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Tom D · 06-20-2016, 05:02 PM

I may have overlooked any forum posts about these questions so if I am being repetitive I apologize.

First after returning from boondocking are there or where do you go to empty your tanks?

Also, what about glamping roadside rest stops, truck stops or dare I say the fabulous Wal Mart parking lot. I only ask because some people say its not the destination its the path to get there but, there are some that the destination is the objective before there two weeks are gone by wondering to the destination and not have enough time to enjoy the destination.

Any way after all that the real question is, is there a list of areas where you can pull off to grab a few zzzs before going on.

Thanks

Tom D

rodsterinfl · 06-20-2016, 06:00 PM

There are several options for both sleeping and also dumping tanks. Some Camping Worlds provide dumping as do other facilities. I do not know where there is a list but you can stay on government land and on the road, at some Flying Js with RV parking. What you do not want to do is assume that parking is ok at rest stops.

dznf0g · 06-20-2016, 06:05 PM

Most flying j's, loves have dumps. I stayed at Cracker Barrel overnight a couple weeks ago.

n2916s · 06-20-2016, 06:13 PM

The Allstays AP shows dump stations as well as public and private campgrounds ranging from free (or nearly free) public facilities to ultra glitzy "resorts". Also Wal-Marts, Cracker Barrels and such.

ColoradoLady · 06-20-2016, 07:05 PM

Suggest you use a bit of caution in stopping for an overnight in a rest stop. Some are safe....others ....not so much. My inner barometer, with any place , including some rv parks....if it doesn't "feel right"... I keep moving on till I find a better spot. I was pleased to find Texas had some very nice and safe rest stops....survelance cameras, on site workers, very clean and safe. Other places....I pulled in and right back out. Also, the same with Walmarts, etc.....some are in questionable areas...others feel safer....you need to be vigilant and choose wisely.

Lily&Me · 06-20-2016, 07:17 PM

We have an entire sub-forum here entitled "Boondocking", where you may find a lot of information that will help you.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382/

Maggie

B00merang · 06-21-2016, 01:20 PM

wherever you go...use common sense and intuition, like Nikko...the Pomeranian mix...advises you above. But I never had any trouble or felt unsafe in interstate rest areas. on the other hand, if I pull in and see no one else, I pull back out again. But I've never been hassled by either DOT staff or highway patrols. Re dumping tanks, many of the small towns out here in the west (including my Hailey) have public dump stations. When in need...I'd just ask. Enjoy. jon

SeeMore · 06-21-2016, 02:38 PM

Where to empty tanks.

http://www.sanidumps.com/find.php

cazual6 · 06-21-2016, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2916s

The Allstays AP shows dump stations as well as public and private campgrounds ranging from free (or nearly free) public facilities to ultra glitzy "resorts". Also Wal-Marts, Cracker Barrels and such.

AllStay is a good app for finding things along the way or around you for most useful RV related items.

cazual6 · 06-21-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoLady

Suggest you use a bit of caution in stopping for an overnight in a rest stop. Some are safe....others ....not so much. My inner barometer, with any place , including some rv parks....if it doesn't "feel right"... I keep moving on till I find a better spot. I was pleased to find Texas had some very nice and safe rest stops....survelance cameras, on site workers, very clean and safe. Other places....I pulled in and right back out. Also, the same with Walmarts, etc.....some are in questionable areas...others feel safer....you need to be vigilant and choose wisely.

I carry a "protection" where ever I go. At least in California, RV/Trailers are considered homes. I would check local state laws. It is one of those things you hope you never have to use, but will be glad if you have it. But the best advise is always avoid it if all possible. Like the man (or woman) said, if it doesn't feel right keep moving.

OTRA15 · 06-21-2016, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

We have an entire sub-forum here entitled "Boondocking", where you may find a lot of information that will help you.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382/

Maggie

Aren't we there here already?

Lily&Me · 06-21-2016, 03:44 PM

Ummm...I guess we are.

Scanning the initial post, I thought he hadn't found that subforum.

