Overnights

TFMCKANNA · 08-23-2015, 08:21 AM

Good morning ... we're rather new to the RV experience & have enjoyed several outings within a few hours drive here in FL. Feeling that we need to expand the radius of this circle soon, planning a few longer trips to midwest & NC. Would appreciate any comments, suggestions, thoughts on options and how to handle "one nite stands" as you travel. What do most RV'ers do? Must I plan and reserve at an RV park? Do highway rest area's allow zzz time? Motels? Drive straight thru?
thanks,
//tom
2003 26' Cougar 5er
2004 Silverado 2500 HD

Face Down · 08-23-2015, 08:47 AM

Walmart and Cabela's allows campers to stay overnight to get some zzzz's, and shop of course.

I have done a Walmart overnight a couple of times, make sure to check with the individual store before you route plan as not all of them offer this service.

notanlines · 08-23-2015, 08:50 AM

Tom, welcome to the forum. You have asked a question in which there is an absolute multitude of correct answers. Brenda and I very seldom make reservations in advance for one night traveling accommodations. We have been known to frequent Walmarts, Lowe's, Home Depot, Cracker Barrels and most any big parking lot with some lights. We have stayed in more than one motel parking lot. Whatever works for you.

SteveC7010 · 08-23-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFMCKANNA

Good morning ... we're rather new to the RV experience & have enjoyed several outings within a few hours drive here in FL. Feeling that we need to expand the radius of this circle soon, planning a few longer trips to midwest & NC. Would appreciate any comments, suggestions, thoughts on options and how to handle "one nite stands" as you travel. What do most RV'ers do? Must I plan and reserve at an RV park? Do highway rest area's allow zzz time? Motels? Drive straight thru?

There's a whole of maybes and depends to this topic.

Many WalMarts allow overnight stays. (There are dozens if not hundreds of threads on this here and on other forums. There are even websites devoted to the topic. You'll spend hours searching and reading them.) Generally, you have to ask the manager as a courtesy and they expect you to park only in certain areas.

Some of the big name outdoor stores may have free overnighting, too.

Some states allow overnights in rest areas, some don't. There are usually signs if it's not allowed. On the NY State Thruway, at least upstate and in western NY, the rest stops are packed with 18 wheelers every night. Unfortunately, most of them have their engines idling and/or reefers running. If you can find a spot away from them, you should be OK. I know the troopers cruise through several times every night. Free wifi 24/7 there, too, at least in the main building.

Truck stops have large parking areas for their customers. Depends on the franchise, but many of them have RV sections. They may or may not charge. Check their websites for details and more info.

There are lots of places that allow free overnights. Google free camping for websites and more.

If you hunt around, you can find gas stations, towns, and villages, and more that have RV spots for very low prices or even for free. They may not have full hookups, but they are there.

If you plan a trip, start a thread here and include your route, asking for this kind of recommendation. That's when you want to get some specific places that others have used or know about.

General rule of thumb #1, and there are a few exceptions: Overnighting for free at places like WalMart is not camping. Don't expect to drop the awning, hang the party lights, spot the pink flamingos, and bring out all the lawn chairs. They do understand that you have run out one or more slides. This usually holds true for rest stops, etc.

General rule #2: If you overnight for free at any retail establishment, spend some money there. Buy some groceries, eat in their restaurant, whatever. It's a courtesy that makes them want to continue to welcome RV folks for overnights.

General Rule #3: Leave your area better than you found it. Pickup all the litter nearby. Don't dump gray or black in their storm drains. They don't mind small amounts of trash in their trash bins, but keep it small.

What you do and how you do it will affect how welcoming the host will be for the next RV that pulls in. And you might want to stop there again some time down the line.

**hankpage** · 08-23-2015, 09:16 AM

I don't like to get too far off route so we usually grab some sleep in rest areas or truck stops. We only stay in areas that have posted all night security. Been doing this for years without any problems even when "No overnight Parking" is posted. I think they just don't want you to set up camp .... for safety reasons they will not keep you from getting some sleep and most have separate parking for RVs anyway.
On trips with more than one overnight stop I call ahead and find a CG with pull-throughs and full hookups ..... I just cannot see the purpose in renting a motel room when I have better lodgings attached to my truck. JM2¢, Hank

Desert185 · 08-23-2015, 09:18 AM

Use RVParky or similar app/website and buy a spot at a park, hookup and have electric (ice maker, coffee maker, microwave), water (long, hot shower), dump, etc. Life is too short to live off a battery in a busy, Walmart parking lot. The early warning device (dog) will be happier, too.

sptddog · 08-23-2015, 09:51 AM

We love cracker barrels and have used them for the last few years. We generally pull in fairly late, sleep, each a great breakfast and get back on the road. Best part for us is that the lots are well-lit, and they are usually within a few miles of the highway.

**JRTJH** · 08-23-2015, 10:18 AM

Depending on where you're travelling, a "no hookups overnighter" may not be practical. In the northern states, no problem, but don't try to overnight in Memphis, TN without air.... Currently, it's raining, 89F and last night's low was 75. So, for a "comfortable evening" consider what's needed to keep your cool......

