Walmart "Camping"

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Rob & Cathy

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Hi Kevin and Lisa, when did you do that trip?

Rob
Jacki2b

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by Jacki2b »

gmarker wrote:I have stayed in WalMart lots on a few occassions and always found them to be very RV friendly. Even had the manager send out morning coffee a couple of times. Just remember to ask permission and keep in mind that some communities have local ordinances against it. I try to return the favor by buying any supplies I need while I am there and, before leaving in the morning I walk their parking lot and pick up any trash I find.

O what a sweet thing to do. How considerate of you. Jacki
honker

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by honker »

Having worked for Walmart for 15 yrs. before retiring, I can assure that most stores welcome RV's. Most would ask you not unhook your rig and leave it, but who does that for a 1 nighter. Slides are okay to open, they realize there is a need to do this sometimes to get to things in the RV. Most stores ask exactly what all of you say you do, park on the very out-skirts or the fringe. All super centers have 24 hr. security and cameras in the parking lots, that's nice to know.
When a Walmart is not RV friendly it is because of a city/county ordinance not allowing RV's in the parking lot. Some day when we get to travel more and farther from home, I plan on using Walmart, but it is always wise to call ahead just in case a new ordinance has passed not allowing it and your atlas or book is not up to date. But I would say to you, take advantage and enjoy, they don't mind at all................
bfast54

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by bfast54 »

Well..........To clear up a "Mis-Conception", one NEVER CAMPS in a Wal-Mart...........................we are only getting the rest we need , to SAFELY continue our journey :thumbrt: (Substitute, Cracker Barrel, Sams club., Flying J, ..etc,as you wish)

Now, some communities MAKE it unable for Wal-Mart, to continue Sam Waltons Ideals...............................mainly to treat people friendly, and they will in turn patronize you with their hard earned money, for products, they and their Famlies need/want. (No, I am not a politician) ;;)

They may pass ordinances , to limit your time in a Wal-Mart lot, but they cannot KEEP you from shopping there.

The Wal-Marts that have the 12 foot BARS over their parking lots........................well people , think about it ......................... :-B ...............................................when was the last time you saw a Wal-Mart truck, LESS than 12 ft tall??????? :-o ?????? (Hint, go around to the Truck Entrance , truck route) :thumbrt: there you will be able to find a way to Safely park your rig, while you do Commerce with that business.


I agree that if there were more places , near the highway, where one could just park, for ,oh say $5,$10 , dry camping, there would not really be a need, for the Overnight rest, Wal-Mart provides, but, who wants a Campground/Resort, on a major highway??? :shock: Noise, lights, etc.................

So, if one wants to "Safely " get some much needed rest, it is a good place , to do just that.

Truth be known, it is not cheap, (I never stop in to a Wal-Mart, and leave for less that $10, $15 in sales ) ......so, it is convienence , and safety, I have read about Truckers who find an empty, out of business parking lot, with no lights, etc...and get killed, by robbers........while not bothering anyone.


Truck stops are so busy, often we are in the way, of the Men and Women, who are trying to make a living, within Regulations. Anything we could do , to help them , will bring good will towards us, on the road.


This is based on MY personal observations, while being on the road myself, trying to make a living. Your ideas may be different , and you have the right to have your ideas...this is a free country, Thank our Brave Men and Women, who have given of themselves, for us to live as we do. :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:


Well, I did not intend to write a BOOK :shock: , but wanted to address the subject, in a fair, and complete way. :thumbrt:
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Don Wilson
Region Leader Admin
Posts: 7408
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
Location: California Riverbank
Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
Location: New Mexico - California

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by Don Wilson »

I don't know about all cities but the WalMart in Missoula Montana looked like an RV Park this morning about 8 am. There must have been 20 RV's rigs total there and most of them were 45 foot motorhomes, must have spent to much $$ for the rig and :)) can't afford a space in an RV park.

Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!

Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed

2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
2021 Nights Camped 46


Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
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pattyrn5
Posts: 111
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:37 pm
Location: Tennessee Chattanooga
Cardinal Owners: Cardinal LE FW
Location: Tennessee

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by pattyrn5 »

We are full-timers and I have criss-crossed this country many times. We have stayed at many Walmarts, Cracker Barrells, Lowes or Home Depot. As long as there is a big empty lot and we are just staying for a few hours of sleep no cares. We have to put the slides out to get in the bird. Sitting in a Flying J right now after sleeping all night here. Got to get the hubby moving.
User avatar
Don Wilson
Region Leader Admin
Posts: 7408
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
Location: California Riverbank
Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
Location: New Mexico - California

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by Don Wilson »

Hi Pattyrn5,

I have used the WalMart parking lots and Truck stops myself during our travels and met some great folks while staying in a couple of them. I was just trying to add a little humor about the situation!

Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!

Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed

2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
2021 Nights Camped 46


Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
mikenmarge

Re: Walmart "Camping"

Post by mikenmarge »

We've been told by some trucker friends that most truckers do not like RVers opening slides and setting up 'camp', so to speak. The width of the parking spaces in some of the Flying J's, etc. and including roadside rest stops, is plenty wide for our rigs, but too often people take advantage and open slides on both sides and leave it that way the whole time they are there. Some truckers feel it makes it tighter for them to get in and out and sometimes the slides come over the parking lines. We have stayed a few times at busy truck stops and we might open the slides to get to something, but we usually close the slides up and head to bed since we can get to the bath and shower, kitchen and frig without opening the slides. Sometimes we will open the bedroom slide just enough to get around the bed. I don't remember ever staying at a Walmart, but would do so if we needed it. I do know that here in California, there are many city ordinances that have No Overnight Parking anywhere in any parking lot or street. Usually places like Walmart will have signs telling RVers that it's not allowed. I understand why these rules are necessary in some areas. If they allowed the parking in some of the beach communities, there'd be RVers and campers 24/7 taking up the parking lots with no place for dumping, trash, etc., plus make it hard for shoppers to find parking. I think there are just too many people who take advantage and ruin it for folks who do show respect and don't take advantage of the facilities. Often we do choose a campground over a parking lot because of security. I see nothing wrong with staying at Wal Marts and other businesses that allow overnight stays. As mentioned by others, it should be for just the night. We have stayed in parking lots at Casinos too. Often they have designated areas at no cost to stay overnight. Sorry this is so long. :ymsigh: Marge
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