Maggie

TBRich · 06-21-2016, 04:26 PM

Where and how long you stop is usually a function of what your trip is all about...if you need to be at point A by a given time and you are mostly interested in getting there as quickly as possible you may just want to get a quick nap and get back on the road...if you want to meander, then you can be more leisurely. There are solutions for all kinds of travel. We have overnighted in commercial parks, state parks, county parks, national parks, rest stops and even the proverbial Walmart (which saved out bacon once, and was actually too bad). Dump stations and fresh water are readily available... some places are free but it's also possible to dump and/or get fresh water by paying a few bucks at an RV park... It all depends on what you need.

wvstreamer · 06-21-2016, 05:28 PM

West Virginia Interstate rest areas and welcome centers have dump stations. Nice touch and for a long time I assumed it was that way everywhere but not so. Rest areas and state parks are nice too and Tamarack is extra special.

Claudiaj · 06-21-2016, 09:14 PM

Check out escapees Days End for lots of dump and boo docking sites.

InterBlog · 06-22-2016, 06:54 AM

Hi OP from San Antonio! Houston poster here! Welcome to Air Forums!

Add this resource to your list: TxDOT safety rest areas (link to map - note the number of newly-renovated locations). Some of them are staffed 24 hours a day, which makes them relatively safe. No dump options that I know of, but we have been pleasantly surprised by the quality.

The rule is, you can't appear to be camping - no BBQing or lawn equipment hauled out. They are simply designed for "rest". Which may extend X number of hours.

My main caveat is park well away from storm drain inlets and other physical features that could conceal rodents. No matter how well-managed the rest stop, it's where people dispose of copious quantities of trash in dumpsters, children run around and drop food on the ground, etc. Rodents might be present in abundance and might try to get into your vehicle (it did happen to us).

When I Instagrammed this shot of the Hardeman County rest area, TxDOT itself gave it a like. Hardeman is gorgeous, as rest stops go.

PecanMan5 · 07-06-2016, 02:11 PM

If you are looking for places along the highway, RV places are normally around $30. I fail to understand the logic of an expensive Airstream at a Walmart to save money. I believe the journey is equally as important as the destination. Opinion only.

Lily&Me · 07-06-2016, 02:29 PM

For many full timers, and others who travel extensively, $30 or more every night for an RV site would be prohibitively expensive.

In order to have a journey, one must be able to journey.

Maggie

InterBlog · 07-07-2016, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PecanMan5

If you are looking for places along the highway, RV places are normally around $30. I fail to understand the logic of an expensive Airstream at a Walmart to save money. I believe the journey is equally as important as the destination. Opinion only.

You have the benefit of living in a state with one third of our population. In many parts of Texas, the situation is that you book 5 months in advance or you boondock. Even less-desirable areas are routinely locked out because demand far exceeds supply. Prior to installing solar which expanded our boondocking capacity, I had to cancel trips for not being able to get a single overnight in commercial RV parks that were large enough to hold hundreds of RVs, being told, "We are not even going to consider taking new reservations until two weeks from now" and things like that (and those were $50 per night sites).

Additionally, it's pretty hard to get into those roadside RV places when one only stops driving at 8 pm or later. They normally close their offices at 5, and while it's possible to reserve in advance and have them leave the paperwork at the gate, if we're driving 12 hours per day, we don't know where our terminus will be, so we don't know which RV place we'll be closest to. It depends on traffic, weather, and other factors.

If someone has unlimited time and is able to do casual travel, more detailed longer-range planning is possible, but that's not true of everyone.

xrvr · 07-07-2016, 06:27 AM

If I spent 100,000 dollars for an AS, I would feel entitled to free camping, if I spent 50,000 dollars for a tv I would feel entitled to free fuel, if I travel I would expect free food, also. Yes, everything is expensive, live with it, complaining isn't going to help. People are so concerned with qc, maybe they should put more time into deciding if they can afford to use the AS. No one is entitles to AS use. Sorry