We seldom make reservations for anything shorter than a 2 day stay. Many times we've been disappointed with the cramped spaces, poor utilities and noisy campgrounds that "sound marvelous" on the internet. So, we usually just "pull in and ask" for most overnight stays and unless we have a reliable recommendation or have been to a campground previously, we usually try not to make "committed reservations" for a "pig in a poke" type campground. Yes, we broke that rule this trip in Hill City, SD and wound up with our front door opening onto the slide at the next campsite. There wasn't room to open our awning and the power dropped to 95volts during the warm parts of the day. On the morning we were leaving, the "golf cart guy" was parking a big toy hauler next to us, the owner complained that their slides wouldn't open with our trailer parked there. The campground rep just commented that we're leaving in a bit, then he could open his slides. When I reminded him that another rig would be parking where we were, he just said that they would position him a little further away. Can you spell, "S A R D I N E S" ???

So, for us, it's much easier to just "drive until the tank is "near empty" and we're "near full" and start looking for a place with power.

TFMCKANNA · 08-23-2015, 11:34 AM

thanks to all for your time and detail. some good ideas!!!

Desert185 · 08-23-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Depending on where you're travelling, a "no hookups overnighter" may not be practical. In the northern states, no problem, but don't try to overnight in Memphis, TN without air.... Currently, it's raining, 89F and last night's low was 75. So, for a "comfortable evening" consider what's needed to keep your cool......

We seldom make reservations for anything shorter than a 2 day stay. Many times we've been disappointed with the cramped spaces, poor utilities and noisy campgrounds that "sound marvelous" on the internet. So, we usually just "pull in and ask" for most overnight stays and unless we have a reliable recommendation or have been to a campground previously, we usually try not to make "committed reservations" for a "pig in a poke" type campground. Yes, we broke that rule this trip in Hill City, SD and wound up with our front door opening onto the slide at the next campsite. There wasn't room to open our awning and the power dropped to 95volts during the warm parts of the day. On the morning we were leaving, the "golf cart guy" was parking a big toy hauler next to us, the owner complained that their slides wouldn't open with our trailer parked there. The campground rep just commented that we're leaving in a bit, then he could open his slides. When I reminded him that another rig would be parking where we were, he just said that they would position him a little further away. Can you spell, "S A R D I N E S" ???

So, for us, it's much easier to just "drive until the tank is "near empty" and we're "near full" and start looking for a place with power.

I like sardines, but I don't like being one, especially at Walmart. Using Google Earth via some of these RV sites gives an idea of the park's layout. We've had pretty good luck calling for availability either late morning or early afternoon and/or calling it a day by 1500 (3 PM) in order to get a decent park for the night.

My idea of dry camping is a semi-remote spot where I can run a generator for the aforementioned electrical comforts without bothering other "campers" whose camping regimen is more purist than mine. I do have a solar, pathfinder watch, so maybe there's hope for me.

GaryWT · 08-23-2015, 03:18 PM

We are taking a trip in a couple week. We are booking a campground at the half way point down and a little further than the halfway point home. We do not want to have to look for someplace to stay or stop and not sure how we would sleep in a parking lot somewhere. Also want the fridges to have power.

tgpilot · 08-25-2015, 07:17 PM

Just got back from a five state, six week trip and we stayed in a Walmart parking lot several time with other RVers, no problems. Your fridge should run on propane unless you have one of the new house type.

bsmith0404 · 08-26-2015, 04:58 AM

My life is basically filled with overnight stays at Walmart. I don't like the truck stops, they are just too busy and noisy, plus I prefer to stay out of the way of the truckers. I've also stayed at casinos, many have RV parking areas as well. A good example is Catoosa, OK, the Walmart doesn't allow overnight, but the Hard Rock Casino across the street has a very large lot for RV parking. Walmarts and similar places are okay if you don't plan/need to use the AC. I have to sleep in the truck while transporting (we are not allowed to sleep in the "new" RV) so the AC is never an option.

Things change when we are on long trips with our camper, we use KOA. I don't necessarily like KOAs for camping, I prefer to not be able to see a major highway, but that makes them a very convenient quick in/quick out for an overnight. It also allows the kids some recreation time. We do typically call ahead and make reservations so I can be sure they have a pull through long enough for our unit.

gearhead · 08-28-2015, 02:03 PM

My forward plan...I just got the federal Golden Age Passport. I understand it gives a good discount at Corps of Engineer (COE) parks.
The COE campground website isn't the easiest to navigate though.
http://www.recreation.gov/campground...tByAgencyID.do

tree1668 · 08-29-2015, 04:31 PM

Wife and I took a trip from Iowa to NC and back. We definitely had some hit and misses on the way. But just my opinion Wal Marts and random parking lots are not my idea of adventure. Use reserve America and recreation.org. Also get the App Allstays it is fantastic

jsmith948 · 08-30-2015, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tree1668

Wife and I took a trip from Iowa to NC and back. We definitely had some hit and misses on the way. But just my opinion Wal Marts and random parking lots are not my idea of adventure. Use reserve America and recreation.org. Also get the App Allstays it is fantastic

If the Walmart is anything like the one in our town. The biggest "adventure" would be having to deal with the "homeless/panhandlers" that are allowed to hang out in the parking lot. I can just see me trying to 'persuade/motivate one of these souls from pestering us for a hand out or a bite to eat. I know, I know - not very Christian.
There is a guy who is there every time we go to shop. His sign reads "Out of work veteran - please help" Well, I'm a veteran and I'm retired - so - I guess I'll get a sign that says "out of work veteran" - pick up a few extra bucks

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