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Old 03-21-2015, 01:59 PM   #681
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How can one run air at WalMart? We are full-timers and do not run anything like air unless we have electric. Maybe we are clueless as usual...HELP

I will get in a corner all by myself and crank the generator...


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Old 03-21-2015, 02:05 PM   #682
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Unless there is a noise ordinance the generator shouldn't be a problem. This is a parking lot after all. Chain the genny down fire it up and enjoy the air. Jim
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Old 03-21-2015, 04:15 PM   #683
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Doug and I overnighted at WalMart a half dozen times over the years, and I have stayed a few times in my solo travel. We do not take up a stretch of parking spaces, but pull over to a side or rear area, out of the way.

It is an occasional overnite, not a way of life.

You could run your generator for AC, if you needed to, but might disturb others not running theirs.

We have never felt unsafe nor ever had anything stolen. I set my little bicycle out wherever I am, next to the Interstate, and have never had a problem. The parking lots are well lit and have security cameras.

I don't think one is in any more danger of being robbed in a WalMart parking lot than in any other place.


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In my area Wallyworld parking lot roberies and car jacking has become a weekly occurance. Next in popularity are the casino parking lots.
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Old 03-21-2015, 04:33 PM   #684
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That's probably one of the biggest objections I have in parking in these types of places. If you don't know the neighborhood, you could be at risk. We have one in the area that looks great. You have no idea of the crime and poverty in the area behind the store. Within the view of the Interstate. So it would look great as a traveler. Thankfully the municipality is on their toes and they do not allow Rv overnight parking.
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Old 03-21-2015, 06:04 PM   #685
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There is a way to make a rough determination of what kind of neighborhood a certain Wal-Mart is in when you are in a strange city.

Take a look at the ground in some of the parking spots closest to the building. Generally speaking, the larger the oil spot, the worse the neighborhood.

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Old 03-21-2015, 06:15 PM   #686
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I have stayed in Welcome Centers, and rest areas and truck places. Last fall I packed up a festival and hitched up and drove out of Pittsburgh about 8 pm. I drove to the second rest are East of Pittsburgh( the first had no room left) .i was very lucky to get one of the last spots of over 200. I park, unplug, go in, pull curtains, make dinner, go to bed. In the morning, I go in and spend some money, and get on the road. We all have camp days and travel days.
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Old 03-21-2015, 06:24 PM   #687
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There is a way to make a rough determination of what kind of neighborhood a certain Wal-Mart is in when you are in a strange city.

Take a look at the ground in some of the parking spots closest to the building. Generally speaking, the larger the oil spot, the worse the neighborhood.

Brian
But what if a lot of the locals drive early real VW Bugs, MGs or Harley's? I have owned them all. Never worried until they stopped leaking oil.
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Old 03-21-2015, 07:33 PM   #688
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But what if a lot of the locals drive early real VW Bugs, MGs or Harley's? I have owned them all. Never worried until they stopped leaking oil.
If vintage Volkswagens were the culprits, the oil spots would be at the back of the parking spaces. People with vintage MGs would probably want to park out by the street so they wouldn't get door dinged. The Harley riders would want not want to park there either as large oil slicks and two wheeled vehicle are not a good combination.

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Old 03-21-2015, 07:49 PM   #689
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Snap, good one.
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Old 03-21-2015, 07:57 PM   #690
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Brian, LOL, too much logic for me.
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Old 03-21-2015, 08:52 PM   #691
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Good information. I've been focusing on free camping options including Walmart. I am finding that it is slim pickings in FL but there are options if planned ahead. I made a series of calls regarding truck stops too. I see RVs parked all the time at my two Walmarts and both are on the list for no park.
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Old 03-21-2015, 08:54 PM   #692
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I asked a friend who owns a large trucking company about relative safety of parking areas. His company hauls loads valued at over $2M so he wants his trucks as safe as possible. Safest parking: commercial truck stop, like Flying J, Pilot, Petro, etc. He even instructs drivers as to how to find the safest spot in a truck stop. Well lighted, near office, able to see truck from restaurant, so as to have the most activity around the truck. He stated rest areas are not as safe.

While Walmart's are well lighted, the level of traffic may be minimal in middle of night.

Anyway, that is what he said.


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Old 03-21-2015, 11:31 PM   #693
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A couple years ago we took a 27 state 10,000 mile trip and stayed in Walmart lots 35 nights. Never a problem. We were turned down in Florida (somewhere south of Clermont) the only time we tried in Florida. Lot in Rutland VT didn't lend itself to overnighting. A few places were posted NO OVERNIGHT PARKING but when I asked was told it was fine and told where to park. Several other trips we've spent a night here and there in Walmart. Run off once in Yuma AZ that's the only place.
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Old 03-22-2015, 06:54 AM   #694
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From a safety standpoint, we prefer tuck plazas. The Police frequent these places during the night and everyone knows that. We don't mind the truck noise. It is almost like a white noise in the background.

There is a large Petro Truck Plaza on I-81 near Scranton, Pennsylvania that we have frequented for overnight stops over the years. They have an RV area with 30 amp electric for a small fee. Every time we have stopped, there are always police vehicles there when we get up in the morning.

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Old 03-22-2015, 07:57 AM   #695
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We stayed in a WM in a "questionable" area outside of Syracuse NY. The manager said you stay at your own risk. I asked a x-country 18 wheeler driver how he felt about staying there. He said to park directly under the lights and you should be OK. We were fine.
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Old 03-22-2015, 08:04 AM   #696
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Also at Walmart are security cameras on some of the light poles or the building. Parking under a light pole within view of a security camera can't hurt, if you are concerned about safety of a particular location.
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Old 03-22-2015, 02:30 PM   #697
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We've never parked overnight at a Cracker Barrel, but we have stopped about 3 times for breakfast. Each time the breakfast was greasy, so we haven't tried them in many years.

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Old 03-22-2015, 02:42 PM   #698
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We have explored the overnight possibilities at Cracker Barrel at several locations. We found their RV parking spots to be quite limited, usually six or less. We also found the RV spots to be somewhat short for our 48 foot total length. We have never overnighted at a Cracker Barrel because of these issues.

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Old 03-22-2015, 02:46 PM   #699
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The grease at Cracker Barrel is why I DO go back...


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Old 03-22-2015, 03:24 PM   #700
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A fellow on another forum pulled into a rest stop for a couple hour nap. He climbed unto his small teardrop trailer still attached to his pickup. He woke up when he heard someone trying to uncouple his trailer and steal it. This was the first time I have heard of that happening, but I think about it while sleeping at Walmart.
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