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Old 11-03-2016, 06:38 AM   #901
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Ian - The size of the RV parking space depends on which service center that you use on the Ohio Turnpike. We have used most of them over the years. The center outside of Amherst OH, is tighter than most of the others. We usually park in the first space as you enter - it's wider and you can easily angle your TV. Even when we don't get the first spot, you can still get enough of an angle so that unhitching is not necessary. Safe journeys!!!!
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Old 11-08-2016, 10:20 AM   #902
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We just tried to stay over night at the Walmart in Palm Springs Ca and were told by security that we couldn't say past midnight. Which was a bummer since I had called to confirm with the store we could stay and they told us it was okay to park for 24 hours. The security guy told us we could park at the shops in an adjacent lot but when we stopped there was some sketchy guy looking in car windows and pushing around a shopping cart.

In the end we found a Casino, Agua Caliente, just down the road that had a super great RV lot and security. Absolutely recommend it if you're in the area.
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Old 11-08-2016, 10:58 AM   #903
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Wallmart issues with overnight parking?

We have talked with a few managers at Wallmarts in MT and found if you talk with them directly, you can usually get the "ok" to park a night. One of the issues we noticed in Helena, MT Wallmart and also Great Falls was their are getting to be several small groups of "full timers" who park/camp there while "panhandling" on the corner with donation signs....I saw bbqs and lounge chairs with 5 beat-up RV's in Helena last week just across from the Wallmart in adjacent parking lot in a strip mall. I was told they had been kicked out of Wallmart after 3 nights there and moved across the street to this location. Very unsightly for sure and I would not want to leave my rig if I were to stay there. Not to sound mean, but it seems odd to see groups of "homeless type" folks with beat-up RV's showing up in Wallmart parking lots, having a great time, while asking for "donations"! Guess it is something happening we need to adjust to?

We did purchase the Wright Camping guide on Amazon that others have mentioned and used it quite a bit all summer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We found several unpopulated, nice overnight camping areas in the guide on or near water, and although off the main highway a few miles sometimes, certainly much nicer then Wallmart parking lot I think.
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Old 11-08-2016, 11:40 AM   #904
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Sometimes the problem is the night security.

We had permission to park overnight from a WM manager once, then were awakened around midnight by the night security guard pounding on our door and telling us if we were not gone in 60 seconds he was having us towed.

Right....tho we did move.


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Old 11-08-2016, 02:41 PM   #905
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Good link for alternate camping opportunities,

http://www.freecampgrounds.com
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Old 11-08-2016, 02:48 PM   #906
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There is no free ride. If you travel relying on free camping, eventually you will get into trouble. Don't rely on walmarts, too many variables..
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Old 11-08-2016, 06:26 PM   #907
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We recently stayed at our first Walmart (Kerrville, TX) on our way from Big Bend NP to our Houston home. We fully appreciate the very understandable 'etiquette' (if you will) of staying at Walmart. So very convenient during a road day.
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Old 11-30-2016, 07:51 PM   #908
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The Chillicothe, Ohio store off SR35 is now closed to overnight stays. Blame goes to RV folks who stayed all day and abused the privilege.


Taking it a day at a time ... no hurry
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Old 12-04-2016, 11:11 AM   #909
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We stayed at the walmart in Virginia at hte start of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We got there about 6, went into walmart and spent over $100.... We parked way off to the side, out of the way, I kept my receipt handy, but we weren't questioned.

We stayed at a walmart in El Campo TX... we parked over on the side and did grocery shopping, there was one big rig motorhome parked right in the middle of the parking lot....with his slides out.....

We left early the next morning.

When we did try to stay at a cracker barrel in their RV spots...a Class C was there with slides out, blocking off any one trying to park in the space next to them.


So, we are up in the air about staying there. Bass Pro Shops are another good place to stay...
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Old 12-04-2016, 11:26 AM   #910
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Cracker Barrel Parking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Lee View Post
We stayed at the walmart in Virginia at hte start of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We got there about 6, went into walmart and spent over $100.... We parked way off to the side, out of the way, I kept my receipt handy, but we weren't questioned.

We stayed at a walmart in El Campo TX... we parked over on the side and did grocery shopping, there was one big rig motorhome parked right in the middle of the parking lot....with his slides out.....

We left early the next morning.

When we did try to stay at a cracker barrel in their RV spots...a Class C was there with slides out, blocking off any one trying to park in the space next to them.


