Walmart's Parking

[JohnRR]

Originally Posted by mikron

Walmart never told us not to put jacks down or slides out. Walmart never told us to go stelth. No we don't camp at walmart but for the evening we set up the coach so we can use it. .

In the short period of time I've had mine since it was bought in the late summer we've used WM several times and part of asking them for permission they are asked about putting a slider out (otherwise I'd have to crawl over my bed to get to the other side at night) and have never been told there was a problem with that.

I also always try to park so the slider is not into another parking space but over a grassed non traveled area even in rest areas, I've been to way too many accidents to trust how others drive

[cb5300]

Well, I'm getting ready to head out to the FMCA rally in Fla today, so I guess I'll be Wally Worlding it for a couple of days. I plan on staying at Lazy Days Sunday thru Wednesday morning then off to Brooksville. So I'm thinking Wally World in GA Friday night, then again Saturday night in/around Gainesville, Fla, then on to Seffner for a few days.

[FDchief]

I have been watching this post with interest, and finally decided to add my two cents. I can't wait to see the replies I elicit.

Whether or not you decide to stay at a Walmart to save time, a few bucks, or whatever is up to you. I will not for several reasons. But first off would be personal safety. Recently there was an incident at a Walmart near my home where I shop at routinely. The incident involved a suspect with a gun and hostages. All are ok, but discomforting to say the least.

Then, last week a relative was part of an officer involved shooting at a Walmart. She was not injured but two partners were. This country is infected with some very bad folks who have no regard for law enforcement officers let alone mom and pop in an expensive looking RV spending the night in a parking lot. There are some undesirables that frequent these establishments, and providing an opportune target in the wee hours of the morning is not my idea of taking precautions.

Yes, I do shop at Walmart. But like everywhere I travel, I keep my guard up because I don't live in a Pollyanna dream like state, and it is my responsibility to do my utmost to safeguard myself and the people traveling with me.

It may cost me a little more and may not be as convenient, but I do feel that my RV and I belong in a park.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by FDchief

It may cost me a little more and may not be as convenient, but I do feel that my RV and I belong in a park.

You're not alone. We've made the same personal choices for the same reasons. That's not to say that park are a safe utopia but we have never felt unsafe in one.

Different strokes.

Rick

[JohnRR]

I guess life is full of risks no matter what you do or how you do it.

[Lorna]

Originally Posted by RickO

...That's not to say that park are a safe utopia but we have never felt unsafe in one...

I remember a few years back, some one (actually several someones) hadthe windows slid open on the motorhome in a S GA RV park on I75. Anything within reach was taken. and then he got greedy and tried to get into the RV's from the windows. I was catching it from two sources. We were living in S GA at that time so I was reading on the RV forums and watching reports on TV. I believe they caught the individual when he couldn't get out of the window. Or at least some one was caught. This was folks doing overnight stops. Often by the time they realized they had been robbed, they were several states away. According to the local newspaper and news channel that I was watching, the person caught was overnighting and hitting campgrounds up and down I75. Only parks right on the interstates. Thief pulled in early, watched rigs that came in and then he left early in the AM. He had a nice newish little travel trailer and he was making pretty good money doing what he was doing.

[mikron]

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

I've seen this said a billion times.. anybody have any proof of this? Or is it just another repeated internet rumor? I ask 'cause everyone I have ever asked in person has never mentioned it.. and all the campgrounds around here, in season, are full anyways..

Marion county Florida were I live CG owners made such a stink Walmart put up signs after the county said no over night parking no RV parking. I don't know what happen, no more signs. CG owners said RV parking caused litter and dumping of gray and black tanks. This happen a few years back.

[Midniteoyl]

Ok.. I can see the 'dumping of tanks' part, and litter.. but that would then mean the DNR would get involved and when they do, boom, thats it. The CG owners might have weighed in, but I dont see that as being the only reason, or even the main one.

[Lindsay Richards]

Towns are run by politicians and they listen to the people that vote and can bring groups into the council meetings. Logic sometimes plays a small part in it. When we stay at Wal-Mart we are probably more likely to go out to eat than if we stayed at a campground due to the better locations for restaurants and the savings we had. The restaurant owners probably don't go o the council meetings and speak in our behalf. Years ago somebody (maybe escapees) posted a listing of things to not do at Wal-Mart and it was pretty much followed for years. The whole idea was to look like you were parked and not like you are camping. Now we see it all and many folks just treat it as their own campground with blocking lanes and parking near the front doors. It is easy to just go in and park without making a big production of it with awnings and the like. It is a privileged not a right.

[Elkhartjim]

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

I've seen this said a billion times.. anybody have any proof of this? Or is it just another repeated internet rumor? I ask 'cause everyone I have ever asked in person has never mentioned it.. and all the campgrounds around here, in season, are full anyways..

You might check out the thread thats been brewing on the Walmart RVing Yahoo group.

walmartrving@yahoogroups.com

[FDchief]

Originally Posted by JohnRR

I guess life is full of risks no matter what you do or how you do it.

Your so right JohnRR, life is full of risks and being involved in emergency services for 35 years I have seen my share of the aftermath of risk takers.

I do admit that everything we will do in life will come with an inherent risk. However, we can reduce those risks. When was the last time you heard of a shooting at an RV campground? Google it, then do the same for Walmart. You should see a pattern.

As far as the guy hitting RV parks off the interstate by reaching in through unlocked windows, well, my dog would have got a kick out of that. The moral of the story, just stay safe and take care of yourself.

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim

You might check out the thread thats been brewing on the Walmart RVing Yahoo group.

walmartrving@yahoogroups.com

I did.. they say the same thing... however, I think most of my posts are being moderated out

[Lindsay Richards]

A little off topic, but last year, I bought a really neat little item at Radio Shack we set up when camping at Wal-Mart or at a campground. It is a little box that hold 2 AA batteries and has a 4" wire that runs to a little red light that flashes about once every second or so. We turn it on and set it up right next to the door of our Class A and it can be seen from outside. The theory is that a theif would think it was a security system and go rob somebody else. Impossible to tell if it works or not, but it was only $4 with the batteries and I have used it about 60 days and it is still flashing all night.

[Lorna]

Originally Posted by FDchief

.... When was the last time you heard of a shooting at an RV campground?..

Last winter down at Aransas Pass.
'He shot everyone at the party' » Corpus Christi Caller-Times

But perhaps it didn't happen. After all RV parks are safer than a parking lot.