Walmart campground

[DQDick]

Due to our model we do have to put the bedroom slide out, but that's all we do. Only put the front landing gear down once and that was when a storm hit and we got 70mph wind gusts. The generator is way over the top, but I've seen lawn chairs and tables out before at a Pilot in Georgia. If the guy does the generator thing very often, someone with bolt cutters will solve the problem for everyone else.

[JandC]

About the only way I would use a Walmart for an overnight stay would be if we had some type of emergency situation and had to pull long hours for a day or so. Otherwise, sometime between 2:30 and 3:30pm you will find us in a CG pushing the "auto level" button.

[RichR]

Local Walmart always has a few RV's in the lot.It does not bother me what they do,slides out or not.Doesn't seem to cause any problems.

[richfaa]

Although we have never used wall-mart or any big box store, restaurant, rest area for overnight parking we appreciate the opportunity to do so if needed and do not appreciate those who may take that opportunity away by their irresponsible actions.

We hear the statement " staying in a wall mart lot cost us money because we shop there." Doesn't that negate the reason for staying there.???

[vangoes]

Although I have never spent the night in a Walmart I do appreciate knowing that I can if I choose. There are many miles of highway around this country that there aren't any campgrounds for an overnight stop; not to mention the areas where there are so called campgrounds that aren't very desirable. I have stopped at some that I would have felt much more safer and cleaner in a Walmart! Eventhough I do not seek out Walmarts for a stay, I would not hesitate should I choose. JMHO

[Irlpguy]

We have never spent a night at a Walmart or any other box store parking area, we see those that do all the time and at home we see them in the Sears parking lot, some of them are there for days. I appreciate the fact that Walmart allows this favor to travelers and am sure it is abused from time to time, like so many things in life a few can spoil it for many.

Several years ago we found ourselves in Southern Oregon on our way to Arizona and although there was a Walmart in the city we chose instead to stay in a motel. We have stayed overnight in rest area's when I just could not drive any further and no campsite was close by and although it is often noisy I have never felt uncomfortable staying overnight. We don't pack any artillery and have never felt the need to, unless of course I am hunting.

I hope the idiots that overstay their welcome, inconvenience others and generally disrespect the liberty don't spoil it for those who do use Walmart.

[mlh]

I do pack a weapon and was 90% sure I was going to haft to at least show it two years ago. To show my 45 would ruin my vacation and to use it would most likely ruin several years of my life. I would show a weapon or use it VERY VERY reluctantly only in an extreme emergency.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

IRlguy is from Canada and can not pack a weapon nor can we when we go to Canada.

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by mlh

I do pack a weapon and was 90% sure I was going to haft to at least show it two years ago. To show my 45 would ruin my vacation and to use it would most likely ruin several years of my life. I would show a weapon or use it VERY VERY reluctantly only in an extreme emergency.
Lynwood

Traveled Nationwide and never once felt threaten enough to show or need a deterrent. This WallMart thing took and ugly turn? There are however many well intentioned "angry people" who do pack a weapons, that scare the heck out of me!

[Old_Salty]

We typically are on a tight travel schedule with school and work interfering with travel plans. We have overnighted in a Walmart a few times, mainly because we were leaving very early in the morning or because the local campgrounds were not open for the season yet. Didn't use a genny but do have to put slides out to access the bedroom. Parking the side helps reduce the footprint in the lot. Our preference is a CG but that is not always an option.

[mazboy]

you do what you do. walwamarts are great, can't believe that some rvers just don't do walmarts. they are great for short stays and generally they make it easy to get some stuff while staying there.

as for me, if possible i put the slides out and run the generator. usually it is for a day or two but we have stayed longer when in a city where we are visiting and there is no campground near by.

[sambam]

As a weekend warrior, I've never stayed at a Walmart. I suppose if I needed a place in a pinch, with no other options around, I'd use one. But ONLY for overnight. The slides would remain in, and no awning or furniture. As JandC and others posted, I'd rather be at a campground with my hand reaching into the cooler by late afternoon.

[steelpony5555]

We have used Walmart several times to overnite when traveling. Always asked permission and we try to park along the edge to put slides out. Have to put them out since Keystone in their infinite wisdom designed their trailers so you can only access the stuff you need if the slides are out. I also carry some traffic cones to put out if I can't get to the edge of the lot. usually keep generator in the truck bed but do use it mostly in the evening and have always stayed hooked to the truck. And as it has been said yes we always end up shopping no matter what time of night we stop. Helps to decompress from the highway I guess lol lol

[richfaa]

I guess bottom line for us we prefer a Campground over any other. just personal choice. We have this Montana with all the comforts of home and we like to use them when in travel.We enjoy a nice shower, dinner, Tv, etc.We might even go to a nearby Wall-mart to pick up needed supplies.Mode of travel is a individual choice and all of them are correct.

[mlh]

I had a guy that was cussing ranting and ravening. He didn't think we were driving fast enough. I had been driving the speed limit or over. He had been drinking and I was 90% sure he was going to come in the camper. Just in case I had my 45 in my pocket and both hands on my 12 gage. I never picked it up. He wasn't as drunk as I thought, he never came in the camper. If he hade came in I was going to ask very nice him to leave then tell him to leave the point the shot gun at him. If he had come up to the bedroom I was going to cut him in two. Thank God it didn't get to that point. I would have never thought I would be caught in such a fix. The point is you never know.
Lynwood

[gkidsdlite]

We will have no problem pulling into a Walmart for the night but it will be after 8 or 9 pm after things have slowed down at the store. No slides out, just to get some shuteye and will probably use the morning to shop a little if needed, but probably out by 7 or 8 am. There is another option that has presented itself to us and I am sharing it with you! My wife has a supplemental insurance plan that has a program called "Silver Sneakers", some of you may have heard of it or have it! It has a free membership in the Anytime Fitness facilities that is good nationwide, also free membership at the ymca nationwide! They usually have wide open parking and are in with a lot of the box stores that you mention, you can get into them 24/7 and they have showers! Get where I am going with this? Save a lot of time and money and get in shape at the same time! What do you think?

[halfwright]

What is the name of the insurance company?? It sounds like a plan worth looking at.

[DQDick]

We generally stop at Flying J's and park in front of the Denny's, Cracker Barrels and park in the bus parking in back, Casinos, or big box stores like Menard's. We avoid Walmarts for the most part.

[baybum10]

We have occasionally stopped at Walmart when its late at night and we are leaving very early. Usually when we ask they tell us we can put the slide out. Never have I gotten away cheaply, usually $150 or more in supplies and food.

[bigskyjimmy]

There is no way I would EVER stay or have a reason to boondock at a Walmart Parking Lot ,we always plan our trips and make reservations for Campgrounds way in Advance we do not just "wing it" on the road and like was said before we are checked in way before nightfall and cracking open a cold one and relaxing and Besides here in the NW I have never seen a Walmart that I would feel comfortable parking at, in a Emergency I would stay at a Flying J or other truck stops you would just have to ignore the Lot Lizards