM

If I were the manager of the Wal-Mart referenced in the first post, I'd have made sure the guy had everything all set up. i.e., after going to all the trouble of setting everything out, then I'd go tell him he would need to move on.

Maybe after a couple times of him doing this he'd get the message.