So, we are up in the air about staying there. Bass Pro Shops are another good place to stay...
Both times we have stayed at a Cracker Barrel we haven't parked in the RV slots. When we arrived at the restaurant, the RV parking spots were occupied by automobiles on both occasions. The manager directed us to park at the outer edge of the parking lot in one instance and along the curb behind the restaurant in the other instance. The first time we were the only RV staying overnight. The second time several other RV's, as well as a couple of vans, spent the night. Neither time did we feel concern. In fact, the manager of one of the Cracker Barrel's told us an employee would be in the restaurant overnight preparing biscuits for the next morning. He would also be monitoring the security cameras on the exterior of the building.

As for Walmart, we've overnighted at several, always checking at the customer service desk to ask for permission. We've always parked with the group of RV's in the area designated by the manager.

I do perceive opening slides, running generators, and extending awnings to be inappropriate for overnights at Cracker Barrel and Wal-Mart.
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Old 12-04-2016, 12:06 PM   #911
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I have discovered I sleep much better in an environment which has city noises...trucks, sirens, cars, all a bit crazy, but these put me to sleep. For sure, if a quiet place is desired, truck stops are not the place to go.

One more note, if the stop is crowded, I try to park in one of the places semi-trucks cannot get in or are prohibited. I recognize they are earning a living, i am only playing.....
Reminds me of 'My Cousin Vinnie' when he couldn't sleep in the country cabin but slept like a baby in the noisy jail😂
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Old 02-07-2017, 04:51 PM   #912
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New Mexico has some nice campgrounds both public and private. We have a beautiful state.
So many places to go. Email is you need more info.
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Old 03-03-2017, 05:26 PM   #913
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Heading south from Ontario, Canada next week to find warmer weather. Thanks for the post about the detour south of Detroit on I75 which we are going to be on. QUESTION: is it safe to overnight at rest stops on I75 or should we be looking for Walmart, campgrounds or hotels for one-night stays until we get to our destination?
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Old 03-03-2017, 08:05 PM   #914
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Until you get as far south as Ky you may find some cg closed for the winter.
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Old 03-04-2017, 09:51 AM   #915
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Quote:
Originally Posted by curioscat View Post
Heading south from Ontario, Canada next week to find warmer weather. Thanks for the post about the detour south of Detroit on I75 which we are going to be on. QUESTION: is it safe to overnight at rest stops on I75 or should we be looking for Walmart, campgrounds or hotels for one-night stays until we get to our destination?
I think public campgrounds are open year round, Federal and state CGs open about the end of March or early April until south of Tennessee. You can go to their site or check reserveamerica.com to see if they're open.

If I'm considering stopping overnight at a Wal-mart I plan my trip so I know about where I'm going to stop for the night. Then I start looking for and Googling Wal-mart and Cracker Barrel locations, then do a Google review for those locations. I'll search something like "Wal-mart overnight Georgetown, KY". You can also look at the reviews on http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm. We prefer Cracker Barrel but have stayed at both.

We recently stayed (2/11/17) in Tifton, GA at Pines RV Park for $27 (Good Sam) with full hookups, basic cable, excellent free WIFI and private bathrooms (each bathroom has sink, toilet and shower). The hostess took our reservation over the phone about a half hour before we got there, greeted us as we drove in. Quiet place, easy off-on I-75 exit 61. Lots of restaurants and stores nearby. For $27, much better than a parking lot.
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Old 03-04-2017, 09:56 AM   #916
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Some public campgrounds are open year round, but not all.

Some federal and state campgrounds are also open year round, but not all.

The Allstays app will allow you to filter for just campgrounds, and just open all year....allowing you to use their map function to see what is open along your route.

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Old 03-05-2017, 09:41 AM   #917
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I suggest going to a Cabela's store and getting a Cabela's Club credit card. You can park overnight at Cabela's -- about 80 across the US and southern Canada. If you go inside and tell the customer service desk people that you are there, you can use their black & grey water dumping for free if you have a Cabela's Club credit card. Otherwise, dumping is $5.00. They also have a fresh water supply to fill your fresh water tank.
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Old 03-05-2017, 11:46 AM   #918
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I suggest going to a Cabela's store and getting a Cabela's Club credit card.
I'm not aware of any Cabela's in Florida. What's up with that?

WalMarts vary greatly by location. I'd feel safe in Russell, KS, but not in big cities.
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Old 03-06-2017, 04:28 AM   #919
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Cabelas is getting bought out by Bass Pro Shop. I would imagine there are a few of those in FL. Hopefully they will have the same policy, but may not have a dump station. We are Cabelas shoppers, and hoping the merger with Bass Pro won't take them down too far. (In quality and customer service.)
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Old 03-06-2017, 04:40 AM   #920
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Cabela's store locations FYI:

http://www.cabelas.com/stores/stores_home.jsp

Bass Pro:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...&cm_ite=stores

Merger PR:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...cfm&newsID=763
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